Xia: Skill Tests

Xia: Main Page -> Xia: Additional Game Systems -> Xia: Skill Tests

This page includes a new optional game system for GMs and players who are interested in introducing skill tests into their game.

Introduction: Using Skill Tests

When To Use a Skill Test

You may want to consider using skill tests when:

• During a Conflict, a character's skill at a non-opposed task could affect the conflict's outcome, and where the random chance of success or failure will add to the scene's drama and fun. Examples: Shepherding a panicking crowd out of the room to stop them getting hurt in the battle; Breaking down a wall to escape poison gas fumes; Translating a demon-banishing spell from an obscure ancient dialect into something you can use;
• Outside of a Conflict, when a character's skill ar a non-opposed task will affect a conflict to come, and where the random chance of success or failure will add to the scene's drama or fun. Examples: Running cross city to reach the gate before the barbarian invaders smash it down; Improving the morale of your troops before you take them into the field of war; Predicting the weather, so you can use that knowledge in the sea-battle to come;
• Outside of a Conflict, when a character's skill ar a non-opposed task will affect the path of the story, and where the random chance of success or failure will add to the story's drama or fun. Examples: Fighting fire to stop the city's library burning down; Giving a speech to a crowd to convince them to rebel; Writing beautiful calligraphy, to present as a gift to the Emperor;

When NOT To Use a Skill Test

• If a Conflict System could be used instead... Then do so! Conflicts are the meat and drink of the Xia game system!
• If a random outcome could lead to a less fun or less interesting story. Why would you want to make the game less fun or interesting? Decide on an outcome and move on. For example, if the Xia need to pick a lock to move further on, and there's no option for them other than to get through this door, then just let them pick the lock already!
• If the Xia has very little chance of failing at such a task. Just assume they succeed!
• If the Xia has very little chance of succceeding at such a task. Just assume they fail!

The Skill Test System

The Skill Test System has the following steps:

• 1) Determine Skill Rating from Trait + Trigram.
• 2) Deduct Task Difficulty. This gives you a Target Number.
• 3) Roll 1D6. If you roll equal or below the Target Number, you succeed!

Determine Skill Rating

To determine a Skill Rating, add up the most appropriate Trait with the most applicable Trigram. For example. Physical + Heaven or Mental + Water.

Picking which Trait you is generally straightforward. Physical for physical tasks, Social for social and Mental for mental!

Picking which Trigram you use requires a little knowledge of what they represent. First off, a GM should be aware that the Trigrams are divided into Yang Trigrams and Yin Trigrams. The Yang Trigrams are Heaven, Fire, Wind and Thunder. When a character is being active, and making an effort at a task, you use the Yang Trigrams. The Yin Trigrams are Earth, Water, Mist and Mountain. When a character is being reactive or passive, and being forced to resist something, you use the Yin Trigrams. To put it another way, when the player asks to do something, its generally a Yang test, but when the GM asks the player to deal with something happening to him, its a Yin test. Each Trigram of course, has its own sphere of influence:

Heaven is the trigram of dominance, accuracy, leadership, forcefulness, education, memory and confidence.

• Physical Examples of a Heaven Test: Hitting a falling apple with a shot arrow; Striking a static martial pose of sublime grace;
• Social Examples of a Heaven Test: Stirring a crowd to patriotism or high morale; Demonstrating excellent etiquette;
• Mental Examples of a Heaven Test: Recalling a fact or piece of ancient lore; Performing a flawless tea ceremony;

Credits

This page created by Asklepios.