- Learning Skills

by Thomas A. Stobie, SFO

This document provides additional options for learning skills in the Rolemaster Standard System/Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying.

Table of Contents

Learning spell lists is addressed in a separate article.

In this article, I assume that characters spend part of their idle time working on, improving, and maintaining their skills. When a character advances a level, he can develop any skill except those designated by the gamemaster as unavailable.

Note about Priests: The gamemaster should examine each priest according to their deity and determine how to modify these classifications to be more appropriate to the specific priesthood.

• Crafting Creative Genius: This talent indicates that the character has an special innate ability to craft high quality items.
  
  
  • (lesser) [5] - The character's Crafts DP cost is reduced to 3/9.
  • (minor) [10] - The character's Crafts DP cost is reduced to 2/7.

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• Improved Animal Handling Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns how to handle animals better than typical for his profession. His outdoor - animal classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Directed Spells Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns how to direct elemental spells better than typical members of his profession. (Note that for some professions, these talents provide no benefit.)
  
  
  • (lesser) - The character's Directed Spells DP cost is reduced to 3.
  • (minor) - The character's Directed Spells DP cost is reduced to 2/6.
  • (major) - The character learns the skill Directed Spells (generalized) as a normal skill. This means that the character would only need to develop this one generalized skill and it would apply for any of his directed elemental spell attacks; He would not need a separate skill for each type of directed elemental spell.

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• Improved Focused Weapons Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns weapons in a given weapons category better than typical for members of his profession. No weapon category can be improved beyond the maximum improvement value listed in the Weapons (General) - Skill Development Point Cost Table. His weapons (detailed) classification for one weapons category is reduced improving his DP costs. This talent can be taken repeatedly to affect different weapon categories.

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• Improved General Weapons Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns weapons better than typical members of his profession. His weapons (general) classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Linguistics Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns languages better than typical members of his profession. His linguistics classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Martial Arts Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn and practice martial arts better than typical members of his profession. His martial arts classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Outdoor Environmental Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn how to better interact with the outdoor environment better than typical for his profession. His outdoor - environmental classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Subterfuge Attack Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn how to better attack stealthfully than typical for his profession. His subterfuge - attack classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Subterfuge Mechanics Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn how to better use subterfuge mechanical devices than typical for his profession. His subterfuge - mechanics classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Subterfuge Stealth Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn how to better use subterfuge stealth than typical for his profession. His subterfuge - stealth classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Improved Urban Interacting Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to learn how to better interact with the urban environment better than typical for his profession. His urban classification is reduced improving his DP costs.

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• Magic Crafting Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to create magic items like an alchemist does and grants access to the Alchemist base lists of his realm (for Arcane spellusers, user Essence lists).

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• Potion Brewing Ability: This talent indicates that the character has the ability to create potions like an alchemist does and grants access to the Alchemist base lists Liquid/Gas Skills & Own Realm Imbedding for his realm.

• Reduced Linguistics Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns languages worse than typical members of his profession. His linguistics classification is raised worsening his DP costs.

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• Reduced Subterfuge Stealth Learning Ability: This talent indicates that the character learns to be stealth worse than typical members of his profession. His subterfuge stealth classification is raised worsening his DP costs.

• Extensive Conditioning
  
  General Notes: This training results in a new talent being added. Instructors can teach 1 student for every five ranks in the skill (round down) simultaneously.
  
  Time: 2xN weeks - Discount%. Discount% calculation varies by talent.
  - Absolute Minimum Time: N/2 weeks.
  
  Experience Point Expenditure: 1000xN EPs.
  
  - Where: N is the talent point cost of the gained talent.
  
  Special Note: Gamemasters may choose to make the Special Training Talents from Character Law [Talent Law in RMSS] available through special conditioning as well. For the discount%, the gamemaster may use a standard discount% of [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]% or may select other stat bonuses that should be used (student's 3, teacher's 2) based on the talent in question. In addition, gamemasters should feel free to increase the time required if appropriate to the ability gained.
  
  

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  • Animal Handling Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Animal Handling Learning Ability. The instructor must be good at animal handling (OA>OA1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Outdoor Animal category and at least 3 skills within the category with 8 ranks or more.
    
