Spatzimaus
First Post
mkletch: Calligraphy is listed under the Craft skill in the PHB. If Craft only applied to making a new physical object, Calligraphy wouldn't be there.
The question here is, does the "quality" of a written item refer to how pretty/readable it is, or to the content?
The quality of the script seems to be exactly what Craft: Calligraphy was made for, although you could argue Profession: Scribe. I guess it'd be DMs discretion; the Profession skills seem to be more about just a job, earning X gp per week to do something anyone else can do. Author wouldn't be the sort of thing you get as a profession skill, since you're actually creating something (making it a Craft or Perform)
The quality of the story written on the parchment should be a Perform check, although that one is less clear since all of the Perform categories imply an audience (and therefore part of your skill is the ability to project to them, draw them into your story/song, etc., which works a bit differently in writing) If it's not fiction, maybe substitute Diplomacy, Innuendo, Knowledge, whatever is appropriate. Use synergy bonuses; if I'm writing the announcement of the Prince's marriage, it'd help to know Diplomacy, Knowledge (Nobility), as well as a little Perform (storytelling) to make it sound like these two are the greatest thing since sliced bread, just the sort of people you want for your next rulers. You know, list off his military accomplishments, describe her beauty and charm, that sort of thing.
Yes, this would imply two checks, although that'd vary with the item. For example, I'm making a handwritten copy of the story someone just told me, so that I can embellish the story when I relate it to the King. I don't really care how neat the writing is, as long as I can read the story; so, skip the Calligraphy/Scribe check.
Or, I'm the court scribe and am writing down the latest Royal Proclamation saying that dogs will no longer be eaten. I need the document to look pretty, but I don't really have much control over the wording. Skip the Perform check.
Or, I'm leaving you a bloody dagger stuck to your door with a note saying "get out or you're dead". Don't really care about the quality of the print, and the message is too simple. Don't do either check.
I just think you really need to separate the two qualities; the first one goes against Forgery skill, the second against Sense Motive.
The question here is, does the "quality" of a written item refer to how pretty/readable it is, or to the content?
The quality of the script seems to be exactly what Craft: Calligraphy was made for, although you could argue Profession: Scribe. I guess it'd be DMs discretion; the Profession skills seem to be more about just a job, earning X gp per week to do something anyone else can do. Author wouldn't be the sort of thing you get as a profession skill, since you're actually creating something (making it a Craft or Perform)
The quality of the story written on the parchment should be a Perform check, although that one is less clear since all of the Perform categories imply an audience (and therefore part of your skill is the ability to project to them, draw them into your story/song, etc., which works a bit differently in writing) If it's not fiction, maybe substitute Diplomacy, Innuendo, Knowledge, whatever is appropriate. Use synergy bonuses; if I'm writing the announcement of the Prince's marriage, it'd help to know Diplomacy, Knowledge (Nobility), as well as a little Perform (storytelling) to make it sound like these two are the greatest thing since sliced bread, just the sort of people you want for your next rulers. You know, list off his military accomplishments, describe her beauty and charm, that sort of thing.
Yes, this would imply two checks, although that'd vary with the item. For example, I'm making a handwritten copy of the story someone just told me, so that I can embellish the story when I relate it to the King. I don't really care how neat the writing is, as long as I can read the story; so, skip the Calligraphy/Scribe check.
Or, I'm the court scribe and am writing down the latest Royal Proclamation saying that dogs will no longer be eaten. I need the document to look pretty, but I don't really have much control over the wording. Skip the Perform check.
Or, I'm leaving you a bloody dagger stuck to your door with a note saying "get out or you're dead". Don't really care about the quality of the print, and the message is too simple. Don't do either check.
I just think you really need to separate the two qualities; the first one goes against Forgery skill, the second against Sense Motive.
