Torg Player Rules

example of apporting a non-physical object, the light itself is being
moved by the spell.
A “haste” spell which allows a person to move faster is not an
apportation magic spell because the spell is not conferring motion
to the person; the ability to move faster is a change to the character’s
natural movement rate and so would be an alteration magic spell
instead. A spell which transferred a movement rate from one character
to another, slowing one character down to speed the other up, would
be an apportation magic spell because it is moving a quality from
one location to another.
The apportation magic skill is used to cast apportation spells.
Specializations are not allowed because this is already covered by
the magic system through the use of arcane knowledges. Detailed
rules for using apportation magic and the other magic skills can
be found in Chapter Ten.
Artist*
Use: Unskilled use penalized. Macro skill.
Sample limitations: Painting, sculpting, fashion, music, writing,
dance choreography, flower arrangement
Sample specializations: Specific field within a limitation (writing
poetry, composing music, watercolor painting, etc.), forgery
Axiom: Social 3
This skill gives its user the ability to create a work of art. “Art”
is a broadly defined category but for this skill generally refers
to designing, arranging or creating something which provokes a
response from observers. Tastes vary and not all artists will produce
works for the same reason; some may want to entertain and please,
others shock, still others may try to communicate a message with
their work.
Chapter Three: Attributes and Skills
Some categories that fit this definition of art do not fall under
the artist skill. While dance choreography falls under this skill,
the actual application of the artist’s work is done instead with the
dance skill. Similarly, forms of art which involve speaking, singing
and anything else which involves performing for an audience are
covered by the performance art skill.
Creating a work of art generally does not involve making an artist
skill check against a difficulty number. Because perception of art
can be very subjective, when a character creates a work the player
generates an artist skill total and that value is then used to gauge the
effectiveness of the work however seems most appropriate.
A painting intended to invoke feelings of anger in the observer
could use the artist skill value like the taunt skill, while a song meant
to convey a message and convince people of something could use
the artist skill value like the persuasion skill. As a general guideline,
“good” or at least “effective” artwork should have a skill total of at
least 15. The amount of time involved in creating a work can vary,
anywhere from a few days to years.
The artist skill can also be used to judge other works of art,
perhaps to determine a monetary value, to detect a forgery or to
gain a better appreciation of the artist’s talent (or lack thereof.)
The difficulty of judging another piece of art is usually equal to
the artist skill value of the piece though gamemasters may adjust
the difficulty of the task depending on circumstances using the
Difficulty Number Scale.
Producing a forgery of a piece of art will use either the artist
skill or the forgery skill depending on the nature of the forgery. An
attempt to duplicate an existing piece of art will use the forgery
skill. Creating a new piece of art that appears to be the work of
another artist, such as a “newly discovered” Rembrandt painting,
would use artist.
Biotech
Use: Unskilled use penalized. Macro skill.
Sample specializations: Weapons, vehicles, genetic
manipulation, symbiotes
Axiom: Tech 28
Biotech is a specialized variant of the science skill devoted to the
organic-based technology of the Space Gods. It measures a character’s
ability to design, create and maintain biotech constructs. Proper use
of biotech often requires an extensive amount of specialized Tech
30 equipment, except for the maintenance of biotech equipment
that often only requires the equivalent of a first aid kit and a supply
of nutrient packs.
The rules for using the biotech skill can be found in the Space
Gods Sourcebook.
Business
Use: Unskilled use penalized. Macro skill.
Sample specializations: Stock market, trend prediction,
production, management, company analysis
Axiom: Social 13
The business skill allows a character to understand and operate
within a financial and business environment. Businessmen can use
the skill to predict future market tends, manipulate the prices of
supplies and merchandise, invest in stocks and bonds, judge another
company’s strengths and weaknesses and follow their business
dealings as well. What it usually boils down to using business to
make money, as much as possible.
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