Knowledge Skills

Knowledge skills do not necessarily need ranks to be useful because they are seldom used directly in skill tests. Instead, they are used to provide opportunities to gain knowledge connected to other tests. For example, if a character has Security Systems knowledge and performs a Perception test to look over a corporate facility exterior, their test may give them a chance to see where cameras are located and when patrols might go by. If they have the Seattle Gangs knowledge skill, a successful Perception test might help them know that the people walking up to them are members of the Halloweeners gang. The Seattle Streets Knowledge skill would help them when making an Outdoors test in the Seattle area. Without these Knowledge skills, these things would be difficult to know, come by, or even recognize.

Mechanically, Knowledge skills may be rolled to overcome a Memory test. For example, a person with the Arcana Knowledge skill may roll their Arcana knowledge instead of a Memory test when attempting to recall the specifics of a talismonger's inventory.