AoA: CHapter 6 - Specialties
Specialties are talents which allow characters to succeed in situations where technical skill is required. Players will pick one Primary Specialty for their Character and gain the ability to assign a second Specialty at Level 10.
16 main categories account for just about any kind of specific occupation or skill a Player may desire. Each category a PC can specialize in consists of two main components, entitled ‘Potential’ and ‘Skill’. As the names imply, Potential represents the level of training or knowledge which characters have towards a specific Specialty, whereas Skill represents how effectively they can act using that knowledge. Potential, therefore, acts as a kind of ranking system which allows characters to attempt actions which require sufficient training in a Specialty, represented by the DC of the action.
Training Specialties
Increasing your PC’s Potential or Skill is is simply a matter of leveling your characters’ Knowledge and Reason Abilities
Primary Specialty
When creating a new character, Players will pick a Primary Specialty and determine which Category it most closely falls into. This specialty does not necessarily represent your characters ‘day job’ but should be the field of training that your character is most familiar with, either as an official occupation, hobby, or way of life. The Primary Specialty strengths will be directly defined by the characters Knowledge and Reason Abilities and will receive an additional level bonus point every 5 levels.
Secondary Specialty
At level 10, characters acquire the ability to add a secondary Specialty. Their Skill and Potential in this Specialty will be directly defined by the characters Knowledge and Reason Abilities Specialties but will not receive any level bonus.
Specialty Basics
When determining whether a player will succeed or fail at an action that requires Specialty knowledge or training, there are some additional variables that need to be taken into consideration. To calculate the success of such an action, first we must determine whether or not a character has training in a Specialty relevant to the action being outlined as decided by the GM. If the character has training in a relevant specialty, their Specialty Potential score and Specialty Skill score will be used to calculate for success. If the character has not trained in a relevant specialty, they are considered a layman and both their Specialty Potential score and Specialty Skill score for this Specialty will be 0.
Specialty Potential score in the relevant specialty – DC of action requiring Specialty training = Specialty Bonus
[ROLL] + Specialty Bonus + relevant Ability score + Specialty Skill score in the relevant specialty = Action Score
As with any other type of attempted action, if the Action Score is greater than the DC, the action succeeds. If the Action Score is less than the DC, the action fails and play continues as outlined in Chapter 2 [SECTION]. And if the Action Score is the same as the DC, it results in a Match situation where the action has failed but the player may attempt the action again with no additional penalties if so desired.
What this ultimately means is that players with relevant specialized training or knowledge will be much more likely to succeed at Speciality Checks with higher DCs than a layman who would need a lucky roll and high stats. Players attempting actions requiring Specialty training or knowledge that they do not have would do well to consider whether or not they could even succeed before attempting such an action.
Consider the following example: Two players want to provide first aid to an ally. Let’s say they would like to suture a large surface laceration that has not injured any vital organs or major blood vessels, and the players have all necessary supplies. Since even basic first aid requires some level of training, we as the GM could assign a Healthcare Specialty Check, and we could determine that performing this action would also depend on the player’s Precision Ability. The DC would likely be higher (i.e. the action would be more difficult) if players were, for instance, in the middle of a chaotic battle or being chased by enemies, and the DC would likely go down (i.e. the action would be easier to attempt) if players were instead in a well-stocked medical clinic with reference guides and textbooks on hand. Let’s say the players are in a relatively safe location like an inn and set the DC for this Healthcare Specialty Check at 10.
We’ll say that Player A has some training in the Healthcare specialty. This means their Specialty Potential score and Specialty Skill score in Healthcare will be used to calculate success. Let’s say this player is Level 1 with a Healthcare Specialty Potential score of 13 and a Healthcare Specialty Skill score of 3. The relevant Ability score – Precision – would be used in our calculation. Let’s say this player’s Precision score is 3:
IS THIS EASIER? SAME IF I REDUCE THE DC INSTEAD???
Step 1) Calculate Specialty Bonus
Potential Score – DC = Specialty Bonus
13 – 10 = 3
Step 2) Add to roll & all applicable modifiers
D20 + Specialty Bonus +Skill +Ability = Result
[ROLL] + 3 + 3 + 3 = [ROLL] + 9
Minimum roll required to exceed DC 10 = 2
But what about Player B with no Healthcare training? Let’s say Player B also has a Precision score of 3, but Player B’s relevant Potential score and Skill score would both be 0:
Step 1) Calculate Specialty Bonus
Potential Score – DC = Specialty Bonus
0 – 10 = -10
Step 2) Add to roll & all applicable modifiers
D20 + Specialty Bonus +Skill +Ability = Result
[ROLL] + (-10) + 3 + 0 = [ROLL] – 7
Minimum roll required to exceed DC 10 = 18
We can see that the minimum roll Player A would need to exceed the DC and succeed is a 2. Player B on the other hand will need to roll at least an 18 for the Action Score to exceed the DC of 10. Chances of success at an action requiring Specialty training are significantly better when one has had training in a relevant Specialty, and that a “lucky” roll will only get you by so often.
Based on this example, what then would be the highest DC requiring a Healthcare Specialty check that these players could possibly succeed at? Here we can determine that it would be impossible for Player B to succeed at an action requiring a Healthcare Specialty Check with a DC of 13 or above since a roll higher than 20 is not possible. Player A on the other hand would only automatically fail a DC of 20 or higher, and they would have at least the potential to succeed at the action if the DC is 19 or lower.
