Post by Angel on Jul 31, 2009 18:24:15 GMT -8
What are Skills?
Skills define certain capabilities, working knowledge, or vocational backgrounds of every character. They can determine how well you drive a car, or whether or not you know human anatomy.
What is the difference between a Primary Skill and a Secondary Skill?
A Primary Skill generally one which encompasses the ability to physically perform an action, or put ones knowledge and training to use. On the other hand a Secondary Skill is generally defines a scope of knowledge that may or may not have any specific, real-world application. In the cases where some Secondary Skills do have real world applications, they may be Secondary Skills because they are unlikely to be very beneficial in a roleplaying environment. Unlike Secondary Skills, Primary Skills are graduated into three general degrees, from having capabilities just above the average person, to being exceptionally talented at a certain Skill.
For example: "Reach Weaponry" is a Primary skill that grades how well a character can use reach weapons like halbreds, polearms, and staves. Degree 1 will be less capable than degree 2, which will in turn be less capable than degree 3. "Knowledge - History," on the other hand, is a Secondary Skill. Characters with "Knowledge - History" are particularly versant in historical events, whether those are local, global, or interstellar. This could be useful knowledge, but for the purposes of this roleplay, isn't exactly going to be "weilded" like a weapon, and therefore doesn't need to be graded.
Then what are Bonded Skills?
Bonded Skills are sets of Primary Skills which can be augmented by associated Secondary Skills. In some cases, this associated Secondary Skill is required in order to advance one's ability in the Primary Skill.
For example, some Primary Skill weapons options, such as "Guns" or "Hand-to-Hand Combat" have associated Secondary Skills that aren't necessary to obtain the highest degree of the Skill ("Firearm Maintenance" and "Martial Arts," respectively). While the Secondary Skill could prove useful in certain situations, or will show a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind the weaponry, neither is absolutely critical to advancing in the Skill. A character may, for instance, not care how to properly clean a gun so long as it fires--and will ditch it the day it doesn't.
On the other hand, some Secondary Skills are required for more advanced degrees of the Primary Skill. Knowledge of "Human Anatomy" (a Secondary Skill) is pretty critical to the job of a doctor, and so is necessary to advance to a second degree of "Medical Pratictioner."
I think I've got it. But how do Skills relate to everything else?
Ultimately, they are meant to be used as a tool for character development and specialization. Skills aren't simply what your character can do--they should be elements of who your character is, as well. Even if your character hates what they're good at, or would rather be more capable with other Skills, their relationship to their strengths and weaknesses is an important one.
So what, it's all feel good mumbo-jumbo? A way to trick players into thinking more closely about their characters?
Yes and no. Yes, I hope it does have that effect, but no, there are other places where Skills are particularly relevant. Careers and occupational positions will be closely tied to certain skill sets. I will be matching people's Skills to their chosen occupations: if you claim you're a Medic on a ship and haven't got at least two degrees of "Medical Practitioner," for example, I'm probably going to notice.
How many Skills do I get?
10 Primary Skills, and 7 Secondary Skills at the start. Each Skill point for the Primary Skills counts towards one degree of any Primary Skill: basically, you'd need three Primary Skill points to maximize a Primary Skill.
So when do I upgrade?
You get more Skill points at the same time you upgrade your Power level. At each new level past your application, you get a certain number of Skill points, and they can be used to build Primary Skills, Secondary Skills, or both.
Application - 0 Posts - 10 Primary Skills and 7 Secondary Skills
Newly Powered – 50 Posts - 2 Skills
Apprentice – 100 Posts - 3 Skills
Professional – 200 Posts - 2 Skills
Expert – 400 Posts - 2 Skills
Master – 600 Posts - 3 Skills
Skills define certain capabilities, working knowledge, or vocational backgrounds of every character. They can determine how well you drive a car, or whether or not you know human anatomy.
What is the difference between a Primary Skill and a Secondary Skill?
A Primary Skill generally one which encompasses the ability to physically perform an action, or put ones knowledge and training to use. On the other hand a Secondary Skill is generally defines a scope of knowledge that may or may not have any specific, real-world application. In the cases where some Secondary Skills do have real world applications, they may be Secondary Skills because they are unlikely to be very beneficial in a roleplaying environment. Unlike Secondary Skills, Primary Skills are graduated into three general degrees, from having capabilities just above the average person, to being exceptionally talented at a certain Skill.
For example: "Reach Weaponry" is a Primary skill that grades how well a character can use reach weapons like halbreds, polearms, and staves. Degree 1 will be less capable than degree 2, which will in turn be less capable than degree 3. "Knowledge - History," on the other hand, is a Secondary Skill. Characters with "Knowledge - History" are particularly versant in historical events, whether those are local, global, or interstellar. This could be useful knowledge, but for the purposes of this roleplay, isn't exactly going to be "weilded" like a weapon, and therefore doesn't need to be graded.
Then what are Bonded Skills?
Bonded Skills are sets of Primary Skills which can be augmented by associated Secondary Skills. In some cases, this associated Secondary Skill is required in order to advance one's ability in the Primary Skill.
For example, some Primary Skill weapons options, such as "Guns" or "Hand-to-Hand Combat" have associated Secondary Skills that aren't necessary to obtain the highest degree of the Skill ("Firearm Maintenance" and "Martial Arts," respectively). While the Secondary Skill could prove useful in certain situations, or will show a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind the weaponry, neither is absolutely critical to advancing in the Skill. A character may, for instance, not care how to properly clean a gun so long as it fires--and will ditch it the day it doesn't.
On the other hand, some Secondary Skills are required for more advanced degrees of the Primary Skill. Knowledge of "Human Anatomy" (a Secondary Skill) is pretty critical to the job of a doctor, and so is necessary to advance to a second degree of "Medical Pratictioner."
I think I've got it. But how do Skills relate to everything else?
Ultimately, they are meant to be used as a tool for character development and specialization. Skills aren't simply what your character can do--they should be elements of who your character is, as well. Even if your character hates what they're good at, or would rather be more capable with other Skills, their relationship to their strengths and weaknesses is an important one.
So what, it's all feel good mumbo-jumbo? A way to trick players into thinking more closely about their characters?
Yes and no. Yes, I hope it does have that effect, but no, there are other places where Skills are particularly relevant. Careers and occupational positions will be closely tied to certain skill sets. I will be matching people's Skills to their chosen occupations: if you claim you're a Medic on a ship and haven't got at least two degrees of "Medical Practitioner," for example, I'm probably going to notice.
How many Skills do I get?
10 Primary Skills, and 7 Secondary Skills at the start. Each Skill point for the Primary Skills counts towards one degree of any Primary Skill: basically, you'd need three Primary Skill points to maximize a Primary Skill.
So when do I upgrade?
You get more Skill points at the same time you upgrade your Power level. At each new level past your application, you get a certain number of Skill points, and they can be used to build Primary Skills, Secondary Skills, or both.
Application - 0 Posts - 10 Primary Skills and 7 Secondary Skills
Newly Powered – 50 Posts - 2 Skills
Apprentice – 100 Posts - 3 Skills
Professional – 200 Posts - 2 Skills
Expert – 400 Posts - 2 Skills
Master – 600 Posts - 3 Skills