Knowledge skills for Mythology

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by oneofmanynameless

If someone had a Ph.D. in Mythological Studies, or Comparative Mythology, what would their main skills be? Literature (perhaps with a specialization)? Occultism? Connoisseur (literature) (also with a specialization)? Theology (Comparative)?

It depends on the focus.

If you're mostly focused on the literary value and academic aspects of mythology, it's Literature, possibly with specialization.

If you're a follower of a given religion, mythology isn't mythology, it's your Theology (something that Westerners often get disastrously wrong when dealing with Hinduism and indigenous African and Native American religions, btw).

If you're more interested in the general mystical practices, legendary monsters, folk magic, etc. associated with various mythologies, it's Occultism.

Connoisseur (Literature) as an Easy skill should be a stripped down version of the Literature skill. It just allows you to recognize good literature when you read it and recall the names and events associated with popular mythology.

Originally Posted by oneofmanynameless

What about studies of folk lore? same skills? Expert skill ([region/time] folklore)?

I'd allow "anything you can major in in college, which isn't an obvious GURPS skill" to count as an Expert Skill (e.g., American Studies, Celtic Studies, Film Studies, Folklore, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Music Studies, Popular Culture, Women's Studies). Some of these might actually count as Geography, History, Literature, Philosophy, Sociology, etc. depending on your focus, but "broad but shallow" academic knowledge of a topic should mostly be an Expert Skill.

For example, a B.A. in Mythology will probably give you a point each in Literature and Writing (for all those term papers you have to write) as well as points in Expert Skill (Mythology).

Originally Posted by oneofmanynameless

I've observed that quite a few fantasy authors and gamers have a notably above average knowledge base regarding mythology, often interconnected with real world occult lore (including knowledge of strange cult religions and historical magic related stuff.) And I'm just very curious what skills actually cover that knowledge base. It seems interconnected, but how much of it is occultism vs. other skills, and what are those other skills?

A typical fan will have Connoisseur (Imaginative Fiction) focused on a few popular media franchises. "Imaginative Fiction" covers all types of Comic Books, SF, Fantasy, and Horror literature, TV shows, and literature. Treat otaku-type knowledge of a given franchise or genre as a Hobby Skill or as higher levels of Connoisseur skill. Really geeky stuff is the Hyperspecialization perk (e.g., Star Trek weapon design). For example, Hobby Skill (Comics) allows you to recall exactly which issue the Silver Surfer first appeared in, and who drew him first, while Connoisseur (Imaginative Fiction) will tell you when the Silver Surfer movie in the MCU is going to drop.

Only the people who treat imaginative fiction as an academic discipline or who are really broadly read will have Literature (SF, Fantasy, or Horror).

The people who keep up to date goings on with a given franchise and people associated with it might have a form of Current Affairs (Popular Culture) or possibly the Hyperspecialization perk (e.g., Jason Momoa as Aquaman trivia).

Cosplayers will have Artist (Costume Design), Make-Up and Sewing if they DIY.

Writers will obviously have Writing skill, at high levels and with at least one level of Talent if they hope to make a living it.

The really good writers seem to have high IQ even by geek standards, broad training in the liberal arts (possibly with an advanced degree), and a voracious appetite for books on obscure topics. Decent Artist (Drawing) skill also seems to be common. Some will have Research skill, used for world design. They'll either be comfortable in public and capable of holding an audience, so they'll have Public Speaking as well. Many will have experience within the book or movie/TV industry as editors or scriptwriters, within the ad industry as copywriters, or as journalists. Others have at least some training as teachers. A level of Charisma or Attractive or better Appearance doesn't hurt, nor does the Voice advantage.

Popular SF/Fantasy/Horror Writer
e.g., Neil Gaiman, Steven King, J.R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling, or Charles Stross.
IQ: 12+
Advantage: Reputation (Famous SF/Fantasy/Horror writer, Large Group, All the Time, +1 or better), Talent 1+ (Literary or similar); Wealth (Comfortable to Multimillionaire) and one of Attractive Appearance, Charisma, or Voice.
Optional Perk: Dabbler (Sciences - Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
Primary Skill: Writing.
Secondary Skills: Connoisseur (Imaginative Fiction); Public Speaking.
Background Skills: Artist (Drawing); Computer Operations; one or more of Anthropology; Expert Skill (Folklore or Mythology); Games (Board, Computer, or Roleplaying); History; Literature; Merchant; Occultism; Professional Skill (Editor, Journalist, Scriptwriter, etc.); Propaganda; Research; Teaching; or Theology.

Humanities Professor turned Popular Writer
Someone like Steven Ambrose, Joseph Campbell, J.R.R. Tolkien, or C.S. Lewis.
IQ: 12+
Advantage: Reputation (Academic, Small Group, 9-, +1 or better), Talent 1+ (Literary or similar); Wealth (Comfortable to Filthy Rich) and one or more of Attractive Appearance, Charisma, or Voice.
Optional Advantage: Tenure.
Disadvantage: Reputation (Sell-Out or "Not a Real Academic", Small Group, 9-, -1 or worse).
Primary Skills: Writing and one of Anthropology, Expert Skill (Folklore or Mythology), History, Linguistics, Literature, or Theology.
Secondary Skill: Public Speaking; Research; Savoir-Faire (Academic).
Background Skills: Computer Operations; Connoisseur (SF/Fantasy); Merchant; Occultism; Propaganda; Teaching; or any skill not chosen as Primary.
Languages: At least two non-native languages at Accented or better written fluency (Typically Latin, Classic Greek, French, or German).