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Incarna Side Talk: Synthesize Skill Model i7/i20
NOTE: This is not hyperlinked in the first edit.
A skill is a Feature of Incarna in which competency in the related materials is acquired and/or developed using CP and follows a progress through multiple levels of proficiency. The measure at which the skill is practiced is expressed as the Base Level (that measure achieved with CP alone), along with any applicable modifiers (aptitude & attributes, conditions, situations, devices/tools, etc.) may grant bonuses or penalties and these combined is the Adjusted Level of Use (ALU). Broad Base skills can also have relevant knowledge (Lore) and other skills the player or GM may deem impactful that affects ALU.
Skills are classed as either Singular or Broad with applied targets to reflect a limited application. Additionally, some specific activities they allow can become an Accomplished Activity. Mobility Skills leveraging Movement have some special guidelines for their use. Taking the full Broad skill grants Advantage from some broad base exposure to certain operations.
Explanation
Definition: Assess = evaluate, appraise, and predict the target’s success, limits, or value in application.
Sorcery (available in iCore only) is a singular skill – it is all encompassing and cannot be applied narrowly. The requirements for it cannot be reduced.
Animal Handling is a Broad Base skill with many operations (ride, care, domesticating/training/calming, etc.). It can be applied target to just a single animal, with the learning requirements being halved and CP costs reduced to a lesser scale. Any attempt to apply it to related animals (ex: horse vs. mule) can be done but increases the difficulty by a full measure by default and loses any Broad Base Advantage checks.
So, is “ride” a skill? No, its an operation within a skill set. That means a character can assess the capability in others, assess its usefulness and success in specific situations, assess related goods and equipment to its function, and perform its function. Generally any of these activities can be Accomplished, though actually performing the most important aspect is what the mechanics focus on because it is usually the most useful in game terms. If the skill is being used as an Applied Skill to a single target, theoretically any operation can be.
Ex: Animal Handling {Horse} > Animal Handling > Horse Handling or Horse (Animal) Handling: It only applies to that applied target. In this case, a character may have just been exposed to horses growing up and learned only that.
So, can i just have “ride” as an accomplished activity, and no skill? No, not unless its as an Applied Target – i.e. you can take “Ride Horse” as an accomplished activity if you at least meet any aptitude requirements.
Mobility Skills are an Exception to Everything
Its not as crazy as all that, but that got your attention.
If you do not have an inherent movement (ambulation type) of the mobility operation, then any operative capability will require a check. All operative capabilities ARE Applied Skills, but take a normal CP scale to improve by default.
Example: A character that takes the Mobility {Walking} Skill. This allows them to move fast/run for bursts. It allows them to make distance travel at a higher sustained pace over different terrain better. It allows them to perform extreme maneuvers on their feet. It allows them to coordinate their efforts to move in sync with others – as with group maneuvers. It allows them to attempt and enhance some Athletic & Acrobatic activities. It allows them to assess the effort to accomplish things using this skill. Specific Events would be accomplished activities – i.e. ‘The 400m Dash’.
So, “running” is not a skill? No, running is just walking moving faster. Swim, Fly, Slither, Brachiate, and others all have Mobility expressions that include moving faster than normal movement rate. For a long time we used “Running” as a tern, but really its just faster walking – be it quadruped, triped, or biped.
Nomenclature & Tests for Applied Skills
These are narrowly applied skills to a single target.
Animal Handling > Horse
The bonus for having the full skill with Broad Application to gain Advantage is: ? Some skills may not have this?
Equipment: saddle +2 (fixture/stability) stirrup +1 (balance) tack/harness +1 (guidance)
Cost = Animal Handling > Horse 1cp; Ride Horse as an accomplished activity 2cp = lvl 3 for 3 cp! A quick way to reflect specialized circumstances
Communication Systems > HBX v-20
> Operate is there for other equipment & systems; Its no longer “Operate Communication Systems” or “Communication Systems Operate” – ‘operate’ is removed from any labels. Operate/Pilot (as in a vessel) should be Pilot (Craft X)
The bonus for having the full skill with Broad Application to gain Advantage is: basic Access/Operate
Computer Systems > DEC-Alpha
The bonus for having the full skill with Broad Application to gain Advantage is: basic Access/Operate
Conclusions
KJB Initial Edit > This system gives the best mix of minimal rules guidelines and flexibility of applying them in various scenarios. A character can just be a good horse rider, they can be a good horse handler, or could be a full on animal handler. Admittedly, i have yet to apply this to EVERY skill to see if it works, that is Edit #2.