[Basic] Skill of the week: Research

[RogerBW]

This is one of the big ones for me - I very rarely run a campaign in which it isn't of at least some importance.

(As a friend recently commented on Cthulhu Invictus… "What's the first thing you do when you suspect there's a monster? Go to the library. But in ancient Rome there aren't any libraries!)

For experimental work: absolutely, the Science skill, possibly with the Invention rules.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by RogerBW

This is one of the big ones for me - I very rarely run a campaign in which it isn't of at least some importance.

And of course, it's part of the modern intellectual trio, with Teaching and Writing, as the things you need to use any intellectual skill to full effect, and pass it on.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by RogerBW

(As a friend recently commented on Cthulhu Invictus… "What's the first thing you do when you suspect there's a monster? Go to the library. But in ancient Rome there aren't any libraries!)

Well, actually, there were libraries; we even have floor plans for some of them. See http://eduscapes.com/history/ancient/100.htm for a sample. Lionel Casson wrote a book-length study of libraries in the ancient world.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Well, actually, there were libraries; we even have floor plans for some of them. See http://eduscapes.com/history/ancient/100.htm for a sample. Lionel Casson wrote a book-length study of libraries in the ancient world.

And even if a particular city doesn't have a public library, there are private libraries and probably temple libraries.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Well, actually, there were libraries; we even have floor plans for some of them. See http://eduscapes.com/history/ancient/100.htm for a sample. Lionel Casson wrote a book-length study of libraries in the ancient world.

I have that. It's a fairly small book though.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

I have that. It's a fairly small book though.

How good is it? I haven't actually read it; I just saw it mentioned, and I know Casson's work on ships and seamanship and find it helpful.

[Icelander]

Do you need any skills besides Research to work as a librarian?

If you're in charge of a sizable library, Administration, certainly, but is there a Professional Skill (Librarian) that exists separately from Research?

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Do you need any skills besides Research to work as a librarian?

If you're in charge of a sizable library, Administration, certainly, but is there a Professional Skill (Librarian) that exists separately from Research?

I would not call it necessary but certainly seems a practical option.
Librarians may not even need or use Research beyond defaults.
Librarians need to know where the books go, requiring familiarity with the filing system. Usually, Dewey in modern USA, how to politely and effectively enforce the rules.
Familiarity with whats in their library, and possibly how to get books from another branch, basic computer operation

[Kromm]

Honestly, most librarians have what's functionally "Area Knowledge (The library I work in)." The transferable skill might be Research, but the one that impresses people is that AK skill, because even the best cataloguing and classification systems don't fully account for the limits of architecture and the habits of patrons.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Refplace

I would not call it necessary but certainly seems a practical option.
Librarians may not even need or use Research beyond defaults.

When I talk with an actual librarian (not a clerk), often what they are doing for me is figuring out what search terms to use to find information on a topic I want to know about, and steering me to the right sections of the shelves. I think that's almost surely Research.