Knowledge Points
Knowledge points, or simply "knowledge," most often measures a character's status in a general sage study. Knowledge accumulates through gaining experience levels and special instruction.
Contents
In the case of non-levelled persons, by means of instruction or one's progenitor, knowledge points can also be applied to a single sage ability — in which case, additional knowledge of the accompanying study is not possessed. Most non-levelled characters possess knowledge in this latter fashion.
- For example, the fighter Rask has 23 points of knowledge in the study of horseback riding. This gives him 23 points in each sage ability within that study, including riding, feeding and domesticating a horse. However, another individual, Jared, might only have 23 points in just riding a horse, without the whole study's additional knowledge. Thus Jared would ride as well as Rask, but he wouldn't have skills in caring for a horse or even riding a horse in combat, as Rask would.
Choosing Studies and Fields
For player characters, it's assumed their youths required much training in making them a character class. Each class has access to sage abilities through the following links:
Each of the above pages shows a number of sage fields; there are usually four fields for each class. Druids have only three. Bards have sixteen. In creating a 1st level character, the players choose just one field from their character class. This becomes their "chosen field."
Within each field there are a set of "studies." Studies in a chosen field are called "in-field"; other studies are called "out-of-field." Characters are now allowed to pick on of their in-field studies as their "chosen study." This gives each character one chosen field and one chosen study.
If a character is multi-classed, then he or she may choose one field for the total of all the fields in whatever classes the character possesses. The study in that field is then chosen normally. Multi-classed characters do not start with multiple fields.
Assigning Knowledge
Part of the character creation process is to assign knowledge points to every study the character has, both in and out of their chosen field. This involves a die roll for each, as follows:
- Chosen study in the chosen field. Player characters automatically receive 12 pts. in this study at 1st level. Non-player characters would roll a d12. When both player and non-player characters achieve a new level, an additional 1d12 is rolled, with this number being added to the character's previous total. Thus, a 2nd level character would have 12 + 1d12 points of knowledge in that study.
- In-field studies. These are the non-chosen studies in the character's chosen field. Each receives 1d8 -1 points of knowledge, or a number ranging from 0 to 7. This is the same for both player and non-player characters. Then, when a character reaches a new level, a d8 -1 is rolled again, and the new number added to the character's previous total. Thus, a 2nd level character would have 2d8 -2 points of knowledge in each non-chosen study in their chosen field.
- Out-of-field studies. These are all other studies the character has. Each receives 1d4 -1 points of knowledge. Except that a d4 rather than a d8 is used, the accumulation of points works the same for these studies as for in-field studies.
Druids and bards both work differently from the above. Be sure to examine the pages on those classes closely when assigning knowledge points. See below on how to increase the number of knowledge points characters can add to their studies at higher experience levels.
Status
A character's status within a sage study is determined by the number of knowledge points they have. The lowest status is "unskilled." This status offers no sage abilities. Each status above unskilled (amateur, authority, expert and sage) provides new sage abilities as that level of knowledge is unlocked.
Amateur
Amateur-status abilities are unlocked and made available to characters who have 10 or more points of knowledge in that study. For example, an amateur burglar possesses five different abilities: appraisal I, break & enter, case building, detect concealed doors and lookout. The number of sage abilities in a given study or at a given status varies.
On the whole, amateur abilities convey a familiarity with the subject, while offering minimal practical application. There are things characters are able to do, but most abilities of this status focus on facts, background and understanding. Some of this ss given to characters during their initial training, but as the character gains levels, more is steadily accumulated from whatever sources happen to be around in the game world. These are assumed to exist, just as characters are assumed to be interested in conversations with others about these topics, and in surveying any books and other writings they happen to encounter.
Authority
Authority-status abilities are unlocked and made available when the character reaches 30 knowledge in the study. This brings new sage abilities, more practical and effective than those an amateur has.
Authorities view the study with occupational experience. They're fully competent regarding the ordinary components and procedures involved, enabling them to make things and express their craft proficiently. Using rules of thumb, they've gathered the foreknowledge to respond to unexpected situations; their abilities reflect this.
Expert
Expert-status abilities are unlocked and made available when the character reaches 60 knowledge in the study. Again come a group of new sage abilities, some of which verge on bending the rules of natural law. Experts have knowledge in a magical world that permit new ideals and conceptions. Such persons are ready to move outside the framework of their profession, exploring each study on the fringes of its innovation.
Sage
Sage-status abilities are unlocked and made available when the character reaches 100 knowledge in the study. These are the last sage abilities the character gains within this study. At this point, very unusual opportunities and powers come into the character's possession, allowing all manner of creation and investigation into the absurd and multi-varied universe. For the most part, it takes some time to accumulate this many points, with most characters achieving sage-status when above the 15th level of experience.
Upgrading Fields and Studies
As characters progress to higher experience levels, they eventually reach a stage where they can enhance a study or a field to accelerate their acquisition of knowledge points.
Studies
At the 5th level, characters have the opportunity to choose a new study within their selected field. This promotion transforms the study from being non-chosen to chosen, resulting in an increased accumulation of knowledge in that particular study going forward. All previously acquired knowledge remains unaffected.
- For example, Olivia the Thief has recently reached the 5th level. Her chosen field is "fraud," and her chosen study within that field is "forgery." Before reaching the 5th level, she managed to accumulate 32 points in forgery (12 + 3d12), establishing herself as an authority in the field. However, in "chicanery" and "double-dealing," where she rolls (4d8 - 4), she has only 13 points in chicanery and 11 points in double-dealing.
- Now, upon attaining the 5th level, she has the opportunity to elevate "chicanery" to a chosen study. This means she now rolls a d12 for that study, while still rolling a d8 - 1 for "double-dealing." Naturally, she continues to roll a d12 for "forgery," as she always has.
Characters obtain yet additional chosen studies at 9th level, 13th, 17th and so on.
Fields
At the 7th level, characters have the opportunity to incorporate an additional field into their selection. This enhancement improves the dice rolls for studies within that field, upgrading them from d4 minus 1 to d8 minus 1. Moreover, when the character selects a new study within their "chosen field," they can now choose from either of their existing fields.
Characters gain additional selected fields at the 13th and 19th levels of their progression. For druids, who possess only three fields, all of them are considered selected by the 13th level. In contrast, most other classes designate all their fields as selected by the 19th level. There is a unique exception in the case of bards, who acquire their fifth selected field at the 25th level. It's worth noting that bards as a class cannot advance beyond the 26th level.
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