first draft: skills

Skill Points

A starting character has a pool of 20 points to draw on in order to select skills. These points may be spent in the following ways:

Non-combat skills: Each skill point spent on a non-combat skill grants 10% towards any skill checks made; for example, spending two points on an Agriculture skill grants 20% towards skill checks involving Agriculture.

This kind of skill is meant to be fairly broad-based in nature, or at least widely applicable: Agriculture, Subterfuge, Economics, Carpentry. A character doesn't need to spend skill points to reflect their education, but for a specialized skillset or to be able to make practical use of knowledge in a trade or discipline spending points is advised.

Weapon Skills:

Spending a point on a skill dedicated to a specific weapon type grants a 10% bonus to hit with that weapon per point so dedicated. Three skill points spent on Skill: Swords means an extra 30% chance to hit with a sword when attacking.

Dodge Skill:

Likewise, the ability to Dodge can be bought up higher at a cost of one skill point per 5% bonus.


Skill Checks

Non-combat skills are used by rolling percentile dice. The base chance of success is 20%, plus the character's score in the skill in question. A completely untrained character may attempt a skill check using only their Psyche, with a 10% chance of success per Psy modifier.