Adjacent Specialities
Specialties are assumed to have a certain level of compatible or translatable skills in adjacent Specialties. Therefore, if an Action requires training in an adjacent Specialty from the one possessed by the Character, Players will receive 50% of the usual Skill and Potential points to attempt to perform the action. (e.g. ‘Architecture & Engineering’ has a tangential relationship to ‘Construction & Mechanics’, as well as ‘Mathematics & Physical Science’).
Specialty Categories
Now that we know how to use Specialties, let’s review the Categories. All Specialty Categories are described below:
Navigation & Transport
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on navigation and/or the shipping and transportation of freight, passengers, livestock, etc. Examples of Navigation and Transportation specialists would be characters who are proficient Chauffeurs/ Drivers, Dispatchers, Seafarers, Pilots, or Trackers. Navigation and Transportation specialists can more easily learn how to man various kinds of vehicles, understand maps, are better at navigating unfamiliar terrain, and may have higher familiarity with trade routes and the areas they travel in compared to others around them who do not have this Specialty.
Construction & Mechanics
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the building and maintenance of structures and mechanical devices. Note that this is different from the designing of structures and machines, which is more closely related to the Architecture and Engineering category. Examples of Construction and Mechanics specialists would be characters who are machinists, carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, mechanics, miners, and other jobs that require physical labor. Construction & Mechanical specialists have the ability to construct and repair machines, and are more proficient at identifying, and using, the best tools and materials needed.
Architecture & Engineering
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the design of structures and mechanical devices. This is different from the building of structures and machines, which is more closely related to the Construction and Mechanics category. Examples of Architecture and Engineering specialists would be characters who are inventors, building and city planners, engineers in various fields, or other jobs which involve inventive, creative thinking coupled with a strong understanding of physical forces. Architecture and Engineering specialists have the ability to design complex structures, machines, and electronics.
Computers, Mathematics, & Physical Science:
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on programming, algorithms, and sciences which rely heavily on logic and mathematics. The term ‘computer’ does not necessarily refer to electronic computers, as obviously not all games will take place in a setting that features such advanced technology. ‘Computer’ can simply refer to a person whose primary skills include computations and mathematical or logical operations. Examples of Computers, Mathematics, and Physical Science specialists would be characters who are mathematicians, statistical analysts, astronomers, chemists, geologists, etc. Computers, Mathematics, and Physical Science specialists are better at linear problem solving, pattern recognition and puzzle-solving, and performing complex calculations.
Healthcare
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the medical care and treatment of humans. Examples of Healthcare specialists are medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and surgeons. Healthcare specialists are better able to diagnose and treat illnesses, and perform surgical procedures.
Life Sciences
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the study of Biology, Physiology, and Ecology. Examples of Life Sciences specialists are anatomists, physiologists, geneticists, microbiologists, botanists, and pathologists. Life Sciences specialists have a better understanding of the flora and fauna of various environments.
Animals & Zoology
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the care and keeping of non-human animals. Examples of Animal and Zoology specialists are animal behaviorists, ranchers, zoo-keepers, and veterinarians. Animal and Zoology specialists are better able to interact with various kinds of animals. They are also better at providing medical treatment to animals.
Food & Agriculture
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the growth, farming, and production of food and other biological products and resources. Examples of Food and Agriculture specialists would be professional gardeners, arborists, bee-keepers, horticulturists, farmers, and chefs. Food and Agriculture specialists are knowledgeable about irrigation, are better able to produce, store, and prepare nutritious food, and can also be skilled at preparing various other kinds of natural products.
Business & Finance
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the trading of goods and services, as well as marketing and management of businesses. Examples of Business and Finance specialists are shopkeepers, bankers, accountants, salesmen, and investors. Business and Finance specialists have a greater knowledge of markets and economic trends. They are better at choosing good investments, bartering, and budgeting.
Legal/ Political
Specialties that fall into this category would be those that focus on laws and governance. Examples of Legal and Political specialists are lawyers, judges, political representatives, and diplomats. Legal and Political specialists are better negotiators, are better equipped to mediate conflicts between legal or political groups, and are better able to interpret the law to their benefit.
Social Services & Education
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on teaching and the provision of necessary services to large groups. Examples of Social Services and Education specialists are teachers, child care professionals, volunteers, and Religious Workers. Education specialists are able to train individuals and groups, and are better at coordinating group activities.
Social Sciences & Humanities
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the study of society and relationship between individuals and groups. Examples of Social Science and Humanities specialists are historians, linguists, psychologists, economists, anthropologists, archeologists, geographers, sociologists, and journalists. Social Science and Humanities specialists are better able to understand group behavior, and are better at finding and understanding information about groups and organizations.
Arts, Design, Media
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the production of works of art, including paintings, music, literature, or other forms of communication. Examples of Arts, Design, and Media specialists are painters, musicians, writers, typographers and typesetters, and sculptures. Arts, Design, and Media specialists are better able to create beautiful works of art, or present information in an aesthetically pleasing way (such as art used in advertising).
Entertainment
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the ability to perform for an audience. Examples of Entertainment specialists are public speakers, musical performers, comedians, and actors. Entertainment specialists are better able to hold people’s attention, and may more easily gain notoriety and recognition due to their performance skills.
Athletics
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on athletic abilities and physicality. Examples of Athletics specialists are gymnasts, wrestlers, runners, dancers, players of team sports, mountain climbers, and skydivers. Athletics specialists are better at competitive events and feats of physical prowess.
Protective Services
Specialties that fall into this category would be any that focus on the physical protection and detention of individuals or populations. Examples of Protective Services specialists are wardens, policemen, firemen, and soldiers, as well as independent agents such as bounty hunters, mercenaries, and bodyguards. Protective Services specialists are better at strategy and tactical thinking, and are knowledgeable about weapons and artillery.
Updated 8/4/2023