Talent/Spell of the Week: Scholar

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

It would be nice if it were to provide a slight advantage with respect to researching magical items/spells. Or, if it would reduce the IQ difference for casting spells by 1 or 2.

Scholar's description specifically mentions research, but no research roll modifiers are mentioned. If one thinks of Scholar as the research talent (the word "research" is not used in any other talent description), it would would be reasonable that one could apply the rule of thumb that untalented rolls are made with an extra die (ITL 8), which would let Scholars make research rolls listed in ITL on one fewer die.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

Makes sense.

I wonder how such a talent would be abused?

Remember Cliff from Cheers?

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by Shostak

Scholar's description specifically mentions research, but no research roll modifiers are mentioned. If one thinks of Scholar as the research talent (the word "research" is not used in any other talent description), it would would be reasonable that one could apply the rule of thumb that untalented rolls are made with an extra die (ITL 8), which would let Scholars make research rolls listed in ITL on one fewer die.

Excellent point!

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by Shostak

Remember Cliff from Cheers?

Who could forget him.

Trivia: Several years before that actor became known as Cliff from Cheers, he was on a cult classic movie called Motel Hell as a member of a transient rock band.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Shostak

This IQ 13 talent represents skill with languages and research, and knowledge of history, art history, anthropology, and geography. One can assume Scholar does not include theology & occultism, zoology, botany, mathematics, or chemistry, since those are represented by other talents. Scholars enjoy status among those who value such learning, getting a bonus on reaction rolls.

One must invest four talent points to learn Scholar, due to its prerequisite of Literacy. The scholarly wizard may be a common cliché in literature, but, in my experience, the scholarly wizard in TFT is somewhat rarer, probably due to the Wizard's Tax which doubles the aforementioned cost.

Scholar could be especially useful in games in which many languages are spoken, or in which there is some advantage to knowing historical or cultural lore, but I've seldom seen Scholar used, even in such games.

Conversation starters:

• What are the arguments for and against Scholar being revised to be accessible to wizards at standard cost?
• Are there synergies to be found by combining Scholar with other skills?
• If you've had a memorable Scholar in your games, share some highlights of their adventures.
• What character types might work well with a Scholar lens?
• What incentives might a GM give to entice players to fill the Scholar niche?
• What challenges does Scholar present a GM?

Character types:

Court Philosopher
Wandering Mystic
Skald
Warrior Poet
Healer
Royal Counselor
Cleric

Combinations: Really any combination that can be justified by the access to education. Noor Inayet Khan (secret agent), Alfred the Great (King), Anne Frank (refugee), Fitzroy Maclean (adventurer), Winston Churchill (politician).