On Guard (sage ability)
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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.
Contents
In a group setting, a character can announce their "on guard" status at any time. He or she then gives the surroundings their whole attention, in case any outward threats should appear as the party is deliberating, making plans or merely wishing to rest, regain spells or eat. It's assumed the "on guard" character is left alone, as this behaviour would be well-known to a character party.
Standing Guard
Those with the ability are limited to being on gaurd for no longer than 3 hours, +15 minutes per level — once per day. Following this time period, characters may continue at their post, but their chance of being surprised reverts to normal. Guards cannot space the benefit throughout their time period on watch; once on guard, failing to maintain the rigor of the ability also causes it to lapse for the remainder of that day. That is, until sunrise, if the character was on guard the previous day, or sunset, if the character was on guard the previous night. This usually means a rest period of at least 12 hours.
Availability
Because the skill is usually possessed only by fighters, assassins, paladins and rangers, most other character classes cannot employ the ability. It is possible to have a guard as a progenitor, however, and the skill can be acquired through jack-of-all-trades.
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.
