Slayers of Rings § Crowns

Rules Sections

Basics | Abilities | Attributes | Traits | Talents | Skills | Game Master

Skills Framework

Each profession has its own tree that provides a given set of skills characters can choose from and develop. Each skill relies on; development, craftsmanship, proficiency, attributes and luck. Skills also require special tools, materials, a Manual with an item list and instructions, such as a recipe or blueprint, and a suitable work area to perform. Work areas, such as forging stations are found deep in dungeons and mountain hearts while cooks can work with hunters in rural areas providing flora and fauna to feed the party, but be careful because running out of Endurance, daily action cap, may leave you in an area not suitable for resting.

Penalties and Bonuses to Skills

Skills are specific proficiencies that depend on character experience, tools, environment, and resources. Their effectiveness is influenced by situational factors, the character’s current Vitality (Stamina and Endurance), and their ability to improvise with limited resources. Bonuses and penalties are applied at GM discretion, tailored to the context of each attempt.

• Attribute-Related Effects: Low attribute scores (such as AGI for agility or INT for technical skills) may impose penalties or restrict attempts, especially under adverse conditions. High attributes can mitigate penalties or improve success chances through narrative or mechanical advantage.
• Resource and Equipment Dependencies: Many skills require specific recipes, materials, tools, or workshop access. Lack of these can impose penalties or prevent attempts. Improvisation may result in penalties or reduced effectiveness depending on GM judgment.
• Vitality (Stamina and Endurance): When Stamina drops below a defined threshold (e.g., 50%), characters performing demanding skills may suffer penalties. Extended or complex skill actions consume Endurance; insufficient Endurance can lead to penalties or failure.
• Environmental and Narrative Factors: Conditions like darkness, weather, chaos can cause penalties or confer bonuses, as determined by the GM. Supportive circumstances may grant bonuses.
• GM Discretion: All bonuses and penalties are flexible and based on the context, environment, resource availability, and current Vitality state.

Skill Attempts and Progression

1. Skill Attempts: When a character attempts to use a skill, the player rolls a specified dice (e.g., d20) and adds any relevant adjustments, bonuses or penalties, given.
2. Success Metrics: Each task has a Difficulty Score (DIFS). If the total result of the dice and adjustments meets or exceeds the DIFS, the action is successful. Failure will result in the loss of part of the materials used. Success will result in rolls determining specifics and the quality of the crafted item, and will also grant Characters with bonuses to the Profession, raising their proficiency.
3. Skill Progression: As characters gain experience, they can invest in skills to enhance their proficiency allowing them to read manuals of more difficult tasks and attempt to perform majestical acts and craft epic items.
4. Roleplaying Opportunities: Skills also allow Players to meet their Characters’ cultural interests. Each Character has a default set of Manuals based on their Culture and is also familiar with the items being used for craftsmanship. For Instance, a Nordian tribesman For cooks native to the icy coasts or the northern Arctic, has a set number of recipes and familiarity to food such as; Raspeballer (potato dumplings) and Gravlax (cured salmon), in contrast to the Nordians, a Zudari tribesman Cook would begin their journey readied up for foods like; Hlakula Nkhuku (chicken stew n flat bread) and Umlazi Amaphisi (fresh fish with fruit fastened in banana leaves cooked over a flame).

Example in Play

Setting: The character, a Blacksmith named Toren, is in his anvil-laden workshop, preparing to create a protective armor piece for a local town guard.

Toren: "I want to craft a steel breastplate; I'll use my Armor Smith skill!"
GM: "All right, for that you’ll need to roll for Armor Smith. Remember, your skill is fueled by your Dexterity Trait. What’s your total bonus?"
Toren: "I've got a Artistry of 3, and since I'm a Journeyman Armor Smith, that gives me an additional 2. So, it's a +5 total."
GM: "Great! The DIFS to craft a basic steel breastplate is 15. Roll your d20."
(The player rolls a 12.)
Toren: "With my bonus, that’s a total of 17."
GM: "You successfully craft a sturdy breastplate! Toren receives x amount of experience in Armor Smithing and records this in his journal."

Another Example:
Setting: In a dense forest, the character, a Hunter named Lena, is trying to catch a wild rabbit for food.
Player (Lena): "I’ll use my Trapping skill to set a snare."
GM: "Okay, remember that your Trapping skill is linked to your Agility. What’s your bonus?"
Player: "I have an Agility score of 4, and I’m trained in Trapping, so that gives me a +6 total."
GM: "The DIFS in this area is 12 due to the tricky terrain. Roll the dice."
(The player rolls a 9.)
Player: "With the bonus, that's 15."
GM: "You skillfully set the snare and, after a couple of moments, you hear the trap spring. You’ve caught a rabbit! You can now prepare it for cooking. What do you want to do next?"
Player: "I’ll use my Basic Cooking skill to prepare it for tonight’s meal."

Conclusion

Professions provide depth and nuance to gameplay, encouraging players to think creatively about their characters. Players can build upon their chosen profession as they progress through the game, shaping their characters' through skill development, successful crafting, and engaging storytelling.

Profession Trees

Profession Trees that are available for this Beginner Set are; Blacksmith, Cook, Hunter and Stitcher.

⬅️ Back to Profession Trees