Ranks: 1
XP Cost: 15
Learn Time: 36
Skill Point Cost: Varies
Self-Teach :No
Pre-Requisite: –
Debarment: –
Limitation: Must have appropriate Omen Kit
Rarity: Rare
Description:
There are hundreds of myths and superstitions about the art of divination, or predicting the future through the reading of signs or indications. A character with this skill is versed in a form of divination and knows the proper ceremonies and observations to use in order to obtain a valid reading. He is also familiar with the various messages or indications that characterize a form of divination. Omen readers use dozens of different methods for their auguries, including astrology, numerology, reading palms, examining animal entrails, casting bones, dice, or runes, and burning incense to observe the smoke, just to name a few. The exact nature of the character’s expertise is up to the player.
To use this skill, the omen reader phrases a general question about a course of action, such as “Is this a good day to start our journey?,” “Should we try to track the bandits to their lair, or wait for their next raid?,” or “When will the killer return?” The marshal then asks the player to make a skill bid; if the player under-bids, the marshal can tell him that the signs were inconclusive, or make up a false answer for a spectacular failure (a under-bid by 50% or more). If the omen reader succeeds, the marshal can give the character a vague answer based on his assessment of the situation. An omen is usually good, bad, or inconclusive, although an answer of “a day or two” or “proceed, but with caution” is acceptable as well. Omens aren’t guaranteed; if a party ignores a bad omen, they might succeed in their task anyway. An omen is nothing more than the marshal’s best guess about a course of action.
Performing the ceremony of reading an omen requires an hour or more. Special tools or supplies, such as rune sticks, may be necessary depending on the character’s favored form of omen reading. Some superstitious or primitive cultures may place a great deal of weight on omen reading, and a skilled diviner may be held in high regard by these people. Having a divination specific skill (astrology, numerology, reading palms, examining animal entrails, casting bones, dice, or runes, or the like) decreases the bids target amount by 25%.
Omen Type – Prereq | Special Tools
Astrology – Astronomy or Celestial Nav | Star Map
Numerology – Mathematics | Pen + Paper
Palm Reading – Anatomy | n/a
Examining Entrails – Anatomy | Must use entrails
Casting Bones – Anatomy | Bone Kit
Dice – Mathematics | Dice
Runes – Ancient History R1 | Rune Kit
Incense – Alchemy R1 | Incense
