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Old 07-14-2009, 05:32 AM   #1
lazlo_woodbine
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Default Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

And should people with young dependents (especially babies) have to take it?

It would consist of various elements of Science: nutrition, Psychology, Diplomacy, possibly Bard (bed time stories) and similar stuff and would be used to keep the very young dependent alive, get them to sleep and, for older ones to get them to go along with what you're doing...

I'd make it an Easy skill, though, and possibly even default to IQ.

Any thoughts?
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Old 07-14-2009, 06:12 AM   #2
Randyman
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

If it is important to the campaign (meaning it will affect the outcome of the story and the PCs ability to influence that outcome), sure, go for it. But that would be a very offbeat campaign...
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Old 07-14-2009, 06:23 AM   #3
lazlo_woodbine
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

It just seems to me that if the PC has taken a baby as a disadvantage (-36) then they should put a lot of effort into looking after it.
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Old 07-14-2009, 07:56 AM   #4
The Colonel
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lazlo_woodbine View Post
It just seems to me that if the PC has taken a baby as a disadvantage (-36) then they should put a lot of effort into looking after it.
Not necessarily - an infant dependant can be (and in many cases was historically and still is) left in the care of a wet nurse, nanny or indeed, spouse and still remain a liability as a target for enemies.
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Old 07-14-2009, 06:45 AM   #5
Collective_Restraint
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lazlo_woodbine View Post
I'd make it an Easy skill, though, and possibly even default to IQ.

Any thoughts?
My thoughts ? Come here closer so I can put my parenting hands around your neck ;) I think you just gave me the Berkserk Disadvantage when you evaluated it as an Easy skill :)
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Old 07-14-2009, 06:48 AM   #6
pawsplay
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Intimidation, Fast-Talk, Observation, Carpentry, Urban Survival...
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Old 07-14-2009, 07:02 AM   #7
lazlo_woodbine
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pawsplay View Post
Intimidation, Fast-Talk, Observation, Carpentry, Urban Survival...
And some First Aid!

Mostly parenting is not learnt by intensive study or instruction but through having bit and pieces passed from friends and family, and usually it is based on a lot of 'common sense' stuff that people tend to pick up through life - so an Easy skill and also a pretty easy default, and also no really terrible results from a failed roll - except when looking after a newborn maybe.
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Old 07-14-2009, 07:07 AM   #8
lazlo_woodbine
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Collective_Restraint View Post
My thoughts ? Come here closer so I can put my parenting hands around your neck ;) I think you just gave me the Berkserk Disadvantage when you evaluated it as an Easy skill :)
In my opinion it's definitely easier than, say, Administration or Architecture, both Average skills...

...but then of course, if we imagine that Parenting is actually Average or Hard (based on how tough it is to learn Animal Handling or Diplomacy) then we must assume that most parents have fairly low Parenting skill and that possibly society as we know it is the result of a lot of failled skill rolls!
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Old 07-14-2009, 07:57 AM   #9
walkir
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lazlo_woodbine View Post
...but then of course, if we imagine that Parenting is actually Average or Hard (based on how tough it is to learn Animal Handling or Diplomacy) then we must assume that most parents have fairly low Parenting skill and that possibly society as we know it is the result of a lot of failled skill rolls!
I don't have the slightest problem with that thought... I actually consider it very realistic.
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Old 07-14-2009, 06:53 AM   #10
aesir23
 
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Default Re: Should there be a 'parenting' skill?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lazlo_woodbine View Post
It would consist of various elements of Science: nutrition, Psychology, Diplomacy, possibly Bard (bed time stories) and similar stuff
Sounds like an Expert Skill. Alternately you could just treat it as a professional skill.
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