Character Generation - Skills help

[ken at sunrise]

This as probably been discussed and fee free to direct me to the link...

I have a few questions - Please......:

1. Are there knowledges to actor? Deception, etc?
2. If I have a default skill as Actor do I still choose a knowledge
3. Are the knowledges to Bureucrat?
4. If Bureucrat is my minor in college is it level 4 at graduation?
5. If the Sciences is my major can I have a different science each year?
6. Since Actor is a default skill, if I also get that (Art and I choose Actor) from a Trade Classification is the level now 1?
7. If you roll a high enough Education do you already have the skills and knowledge as if you attended college and/or university? Maybe you studied hard and graduated early?
8. Are there any knowledges to Trader?
9. Can I change minors and take two sciences?
10. Can I change minors when I move from college to University?
11. If you graduate with Honors your major is at level 5?
12. If you graduate with Honors what level is your minor?
13. If you graduate with Honors and go on to University your level is 6 after the first year. What about the second? I thought you could only have 6 as the highest level?
14. If 6 is your max level what happens if you go on for your Doctorate?

Thank you for your help, argh.....

P.S. I know that is a lot of questions, sorry.

 

[andycowley]

I happen to have nothing else to do right now and a handy copy of the T5 .pdf on my laptop .... so here's a stab at answers since I've excercised Char Gen quite a few times now ....

1) There are no references I can find to Actor knowledge's in the BBB .. but since the list of knowledge's is incomplete (unlike skills which are fixed) you could simply define your own if you felt the need... NOTE; There is a MAXIMUM knowledge level of 6 for all knowledge's (page 144)
2) Assuming you define your own Actor knowledges you would follow the standard Skill/Knowledge progression defined at the bottom of page 144... Otherwise Actor skill would simply increment by 1 everytime you are awarded it.
3) No ... not defined in the BBB (just like Actor .... but again, you could define your own)
4) No .. Minors accrue at 1 level per 2 passed years of college. So it would be at Level 2 after a 4 year passes at college (page 71)
5) No ... Your chosen science (major) is fixed for duration of your attendance at the given institution (page 71)
6) Yes ... default skills start at level 0
7) No .... A high education does not automatically infer qualifications or skills .. each must be 'earned' by attendance at an institution (although admission & success are very easy for characters with high initial EDU)
8) No .... but see point 2) above
9) No ... see page 71 ... you must Pick your major/minor for that 'term' at a specific institution ... you can change if you change institution
10) Yes .... page 71
11) Yes ... page 71
12) assuming you pass all years of a 4 year school = 2
13) Max = 6 Only applies to knowledge's... so you must plan ahead for this to not waste years at school... Alternatively pick a Skill/Knowledge group (like Engineer) that way you can stay with the same Major all the way to a PhD and not waste any years... for example you could end up with Engineer 6, J-Drive 1 & M-Drive 1 or some other combo adding up to 8 years (assumes no Honors)
14) Same answer as 13) above ... staying with the same Major (Knowledge) thru' undergrad & grad school would be waste as (you point out) you max out the Major (knowledge) in the first or second year of grad school depending on Honors ...

Hope this helps!

 

[Daddicus]

I agree with all of Andy's responses.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

See inline...

Answers are inline as it is way to early for me to be messing with cut & paste.

This as probably been discussed and fee free to direct me to the link...

I have a few questions - Please......:

Thank you for your help, argh.....

P.S. I know that is a lot of questions, sorry.

