Difference between revisions of "On Guard (sage ability)"

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[[File:On Guard (sage ability).jpg|right|490px|thumb]]
 
[[File:On Guard (sage ability).jpg|right|490px|thumb]]
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'''On Guard''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] that ensures a character acting as a sentinel — and taking precautions against unknown enemies — can be [[Surprise (combat)|surprised]] only on a 1 in 6.  This describes any situation where the character actively states that he or she is on guard.  It cannot be applied to situations where the character is striding along, otherwise moving or engaging their attention upon something other than watching for trouble.
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'''On Guard''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Empowerment (sage study)|Empowerment]] that grants extra awareness when acting as a sentinel, so that he or she is [[Surprise (combat)|surprised]] only on a 1 in 6.  This ability applies whenever the character actively announces their state of vigilance.  It's not applicable when the character is casually moving about, distracted or focused on something other than anticipating threats.
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In a group setting, a character has the option to declare themselves as "on guard" at any moment. When they do so, they dedicate their complete focus to monitoring their surroundings, remaining vigilant in case any potential dangers arise while the party is engaged in deliberations, planning or simply taking a break to rest, recover spells or have a meal.  It's understood that the rest of the party is aware of this character's "on guard" status and respects their need for uninterrupted attention to ensure the group's safety.
  
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A character standing among a party, however, not conversing, searching through his or her equipment, or otherwise engaged in activity, can declare their status as being on guard.  This may require explaining to the other members of the party that the character should be left alone until any possible danger is past, or the "on guard" stance is relaxed.
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== Standing Guard ==
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Characters possessing this ability can maintain their "on guard" state for a maximum duration of 3 hours, with an additional 15 minutes added per [[Experience Level|level]], and they can do so only once per day. After this specified time period, characters may continue their watch, but their susceptibility to surprise returns to normal.   
  
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== Limitations ==
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Individuals cannot split the benefits of this ability throughout their watch; once they declare themselves as "on guard," they must maintain the heightened vigilance.  Failing to do so causes the ability to lapse for the rest of that day, until either sunrise if the character was on guard during the day or sunset if the character was on guard at night. Typically, this necessitates a period of at least 12 hours before the ability can be used again.
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Those with the ability are limited to a time period of 3 hours, +15 minutes per level, before they must relax their stance and lose the benefit.  This does not mean they cannot continue to guard, only that they will be surprised normally.  Guards cannot space the benefit throughout their time period on watch; it must apply from the beginning of the time period in question until it ends.
 
  
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Because the skill is usually possessed only by [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Assassin (class)|assassins]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and [[Ranger (class)|rangers]], most other character classes cannot employ the ability.  It is possible to have a guard as a [[Progenitor|progenitor]], however, and the skill can be acquired through [[Jack-of-all-Trades (sage study)|jack-of-all-trades]].
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== Availability ==
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The ability is typically found among character classes such as [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Assassin (class)|assassins]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and [[Ranger (class)|rangers]]; it's rare among other [[Character Class|character classes]].  Some characters may have a [[Guard (profession)|guard]] as their [[Progenitor|progenitor]], while others may acquire the ability through [[Jack-of-all-Trades (sage study)|Jack-of-all-Trades]].
  
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Guards who are hired will always have this ability; therefore the party should understand that every trusted guard in the game setting will also have it.
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In the game setting, hired guards invariably possess this ability.  Nearly all are, therefore, only surprised on a 1.  Players should be made aware of this, allowing them to prepare themselves when confronting guards.
  
  
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See [[Empowerment (sage study)]]
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See also,<br>
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[[Passing Through (sage ability)|Passing Through]]<br>
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[[Phantasmal Guard (spell)|Phantasmal Guard]]<br>
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[[Steadfast (sage ability)|Steadfast]]
  
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[[Category: Sage Abilities]]
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[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 18:02, 14 October 2023

On Guard (sage ability).jpg

On Guard is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Empowerment that grants extra awareness when acting as a sentinel, so that he or she is surprised only on a 1 in 6. This ability applies whenever the character actively announces their state of vigilance. It's not applicable when the character is casually moving about, distracted or focused on something other than anticipating threats.

In a group setting, a character has the option to declare themselves as "on guard" at any moment. When they do so, they dedicate their complete focus to monitoring their surroundings, remaining vigilant in case any potential dangers arise while the party is engaged in deliberations, planning or simply taking a break to rest, recover spells or have a meal. It's understood that the rest of the party is aware of this character's "on guard" status and respects their need for uninterrupted attention to ensure the group's safety.

Standing Guard

Characters possessing this ability can maintain their "on guard" state for a maximum duration of 3 hours, with an additional 15 minutes added per level, and they can do so only once per day. After this specified time period, characters may continue their watch, but their susceptibility to surprise returns to normal.

Individuals cannot split the benefits of this ability throughout their watch; once they declare themselves as "on guard," they must maintain the heightened vigilance. Failing to do so causes the ability to lapse for the rest of that day, until either sunrise if the character was on guard during the day or sunset if the character was on guard at night. Typically, this necessitates a period of at least 12 hours before the ability can be used again.

Availability

The ability is typically found among character classes such as fighters, assassins, paladins and rangers; it's rare among other character classes. Some characters may have a guard as their progenitor, while others may acquire the ability through Jack-of-all-Trades.

In the game setting, hired guards invariably possess this ability. Nearly all are, therefore, only surprised on a 1. Players should be made aware of this, allowing them to prepare themselves when confronting guards.


See also,
Passing Through
Phantasmal Guard
Steadfast

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