Knowledge (Variant Mechanic)

Your character's knowledge defines what they are and aren't aware of about the world around them. Their knowledge is determined by the amount and distribution of Knowledge Points (or KP) that you accrue as your character gains levels and experiences the world around them. This variant mechanic replaces the use of Arcana, Nature, History and Religion skills in determining your characters knowledge. Instead, they are to be utilised for the successful application of knowledge, such as performing a funeral rite or repairing a damaged magical circle.

Knowledge Points

At first level, your character has a number of Knowledge Points (KP) equal to 1 + their Intelligence modifier, which you may distribute in any of the nine fields of study available within the three Schools of Learning. When your character gains a level, you also acquire KP equal to 1 + your Intelligence modifier, which must be allocated immediately.

Basic Knowledge in a field requires 3 KP. Any character can have Basic Knowledge of any field, considered as information passively acquired throughout their travels.

Intermediate Knowledge in a field requires a total of 10 KP. Your character must also have had access to a library, scholar or spent significant time and personal experience acquiring such knowledge themselves.

Advanced Knowledge in a field requires a total of 20 KP. Your character must also have had access to several diverse repositories of knowledge, be they libraries, scholars or powerful entities. Your DM may also require your character to undergo a quest to either acquire secret knowledge or find a master in the field that is willing to share what they know.

At any point, your DM may decide to reward your character with a Knowledge Point in a particular field in recognition for knowledge gained throughout your adventures.

Repositories of Knowledge

In your travels, you might come across books, scrolls, sages or otherworldly entities that hold knowledge you do not possess. The knowledge these resources contain typically become steadily more specific as they hold more comprehensive information.

Typically, sages and other scholars will have Basic Knowledge in at least one field of study, and may prove to be a valuable resource to an adventuring party in their travels. It is rare to find individuals with more than Basic Knowledge in multiple fields of study. Those with Intermediate Knowledge in a field typically have restricted their studies to a single School of Learning. Listed under each field of study are examples of such experts your character may approach in search of answers.

Books, scrolls and other written resources may grant Basic to Intermediate Knowledge in a particular field, depending on their size and comprehensiveness. Entire libraries collectively might grant Advanced Knowledge, so long as your character has the investigative skills to find the answers they seek.