Crossfire Playbook - Appendix B

# Skills

The following is the current (7/15/96) roster of skills and the description for each. Use the command `crossfire -m5` to see the array of skills and experience in your version of crossfire. (Note: you need to have compiled with the `DUMP_SWITCHES` and `ALLOW_SKILLS` flags for this to work!)

Emphasis on type denotes a skill which monsters/NPC's may also use.

alchemy | User can identify potions, containers, flesh parts, and amulets.
bargaining | While this skill is readied the user has added CHA for purposes of purchase and selling of items only. Cha is never allowed to exceed 30.
bowyer | User can identify missile weapons and missiles.
clawing | User can make a bare-handed attack. Damage is based on the user's Str and `level`. This is the default ``hand-to-hand'' fighting skill for the Quetzecoatl character class. |
find traps | User can search (more effectively) for traps. Not a 'passive' skill, it is applied in order to gain the advantage in discovering traps.
flame touch | User can make a bare-handed attack. Damage is based on the user's Str and `level`. This is the default hand-to-hand fighting skill for the Fireborn character class.
hide | User enjoys limited form of invisibility. If they attack or move too much they become visible.
jeweler | User can ident gems and rings that they hold.
jumping | User can 'skip' over 1-2 spaces in a selected direction. Distance depends on weight carried, STR and DEX of the user. This skill may also be used as an attack.
karate | User can make a bare-handed attack. Damage is based on the user's Str and `level`. This attack is the fastest and (at higher levels) most deadly of the hand-to-hand attacks available.
literacy | User can ident books and scrolls that they hold. It also allows the player to read scrolls, books, grimores and praybooks.
lockpicking | User may 'pick locks' (open doors). User needs to have readied 'lockpicks' to use this skill.
meditation | Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate. Player must first strip off encumbering armour however. This skill is only available to the Monk character class.
melee weapons | User may use hand-held weapons (eg swords, spears, mace, etc).
missile weapons | The user is allowed to make attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow).
mountaineer | While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through "hilly" terrain (hills, mountains, etc.)
oratory | User may 'recruit' followers. Recruitees must be of lower `level`, and unaggressive to start. Use of this skill may anger the audience. Also, 'special' monsters are immune to recruitment. Success depends on User Cha and `level`.
praying | User is allowed to cast ``priest'' spells. In addition, this skill may be used to accelerate the accumulation of grace. This skill may be either learned or acquired through the use of a holy symbol.
punching | User can make a bare-handed attack. Damage is based on the user's Str and `level`. This is the most feeble of the hand-to-hand attacks.
remove traps | User may remove previously discovered traps.
sense curse | User may discover whether items that they hold are cursed.
sense magic | User may discover whether items that they hold are magic.
set traps | Unimplemented.
singing | User may pacify hostile monsters with this skill. Certain kinds of monsters are immune. Success depends on user `level` and CHA.
smithery | User may ident arms and armour that they hold.
stealing | User can steal items from other creatures.
thaumagragist | User can ident rods, wands and horns that they are holding.
throwing | Unimplemented.
use magic item | User can use magic items like rods/wands/horns.
wizardry | User is allowed to cast ``wizard'' spells. This skill may be acquired either through the use of a talisman or learned via a skill scroll.
woodsman | While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through ``wooded'' terrain (forest, grasslands, brush, jungle, etc.). If actively used, this skill will identify foods and flesh parts.
writing | User may both write messages in books and rewrite spell scrolls with a previously known spell. For new spell scrolls mana, time and an old scroll are needed. Backfire effects are possible. To write text in a book, use the skill as: `use_skill` `writing <msg>`. This skills is only available as a 'writing pen'; the literacy skill must be possessed before this can be used.

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