D&D (2024) What medievalesque skill name do you prefer, for machinery, architecture, math, physics?

[Deset Gled]

In a system with lots of skills, you need one for understanding the underlying physics (Science), one for understanding of real world applications (Engineering), and one for quality fabrication (Manufacturing, because Crafting is already used for magic items).

 

[aco175]

Do you want a name that is cool for the campaign, or a name that the players will know and be able to use?

I would just go with Engineering. People understand it and can easily apply it.

 

[Dioltach]

The Old English name was "nyrdwirkan". And its practitioners were "nyrdingas".*

*Not really.

 

[Tonguez]

This is a really broad skill set. "Machinery, architecture, constructs, math, physics, complex traps, and similar technologies" is likely too much to put under one umbrella. It also comes with risks.

Back in Critical Role season one Percy was a bit of an engineer. He built some semi-magical items that augmented his gunplay. It worked for the PC ... until it didn't. Taleiesin (and Orion before him) attempted to build an Archimedes Death Ray. You use a bunch if curved mirrors to harness the power of the sun to make a 'death ray' that can nearly instantly light wood on fire, incinerate a person, etc... Science and magic can both achieve amazing things. Are you prepared for the challenges of a character rolling a 40 on this skill when they're attempting to use it to build an insane death tool? Whether you allow it and have to deal with it or you deny the player the use of the skill you put into the game ... it isn't a great situation.

why? as you say a fantasy science isnt that different to a magic so why would the Archimedes death ray be any more disruptive than a staff of fire?

The Archimedes Ray is utilised in the Malyasian movie "Malay Chronicles" where it is ship mounted and used to set an invading fleet on fire, fun movie that features a Roman delegation meeting with Chinese on the Malaysian coast

 

[Hriston]

I voted for Investigation because, while knowledge of cultural practices that aren't specific to an arcane tradition or a religious community fall under History, experimentation and practical application fall under Investigation.

 

[Deset Gled]

why? as you say a fantasy science isnt that different to a magic so why would the Archimedes death ray be any more disruptive than a staff of fire?

I was under the impression that fantasy science being meaningfully different from magic was implied by the existence of the question. If they're the same, this is just a discussion about standard magic item creation.

 

[Tonguez]

I was under the impression that fantasy science being meaningfully different from magic was implied by the existence of the question. If they're the same, this is just a discussion about standard magic item creation.

Process is different but why should the outcomes be so?

An alchemist creating a vial of alchemist fire is different to a wizard casting a fireball afterall

And DnD already has tech masquerading as magic items - like Googles of Night Vision

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Natural Philosophy was the term used before people started using Physics/chemistry etc.

 

[Yaarel]

Natural Philosophy & Architecture.

Edit: I would use two distinct names. Architecture would cover also engineering.

Clarify what you mean by "two distinct names"?

When I see the Nature skill, I think "natural Philosophy" (whence physics, chemistry, elementalism, alchemy).

 

[Yaarel]

It turns out that "enginery" is a reallife word.

Enginery means
• "The act or art of managing engines, or artillery."
• "Any device or contrivance, machinery, structure, or arrangement."

The meaning seems perfect.

The word "enginery" comes from the 1600s and is archaic but still in use.

I will add to the poll.