Free-diving (sage ability)
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Free-diving is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Athletics that enables characters to hold their breath and explore depths down to 100 ft. below the surface for periods of at least 6 rounds. Having honed their lung capacity, and using weights to drop quickly to their maximum depth, characters with this skill are vital in activities like pearl-diving, sponge collection and ocean salvage.
Free-diving has ancient roots and has been practiced throughout history, particularly in the Mediterranean, southern India and Japan. Divers take several breaths for 3-4 rounds to saturate their blood with oxygen before taking the final breath and submerging. With fins made of wood, bone and other materials to add propulsion, divers also use footwear of animal skins to further streamline their bodies, gliding as quickly as they can to the bottom. Additionally, experts are able to equalise their ears to conserve energy in their descent and ascent.
| Strength | Rounds |
|---|---|
| 3-5 | 6-7 (d2+5) |
| 6-10 | 7-10 (d4+6) |
| 11-13 | 8-13 (d6+7) |
| 14-16 | 12-15 (d4+11) |
| 17-18 | 15-17 (d3+14) |
| 18% or more | 17-18 (d2+16) |
