Sometimes called Feats are powerful abilities learned by characters and the chief method of character advancement. In game terms, enhancements are typically more powerful than talents and skills. Enhancements are the only way a character can gain access to vocations. These specialized enhancements are the most powerful and often grant varied abilities and benefits not common to other enhancements. Their special nature allows them to be available both in Tier-0 and Tier-7. Again, Tier-0 Enhancements tend to be a bit more powerful as they can ONLY be accessed at character generation, and thus, their number per character is quite limited.

Experience Cost:  250 exps / Tier.      <>     Thus, a Tier-3  enhancement would cost 750 exps. 

Enhancement Tiers (Character Generation): Each player receives ONE vocational enhancement Free at character generation (one of three starting). Although players are not required to choose a vocation, it is highly recommended as the abilities gained are key to survival. It is possible to pick up additional vocations after the start of the game, but these additions are not as robust as the initial vocation chosen. As a general rule, starting vocational enhancement will offer additional benefits that successive vocational enhancements will not offer.

In addition to the free vocational enhancement granted at character generation, TWO additional enhancements are also granted. Keep in mind that Tier-0 enhancements will no longer be available after the game starts.

Enhancement Accumulation: Once the campaign starts, any new enhancements obtained are purchased by expanding experience points. Each Tier of enhancement has its own base cost (see Table below). To reduce unrealistic jumps in character power, only ONE enhancement can be purchased between game sessions unless prolonged downtime is planned and approved by the GM. Learning a new enhancement should be a key milestone in the development of a character and should be treated as such. Standard training times (1 day / 100 experience points expended applies).  Sometimes, the GM can add more time if an enhancement (like vocations) is purchased.  See the Enhancement PDF for specifics on additional time. 

Dice Rating: Skills also have a built-in advancement system, making them different from enhancements and talents. This is a function of the Skill Dice Rating; the larger the base dice, the higher potential a character can roll in each skill, resulting in greater proficiency and in-game results. Each time a skill rank is increased, the base dice are boosted to the next higher dice category (D4 becomes a D6, a D6 becomes a D8, all the way to D12, which is the maximum level of Skill Dice Rating advancement for mortal characters). Of course, each advancement cost experience points to achieve. Most skills require training by a person who already possesses the skill at the rating the player wants to achieve.

Training: As a general rule, all skills require training to advance, and the base training time is equal to 1 week for every 100 experience points spent. At the GM’s whim, training times of less than one week can be learned automatically. Training covers both Self-Training, Field Training and Formalized Training. Some skills/abilities, those constantly used, require no training at all. In ALL cases, only ONE rank in a skill can be enhanced at a time (read as per game session); a character CANNOT jump from a D4 rating to a D10 rating in one jump regardless of available experience and/or training time. This general rule should always be enforced and is designed to provide game balance.

               • Self-Training: this category focuses on skills that are constantly in use, like Everyman skills, that only require practice and attention to improve. Generally, improving these skills is automatic in the lower ranks (D8 and below) and requires little or no justification.

            • Field-Training: this category focuses on skills that are used commonly or those that offer little or no advantage in combat. Skills like Dancing, Hunting, and Riding fall into this category. Generally, improving these skills simply requires practice in the field (riding a horse, for example). Simple reparative practice is the only justification that is required. Common and some uncommon skills fall into this category – GMs have the final say.

              • Formalized Training: This category covers a large portion of remaining skills. These skills require a teacher. Tier 3-4 skills can use an instructional book/tome as a teacher, while Tier 5-6 require an actual instructor that possesses the skill at the level desired by the individual. Tier-7 skills require an instructor(s) and often a facility (such as a library, laboratory, or training arena), to advance in skill. Formalized instruction always costs money to obtain. Further, some instructors may also want additional services, rewards, or requirements to teach the upper levels of these skills. These additional requirements are always determined by the GM.

No Training Required Skills/Abilities:  As a GENERAL rule, skills, talents, and class abilities that are constantly in use do not require training.  These skills/abilities can be advanced just by expanding experience points.  This commonly applies to increasing stats, resistance dice (physical, mental, or social/spiritual), and some class abilities such as Mana Magic Manipulation (MMM), Psionic Control Skills, PPP, and similar skills that are constantly in use.  The GM can and should modify this list as needed for his/her campaign. 