• Are there Knowledges to actor? Deception, etc?
  No, but Musician has them. (You must pick an instrument which may include Voice.)
• If I have a default Skill as Actor do I still choose a Knowledge?
  No. The only Art that has Knowledges is Musician (as Instruments). Actor, Author, Chef and Dancer do not. Of course, if you want there to be Knowledges you can add them, but there are none in the RAW (Rules As Written).
• Are there Knowledges to Bureucrat?
  No. And more importantly, it shows on my screen that you haven't filed a Form 21b - Request for Further Information and the Credit 20 filing fee..please step to Window 6 to recieve the proper form and thank you for visiting the Alell Imperial Info Kiosk.:devil:
• If Bureucrat is my Minor in College is it level 4 at Graduation?
  No. Only Majors get a Skill or Knowledge receipt each year. Minors only get a Skill or Knowledge receipt every two years.
• If the Sciences is my Major can I have a different Science each year?
  The Sciences are a Knowledge set, not a generic Knowledge so you must chose one Science (per Major/Minor) to study per Education Term. However, when you complete an Education Term and start another then you change your Science Major.
• Since Actor is a default Skill, if I also get that (Art and I choose Actor) from a Trade Classification is the level now 1?
  Yes. In fact if a world gives you two or more of the same Homeworld Skill from different TCs, then you get that Skill at the total. EXAMPLE: If your Homeworld has the TCs of Ic (ice Capped) and Va (Vacuum) you get VaccSuit-2.
• If you roll a high enough Education do you already have the Skills and Knowledges as if you attended College and/or University? Maybe you studied hard and graduated early?
  No, to receive a Skill or Knowledge you must get it from a CharGen mechanic. No freebies.
• Are there any Knowledges to Trader?
  No.
• Can I change Minors and take two Sciences?
  Yes, when you start a new Education Term. Wait. [o]Do you mean can you take two years and Minor in say Science: Geology and then the next two years Minor in Science: Chemistry? Well, sure in Real Life, but in T5 I would think not so much. But what I really think is that sounds like A Question For Errata-Man! Post this question in the Errata Thread if you would be so kind. (In the end I can see a case both pro and con for this one, so I might waffle in my games and let you cheese it.)[/o]
• Can I change Minors when I move from College to University?
  Totally. You can change Majors then too.
• If you graduate with Honors your Major is at level 5?
  Yes, but only your Major, your Minor should still be Minor-2. And then only if you are in a four year program, otherwise in a two year degree program it would be Major-3/Minor-1.
• If you Graduate with Honors what level is your Minor?
  See above.
• If you Graduate with Honors and go on to University your level is 6 after the first year. What about the second? I thought you could only have 6 as the highest level?
  Only if your Major is a Knowledge, but if it is a Skill like Advocate, Medical or Design then there is no limit.
• If 6 is your max level what happens if you go on for your Doctorate?
  You specialize in your field of Science. So, if you had Science: Physics-6 you could then take Science: Nuclear Physics, or Astrophysics.

I hope this helps and don't forget to check the Errata thread for, the latest errata which includes some clarifications.

And I see someone beat me too it and had some better book answers and not trying wake and remember. Ah well.

 

[ken at sunrise]

[...]
13) Max = 6 Only applies to knowledge's... so you must plan ahead for this to not waste years at school... Alternatively pick a Skill/Knowledge group (like Engineer) that way you can stay with the same Major all the way to a PhD and not waste any years... for example you could end up with Engineer 6, J-Drive 1 & M-Drive 1 or some other combo adding up to 8 years (assumes no Honors)
[...]

Hope this helps!

You guys are great thanks it does help. I do have a question on this one. If I understand you correctly.
Example - No honors
4 Years college - Toward the skill Engineer - 4? Why didn't I take a knowledge?
2 Years university - Gives me Engineer - 4 (previous) + 2 = 6
2 Years university - I thought I could change knowledge midstream? How do I get J-Drive 1 & M-Drive 1.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

You don't.

You guys are great thanks it does help. I do have a question on this one. If I understand you correctly.
Example - No honors
4 Years college - Toward the skill Engineer - 4? Why didn't I take a knowledge?
2 Years university - Gives me Engineer - 4 (previous) + 2 = 6
2 Years university - I thought I could change knowledge midstream? How do I get J-Drive 1 & M-Drive 1.

At the end of a four year degree program in Starship Engineering, you should have Engineer-2 (Knowledge-2). From there you can just bump Engineering up.

Of course if you want to be super-picky about it you don't get the Engineering till the next Term and you would end up with Engineering-0 (Knowledge-4), then next Term take your Master's Degree in Engineering and end up with Engineering-2 (Knowledge-4).

Then again I am not even sure if Engineering is available as a Degree.

 

[ken at sunrise]

Okay I think I got it.

So reading Page 144 when you receive a Skill; if it contains a Knowledge you MUST take that knowledge the first two times. After which the experience goes to the Skill. How MAY choose a to put the experience in the Knowledge to a maximum of six but that hardly makes sense.

Did I get that right?

 

[ken at sunrise]

P.S.

Each year I must stick to my major / minor skill but I can choose whatever knowledge I wish.

In a college/university what would Physics be: a Skill or Knowledge?
In education it says "Any Science".

Thank you again for your quick help,

Much appreciated.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

The Sciences.

