A character with this skill is adept at estimating enemy strengths based on available clues, and communicating that information to others.
The base chance of estimating enemy strength is (((INT + PER) - 30) * 1.5) + (Rank x 5). This assumes a moderate amount of available information. The GM will award bonuses or penalties depending on the situation. For example, a scout has been watching an enemy fortress for a few hours. The GM makes a roll for the scout at this point to estimate the size of the force holed up in the fortress based on the scout's observation of the enemy watch schedule, number of people on watch, number of people he has seen come and go while he was watching, and even the amount of garbage that can be seen.
Scouts have their own "silent language" of hand signals to communicate with other scouts. When this ability is used, both of the scouts must make rolls, the first to successfully communicate information and the second to correctly understand it. Base chance of success is (((PER + KNOW) - 30) x 1.5) + (Rank x 7). Note that this skill is also known as Body Speak, which can be purchased separately to allow non-scouts to understand and communicate with scouts in the same silent language.
Scouts are also good at imitating animal sounds to communicate at greater range. This form of communication is not as complex as the "silent language" of hand signals and the sounds being made might mean different things each time. However, the scout has a chance equal to ((PER - 15) x 3) + (Rank x 5) of recognizing a particular sound as being that of a scout rather than a real animal.
Scouts also have a chance to detect an ambush before walking into it. This chance is equal to ((PER - 15) x 3) + (Rank x 3). This assumes a well planned ambush. The GM can adjust the numbers for a poorly planned ambush or an ambush in a location not well suited to one.
Scouts are also adept at finding the best route to their destination. This could mean finding the path through the mountains that doesn't end in box canyons, or finding the best route through a swamp to avoid deep water, etc. Their bonus is equal to (((PER + MA) - 30) x 1.5) + (Rank x 5).
There might be situations where a general scouting knowledge roll is required. In such cases, the base chance of success is ((KNOW - 15) x 3) + (Rank x 5) |