Skills
This page is currently under construction. This game doesn't really have only two skills and a bunch of definitions, that would just be silly.
Skills are a type of proficiency mechanic available for all player characters to invest in and obtain in order to use various actions and commands that can help them in a campaign adventure. Ranging from skills that improve the use of equipment such as weapon types and armour, to those that allow a character to overcome some kind of obstacle, or to influence other Non-playable characters. Some are even required in order to use fantastic abilities such as magic. Compared to other game systems that operate with a class structure, Viridian uses skills as a replacement to classes, enabling characters to mix and match their abilities and proficiencies.
- Skills are considered as important as Attributes and Perks combined since they can provide bonuses and extra abilities at the same time. Also, Skill points are acquired every level whereas perks and attributes do not.
Skill Mechanics & Glossary
Skill Points
Skill points are used to invest in Skills to gain Skill Ranks and improve skill bonuses, if applicable.
A character gains 15 skill points every level, including 1st level while a player is building them.
Skill Bonus
If a character has 21 or more skill points in a skill, the character may receive some portion of the Skill Bonus which can enhance aspects of a character's commands and abilities. A skill's maximum bonus is a set value when a character has a skill rating of 100. A character who is able to get a skill rating higher than 100 due to bonuses can gain a higher skill bonus than skill points alone.
Skill-Focus
Plural: Skill-Focuses, is a special bonus that is applied to Skills, usually at character creation but also whenever a character's Intelligence score is increased.
Characters usually gain 1 Skill-Focus plus one Skill-Focus for every Intelligence point above 0.
A Skill-Focus gives a skill 20 skill points, this is treated the same as if a character had invested 20 skill points and thus rewards the character with the rank of Novice (20). But Skill-Focuses also counts towards the maximum number of skill points that can be invested for their level.
Skill Rating
Skill Rating is the effective total of all factors including invested skill points, Skill-Focus and bonuses from other sources. A skill with a Focus (20) plus 15 invested points (15) and a +10 bonus from another source will mean the skill has a rating of 45. A skill used in the context of a skill check or a command will be treated as 45, however for the purposes of unlocking skill ranks, it is only considered to be 35.
Skill Ranks
Skill Ranks refer to the milestones that all Skills possess, the initial number of ranks goes up to 5. Some mechanics uses Skill Ranks as a gate or as a way to scale up or down bonuses and penalties.
The first five ranks are Novice (20), Competent (40), Adept (60), Expert (80) and Master (100). The number in parentheses references the number of skill points required to acquire that rank.
♦ At 1st level: A character cannot invest more than 40 points into a single skill, limiting them to rank Competent (40). ♦ At 4th level: A character can now invest up to 60 points in a skill, increasing skill rank to Adept (60). ♦ At 8th level: A character can now invest up to 80 points in a skill, increasing skill rank to Expert (80). ♦ At 12th level: A character can now invest up to 100 points in a skill, increasing skill rank to Master (100).
A character is always rewarded with a Skill Perk upon reaching a new rank, how the reward is given depends on the skill and rank obtained.
Skill Perks
Depending on the skill, a character will gain a Skill Perk each time they reach a new rank by investing Skill points or by gaining a Skill-Focus. Most ranks will allow the player to choose what Skill perk to apply, but sometimes a skill rank will be fixed and other times skill perks have prerequisites before they can be selected.
When a Skill reaches Master (100), the character can use Perk Points in order to obtain any missing skill perks they can't obtain due to maxing out their skill ranks.
Skill Group
Skills are usually categories into Skill Groups, especially when the skills are closely related to each other by theme or that they're similar enough that a character could have transferable skills to the other. Skill-Focuses usually enhance a number of skills at once as they target Skill Groups instead of just individual skills.
List of Skills
Group: Personal
Personal skills often relate to the character’s racial traits and bonuses.
♦ All characters have a Skill-Focus in Personal skills. This is default, the player does not need to select this group.
Potential
Potential determines how potent a character’s racial traits and abilities perform. The required ranks and effects of these traits are often written in the race entry itself. Each point in Potential increases the number of uses or the duration of racial abilities whereas ranks in Potential upgrades traits and bonus to be even stronger.
♦ Skill bonus: Increases the number of uses, cost and/or duration of racial traits. ? Read the trait/ability in detail for how much this skill bonus affects.
Inspiration
The Inspiration Skill unlocks the ability to use Inspirations
♦ ????
Determination
The Determination skill helps the character recover from physical and mental ailments.
♦ ????
Group: Analysis
This skill group focuses on the ability to analyse objects, environments and creatures, uncovering secret/hidden elements and being able to passively notice things at a glance. This can be a very important skill group for adventurers, but it’s especially useful for dedicated investigators as their keen eye for detail can reveal clues and secrets that would have gone unnoticed.
Appraise
This skill is used to determine the value, properties and even function of various items and equipment, especially when it’s not already identified by reliable sources. While certain objects and equipment may be too advanced to understand or come from secret factions or creators, the Appraise skill can at least identify characteristics more similar to what is commonly known to the user.
♦ At Novice rank: The user will automatically examine any items or equipment they pick up or look at without calling for a skill-check. (Normally: When an item or equipment is picked up, and they do not call to examine it, the item will be given a vague name and description.
Investigate
The Investigate skill is highly useful for getting clues on the environment and its features. Whether it’s being able to take in all the unusual details of a room to noticing something is trapped, the Investigation skill is vital to making sure you know what you’re walking into at a glance and being able to reveal hidden features within them.
♦ At Novice rank: The character may pick up on contextual clues in the environment automatically without calling for a skill check. (Normally: They must call for a Skill-check to notice obvious things about the environment)
Insight
The Insight skill is highly useful for getting clues on creatures both intelligent and animal. Whereas Social skills are about trying to influence and manipulate others, Insight is designed to tell whether someone is influencing or manipulating you. In combat the Insight skill can also help characters against predictable foes.
♦ At Novice rank: The character may pick up upon any contextual clues regarding creatures and humanoids automatically without calling for a skill check. (Normally: They must call for a Skill-check to notice something obvious about creatures and humanoids.)