--- deliantra/Deliantra-Client/pod/skill_help.pod	2008/04/02 14:42:31	1.15
+++ deliantra/Deliantra-Client/pod/skill_help.pod	2012/11/21 14:43:40	1.23
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+=begin comment
+
+*** The skill descriptions here are mere copies of the
+*** skill messages in the server archetypes.
+*** Update them in arch/ first, then here.
+
+=end
+
+=encoding utf-8
+
 =head1 Skills
 
 =head1 Description
@@ -55,7 +65,7 @@
 =head2 bowyer
 
 You can identify missile weapons and missiles such as arrows, bolts and
-bows.  One can also create special bows and arrows from other ingredients
+bows. One can also create special bows and arrows from other ingredients
 using the bowyer skill like the L<alchemy skill|skill_description/alchemy>
 skill and a B<workbench> L<$ARCH/workbench.x11>
 (you just have to find out a recipe).
@@ -77,7 +87,7 @@
 =head2 summoning
 
 You can cast spells related to the B<summoning> school of wizardry, which
-mostly summon monsters, bullet walls and similar things.  This skill
+mostly summon monsters, bullet walls and similar things. This skill
 may be acquired either through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or
 learned via a L<skill scroll>.
 
@@ -88,7 +98,7 @@
 =head2 pyromancy
 
 You can cast spells related to the B<pyromancy> (fire) school of
-wizardry.  This skill may be acquired either through the use of an
+wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of an
 appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a L<skill scroll>.
 
 The first spell would be 'burning hands' which casts a cone of fire which
@@ -97,7 +107,7 @@
 =head2 evocation
 
 You can cast spells related to the B<evocation> (mostly cold magic)
-school of wizardry.  This skill may be acquired either through the use of
+school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of
 an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a L<skill scroll>.
 
 The spell you should start with is 'icestorm' which casts a cone
@@ -106,7 +116,7 @@
 =head2 sorcery
 
 You can cast spells related to the B<sorcery> (identify, town portal and
-other meta-spells) school of wizardry.  This skill may be acquired either
+other meta-spells) school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either
 through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill
 scroll>.
 
@@ -140,7 +150,7 @@
 =head2 jumping
 
 You can "skip" over one, two or three spaces in the selected
-direction.  Distance depends on weight carried, L<strength|stat_Str> and
+direction. Distance depends on weight carried, L<strength|stat_Str> and
 L<dexterity|stat_Dex> of the user. This skill may also be used as an
 attack.
 
@@ -158,8 +168,12 @@
 
 =head2 literacy
 
-You can identify books and scrolls that you hold.  Since scrolls are
-currently always identified, this is not the greatest of skills.
+With this skill you can identify books and scrolls in your inventory,
+giving you more experience that you can invest into identifying higher
+level books and scrolls.
+
+Literacy is also required to read books and scrolls, and to learn new
+spells and skills from books and scrolls.
 
 =head2 lockpicking
 
@@ -168,14 +182,13 @@
 
 =head2 meditation
 
-Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate by C<use_skill meditation>,
-the L<skill_description/praying> skill. Player must first strip
-off encumbering armour however. This skill is only available to the "monk"
-character class.
+Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate by C<use_skill
+meditation>. Player must first strip off encumbering armour however. This
+skill is only available to the "monk" character class.
 
 =head2 one handed weapons
 
-You can use one-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<shortsword>, B<dagger>, 
+You can use one-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<shortsword>, B<dagger>,
 B<mace>, etc). Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and
 direction keys.
 
@@ -186,7 +199,7 @@
 
 =head2 missile weapons
 
-The user is capabale of making attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow).
+The user is capable of making attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow).
 Fire arrows by applying a bow and using the fire and direction keys. To fire
 specific arrows to kill a monster that is weak against a certain arrow, mark
 this arrow and fire.
@@ -214,9 +227,15 @@
 
 The praying skill allows you to cast "cleric" spells. In addition, this
 skill may be used to accelerate the accumulation of grace points by
-praying (see L<How do I pray?|how_tp_pray>. This skill may be either
-learned (e.g. using a L<skill scroll>) or acquired through the use of a
-B<holy symbol>.
+praying. This skill may be either learned (e.g. using a L<skill scroll>)
+or acquired through the use of a B<holy symbol>.
+
+Since praying can keep your character busy for a while, it is best to
+C<ready_skill praying>, and then keep firing into any direction. That way,
+you can instantly stop praying when something unexpected shows up.
+
+One of the best praying spells to start with is the 'holy word' spell and
+later, if you find it, the 'banishment' spell, which is much stronger.
 
