[RPM] Granting Skill

[Varyon]

Granting skill (rather than just bestowing a bonus) should probably be a Greater Effect. Suddenly functioning as though you have decent training is far more reality-bending than managing to get consistently lucky, at least in my opinion.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Granting skill (rather than just bestowing a bonus) should probably be a Greater Effect. Suddenly functioning as though you have decent training is far more reality-bending than managing to get consistently lucky, at least in my opinion.

I disagree. Lesser Strengthen Mind can increase a target's IQ, Will, or Per up to +30%. It also states specifically that it can add any mundane mental advantage (which I'd be willing to extend to skills).

[vicky_molokh]

RPM39 lists Typical Casting: Lesser Sense Mind (2) + Lesser Strengthen Mind (3) + Altered Trait, Babel-Tongue (Native/None) (3) + Area of Effect, 3 yards (2) + Duration, 1 hour (3). 13 energy (13×1).

If a language is a legal Lesser effect, then so should be a skill.

[vierasmarius]

Should it be harder to grant knowledge that the caster doesn't possess? Basically, if you're granting cp in a skill or language that you don't know it becomes a Greater Effect. This doesn't apply to Bestows a Bonus or Talent, because that isn't impacting the knowledge of the target, but their aptitude, their ability to use the skill they have.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Should it be harder to grant knowledge that the caster doesn't possess? Basically, if you're granting cp in a skill or language that you don't know it becomes a Greater Effect. This doesn't apply to Bestows a Bonus or Talent, because that isn't impacting the knowledge of the target, but their aptitude, their ability to use the skill they have.

I use three rules to determine Greater effects:

• How difficult is the task? Could a normal person accomplish it easily? If it’s easy, then mark it as a “Yes.” If it’s hard, mark it as a “No.”
• Could anyone do it given equipment and a reasonable amount of time?
• Would it violate the natural laws of the setting?

If you answered “Yes” to all three than it is probably a Greater effect; if you answered “No” to all three, then it is probably a Lesser effect. If you answered “Yes” to one or two questions, then it’s iffy. It might be a Greater effect, if might be a Lesser effect. When I’ve answered “Yes” twice I err on the side of caution and charge for a Greater effect, when I answer “Yes” only once, I usually call it a Lesser effect and go on with the game.

So, is it difficult? No, you could learn how to do it given time. Is it difficult? Nor more than learning any other skill. Does it violate natural laws? Mmmm, maybe. Probably no. Thus I'd call it a Lesser effect.

[Kalzazz]

I always liked the 'in the nature of things' explanation for Lesser/Greater effects

So for the specific learning skill thing 'is it in the nature of people to learn skills?' then yes, learning skills could be a lesser effect

The lightbulb really went off when PK explained it relative to a moving motorcycle, a motorcycle could be moved to roll all on its own via Lesser Control Matter because moving is what motorcycles do

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

I use three rules to determine Greater effects:

• How difficult is the task? Could a normal person accomplish it easily? If it’s easy, then mark it as a “Yes.” If it’s hard, mark it as a “No.”
• Could anyone do it given equipment and a reasonable amount of time?
• Would it violate the natural laws of the setting?

Sort of a Lemon test for RPM? I like it.

*takes notes*

Can it be used to grant bonuses to Path skills?

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

Sort of a Lemon test for RPM? I like it.

Yeah, I had a hard time trying to decide what was a Greater or Lesser effect at first, so I came up with the three questions. They've worked pretty well for the past two years, for me at least.

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

Can it be used to grant bonuses to Path skills?

I never thought about that. In theory, I suppose it could. It would definitely be a meta-game bonus, but yeah, maybe. Hmm. Lemme think on that.

[Terwin]

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

Can it be used to grant bonuses to Path skills?

Sure, you just can't use that bonus when actually casting spells.

Give it a decent duration, and you and your caster buddy could take turns training each other to get both your skills up. (you might even be able to manage intensive training, but the required prep might make it less than useful to try. You also might run into the same problems you would run into with AIs training other AIs, something that could be modeled by having familiarity penalties when you first take those skills out into the 'real world')

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

The canonical effect grants a language that nobody knows, thus guaranteeing secure communication of a reasonable level, and yet is a Lesser Effect.

Hmm, I see. That actually kinda bugs me, considering how hard some really basic (but more blatant) spells can turn out to be. Granting a skill that nobody knows (such as Babblefish language) or that's inherently cinematic (the aforementioned Flying Leap) strikes me as violating a world's natural laws. It's definitely something that no normal person could do.