History (sage study)
A study of the past, enabling the character to explain and analyze the sequence of past events. The study does not include details regarding myths, legends or religious stories, but is concerned specifically with mundane happenings.
Initial knowledge points must be assigned by choice to a specific period of history OR a specific region, listed below. Each time the character adds more knowledge points (upon gaining a new level), these may be applied to a different period or region or towards those already chosen. Where a period of history overlaps with a given region, total knowledge points for both are added together to determine the character's total knowledge. Thus, if the character were to have 8 points of African history and 7 points of ancient history, that character would enjoy 15 points where the subject was specifically ancient Africa.
There are three periods of history:
- Ancient, from the beginnings of agrarian culture and writing to the fall of Zimbabwe in Africa, the collapse of the Roman Empire in Europe, the end of the Han Empire in China and the birth of the Mayans in the New World.
- Medieval, from the end of ancient history to approximately 1500 A.D. Medieval history ends with the development of European colonies in Africa, the rise of Protestantism in Europe, the ascendence of the Moghul Empire in India and the arrival of Europeans in the New World.
- Modern, relating to the last 150 years, discounting events in the recent present (approximately 5 years); principle features are the expansion of empires throughout Africa and the rise of the European slave trade, the religious wars of Europe and the expansion of Moscovy, the hegemony of the Ottoman, Safavid and Moghul empires, the steady decline of the Ming dynasty in China and the expansion of European power in the New World.
There are four regions of history:
- African, relating to the African continent, regardless of borders or present existing cultures that today dominate that region. Includes the whole Ottoman Empire Sinai Peninsula, Madagascar, the Comoros and Mascarene Islands, Socotra, Ascension and St. Helena.
- European, relating to the heart of western culture, from Spain to Moscovy, from Greece to Iceland.
- Oriental, relating to the heart of eastern culture, from the Safavid and Moghul empires to Japan, from Siberia to the East Indies.
- New World, relating to the north and south continents of the Americas, from the Aleutians and Alaska to Cape Horn. Also includes Antarctica and the Antarctic islands.
The character has no knowledge whatsoever of history outside their assigned knowledge points. Sage abilities associated with the study are described below.
Contents
Amateur
- History of Empire: presents an overview of great civilizations throughout the world and throughout history.
- Military Studies: presents a clear grasp of events surrounding wars in the past, as well as conveying some insight into enemy tactics.
- Religious History: provides some practical knowledge into the wax and wane of religions throughout history and insight into their strengths and weaknesses.
Authority
- Biography: provides details and knowledge about the significant figures of history.
Greater History: provides detailed knowledge of most political entities throughout the world and throughout history.
Expert
- Grassroots Movement: gather a crowd in order to promote political change.
- Conspiracy: identify and investigate conspiracies.
Sage
- Cognitive History: predict events relating to great masses of people.
- Faculty: the recognition of a cabal's movements, with potential for membership.