    Discount%: [2 x Student's SD stat bonus + 1x Student's Em stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Directed Spells Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Directed Spells Learning Ability [(lesser) or (minor) versions only]. The instructor must be a pure or hybrid spellcaster who is good with the Directed Spells having at least 10 ranks in one Directed Spell skill.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Focused Weapons Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Focused Weapons Learning Ability. The instructor must be a good with the Weapon Category (WD>WD1-7), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, and have at least 2 weapon skill ranks in different weapons within that categories that exceed 5.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • General Weapons Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved General Weapons Learning Ability. The instructor must be a good with Weapons (WG>WG1, WG>WG2 or WG>WG3), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, and have at least 5 weapon skill ranks in different weapon categories that exceed 5.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Linguistics Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Linguistics Learning Ability. The instructor must be a good with languages (LI>LI1 or LI>LI2), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, and have at least 5 languages spoken and written to at least 8 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [1 x Student's Re stat bonus + 2 x Student's Me stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Martial Arts Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Martial Arts Learning Ability. The instructor must be a martial artist (MA>MAW or MA>MAS) and be at least 10th level and know at least one skill within each category within the Martial Arts Group to at least 10 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Outdoor Environmental Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Outdoor Environmental Learning Ability. The instructor must be good in the outdoors (OE>OE1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Outdoor Environmental category and at least 3 skills in the category to at least 8 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [2 x Student's SD stat bonus + 1x Student's Em stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Subterfuge Attack Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Subterfuge Attack Learning Ability. The instructor must be good in at subterfuge attack (SA>SA1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Subterfuge Attack category and at least 2 skills in the category to at least 10 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Subterfuge Mechanics Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Subterfuge Mechanics Learning Ability. The instructor must be good in at subterfuge mechanics (SM>SM1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Subterfuge Mechanics category and at least 4 skills in the category to at least 8 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Subterfuge Stealth Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Subterfuge Stealth Learning Ability. The instructor must be good in at subterfuge stealth (SS>SS1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Subterfuge Stealth category and at least 2 skills in the category to at least 10 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  • Urban Interaction Conditioning: This training gives the talent, Improved Urban Interacting Learning Ability. The instructor must be good in the urban environment (OE>OE1-4), at least equal to the classification being attained by the student, have at least 10 ranks in the Urban category and at least 3 skills in the category to at least 8 ranks.
    
    Discount%: [3 x Student's SD stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%

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  Example: Morphius the Mentalist (Martial Arts classification MA>NW2, +7 SD stat bonus) has convinced Chi Chung the Warrior Monk (12th level with the necessary ranks in martial arts skills, +4 Re Stat Bonus) to help condition him to use and learn martial arts in the future (i.e. gaining the talent Improved Martial Arts Ability (lesser)). N=5, the cost of the talent. This will take 7.1 weeks (2x5 - (3x7+2x4)%, i.e. 10 - 29%)) and the permanent expenditure of 5000 EPs (1000x5) by Morphius. At the end of the training, Morphius has the Martial Arts classification of MA>NW1 and has an easier time improving his martial arts skills.
  
  

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• In-Depth Alchemist Training
  
  General Notes: This training results in the talent Magic Crafting Ability or the talent Potion Brewing Ability being added. Instructors, who must be Alchemists or already have the talent being taught and must be at least 10th level, can teach 1 student for every five Levels (round down) simultaneously.
  
  Time: 2.5xN weeks - [3 x Student's Re stat bonus + 2 x Teacher's Re stat bonus]%.
  - Absolute Minimum Time: N weeks.
  
  Experience Point Expenditure: 1000xN EPs.
  
  - Where: N is the talent point cost of the gained talent.
  
  

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• Dedicated Skill Training
  
  General Notes: This training results in gaining a rank in a skill. The teacher must know more ranks in the skill than the learner with a minimum of 5 ranks known. Instructors can teach 1 student for every three levels (round down) simultaneously.
  
  Time: 5xN days - [3x student's Re Stat bonus + 2x teacher's Re stat bonus + teacher's skill ranks - student's current skill ranks]%.
  - Absolute Minimum Time: 2xN days.
  
  Experience Point Expenditure: 100xN EPs.
  
  - Where: N is the student's DP cost for the skill.
  & N is doubled if the student has already learned the normal maximum ranks gained per level since he gained his last level.
  
  Example: Brutus the Fighter (7th level, Re Status bonus +1, 4 ranks in Picking Locks) has convinced Nimble the Thief (13th level, Re Stat bonus +4, 21 ranks in Picking Locks) to help him improve the skill, Picking Locks. Brutus' DP cost for picking locks is 3/8 so the N=3. The training will take 10.8 days (5x3 - [3x1 + 2X4 + 21 - 4]%, i.e. 15 - 28%) and require the permanent expenditure of 300 EPs. Once it is completed, Brutus will have 5 ranks in Picking Locks.

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• Rapid Similiar Skill Training
  
  General Notes: This training results in gaining one or more ranks in a skill very similar to another skill that the individual knows well.
  
  The student must have at least 10 ranks in the skill which is very similiar (it is up to the gamemaster to decide if, for example, light crossbow is similiar to heavy crossbow, but not to a short bow) and 5 ranks in the Category. The teacher must know more ranks in the skill to be learned than the learner, have at least 10 ranks in the both skills. Instructors can teach 1 student for every three levels (round down) simultaneously.
  
  The student may only raise the skill to half (round down) the ranks of the similiar skill. It also can not be raised above the student's ranks in the category through this training.
  
  Time: NxR days - [3x student's Re Stat bonus + 2x teacher's Re stat bonus]%.
  - Absolute Minimum Time: 0.4xNxR days.
  
  Experience Point Expenditure: 20xNxR EPs.
  
  - Where: N is the student's DP cost for the skill
  & Where: R is the number of ranks to be gained.
  
