Taliesin
07-14-2013, 05:07 AM
Not errata per se, but Greg has slightly amended the description of the Diplomacy skill for the Book of the Warlords, in response to some of the recent questions about it on these boards. How's that for love and dedication? I don't know if there's enough space to get it into the next version of Book of the Estate but I'll try. Anyhoo, hopefully this will help answer any questions about the skill:
Diplomacy
Starting Skill: 2
Diplomacy is the skill of discourse used between lords and kings (or their representatives). Diplomacy is required in dealing with other powerful people in a formal and friendly or neutral, manner. It includes the knowledge of customs, and especially particular customs, of the other party; understanding of the personalities involved; and of language, both subtle and blunt as needed. It requires knowledge of what other powerful people are doing, where that action might bear on this discussion. The diplomat also has to know what gift to give, when, and what would be too much.
Diplomacy is used to settle disputes between earls; or with one of the king’s officers; or with a city, bishop, abbot, or tribe. It’s also used to set up formal, prearranged battles, to bring peace, to set terms of mutual raiding with neighbors, negotiate marriages between powerful families, etc. It is used by barons to compete to rent the leased ferms (see below).
Courtesy — the way of the court — is similar but simpler, by comparison, since it requires only familiarity with one’s own court. Thus while the general qualities are similar, Diplomacy’s content and hidden subtlety always has an edge. Anyone with Courtesy may attempt to Diplomatize, at ¼ Courtesy skill. Modifiers may apply.
Diplomacy
Starting Skill: 2
Diplomacy is the skill of discourse used between lords and kings (or their representatives). Diplomacy is required in dealing with other powerful people in a formal and friendly or neutral, manner. It includes the knowledge of customs, and especially particular customs, of the other party; understanding of the personalities involved; and of language, both subtle and blunt as needed. It requires knowledge of what other powerful people are doing, where that action might bear on this discussion. The diplomat also has to know what gift to give, when, and what would be too much.
Diplomacy is used to settle disputes between earls; or with one of the king’s officers; or with a city, bishop, abbot, or tribe. It’s also used to set up formal, prearranged battles, to bring peace, to set terms of mutual raiding with neighbors, negotiate marriages between powerful families, etc. It is used by barons to compete to rent the leased ferms (see below).
Courtesy — the way of the court — is similar but simpler, by comparison, since it requires only familiarity with one’s own court. Thus while the general qualities are similar, Diplomacy’s content and hidden subtlety always has an edge. Anyone with Courtesy may attempt to Diplomatize, at ¼ Courtesy skill. Modifiers may apply.