fatal

Persuasion
This is an act or the action of influencing
the opinions, attitudes, or beliefs of others by the
attractiveness of arguments offered. However, instead
of appealing to someone strictly through rationality
and reason such as with the skill of Logic,
this skill appeals primarily to the emotions of others.
Persuasion is distinct from Trickery, in that its
primary component is not falsehood, but emotional
appeal. Persuasion and trickery are often used together.
Finally, persuasion is accomplished subtly,
not with force. When persuasion occurs, the
character’s inner opinions change. Forceful change
in characters is best accomplished with the Intimidation
skill, though this form of change is still often
external, not internal. Proficient arguers often
oscillate back and forth between using the skills of
Persuasion and Logic, between appeals to emotion
and reason, depending on what suits them better at
the moment.
Check: Roll 3d10 and apply the modifier
from the Charisma ability. The higher the result,
the more persuasive the argument. Consult the
Aedile to determine whether Persuasion occurs.
Pewtersmithing
A pewtersmith is one who forges and shapes
pewter with an anvil and a hammer. Pewter is heated
in a forge and then hammered into the shape desired.
The process of forging improves the structure
of the metal. Forged metal is stronger and exhibits
greater resistance to fatigue and impact. The
forge consists of an open hearth made of firebrick.
Coal is used to fuel the forge, and bellows are inserted
to fan air as needed. Lead and tin are combined
to produce pewter. Broken or obsolete pewter
objects can be melted down and the substance
reused. Whenever such metalworking is done, a
Pewtersmithing skill check must be made.
Check: Roll 3d10 and apply the average of
the modifiers from the sub-abilities Strength and
Spatial Intelligence. Higher results correspond with
better quality metalwork. The Aedile will determine
the TH for each application.
369
Philosophy
This is the study or intellectual pursuit of
wisdom and the underlying causes and principles of
reality, as well as a quest for truth through logical
reasoning. Most philosophical topics are concerned
with epistemology (how we come to know things),
metaphysics (studying things beyond the physical,
like gods, souls, morality, and ethics), organized religion,
necessity vs. chance (determinism vs. free will),
and experimental applications and implications of
ether.
Check: Roll 3d10 and apply the modifier
from the Intelligence ability. Higher results correlate
to better knowledge about the philosophical
topic at hand.
Pick Pocket
Usually, pockets are picked by bumping into
a character, which may or may not be coordinated
with an added distraction. The act of bumping is,
itself, a distractive cover for the thieving hand.
Check: Roll 3d10 and apply the modifier
from the sub-ability of Hand-Eye Coordination.
The character whose pockets are being picked is allowed
to make a Touch skill check. The higher of
the 2 checks succeeds. For instance, if the roll for
Pick Pocket is higher than their roll for Touch, then
the pocket is picked successfully. If the Touch roll
is higher, however, then thievery has been detected.
Modifiers to the Pick Pocket skill check include:
Modifier Circums
tance
+ 1 Accompanyi
ng
verbal
distraction
+ 2 Accomplic
e offers
distraction
+ 3 Bump
into
the
target
characte
r
Chapter 8: Skills