Plausible Skill Usage

Sometimes, players want to use their skills creatively. Imagine a fighter picks up a large boulder, gets ready to throw it, and lets out a big roar to intimidate a pack of goblins into submission. Though the skill descriptions would imply Intimidation is the proper skill to resolve this action, it is perfectly acceptable for the Storyteller to instead call for a Lifting check to see how effortlessly terrifying the fighter appears as she uses her strength to intimidate her foes. Skill names and descriptions should be treated as guidance, not guard rails.

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Strength Skills

Swimming: Swimming is the skill of navigating through water with strength and efficiency. Good swimmers can cross lakes, rivers, and even treacherous waters without fear. Additionally, this skill helps characters negate penalties for engaging in underwater combat, holding one's breath underwater on deep dives, and anything else related to surviving underwater.

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Climbing: Climbing represents a character's ability to ascend vertical surfaces. Skilled climbers can reach hidden vantage points, escape pursuing enemies, or explore difficult terrain with ease. In combat, climbing can be used to clamber on top of giant foes. Sometimes, climbers can use this skill to gain the high ground advantage or evade ground-based foes by reaching elevated positions.

 

Lifting: Lifting skill measures a character's raw power and ability to handle heavy objects. Characters proficient in lifting can perform feats of strength such as moving massive boulders, breaking down barricades, or carrying heavy loads over long distances. This skill can also be used to intimidate or impress others with displays of brute strength.

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Throwing: Throwing skill is the art of hurling objects accurately and with force. Skilled throwers can launch weapons, projectiles, or even improvised items with precision. This skill can be used to strike distant targets, disarm foes, or create distractions. It can be used to toss party members and enemies alike.

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Grappling: Grappling represents a character's expertise in close-quarters combat and wrestling. Skilled grapplers can restrain foes, break free from holds, or incapacitate opponents without weapons. This skill is particularly effective in subduing enemies non-lethally or immobilizing them for interrogation. See Stealthy Deeds and Grappling for how to use this skill for various situations.

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Dexterity Skills

Stealth: The Stealth skill embodies the art of moving silently and unseen, allowing characters to blend into the shadows, avoid detection, and gain the element of surprise. Quiet footsteps will not ruin a Stealth check, but talking or making noises louder than a whisper will. Those with a character backstory involving urban areas may also use Stealth to remain inconspicuous is city environments. To sneak somewhere effectively, characters must have cover to hide behind that is larger than themselves. They cannot use a similar-sized humanoid as cover, but may disappear in a crowd.

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Sleight of Hand: Sleight of Hand involves quick-fingered trickery and deft manipulation. Characters skilled in sleight of hand can pickpocket, palm small objects, and pick locks (assuming they have a thin lockpick-like item that fits into a keyhole). They can also perform any actions that require finesse and a steady hand, like crafting fine jewelry or painting.

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Gymnastics: Gymnastics represents a character's agility, balance, and acrobatic prowess. Those proficient in gymnastics can perform daring flips, leaps, and rolls, allowing them to evade traps, navigate treacherous terrain, or engage in dynamic combat maneuvers.

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Stamina Skills

Physical Endurance: Physical endurance reflects a character's ability to withstand physical hardships and exertion. Characters with high endurance can march long distances without tiring, resist the effects of fatigue, and endure harsh environmental conditions. This skill is essential for adventurers on grueling journeys or those facing prolonged physical challenges.

 

Resist Toxins: Resist Toxins quantifies a character's immunity or resistance to poisons, venoms, and harmful chemicals. Skilled individuals can consume toxins and suffer only minor discomfort, resist the effects of venomous creature bites, or even neutralize lesser poisons.

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Knowledge Skills

History: The History skill reflects a character's understanding of past events, cultures, and civilizations. Proficiency in History allows characters to recall important historical details, decipher ancient texts, or discern the origins of artifacts. It can also be used to gain insights into the motivations of historical figures.

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First Aid: First Aid represents a character's ability to provide immediate medical assistance in emergencies. Skilled individuals can stabilize wounded allies, prevent bleeding, or administer basic treatments to heal minor injuries. Read more about how First Aid affects Dying creatures in the Injury & Death section.

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Perception: Perception is the skill of keen observation, noticing hidden details, and detecting hidden threats. Characters with high Perception can spot concealed traps, hidden doors, or lurking enemies. This skill is used for scouting, maintaining vigilance, and avoiding surprise attacks.

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Animal Handling: Animal Handling skill allows characters to communicate with, tame, or control animals. Proficient individuals can calm agitated beasts, ride unruly mounts, or coax animals into helpful actions. For those whose backgrounds include animal husbandry, work on a farm, or any agricultural use of animals, Animal Handling is a valuable skill.

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Navigation: Navigation enables characters to find their way in unfamiliar places, whether it be cities or wilderness. Proficiency in Navigation helps characters avoid getting lost, plan efficient travel routes, or locate specific landmarks. They can steer ships away from storms or towards friendly ports as readily as they can find the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant in a crowded city. Whether by the stars or a paper map, navigators can find ways forward.

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Wilderness Survival: Wilderness Survival represents the ability to find food, water, and shelter, or track creatures through the wilderness. They can make camps in safe places, know what berries are poisonous, and start fires in suboptimal conditions. 

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Arcana Skills

Identify Magic: Identify Magic skill allows characters to discern the properties and effects of magic. Proficient individuals can identify the capabilities of enchanted items, recognize and describe the effects of magical auras and curses, and understand the mechanics of spells cast by other magic-users. This skill allows magic-users to determine the potential of magical treasures and devise strategies to counter magical threats.

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Dispel Magic: Dispel Magic skill involves the ability to negate or dispel magical effects. Skilled individuals can unravel enchantments, break curses, or disrupt ongoing spells. Although it does allow characters to dispel illusions, it cannot force shapeshifted creatures back to their normal forms.

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Augment Magic: Augment Magic represents the capacity to enhance or modify existing spells or enchantments. It is a catch-all skill for particularly talented mages to do creative things with cantrips or Tier Abilities. For instance, using a water-based healing ability to shower and clean off. Storytellers should make trivial modifications to spells easy to do with this skill. More generous interpretations, such as using a water-based healing ability to water an entire field of corn in a drought, may require a near-impossible Augment Magic check to pull off.

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Charisma Skills

Deception: Deception is the art of disguising intentions, lying convincingly, or misleading others. Charming and sinister deceivers alike can manipulate people into believing they are honest and trustworthy. They can also bluff, create false identities, or cover their tracks during investigations.

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Intimidation: Intimidation involves instilling fear or exerting dominance over others. Skilled individuals can coerce information, cow adversaries into submission, or inspire dread in their enemies. This skill is potent for characters who seek to control situations through intimidation.

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Persuasion: Persuasion allows characters to influence others through charm, reason, or diplomacy. Proficient individuals can negotiate deals, gain allies, or defuse tense situations with words. They can also inspire trust in others.

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Seduction: Seduction represents the art of romantic and sensual allure. Skilled individuals can use their charm to win over potential lovers, manipulate desires, or extract information through romantic encounters. This skill is often associated with characters who use their charisma for personal gain.

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Performance: Performance encompasses various forms of artistic expression, such as music, dance, or acting. Proficient individuals can entertain audiences, earn coin through busking, or use their talents to distract or mesmerize others.

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Sense Motive: Sense Motive involves reading the intentions and emotions of others. Skilled individuals can detect lies, assess trustworthiness, or discern hidden motives during social interactions. This skill is vital for uncovering deception and maintaining awareness of hidden agendas.