Finding Trainers: Some skills, such as Psionic Creature Lore (Tier-5), which is an obscure skill, are not readily available in a standard society. Locating an individual that possesses this skill, especially in the upper ranks, can and should be challenging. A quest to find a grandmaster should be considered normal with respect to in-game justification.

Tools: Many craft skills, and some in other categories, require tools to accomplish. Tools vary in cost and complexity. Unless otherwise noted, the base cost for tools is equal to the Rank-1 experience value cost of the skill in SILVER pieces; this is for standard basic tools to accomplish the skill, nothing more. Skills that require tools can also benefit from Masterworked tools. Masterworked tools offer a +2 to skill checks if available. As a general rule, Masterworked tools cost Rank-1 experience value cost in GOLD pieces +300 to obtain. Masterwork tools often possess a greater number of tools, weigh more, and are often designed and produced with superior materials. Magical tools, an extremely rare thing, can offer more bonuses at the whim of the GM.

Workshops: Craft skills and some in other categories, such as cooking, can benefit from a workshop. Complete workshop details are covered in the Engineering in the Fantasy Setting document. There are 4 ranks in workshops. Starting at 1, the simplest work area, to 4, an actual multi-story building dedicated to a given craft skill. They offer a +1 to +4 bonus to the respective skill.

Helpers: Many skills, but especially craft skills, can benefit from additional aid where multiple individuals are working in conjunction to achieve a given goal. Here are some general rules that cover additional helpers.

            • Unskilled Help: this refers to a set of extra hands, but these individuals do not possess the skill attempted by the group – they must be supervised at all times. In these cases, when allowed by the GM, a +1 per person is granted, added to a limit of 3 individuals. A good example of this is when multiple people are attempting to offer First Aid (healing skill check) to a fallen ally.

            • Skilled Help: this refers to an individual that has some basic (D4 to D6) understanding of the skill attempted. Such collaboration is almost always allowed. These individuals are granted a +1 per individual and can be directed to function independently and away from the primary skill roller. A good example of this is a Cook (D8) that has 2 other cooks (D4) working under him/her to cook a large meal. In this case, the primary cook would gain a +2 for their help.

            • Number of Helpers: As a general rule, the limit to the number of skilled helpers is based on the Charisma rating of the primary skill roller as follows: D4 =1 helper, D6 =2, D8 = 3, D10 = 4, D12 = 5. Individuals who have management/leadership skills can gain more or simply double the base number.

            • Rolls: in all cases, the person with the highest ranking in the skill attempts rolls for success for the group, then adds bonuses provided, if any, to his/her roll. In cases where two individuals working in conjunction have the same level of skill, the corresponding stat is the tiebreaker. If the stats are the same, the players decide who functions as the primary dice roller.

Role-play Bonuses/Modifications (Optional): Some skills, particularly performance skills like acting, intimidation, or leadership, can benefit from roleplay to set up the skill check roll. GMs are encouraged to apply roleplaying bonuses, which are not necessarily provided by the player rolling the skill in all cases – the player’s allies can help! It’s not easy to ‘Fast-talk’ your way into a secured area, but roleplaying out the actual conversation, setting up props like a fake badge of office, or wearing an officer uniform can and SHOULD provide additional bonuses to the roll. These bonuses should not exceed +3 in most cases. If the GM feels that the bonuses would exceed +3, then perhaps an actual skill check is not warranted in the first place, and automatic success can serve better.

To Roll or Not to Roll - Sometimes, rolling an excessive number of skill checks is counterproductive in a roleplaying game. In these cases, the GM can simply make a call or combine multiple rolls into a single one. An example of this would be a rogue who wants to climb a 40 ft wall. Rather than make 4 rolls, a single roll can suffice in most cases where combat is not involved. Another option is to take a ’10’. This option takes the average of the dice involved, and if that value is close or meets the TD threshold, a roll is not required. Taking a 10 never applies to rolls made during stressful/combat situations and results in average success.