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

[Nikosandros]

Clarify what you mean by "two distinct names"?

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

I meant that I wouldn't use a single skill to encompass all the areas that you listed, but rather two different ones: Natural Science (as you say, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) and Architecture (encompassing Engineering).

 

[Yaarel]

I meant that I wouldn't use a single skill to encompass all the areas that you listed, but rather two different ones: Natural Science (as you say, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) and Architecture (encompassing Engineering).

My thinking of combining architecture with physics is the materials science, understanding material strengths, how to build arches and so on to reliably support very tall structures, math and angles, and so on. Buildings are a kind of complex 'contraption'.

Then again. Splitting off physics-chemistry, makes a more Elemental skill with alchemical and magical application.

It is a bit of a dilemma.

 

[Yaarel]

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).

Yeah, maybe.

For the three considerations.

• Nature = natural philosophy, physics-chemistry, alchemy, elemental magic, elemental planes
• Engineering = complex mechanisms and structures, clockwork, and architecture
• Artisan Tools proficiencies = specialized techniques for various craftings

 

[DrJawaPhD]

I vote for Engineering if you want a new skill, but personally I would consider tying it to Tinker's Tools proficiency and keeping it RAW

 

[DEFCON 1]

I use Mechanics. I have no idea when the term 'engineering' entered the English vernacular, but it feels too modern to me for a typical medieval fantasy-era setting (acknowledging that indeed, standard D&D is itself more modern than the typical medieval era.)

But I like to maintain a slight nod to the less-modern setting of the game, and thus don't use the term engineering (just as I also do not use the term psionics.)

 

[kigmatzomat]

Depending on when/where

Architecture was for structures, including plumbing and water supply
Engineering was siege engines (ballista, catapult, trebuchet)

There were overlaps at various points with mining (sappers) and shipwrights (hoists, winches, etc).

Clockworks could be machinery. The romans had a variety of clockworks used to impress visitors, including flying thrones and roaring lions.

 

[Yaarel]

I use Mechanics. I have no idea when the term 'engineering' entered the English vernacular, but it feels too modern to me for a typical medieval fantasy-era setting (acknowledging that indeed, standard D&D is itself more modern than the typical medieval era.)

But I like to maintain a slight nod to the less-modern setting of the game, and thus don't use the term engineering (just as I also do not use the term psionics.)

Apparently the term "engineer" is venerable. It comes from Middle English "enginour" from a similar term in Old French. Surprising, as a D&D term, "engineer" is medievalesque.

 

[Yaarel]

Depending on when/where

Architecture was for structures, including plumbing and water supply
Engineering was siege engines (ballista, catapult, trebuchet)

There were overlaps at various points with mining (sappers) and shipwrights (hoists, winches, etc).

Clockworks could be machinery. The romans had a variety of clockworks used to impress visitors, including flying thrones and roaring lions.

Tell me more about the overlaps.

My thinking at the moment is:

Nature: physics-chemistry, Earth (solid state, various mineral forms), Water (liquid state, hydrolics), Air (gaseous state, aerodymics), Fire (plasma state, sunlight, lightning), whence also Alchemy, and Elemental Planes.

Engineering: complex structures, clockworks, traps, even constructs.

There are overlaps I would like to clearly distinguish. Which gets math or architecture?

Then Survival is environmentalism, ecosystems, Ooze, Plant (botany), Beast (zoology). (Medicine is mainly Humanoid.)

 

[Theory of Games]

in Medieval times everything that involved some formal knowledge or skill was referred to as science, its only after the 17th century that the word gets its more restricted meaning

Exactly

 

[bedir than]

My world calls features like this Teknology.
There are specialties like clockwerks and mechaniks. It's all Tek