Celestial Navigation (sage ability)

Permits the proper use of a sextant in order to measure the angle between any two visible objects or to determine the character's location when the sky is clear, either by 'shooting' the sun at noon or sighting the pole star at night. Position on the earth's surface cannot be obtained if a sextant cannot be employed.

Useful navigation at sea can be managed very well if the character is also a sailor; otherwise, the character must relay the information to others capable of steering (the ability to navigate with a sextant does not add any skill towards piloting).

This knowledge can also be used in determining the distance of any visible earthly object by shooting that object from two sufficiently separated positions, called triangulation. Use of this skill requires six combat rounds plus the time necessary to produce an angle of 15 degrees on the desired target in getting marginal accuracy (30 degrees is needed for an accurate result). This time can be saved if the angle is shot by two different persons able to effectively communicate by some means.

See Astronomy & Astrology