Main text
Skill Ranks
Ranks | Check Modifier | Title | Minimum Level |
0 | -1 | Untrained | 1 |
1 | +1 | Trained | 1 |
2 | +2 | Novice | 1 |
3 | +3 | Practiced | 5 |
4 | +4 | Experienced | 10 |
5 | +5 | Master | 15 |
Check Modifier: The listed bonus/penalty is applied to all checks the character makes with the skill.
Minimum Level: When spending skill ranks, you cannot raise a skill to this rank unless your level is equal to or greater than the indicated level. This requirement applies only to raising skill ranks from leveling up and from the five initial skill points chosen during character creation. Skill ranks from other sources can exceed this cap.
Skill List
Skill | Base Attribute | Tags |
Agriculture | Intelligence | Survival |
Arcana [Creation] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Deception] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Divination] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Enchantment] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Necromancy]* | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Negation] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Transformation] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Arcana [Transit] | Intelligence | Arcane |
Barter | Presence | Social |
Climbing | Endurance | Survival |
Crafting [Blacksmithing] | Endurance | Mechanical |
Crafting [Bowyery] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Carpentry] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Chemistry] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Glassblowing] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Leatherworking] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Locksmithing] | Agility | Mechanical |
Crafting [Machining] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Crafting [Sculpture] | Agility | Mechanical |
Crafting [Weaving] | Agility | Mechanical |
Crafting [Whittling] | Agility | Mechanical |
Domestication | Intelligence | Survival |
Healing | Intelligence | Survival |
Herbalism | Intelligence | Survival |
Intimidation | Presence | Social |
Language [Aturi] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Beriathic] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Corennian] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Gottish] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Helonian] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Ismeri] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Lyrican] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Perethic] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Pharengian] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Telerian] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Tiberian (Classical)] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Tiberian (Vulgate)] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Vestiyan] | Intelligence | Social |
Language [Vethenian] | Intelligence | Social |
Linguistics | Intelligence | Social |
Maintenance [Aircraft] | Endurance | Mechanical |
Maintenance [Carts] | Endurance | Mechanical |
Maintenance [Locomotives] | Endurance | Mechanical |
Maintenance [Seacraft] | Endurance | Mechanical |
Navigation [Aircraft] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Navigation [Carts] | Agility | Mechanical |
Navigation [Locomotives] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Navigation [Pack Animals] | Presence | Mechanical |
Navigation [Seacraft] | Intelligence | Mechanical |
Perception | Presence | Survival |
Persuasion | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Academia] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Business] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Clergy] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Legal] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Military] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Nobility] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Rural] | Presence | Social |
Protocol [Street] | Presence | Social |
Sleight of Hand | Agility | Mechanical |
Stealth | Agility | Survival |
Swimming | Endurance | Survival |
Weaponry [Arcane Strikes] | Intelligence | Arcane, Combat |
Weaponry [Axes] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Bows] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Bombs] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Crossbows] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Knives] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Mauls] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Pistols] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Polearms] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Rifles] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Swords] | Agility | Combat |
Weaponry [Unarmed] | Agility | Combat |
Wilderness [Beach] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Desert] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Forest] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Jungle] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Mountain] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Swamp] | Intelligence | Survival |
Wilderness [Tundra] | Intelligence | Survival |
Writing | Intelligence | Social |
* Characters may not take ranks in this skill without explicit and case-by-case permission from the GM.
Using Skills
Using Magic
There are two ways to use magic (characters who are spellmute cannot use either option):
- Use an arcane skill to perform one of the tasks under "Arcane Skill Use" below.
- Take one point of dissonance when making a skill check in order to gain focus on the roll.
Combat Skills
Skills with the "combat" tag are used to determine to-hit rolls with relevant weapons. The to-hit roll for the weapon is a skill check (see Combat).
Crafting Skills
Fill this section in with rules for using mechanical skills to craft items.
