Acting
Skill, Performing
Stagecraft used to entertain for food and lodging, to bluff or lie convincingly, and at its height to impersonate a type of person or a specific individual.
From the book
Acting is a versatile performing talent with three main uses. As entertainment, reciting verse or telling tales can win a character acceptance among strangers and perhaps a free meal or a bed for the night; seasoned actors can command much better pay, as the Harlequin profession shows. As deception, the same talent lets a character bluff, play for sympathy or talk their way out of trouble, and a clever player will find endless openings for it.
Impersonation is the height of the actor's craft: taking on the look and manner of any human or humanoid. It always needs a make-up kit and a fitting costume, plus some knowledge of the subject. Playing a general type, such as a wizard or a city magistrate, needs little more than casual observation. Copying one particular person requires at least an hour of close, first-hand study, and people who know that person well are 25% harder to convince.
All acting attempts succeed 85% of the time, plus 1% per level of ability, to a maximum of 99%. It costs 1,000 XP, with 1-3 months of tutoring for anyone but a Harlequin.
At a glance
- Skill group
- Performing
- Cost
- 1,000 XP (non-Harlequins need 1-3 months of tutoring)
- How it works
- 85% +1% per level (max 99%); close acquaintances of an impersonated person are 25% harder to fool
- Requires
- Impersonation needs a make-up kit, costume and study of the subject (at least 1 hour of close observation for a specific person)
- Impersonating a type
- Minimal familiarity needed; casual observation of the type is enough