Skill Verbs

Verbs describe the many possible actions for each skill.

Athletics

• Run

Determines long-distance endurance as well as sprinting speed.

Used by: Hunters, Couriers

• Swim

Allows your character to maneuver through water.

Used by: Fishermen, Sailors

• Manipulate

Pushing, pulling, gripping, lifting, carrying, throwing. Anything requiring upper body strength.

Used by: Smiths, Farmers, Carpenters

Acrobatics

• Climb

Scale buildings or sheer cliffs with relative ease.

Used by: Homebuilders, Cat burglars

• Balance

Avoid tripping and falling, especially on uncertain ground. Resist being knocked prone in combat.

Used by: Monks, Mountaineers

• Leap

Jump long distances. Also determines whether your character can tumble to avoid falling injury.

Used by: Thieves, Druids

Sleight of Hand

• Misdirect

Direct the attention of another long enough to distract them from your real intention. This can be either an impressive parlor trick or a serious crime.

Used by: Street Performers, Pickpockets, Soothsayers

• Quick Draw

Draw your blade or notch an arrow at the drop of a hat. Speed can mean everything when diplomacy fails.

Used by: Gamblers, Gang Members, Bounty Hunters

• Tinker

Work with small tools in tight spaces using one's fine motor skills. Very useful for lock picking.

Used by: Jewelers, Seamstresses, Thieves

Stealth

• Hide

Utilize your environment to evade detection.

Used by: Robbers, Fugitives

• Move Silently

Softens your steps so that you cannot easily be heard.

Used by: Thieves, Assassins

Investigation

• Survey

Search and examine an area for relevant clues. The first skill needed for tracking.

Used by: Hunters, Detectives

• Appraise

Examine an item to ascertain its value and/or quality.

Used by: Peddlers, Jewelers, Pawnbrokers

Animal Handling

• Pacify

Calm hostile animals, possibly turning them friendly towards you and your party.

Used by: Menagerie keepers, Druids

• Ride

Determines your skill in mounting and riding horses. May be applied to more exotic animals.

Used by: Couriers, Cavalrymen

• Herd

Control and direct individual or large groups of animals using verbal commands.

Used by: Shepherds, Coachmen, Hunters

Insight

• Judge

Infer the class, profession, personality, and/or mood of someone by studying their appearance and behavior. Counters disguise.

Used by: Bartenders, Nobles

• Scrutinize

Determine whether someone is lying or withholding the truth. Counters bluff & swindle.

Used by: Detectives, Magistrates

• Gather Information

Eavesdrop and question strangers to pick up on rumors and intrigue, preferably without drawing attention.

Used by: Civilians, Adventurers, Bounty Hunters

Medicine

• Diagnose

Utilize your medicinal knowledge to examine wounds and reconcile symptoms.

Used by: Medics, Apothecaries

• Treat

Apply medicine to alleviate symptoms and/or promote recovery.

Used by: Druids, Apothecaries

• Operate

Perform major surgery as a last ditch effort to save someone's life.

Used by: Medics, Barbers

Perception

• Spot

Notice movement from far away, or detect hostile shapes in the darkness. Anything that isn't immediately apparent requires spotting.

Used by: Guardsmen, Scouts

• Listen

Forgo sight to detect what cannot be seen. At higher levels, hear small disturbances from long distances.

Used by: Frontiersmen, Druids

• Sense

Attune yourself to detect the presence and usage of magic. Often described as a sixth sense. Does not let you see the future.

Used by: Mages, Soothsayers, Witch hunters

Survival

• Navigate

Read maps, locate landmarks, travel swiftly, and avoid getting lost. The second skill needed for tracking.

Used by: Hunters, Escorts, Cartographers

• Forage

Find and identify important natural resources for survival. Construct makeshift shelters.

Used by: Hermits, Pioneers, Herbalists

• Persevere

Resist the long-term mental effects of living outdoors. Thrive in rain & snow.

Used by: Frontiersmen

Deception

• Bluff

Determines how successful your little lies are.

Used by: Everyone

• Swindle

These are the big lies. Get others to believe long, complicated tales or sell someone a piece of junk for a mint. Usually premeditated.

Used by: Con artists, Soothsayers

• Disguise

Pretend to be someone you're not. Wearing a physical disguise will improve your odds.

Used by: Spies, Actors, Assassins

Intimidation

• Taunt

Intentionally make someone angry. Useful for making a noble lose his composure or getting a thug to punch first when the law is involved.

Used by: Dept collectors, Thugs

• Threaten

Dangle a consequence in front of their face if they don't do what you want. This consequence can be imprisonment, the wrath of your god, or simply letting your mates beat his face in.

Used by: Guardsmen, Crime bosses

• Terrify

Make someone do what you want by simply being bigger and scarier. Warning: people make irrational decisions when cornered.

Used by: Ruffians, Scoundrels, Ne'er-do-wells

Performance

• Serenade

The art of music making. This subskill requires a good deal of prior experience when using an instrument. Any character may use their voice, however.

Used by: Bards, Sailors, Drunks

• Declaim

Public speaking and speech-making. Useful for impressing tavern-goers or inspiring a battalion.

Used by: Nobles, Commanders, Actors

• Seduce

Convince another of your passion and prowess. Also determines your character's other kind of performance.

Used by: Lechers, Sex workers

Persuasion

• Argue

Utilize logic and evidence to sway the opinion of others.

Used by: Philosophers, Politicians, Spouses

• Empathize

Forms an emotional connection with the needs and desires of others. Console a grieving parent or stroke the ego of a narcissist.

Used by: Nurses, Clergy

• Barter

Haggle down the price of a prospective purchase, or convince a pawnbroker to take a gamble on an unproven commodity.

Used by: Peddlers, Shopkeepers, Adventurers