 One of the best spells to start with is the 'holy word' spell and later,
 if you find it, the 'banishment' spell, which is much stronger.
@@ -236,23 +255,31 @@
 
 =head2 disarm traps
 
-You can disarm previously discovered traps (for example, with the B<find traps> skill).
+You can disarm previously discovered traps (for example, with the B<find
+traps> skill).
+
+=head2 mining
+
+You know how to use a pickaxe to extract minerals from veins. You can also use
+spells of the mining spell school. For instance the I<detect mineral> spell.
 
 =head2 sense curse
 
-You can detect whether items that you hold are B<cursed> by firing in any
-direction while this skill is readied.
+You can detect whether items in your inventory or on the floor are
+B<cursed> by using this skill.
 
 =head2 sense magic
 
-You can detect whether items that you hold are B<magic> by firing in any
-direction while this skill is readied.
+You can detect whether items in your inventory or on the floor are
+B<magic> by using this skill.
 
 =head2 singing
 
-You may pacify hostile monsters with this area attack skill.  Certain
-kinds of monsters are immune. Success depends on user's level and her
-L<charisma|stat_Cha> vs. the monster's L<intelligence|stat_Int> and level.
+You may pacify hostile monsters with this area attack skill (it is
+directionless and affects the area around you - the higher the skill,
+the larger the area). Certain kinds of monsters are immune. Success
+depends on user's level and her L<charisma|stat_Cha> vs. the monster's
+L<intelligence|stat_Int> and level.
 
 Singing is a good companion skill for the L<oratory
 skill|skill_description/oratory>: first you pacify creates using singing,
@@ -262,7 +289,7 @@
 =head2 smithery
 
 You can identify arms and armour that you hold, and, with the help of a
-B<forge>, can even create weapons using the alchemy skill.
+B<forge>, can even create weapons using this skill.
 
 =head2 stealing
 
@@ -278,11 +305,7 @@
 =head2 throwing
 
 You can throw items at monsters. To do this, fire at a monster with this skill
-readied. You can chose what to throw by marking an item, if you do not chose an
-item, an item from your inventory is randomly picked and thrown unless the item
-is locked.
-
-ERROR: Randomly?
+readied. You can chose what to throw by marking an item.
 
 =head2 use magic item
 
@@ -293,18 +316,20 @@
 =head2 woodsman
 
 While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through
-"wooded" terrain (B<forest>, B<grasslands>, B<brush>, B<jungle>, etc.)
+"wooded" terrain (B<forest>, B<grasslands>, B<brush>, B<jungle>, etc.).
+
+Woodsmen can also craft various items useful to their skill.
 
 =head2 inscription
 
-You can inscribe scrolls with a text. This is useful to create messages,
-especially via the Imperial Post Office (IPO).
+You can inscribe empty scrolls and books with a text. This is useful to
+create messages, especially via the Imperial Post Office (IPO).
 
-You can also rewrite spell scrolls with a previously known spell. You
-need L<mana|stat_mana>, time and an old scroll. Backfire effects are
+You can also write spell scrolls with a spell known to you. You need
+L<mana|stat_mana>, time and an old scroll for that. Backfire effects are
 possible. Only available as a 'writing pen'.
 
-How to rewrite a mail scroll/books etc.:
+How to write into a mail scroll/books etc.:
 
    mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu
    use_skill inscription <your message goes here>
@@ -315,11 +340,9 @@
    cast <spell>          # prepare the spell you want to write
    use_skill inscription # write the spell on the scroll
 
-The scroll on which you want to write has to be much lower than your inscription
-level, otherwise you may accidentally read the scroll and cast the spell inside it.
-If you succeed, the scroll will be a scroll of the spell you chose and your level of
-inscription as its level. Hence, you don't need to be that level in the spell skill
-to write higher level spellscrolls.
+If you succeed, the scroll will be a scroll of the spell you chose and
+your level of inscription as its level. Hence, you don't need to be that
+level in the spell skill to write higher level spellscrolls.
 
 Caution: Magic spell writing can be risky to one's health. There can be
 some negative effects if one fails to write a spell scroll. The most
@@ -346,8 +369,6 @@
 
 =head2 poison nail
 
-TODO: Add goblins and think about the name goblin.
-
 You can do a "bare-handed attack" and inject poison into the opponent with
 this skill readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a
 unique skill that can only be used by goblins.