Where did Skill 12 = professional come from?

[Xplo]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Actually, I question that, which unfortunately is the foundation assumption of the rest of your post. What else do defaults represent but the "blurring" between two skills?

Defaults represent the extent to which expertise in one skill is applicable to another skill.

And yes, to some extent, they do "blur" skills.. but that doesn't change the fact that the skills are mainly organized by field, and defaults can't replace Hobby/Professional/Expert skills.

For instance, let's take Bartender (it's in Basic). I'll add in my guesses at appropriate skills.

"This is the skill of maintaining a professional-quality bar (Housekeeping, and possibly Merchant, depending on how one interprets "maintain") and interacting with customers in a professional yet friendly way (Diplomacy, though I'd probably allow Merchant for customer interaction). A successful skill roll lets you mix drinks (Cooking), recall local laws regarding alcohol (Law), gauge the intoxication level of a customer (Diagnosis, or possibly First Aid, Physician, Body Language, or Carousing), or calm an unruly drunk (Diplomacy) before the bouncer needs to get involved. At higher levels, this skill takes on an element of showmanship, allowing you to present drinks in unique and attractive ways (Artist), and to mix them with showy tricks and flourishes (Performance, plus possibly Juggling and/or Sleight of Hand)."

So, without professional skills, even the most humble bartender ought to have 5 points in bartending-related skills.. and is also capable of cleaning up posh mansions and crime scenes, negotiating treaties, working as a short-order cook or butchering deer, and practicing as a doctor or attorney. A skilled bartender has at least 7 points in bartending-related skills, if not much more, and in addition to the above, he's also capable of working as a food artist (or similar) and entertaining crowds with his juggling act.

Does this seem reasonable to you? Not so much? Can you explain how the use of defaults would allow a bartender who was good at his job, yet has a realistic (rather than comically cinematic) bartending skillset?

[Verjigorm]

[QUOTE=Xplo;834531] snip [QUOTE]

That's the point of Professional Skills. They represent the fact that alot of professions mix a number of different skills, but that their practioneers are not not especially skilled in any of these skills. A bartender can probably help you out if you get hit by a car, but he can't give you a tachyotomy.

Then again, most of the bartender I know tend to be very strange individuals, who know alot of trivial **** that occasionally comes in handy.

I'm not sure what you're asking, specifically.

[nik1979]

In reflection the professional skill is how one fares in maximum effective use of all relevant skills and then some. Its like making the other skills far greater than the sum of its parts.

A awesome bartender (profession-15) may have all his skills at 12 but his over all performance in his job would count more on the profession skill than just his individual skills.

Its like in Top Chef, a lot of chefs have Tons of other skills at roughly 12ish and up BUT its their professional ability to do and know all the things about being a Chef that dictates his career performance. Take them outside the kitchen (like in the reality show) then you notice their other skills are at unimpressive levels.

[Xplo]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

That's the point of Professional Skills. They represent the fact that alot of professions mix a number of different skills, but that their practioneers are not not especially skilled in any of these skills. A bartender can probably help you out if you get hit by a car, but he can't give you a tachyotomy.

Right, see, that was kinda the point I was trying to make to Bruno.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

A bartender can probably help you out if you get hit by a car, but he can't give you a tachyotomy.

Tachy = time, otomy = removal. In other words, stealing your watch while you lie bleeding on the ground.