All the Sciences are Knowledges, but I don't remember which page that is on. *shrugs* Sorry.

 

[Daddicus]

Okay I think I got it.

So reading Page 144 when you receive a Skill; if it contains a Knowledge you MUST take that knowledge the first two times. After which the experience goes to the Skill. How MAY choose a to put the experience in the Knowledge to a maximum of six but that hardly makes sense.

Did I get that right?

Regarding the maxing out of Knowledge problem, that could happen if you receive the knowledge itself from some other situation.

For example, you finish college with honors, so 3 engineer, plus 2 points in 1 or 2 knowledges. Let's say you picked jump drive and maneuver drive. That makes you have the equivalent of j-drive and m-drive 4, plus life support and power systems at 3.

Then later you join the Spacers, and you take an ANM school in j-drives. (ANM schools pick for you.) Now you have 3 engineer, 2 j-drive, and 1 maneuver.

It would be hard to get to 6, but it's theoretically possible.

Note that you COULD choose to take a knowledge instead of the engineering skill after 2 points. However, that wouldn't make any sense, as engineering-1 is the equivalent of j-drive-1, life support-1, maneuver drive-1, and power systems-1, all put together.

So, nobody would ever choose it on purpose, but knowledges greater than 2 are possible.

 

[ken at sunrise]

I was going to generate my NPC from Home World to retirement. My thought was that his careers (college, university, Imperial Navy and Nobility) would be his adventures, i.e. story.

But I wonder, would that give him and unrealistic list or Skills and Knowledges?

1. Your thoughts? Should I generate a character all the way to retirement?
2. Also in a career are all terms 4 years. If I bounce back and forth between Imperial Navy the character will end up almost 70.
3. When looking at Spacer and promotions solely based on Soc level plus modifiers?
4. If so once I get to Baron or Count wouldn't promotion be guaranteed?

Sorry for all of the questions and thank you for your help,

 

[Daddicus]

I was going to generate my NPC from Home World to retirement. My thought was that his careers (college, university, Imperial Navy and Nobility) would be his adventures, i.e. story.

But I wonder, would that give him and unrealistic list or Skills and Knowledges?

1. Your thoughts? Should I generate a character all the way to retirement?
2. Also in a career are all terms 4 years. If I bounce back and forth between Imperial Navy the character will end up almost 70.
3. When looking at Spacer and promotions solely based on Soc level plus modifiers?
4. If so once I get to Baron or Count wouldn't promotion be guaranteed?

Sorry for all of the questions and thank you for your help,

On playing to retirement, that wouldn't be much fun. However, if you're just trying to learn the rules, it's a great idea. But, because of aging effects, it's more likely you will either be unable to do all the terms, or you will die due to one of your characteristics dropping to 0.

On 4 years, yes. However, there are a few exceptions. There are one-year training programs. You might flunk out of college, using only one year to find out. There are other ways, but you get the idea.

If you happen to have one of those short events, usually the rest of the term is completed in just the 3 remaining years.

However, I've house-ruled this: In my campaign, there's no written-in-stone preciseness about the 4 years. If you flunk out of college, I'll let you follow the rules (get a 3 year term in some career) OR simply count your years 1 at a time. So, said flunky could become a marine for 3 years or for 4 years. His age will be affected accordingly.

Now, note that at the time aging shows up, this can mean one is barely into a term and the aging effect kicks in. It shouldn't matter much, but it might if you need to roll against a characteristic in the middle of a term.

For Spacers, I would house rule it that the social is your ORIGINAL social standing, before any other careers. Soc gained in the Spacers would count as normal. Same with Noble, more or less.

 

[ken at sunrise]

A couple more questions:

1. Noble, I'm guessing that since intrigues and a + Mod to Elevation you can only use your intrigues that term (4 years). Next term you reset.
2. So the only way to become a Duke and if you are a Count (Soc 14) is to get at least one intrigue. How else could you roll a 14?
3. When looking at Spacer and promotions solely based on Soc level plus modifiers?
4. Regarding Spacer and Promotions: If the above is true then once I get to Baron or Count wouldn't promotion be guaranteed?
5. Do you roll Risk/Reward for each of the 4 (four) years of your term or once per 4 (four) years?
6. When you roll 1D6 for Skill how do you decide which column? I thought the column depended on what you did that term but for Merchant and Noble it doesn't say and for Spacer not all of the columns match. Do I pick a column and roll?

