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Appendix B - Skills

The following is the 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.

Skill Description
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 race.
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 race.
hide User enjoys limited form of invisibility. If they attack or move too much they become visible.
jeweler User can identify 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 identify 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 player´s Charisma 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 player´s level and CHA.
smithery User may identify arms and armour that they hold.
stealing User can steal items from other creatures.
thaumaturgy User can identify 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_skillwriting <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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