Talismancy

This is the art of making simple charms, which some say is a based on a primitive form of Enchant ment. Talismancers are skilled at the design and manufacture of the talismans and token common to their people to help ward against evil and danger.

Talismans are small tokens that provide a minor effect for a limited amount of time and then be come inert. Some talismans mimic very low-powered spells, while others provide small bonuses to specific actions. Talismans look just like everyday objects, so physical inspection does not reveal the power held in such items. A talisman may appear to be a sprig of d’oko, a smooth river stone, or any other mundane object. In fact, the best talisman weavers select ob jects so ordinary that no one would even look twice at them, much less consider them sources of power.

Some few skilled Talismancers are able to craft tal ismans that have permanent effects. True talismans are an exception to the above rule that such items only provide benefits for a limited time. They grant specific benefits to their bearers and some are quite potent. Anyone with knowledge of ancient rituals and a close connection with natural energies can cre ate a talisman. It does not require any spellcasting ability or knowledge of arcane magical formulas, nor does it require expensive components or the expen diture of one’s personal energy. There are, however, prerequisite levels of knowledge of the ways of magic and nature.

All talismans other than true talismans are single use items, meaning that after they have been used they hold no further power. A true talisman’s abil ity is always active. Activating a talisman can take the form of anything from snapping a twig of d’oko to rubbing a stone to crushing a flower. Talismans are often worn on necklaces or other jewelry to make them easily accessible to characters in need of their powers.

The four types of talismans are described below.

minOr talisman Degree of Difficulty: -5 Example Benefits: +1 luck bonus to any single skill check Attribute check or Attack roll or a -1 penalty on a single attack roll against the wearer.

lesser talisman Degree of Diffi culty: -10 Example Benefi ts: +l luck bonus for one minute to any skill check, Attribute check or Attack roll or a -1 penalty on all attack rolls against the wearer for one minute.

Greater talisman Degree of Diffi culty: -15 Example Benefi ts: +4 luck bonus to any single skill check , Attribute check or Attack roll or a +2 bonus to all skill checks , Attribute checks and Attack rolls for 1 minute or grants minor, specifi c protections.

true talisman Degree of Diffi culty: -20 Example Benefi ts: +4 luck bonus to all ressiatnce rolls against a specifi c danger (mind-aff ecting spells and eff ects, poison, disease, etc.), immunity to a spe cifi c type of disease or poison, grants major, specifi c protections. Any minor or lesser eff ect on a perma nent basis.

Training Period: 40 weeks Attribute Modifi er: MR