Knowledge (area)

This is a skill that can be taken many times - once for each area of knowledge. A character with this skill knows most of the common lore and traditions concerning their chosen area. An area may include: a particular city or territory, a culture, an historical period, or a race, or species. In addition, an area of knowledge may be taken from the Philosopher skill. If this is done, the area is equivalent in size to a Sub-field, and any Sub-fields except Advanced, Experimental or Ancient, are available as areas of knowledge.

A character is limited to the knowledge available to their culture. The knowledge held by the character may not be entirely factual, and may contain certain popular misconceptions or superstitions. This skill mostly gives the character a much wider general knowledge about their area, some history of it, and perhaps some biographical knowledge of famous figures associated with it, both historical and contemporary. This skill is entirely one of knowledge, and confers no special ability to perform a craft or trade.

Generally there is no success percentage, the GM simply giving far more information regarding a certain topic to a character who has knowledge of that area. If there is doubt as to whether or not a character should know something from their specific area, the Base Chances are: 

Rarity of Information	Base Chance
Common	WP + 70%
Uncommon	WP + 40%
Rare or Obscure	WP + 10%

These chances may be further modified by the GM to reflect the individual rarity of the knowledge. A character will not know the theories behind the lore.

If a character learns an area of Knowledge that is also a Philosopher Sub-field, and that character is, or becomes a Philosopher, the Knowledge (area) may be used as the appropriate Sub-field.

Ranking