When studying and learning, a Fire approach lets a character theorize on the subject, creatively and energetically attacking the problem to come up with solutions none have considered before. It allows a character to extrapolate how things might be currently and in the future, connect the dots, and identify absences in an argument, idea, or environment.
Details
Fire is creative and flashy, even in its approach to the Scholar skill group. Theorize, the Fire approach for Scholar skills, is imaginative, seeing the possibilities instead of the certainties. It is good for approaching the unprecedented and the unforeseen, as well as for identifying notable absences, but reckless conjecture can sometimes lead to incorrect conclusions. Taking a Fire approach to a Scholar skill allows a character to come up with a novel idea about how something might function or behave based on limited evidence. However, that novel idea isn’t always the truth.
A character uses Theorize when they want to:
A character uses Theorize when they want to:
- Connect the dots between two seemingly unrelated pieces of information.
- Conjecture regarding the reasons behind a physical phenomenon or unexplained occurrence.
- Brainstorm possible solutions to a problem.
- Come up with a list of foreseeable outcomes of a future event.
- Determine that something is conspicuously missing from an area.
* |
If you failed, determine the easiest way to accomplish the task you were attempting (skill and approach). |
* + |
Remove 1 strife you gained from this check per * spent this way. |
* * |
Provide assistance to the next character to attempt a check to accomplish something similar |
* |
If you failed, provide assistance to the next character trying to accomplish the same action (p. 298 CRB) |
* |
Inflame another character in the scene with your presence, causing them to receive 2 strife. |
* + |
Perform the task in a flashy way, drawing attention to yourself. Extra * attracts even more notice. |
* * |
Notice something missing or out of place in the vicinity that is not directly related to the task. At the GM’s discretion, you may establish an absence, such as a lack of shoes outside indicating the occupant’s absence. |
* |
Extrapolate the motivations or desires of another character in the scene or wider situation. |
Scholar + Fire Shuji Opportunities
Truth Burns Through Lies
Activation: When making a Scholar skill (Fire) check to assess a character’s story:
* If there is a single statement upon which the character’s story hinges, you determine what it is and what you would need to do to verify or disprove it.
* If there is a single statement upon which the character’s story hinges, you determine what it is and what you would need to do to verify or disprove it.
Special Circumstance Opportunities
In Shadowlands
*+ You spur your comrades on with pleasing encouragement or biting criticism. One other character in the scene per * you spend this way reduces their next TN to resist physical hardship or the influence of the Shadowlands by 1.
Against Tainted Threats
*+ The righteous fury you display can cow even the most terrible of Tainted fiends. Each Tainted being in the scene gains 1 strife, plus 1 additional strife for every ** spent. If you are unaware if another character is Tainted, the GM should record this strife secretly.
While Tainted
** The furious power of Jigoku flows
through you, granting you unnatural might. Add 1 kept Ring Dice showing a
Strife result to the next Martial Arts check you make. This effect
persists until the start of their next turn.
In Negotiations
** You set someone else on the defense with fast-paced questions and demands. Choose a demand or statement another character in the scene has made. Their player (or the GM, for NPCs) must tell you any hidden motivations behind that demand or statement.
In Romance
** A detail of your appearance catches your intended’s interest. Their player must tell you which of your physical attributes they find most captivating. You and your intended each receive 1 strife, and you each reduce the TN of your next Social skill check by 1.
In Espionage
*** A stray motion of yours catches the attention of a person or creature—but unexpectedly, they are sympathetic or helpful to you when they notice you. Who are they, and how do they offer to help? Do they think you are someone you’re not?
In contested Territory
* * * You create a clever disguise or ruse to get the jump on potential foes. The next time you enter a conflict scene this session, after initiative has been determined, choose one character in the scene. On that character's next check, they must reroll all results containing non-explosive Success symbols.
* * A clever theory fills in the gaps in your knowledge. You may immediately attempt a Scholar skill check of your choice to learn about your current situation or an NPC who is present, lowering the TN by 1 (to a minimum of 1).
* + As you incite your allies to great fervor, any number of them may remove 1 strife for each * you spend. For each character affected, you receive 1 strife as you let your passion overtake you.
* * A clever theory fills in the gaps in your knowledge. You may immediately attempt a Scholar skill check of your choice to learn about your current situation or an NPC who is present, lowering the TN by 1 (to a minimum of 1).
* + As you incite your allies to great fervor, any number of them may remove 1 strife for each * you spend. For each character affected, you receive 1 strife as you let your passion overtake you.