Specific Skill Descriptions
Arcana [Creation]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Aquagenesis | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Water flows from your fingertips at negligible pressure, stopping after one liter has been produced. | Arcane, spell |
Force Blade | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "force blade" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, cantrip, combat, spell |
Force Bolt | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "force bolt" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, cantrip, combat, spell |
Illuminate | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Causes a touched object to glow as if it were a torch for up to X*10 minutes (can be dismissed at will by the caster), where X is equal to the caster's consonance. The glowing object becomes slightly warm to the touch while the effect lasts, unless it was already warm or hot. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Force Blast | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "force blast" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Ice Dart | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "ice dart" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Shock Touch | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "force blast" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, cantrip, combat, spell |
Burning Ray | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "burning ray" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Fireball | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "fireball" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Lightning Bolt | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "lightning bolt" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Forked Lightning | 4 | — | 3 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "forked lightning" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Polyelemental Blast | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | You make an Arcane Strike attack with the "polyelemental blast" weapon (see "Arcane Strike Weapons" below). You may add 1 to the skill's AP cost in order to make the attack a Focused Attack. | Arcane, combat, spell |
Arcana [Deception]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Aural Glamer | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Causes a target creature in line of sight within X*2 spaces (X*10 feet), where X is equal to the caster's consonance, to hear an illusory sound of a duration of three seconds or less at the volume of a spoken conversation or less. The target may recognize the sound as an illusion by passing a Presence check with a TN of 5 + the caster's resonance. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Confuse | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Causes a target creature in line of sight within X*2 spaces (X*10 feet), where X is equal to the caster's consonance, to lose 1 Intelligence for Y turns, where Y is equal to the caster's potency. The target may negate this effect by passing a Presence check with a TN of 5 + the caster's resonance. | Arcane, cantrip, combat, spell |
Visual Glamer | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Causes a target creature in line of sight within X*2 spaces (X*10 feet), where X is equal to the caster's consonance, to see an illusory image the size of a human or smaller (the image may move and appears three-dimensional but makes no sound). The target may recognize the image as an illusion by passing a Presence check with a TN of 5 + the caster's resonance. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Arcana [Divination]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Scry | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Choose any space anywhere within X*2 spaces (X*10 feet), where X is equal to your consonance. As long as the spell is active, you can see and hear as though you occupied the chosen space. Taking any action (e.g., moving, speaking, choosing any action in combat other than "Do Nothing") ends the spell. The chosen space must be one you can see or one you can remember seeing. In order to scry, you must have a crystal ball or reflective surface (e.g., mirror, small pool of water) in reach, and you must have both hands free (not counting the crystal ball or reflective surface to be used). | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Arcana [Negation]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Force Buckler | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | You gain the "force buckler" buff (see "Arcane Buffs" below). | Arcane, cantrip, combat, spell |
Force Shell | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | One willing creature touched gains the "force shell" buff (see "Arcane Buffs" below). | Arcane, combat, spell |
Arcana [Transformation]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Healing Touch | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | Remove up to X-2 (to a minimum of 1) wounds and/or fatigue (in any combination) from one creature touched, where X is equal to the caster's resonance. | Arcane, cantrip, healing, spell |
Healing Ray | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1 | Remove up to X-2 (to a minimum of 1) wounds and/or fatigue (in any combination) from one creature within line of sight, where X is equal to the caster's resonance. | Arcane, healing, spell |
Arcana [Transit]
Skill Use | Skill Ranks | Cast TN | Dissonance Cost | AP Cost | Description | Tags |
Ethereal Hand | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | For one turn, you may remotely operate buttons, levers, and switches that you can see within 10 feet, and you may equip unattended items that you can see within 10 feet or items from your inventory into your hands during your activation for 0 AP. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Flicker | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Choose any unoccupied space you can see within 10 feet. You are instantly transported to that space, ignoring all intervening obstacles. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Telepathy | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Choose any creature you can see within 10 feet. That creature receives a message of ten words or fewer (it can understand the message irrespective of any language barriers that would otherwise exist between it and the caster, but the spell does not grant recipients the ability to understand concepts that they otherwise would not). The creature is aware that the message has been inserted into its mind by some means, and if the creature is familiar with telepathy, it can easily tell that the message is being delivered telepathically. Creatures that wish to resist attempts at telepathic communication may do so with a Presence check at a TN of 5 + the caster's resonance; if the check is passed, they are aware that an attempt at communication was made, but they have no knowledge of the message. | Arcane, cantrip, spell |
Spell Effect Tables
Arcane Strike Weapons
The following table lists the statistics for various Arcane Strike attacks unlocked by the Arcane skills. See "Specific Skill Descriptions" above to determine which Arcane Strike weapons are available to your character.
Weapon | Type | Skill | Hands | TN Bonus | Critical Effects | Special Abilities | Damage Type |
Burning Ray | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 4 | Flame burst | — | Fire |
Fireball | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 3 | Flame burst (lesser) | Splash resonance | Fire |
Force Blade | Melee | Arcane Strikes | One | Resonance + 2 | Bleed | Precision | Normal |
Force Blast | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 3 | Bash | Splash 1 | Normal |
Force Bolt | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 2 | Bash | — | Normal |
Forked Lightning | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance | Shock burst | Ignore armor, jolting, splash 1 | Lightning |
Ice Dart | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 3 | Ice burst (lesser) | — | Ice |
Lightning Bolt | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance | Shock burst | Ignore armor | Lightning |
Polyelemental Blast | Ranged | Arcane Strikes | One | Consonance + 2 | Flame burst (lesser), ice burst (lesser), shock burst (lesser) | Burning, freezing, jolting, splash 1 | Normal |
Shock Touch | Melee | Arcane Strikes | One | Resonance + 1 | Shock burst (lesser) | Ignore armor | Lightning |
Arcane Buffs
Buff | Duration | Effect |
Force Buckler | X turns, where X is equal to the caster's resonance | +1 to resistance as long as you have at least one hand free |
Force Shell | X minutes, where X is equal to the caster's resonance | +2 to resistance |