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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cergorach" data-source="post: 4135099" data-attributes="member: 725">Skills and Interests (version alpha 1)IntroductionThis is an attempt to introduce a subset of skills into the PF-RPG called interests, it's purpose is to separate adventuring skills from background interests that don't have a direct impact on adventures. One of the reasons this came to mind is because in discussions on the PF-RPG, one of the complaints was that the new skill system doesn't allow people to 'dabble' in a skill. This in turn reminded me of a few situations in past 3E campaigns were folks that wanted to create an interesting character and choose skills such as cooking and singing. While fun initially, those same characters suffered from suboptimal builds, later in the game. Not only did it affect the character in question, it also had negative effects on the rest of the party and the GM. Encounters were tailored to a certain level of expertise, if one of the characters in the party is not up to the challenge it's very possible that it's going to die. If you make the encounter challenging for the weakest in the party, then the rest of the party will only finish it faster, making it an challenging encounter for the majority of the players.Design PhilosophyThe rules for skills, as presented in PF-RPG, have four grades of expertise:a.) Trained class skill        => 1d20 + Character level + 3 + ability modifier + racial modifierb.) Trained cross class skill    => 1d20 + 1/2 (character level +3) + ability modifier + racial modifierc.) Untrained skill        => 1d20 + Ability modifier + racial modifierd.) No skill            => Not possible to use.Trained class skill: Is used by a trained professional that uses a skill from his profession.Trained cross class skill: Is used by a trained professional that uses a skill that is not part of his profession.Untrained skill: Is used by someone that isn't trained in this skill, but 'common sense' allows for it's use.No skill: Is used by someone that isn't trained in this skill, but it requires such specific knowledge that it can't be attempted without training.I would assume that someone having a cross class skill is 'dabbling' in a skill outside his field of expertise. But interests like cooking or playing the flute would require specific skills under the current rules, the idea is to introduce a subsystem that doesn't interfere with the current rules, but allows players to customize their characters interests. Such rules need to be simple, yet flexible.InterestsEach character has a number of interests that is half (rounded down) the number of skills he has. These interests are more specific (such as playing the flute, instead of perform) then skills. Your Interest bonus is equal to your level, but is only used when using the interest in an activity that isn't related to adventuring. If you use your interest in an activity related to the adventure you don't use the interest bonus, but make a skill check untrained (if possible), this also applies when an opposed roll is made when one of the parties involved has the relevant skill. If you have a skill that covers the interest you (already) have, the interest is available to be used for an new interest. As a general rule of thumb, you can't use an interest to make money, it's rather intended as a money sink.Example 1: You are a tough level 10 fighter, with an interest in Elven Art, so your Interest bonus is +10. Your at DandelionCon (a convention for Elven Art enthusiasts), an Elfen wizard (Level 10) is trying to impress you with his knowledge of Elven Art (interest). Fighter and wizard throw an opposing interest check and add their relevant interest bonus (both +10). Example 2: You are the same level 10 fighter who also has an interest in Cooking, your entered a cooking competition. But there's a NPC who has also entered, that has the skill Profession (chef). The fighter and the NPC make an opposed skill check, the fighter untrained, and the NPC trained.Examples of Interests:Jogging, Elven Art, Cooking, Chess, Fashion, etc.</blockquote>

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