Subskills WAS: Re: [dq-rules] Digest Number 111

["dbarrass_2000 <david.barrass@ed.ac.uk>" <david.barrass@ed.ac.uk>]

> Matt lust
>  Rodger Thorm <dqn@e...> wrote:
> 
> So I'd like to redirect this thread and start working out the EXP 
costs of subskills as John has described them in this thread.  I'd 
like to lay out which skills are eligible for this (I'd say only a 
Troubador can use Bardic Voice, and only a Courtesan can use 
Seduction, right off the bat), and then see what the consensus is for 
appropriate EXP costs.
On the whole I agree with this. However, what about the character 
that says "I want to be an orator and persuade armies to follow me" 
(a lawyer is another example).  A Troubadour's Bardic voice is the 
ability that best models this, but he might say "I'll never use amuse 
semi-intelligent creatures or any other the other abilities, so why 
should I pay for them?"

I can see some responses
a) That's tough you've got them, and if you use them you're going 
against character and I'll penalise you. My own feeling is that this 
is unfair
b) There are actually a few that would be useful, eg dress 
appropriately and defer a decision for a rank or two
c) How about if we modify some of the abilities, say - compose 
stories is actually speech writing?.  Again this will defer a 
decision till higher ranks.
d) OK you don't want these, how about these abilities instead, eg 
project voice instead of play instrument?  These would have to be 
modelled and appropriate to the exp cost for the skill
e) Say alright, we'll half the exp cost to advance, but you only get 
bardic voice

a to c are not fully acceptable, d to e require some thought about 
the relative costing of sub-skills.  I feel there are at least three 
parameters, 
difficulty of performing the skill, 
power (to keep the game in balance) and 
cost or the skill (its no use having the skill cheaper to buy in its 
component parts)

DQ can give us some clues, based on the base chance, increase for 
each rank, and the value appropriate characteristics in the use of 
the ability.
A sub skill that is 90 + Rank, ie the easiest, least powerful sub 
skills could cost 1/5 of the total cost of the skill it was a part of

Does any one have any other thoughts?

David