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Skills Rules

In the Perilous Adventures Warbands Guide (PAWG), skills are your warband’s backbone—the abilities that let you cut through foes, slip past danger, or mend the wounded in a world where peril lurks around every corner. Whether you’re new to tabletop roleplaying or a seasoned adventurer, skills show what you’re made of, from Torren’s blade to Eryn’s magic. We use the d100 system—roll two ten-sided dice (one for tens, one for units) and aim to get equal to or under your skill value—lower is better! With our core warband—Torren, Lira, Eryn, Kael, and Veyra—we’ll break it down with examples and math. No combat here—just the framework to forge your path. Pick your skills, and let’s sharpen your edge!

Skills Basics

  • What They Are: Skills measure your training, tied to one of six attributes (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA)—each starts at its linked attribute’s value.
  • Points: You get 90 points at creation to boost skills—higher means better rolls and bigger Margins.
  • Cap: Max 100 at start—grow beyond with XP—Lira’s Stealth could hit 103 later.

Newbie Tip: Skills are your warband’s tools—boost a few favorites like Veyra’s Leadership or Kael’s Spellcasting to stand out where it matters!

Starting Skills

  • Base Value: Skills begin at their attribute—Melee Weapons at STR (or DEX for finesse weapons like rapiers), Spellcasting at WIS or INT—then add points.
  • Spending Points:
  • 1 point = +1 up to 50.
  • 2 points = +1 from 51 to 75.
  • 3 points = +1 from 76 to 100.
  • Bonuses: Add background (+10), species traits, or distinctions after—cap at 100 at creation.
  • Example: Torren (STR 70) starts Melee Weapons at 70, spends 30 points to hit 100—rolls 40 vs. Difficulty 40 (Margin 60)—cuts deep. Lira (DEX 90) boosts Stealth 10 points to 100—target 60, Margin 40 = unseen shadow.

Details: Spend big on key skills—Eryn’s Spellcasting—or spread points for versatility like Kael’s Survival!

Skill List

Skills link to attributes—GM can add more (e.g., Knowledge: Nature):

  • Strength (STR):
  • Athletics: Climb, jump, swim—Veyra leaps gaps (70).
  • Intimidation: Scare foes—Torren’s glare (70).

  • Melee Weapons: Fight close—STR-based (STR + skill rolls, STR/10 damage)—finesse option (DEX + skill rolls, DEX/20 damage) for rapier, dagger, short spear—Torren’s sword (100).

  • Dexterity (DEX):

  • Stealth: Sneak, hide—Lira’s 100.
  • Acrobatics: Balance, dodge—Lira’s flips (90).
  • Sleight of Hand: Steal, palm—Lira’s 90.

  • Ranged Weapons: Bows, crossbows—DEX-based (DEX + skill rolls, DEX/20 damage)—Veyra’s 100.

  • Constitution (CON):

  • Endurance: Resist fatigue—Torren’s 90.

  • Resilience: Fight poison—Kael’s 70.

  • Intelligence (INT):

  • Knowledge: Lore (e.g., Arcana)—Eryn’s 100.
  • Craft: Build, fix—Eryn’s 90.

  • Investigation: Search, deduce—Eryn’s 70.

  • Wisdom (WIS):

  • Perception: Spot, hear—Kael’s 80.
  • Survival: Track, forage—Kael’s 90.
  • Medicine: Heal—Kael’s 80.

  • Spellcasting: Magic (WIS default)—Eryn’s 90.

  • Charisma (CHA):

  • Persuasion: Convince—Veyra’s 100.
  • Deception: Lie—Lira’s 60.
  • Performance: Captivate—Veyra’s flair.
  • Leadership: Rally—Veyra’s 100.

Advancing Skills

  • Experience Points (XP): Earn 5-10 per session—more for epic feats (e.g., 15 for a wyrm kill).
  • Cost: Post-creation—1 XP to 50, 2 XP to 75, 3 XP to 100+—no cap after start.
  • Example: Veyra (Leadership 100) earns 10 XP, spends 3 to hit 101—rolls 40 vs. 40 (Margin 61)—rallies flawlessly. Eryn (Spellcasting 90) adds 9 XP to 93—target 53, Margin 33 = 20 damage.

Skills and Characters

  • Torren (Human Warrior): Melee Weapons 100 (STR 70 + 20 + 10)—STR-based—sword master (target 60, Margin 40 = 67 damage).
  • Lira (Duskborn Rogue): Stealth 100 (DEX 90 + 10)—Sleight 90—thief’s finesse (Margin 60 = unseen).
  • Eryn (Embermarked Scholar): Spellcasting 90 (WIS 70 + 20)—Knowledge: Arcana 100—arcane sage (Margin 40 = deep lore).
  • Kael (Human Mystic): Spellcasting 100 (WIS 80 + 20)—Survival 90—wild healer (Margin 50 = 40 HP).
  • Veyra (Windrunner Leader): Persuasion 100 (CHA 90 + 10)—Leadership 100—warband heart (Margin 60 = inspires).

Using Skills

  • Checks: Roll d100 under skill - Difficulty (GM sets)—Margin (target - roll) boosts success—Lira’s Stealth 100 - 40 = 60, rolls 20 (Margin 40)—vanishes.
  • Untrained: Use attribute—Torren’s Perception 50 rolls 30 vs. 40—spots a trap.
  • Finesse: Melee Weapons—STR (Torren’s 100) or DEX for finesse (Lira’s rapier, DEX 90 + 60 = 90)—Margin 50 = 82 damage (DEX/20 + 12 + 50).

Math Examples

  • Torren: Melee Weapons 100 - 40 = 60, rolls 30 (Margin 30)—22 + 15 + 30 = 67 damage (STR-based).
  • Lira: Stealth 100 - 40 = 60, rolls 20 (Margin 40)—slips past—Night’s Embrace +20 = Margin 60 in dark.
  • Eryn: Spellcasting 90 - 40 = 50, rolls 20 (Margin 30)—20 damage, Mana 170 to 160.

For Experienced Players

  • Tactics: Max skills (100)—Veyra’s 101 Leadership = Margin 60 vs. 40—rallies big. Finesse (Lira’s 82) vs. STR (Torren’s 67)—DEX trades power for precision.
  • Advancement: XP past 100—Kael’s Survival 93—Margin 50 vs. 40—tracks anywhere—grow endlessly.
  • Synergy: Lira’s Stealth + Torren’s Melee—ambush and strike—Eryn’s Knowledge + Kael’s Medicine—warband thrives.