Skills¶

Each adventurer begins the game with a number of skills as outlined in the class descriptions. Adventurers also gain an additional skill at 4^th and 8^th level. Skills grant a +1 bonus on any related attribute check (modified attributes are capped at a maximum of 18), and grant access to the adventurer's Reroll Pool on a failed check. The various skills and typical related attribute(s) are outlined in the table on page 50.

Skilled vs Unskilled¶

At the GM's discretion, some actions might require a specific skill or background to attempt at all, to qualify for a great success or avoid a terrible failure, or result in other modifiers reflective of experience. For example, the Apothecary skill might be required to concoct an emergency antitoxin mid-dungeon, or an adventurer with Wilderness Lore might automatically avoid getting bogged in a swamp.

The Skills table indicates which attribute(s) usually pairs with each skill. In some instances however a different attribute might apply. For example, the GM might rule that intimidating an NPC with a show of strength calls for a Str check, but will permit a reroll if the adventurer is skilled in Leadership (usually associated with Cha).

GMs are encouraged to modify the list to better suit their gaming preferences. For example, if your table prefers not to roll for social skills and instead rely on player skill, you might remove Leadership, Persuasion, Insight and Deception.

Similarly, if the single Detection skill is too broad, you might replace it with Spot, Hearing and Search skills, and so on.

Reroll Pool¶

If an adventurer fails an attribute check, but has a relevant skill (or possibly background, see below), the player may choose to reroll. Each adventurer begins an adventure with one Reroll Pool die per level. You may regain expended dice by taking short or long rests (p.81). The Reroll Pool may only be accessed once per attempted action. If advantage or disadvantage applies to the check, the Reroll Pool allows only one die to be rerolled.

Reroll Pool dice may also be used for all Luck rolls, Short Rest recoveries, and All Dead or Mostly Dead tests.

Backgrounds¶

In addition to skills, players may choose or create a themed background or profession for their adventurer (eg: soldier, pirate, hermit, criminal, disciple, merchant, farmer, etc).

If an action has a close connection with a character's background, but isn't a recognized skill, the adventurer's Reroll Pool may be available for that task. For example, a merchant background might allow a reroll on an Int check to appraise treasure, or a builder background might permit an Int reroll to identify weak points on a stone walkway.

List of Skills¶

SKILL	USUAL ATTR	WHEN RELEVANT
Acrobatics	Dex	Jumping, tumbling, parkour, escapology, tests of agility and reaction (inc Interceptions and triggering Rescue Exploits, but not initiative).
Animal Lore	Int	Animal behaviour, animal handling, mounted combat, driving carts & carriages, animal training, veterinary lore, bestial monster lore.
Apothecary	Int	First aid, injury recovery, poisons, biology, disease.
Arcane Lore	Int	Sensing nearby magic, recalling magical lore, fantastic monster lore, alchemy.
Athletics	Str or Con	Running, climbing, swimming, jumping, tests of physical power including grappling, breaking down a door, knocking an enemy prone, pushing a foe backwards, and so on.
Deception	Cha	Telling convincing lies, impersonations, making and using disguises and forgeries. Often opposed by Int (Insight).
Detection	Perc	General state of alertness as well as purposeful searching. Detecting traps, ambushes, clues, secret doors and so on.
Divine Lore	Int	Specialized, obscure or forbidden religious lore, rites, and creatures (holy and unholy).
Gather Information	Int or Cha	Rumour hunting, rumour mongering, canvassing for witnesses or a missing person or item, extended researching (eg: monster weaknesses or other specifics, the location of a lost ruin, etc).
General Lore	Int	The general catch all lore skill, recalling a broad range of historical, scientific, religious and political information (but not Arcane, Animal, Divine or Wilderness Lore).
Insight	Int or Perc	Discerning cues and subtleties suggestive of lies, exaggeration, honesty, and so on, with a view to gauging a person's true intentions. Often opposed by Cha (Deception).
Leadership	Cha	Inspiration, morale, intimidation, teaching, having orders obeyed.
Persuasion	Cha	Debating, convincing, negotiation, diplomacy, etiquette.
Sailing	Str or Int	Navigating and operating ships (including airships if applicable), rafts, canoes, etc. Also includes fishing and swimming.
Sleight of Hand	Dex	Picking pockets, palming, hiding small objects on your person or planting objects on others.
Stealth	Dex	Hiding and moving silently. Often opposed by Perc (Detection).
Traps & Locks	Dex	Picking non-magical locks, setting and disarming non-magical traps. Noticing traps is covered by Perc (Detection).
Wilderness Lore	Int	Wilderness survival, herbalism, foraging, hunting game, tracking. Might include some relevant non-magical monster lore (GM's call).