 

[dalthor]

Don't forget that rank (nobility) promotions during the normal generation phase are going to be slow.

Knight(B) -> Baronet(c) -> Baron(C) -> Marquis(D) -> Viscount(e) -> Count(E)

and so on. Even a Noble (pg. 93) only gets one regular promotion attempt per 4 years. Of course, if you get lucky on the Personal table, you could get another, or even two if you got EXTREMELY lucky.

Of course, those who got their patents from Marc will likely apply them in general. I know I am, on one of the primary Patrons IMTU.

IMTU I don't allow a roll on the personal table for a yearly roll in the term - it is only accessible as a "bonus" roll after promotion, or in conjunction with a year in ANM school, in which case I limit the roll to 1D3.

I've been debating whether C6 promotions from the Personal table will be honorary or actual IMTU. If I go with actual, I may still require a roll as per regular elevation. I know this is a rare circumstance; I am only considering it.

Anyway, my two credits worth just turned into a handful. lol

 

[ken at sunrise]

So??? In general you can pick which table you roll on?

IMHO, there is Social Class and Nobility which equates to a social class. So if you wanted someone could increase their Social Class due to business relations or just having money but not be Nobility or ever receiving a Land Grant. But as you is it's our own Traveller Universe.

 

[dalthor]

A couple more questions:

1. Noble, I'm guessing that since intrigues and a + Mod to Elevation you can only use your intrigues that term (4 years). Next term you reset.
2. So the only way to become a Duke and if you are a Count (Soc 14) is to get at least one intrigue. How else could you roll a 14?
3. When looking at Spacer and promotions solely based on Soc level plus modifiers?
4. Regarding Spacer and Promotions: If the above is true then once I get to Baron or Count wouldn't promotion be guaranteed?
5. Do you roll Risk/Reward for each of the 4 (four) years of your term or once per 4 (four) years?
6. When you roll 1D6 for Skill how do you decide which column? I thought the column depended on what you did that term but for Merchant and Noble it doesn't say and for Spacer not all of the columns match. Do I pick a column and roll?

1) It is TOTAL successful intrigues for elevation, it does not reset yearly number of exiles is also total, not reset.
2) Correct, modifiers would be required.
3) Correct
4) Correct
5) Risk/reward once per term, i.e. once per 4 years
6) If the career specifies (Spacer, for example) use that table. If not specified, or skill is not related to the year (i.e. due to promotion, for example) pick one.

 

[Dagrill]

I was going to generate my NPC from Home
[*]If so once I get to Baron or Count wouldn't promotion be guaranteed?
[/LIST]Sorry for all of the questions and thank you for your help,

Hi,

rolling for promotion against C6 means you only need to be Soc B to guarantee success, still limited to one per year. I liked the Naval Attache/Aide from HG that gave you a second automatic promotion, great way for a young officer to progress.

Kind regards

David

 

[Dagrill]

Don't forget that rank (nobility) promotions during the normal generation phase are going to be slow.

Knight(B) -> Baronet(c) -> Baron(C) -> Marquis(D) -> Viscount(e) -> Count(E) lol

Hmm, I have my named Kickstarter card as Knight and my new unnamed card as a Viscount, I'm thinking there's no way I can go straight from Knight to Viscount, in CG. Perhaps I marry the Duke of Vland's daughter and get a spare title dumped on me....

Or does the card also include the lower titles on the world? That would give me BcDe, which makes sense to me, I could then generate a suitable character...


Regards

David

 

[ken at sunrise]

Hi,

rolling for promotion against C6 means you only need to be Soc B to guarantee success, still limited to one per year. I liked the Naval Attache/Aide from HG that gave you a second automatic promotion, great way for a young officer to progress.

Kind regards

David

You said one promotion per year. Did you mean one per four years or did I miss that rule???

I can't find Naval Attache/Aide???

Thank you again,

 

[Dagrill]

You said one promotion per year. Did you mean one per four years or did I miss that rule???

I can't find Naval Attache/Aide???

Thank you again,

Sorry I meant one promotion per term (4 years).

Naval attaché/ aide is from CT High Guard, there was a 1 in 12 chance of special duty and then a 1 in 6 of getting the naval attaché /aide. Attache gave a promotion and +1 Soc, whilst Aide just gave +1 Soc.

There was a similar chance of being assigned to boring old recruiting duty though....

Regards

David