  Example: Ragnar the Ranger (+3 Re stat bonus, 20 ranks in long bow, 10 ranks in missle weapons category, & 0 ranks in short bow) has convinced Wilhelm the Master Archer (+6 Re stat bonus, 25 ranks in long bow & 15 ranks in short bow) to help him learn the short bow using his knowledge of the long bow. Ragnar has decided to rapidly learn 10 ranks in short bow (so R=10). Ragnar's DP cost for missile weapons is 3/7 so N=3. This will take 23.7 days (3x10 - [3x3 + 2x6]%, i.e, 30 - 21%) and require the expenditure of 600 EPs (20x3x10). At the end of the training Ragnar has 10 ranks in Short Bow.
  
  

1. Item of Conditioning (specific conditioning): This intelligent magic item helps the user to adapt his conditioning, mental and physical, to better learn particular skills. While the character uses (wears) the item, it provides the benefits of one of the Improved Learning Ability talents (above).
   
   - Options -
   • Maximum Benefit - with this option, the item can only help learn up to a given number of ranks in the skill at the reduced cost. This can be per person or an strict skill rank level or both.
   • Additional Enchantments - with this option, the item can have additional enchantments not associated with skill learning, such as adding a bonus to the skill.
   • Additional Limitations - with this option, the item can only help certain skills associated with the talent and not all of them.
   
   - Sample Items -
   • Belt of Judo Martial Arts Style Conditioning (limit: 10 ranks & only martial arts skills associated with the Judo Martial Arts Style) +5 - This red cloth belt provides a +5 to all skills associated with the Judo Martial Art Style (see Martial Arts Companion) and for those skills, provides the benefit of Improved Martial Arts Learning Ability (one classification of improvement) for those eligible for that talent.
   • Headband of Linguistics Conditioning (limit: 8 ranks spoken, 6 ranks written) - This 2" wide cloth headband grants the wearer the talent Improved Linguistics Learning Ability (one classification of improvement) for wearers eligible for the talent while they wear the headband.

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2. Item of Skill Learning (specific skill): This intelligent magic item appropriate to the skill assists the user in learning this skill. It communicates to the user on how to improve the skill, provides commentaries on how well or poorly the user is doing in using the skill, etc. The user can learn this skill as an Everyman skill.
   
   - Options -
   • Maximum Benefit - with this option, the item can only help learn up to a given number of ranks in the skill. This can be per person or an strict skill rank level or both.
   • Exceptional Teacher - with this option, the skill is treated as Occupational. It may have a threshold (specified number of ranks) where the benefit reverts to Everyman.
   • Multiple Skills - with this option, the item addresses multiple skills. Different options may apply to each skill.
   • Associated Price to be Paid - with this option, the character must pay the associated price (set by the gamemaster; examples include sacrifice, ritual, quest, PPs given to the item (over time), etc.) to benefit from the item.
   • Restricted Use - with this option, only characters of certain professions, realm(s), races, and/or knowledge(s) (such as passwords) may benefit from the item.
   • Additional Enchantments - with this option, the item can have additional enchantments not associated with skill learning, such as adding a bonus to the skill.
   • Large Stationary Teaching Item - with this option, the item is a large non-movable item/spirit/being associated with a specific place that has the writings/depictions/understandings/knowledge imbedded in/on itself, and the character must spend extensive time there examining or listening to it to benefit from it. The item may be non-intelligent.
   
   - Sample Items -
   • Broadsword of Learning +10 (limit: 10 ranks) - This normal looking broadsword provides a +10 bonus to the broadsword skill, has low intelligence, communicates with the wielder telepathically on his technique in using the sword allowing the wielder to learn broadsword as an Everyman skill up to 10 ranks in the skill.
   • Statue of Exceptional Learning of Philosophy (limit: 2 ranks developed as Occupational, and 2 more developed as Everyman) - This 6 foot tall stone statue of a human male wearing a toga and sandals. There is a 3 foot stone base extending 5 feet in front of the statue with stone benches built in it facing the statue (weighs 5 tons). It is highly intelligent, non-mobile, and talks philosophy (and nothing else) with anyone who wants to discuss it. An individual who spends 40 hours talking to it can spend DPs to learn one rank as an Occupational (Everyman) skill (and thus gain three (two) ranks) up to the specified limits. It can help with philosophical questions (it has a +124 in the philosophy skill).
   • Wand of Learning Directed Spells +15 (limit: 12 ranks, attunement required) This copper wand provides a +15 bonus to directed spells skills, has low intelligence, communicates (in a high-pitched squeeky voice) with the attuned user, commenting on his technique and aim with directed spells allowing the attuned user to learn directed spells skills as Everyman skills up to 12 ranks in the skill.

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Go to my gaming page.

This builds upon learning skills as defined in the Rolemaster Standard System [RMSS] and Rolemaster Fantasy Role Playing [RMFRP]. Copyright 1995-2000 © Iron Crown Enterprises, Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia USA. Rolemaster is a trademark properties of Iron Crown Enterprises, Inc. (ICE). All rights reserved.

A special thanks goes to Peter Mork, author of the Rolemaster supplement School of Hard Knocks, for his comments and suggestions.

© 2003-2004 Thomas A. Stobie, SFO - Permission to use and copy for personal use is granted.

The majority of the contents were published in the March 2004 issue of the online magazine, the Guild Companion.

Last revised 4 Mar 2004.