resources/pod/skill_help.pod

=head1 Skills

=head1 Description

Instead of gaining experience for basically just killing monsters (and
disarming traps) you can also gain a variety of experience through the
use of skills. 

=head1 Skill Overview

   Skill           Experience   Associated Stats
                                Stat 1 Stat 2 Stat 3
   Achemy          Mental       Int    Dex    Wis
   Bargaining      NONE         n/a    n/a    n/a
   Bowyer          Mental       Int    Dex    Wis
   Clawing         Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Disarm Traps    Agility      Dex    Int    Str
   Find Traps      Mental       Int    Dex    n/a
   Flame Touch     Physique     Str    Dex    Int
   Hiding          Agility      Dex    Int    n/a
   Inscription     Mental       Int    Dex    n/a
   Jeweler         Mental       Int    Wis    Dex
   Jumping         Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Karate          Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Literacy        Mental       Int    Wis    n/a
   Lockpicking     Agility      Dex    Int    n/a
   Meditation      NONE         Int    Wis    Pow
   Melee Weapons   Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Missile Weapons Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Mountaineer     NONE         n/a    n/a    n/a
   Oratory         Personality  Cha    Int    n/a
   Praying         Wisdom       Wis    Pow    n/a
   Punching        Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Sense Curse     Wisdom       Pow    Wis    n/a
   Sense Magic     Magic        Pow    Int    n/a
   Set Traps       Mental       Int    Dex    Str
   Singing         Personality  Cha    Int    n/a
   Smithery        Mental       Int    Str    Dex
   Stealing        Agility      Dex    Int    n/a
   Thaumaturgy     Mental       Int    Wis    n/a
   Throwing        Physique     Str    Dex    n/a
   Use Magic Item  NONE         Pow    Int    n/a
   Wizardry        Magic        Pow    Int    n/a
   Woodsman        Mental       Int    Dex    Wis

=head1 Detailed Skill Description

Below is a more detailed description of each skills and how they are used.

=head2 alchemy

You can identify potions, containers, and different kinds of ore and mineral,
mix potions and create other stuff (such as gold, weapons, deadly monsters
killing him/her etc.) from other ingredients using a cauldron.

I<Never, ever, do alchemy in your home or in public places!> You can
easily create powerful monsters that will kill you, kill you again when
you wake up in your savebed, kill you again... etc.

=head2 bargaining

ERROR: Is this true?

While this skill is readied the user has added B<Cha> for purposes of
purchase and selling of items only. B<Cha> is never allowed to exceed 30.
When you are in a shop, you can use_skill bargaining to see whether that
shop will buy the items you want to sell at a higher price than others and
whether the shopkeeper likes you. Elf shopkeepers will like elf players.

=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 using the
alchemy skill and a B<workbench>.

=head2 clawing

You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
and level. With time, one can have different claws such as fire claws or
electric claws. An elemental residue from the dragon guild is required.

=head2 levitation

You can levitate (fly low) at will. Using the skill first makes you
levitate, and at the second time returns you to the earth.

=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
may be acquired either through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or
learned via a B<skill scroll>.

=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
appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill scroll>.

=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
an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill scroll>.

=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
through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill
scroll>.

=head2 flame touch

You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's
B<Str> and level. This is the default hand-to-hand fighting skill for the
fireborn character class.

=head2 hiding

You enjoy limited form of invisibility. If you attack or move too much
you become visible. Right now it is possible to hidden while next to
hostile monsters. Not a reasonable feature!

=head2 jeweler

You can identify amulets, rings and talismans. One can also improve magic
rings or enchant non-magic rings to give them stat bonuses using the alchemy
skill and a B<jeweler's workbench>.

=head2 jumping

You can "skip" over one, two or three spaces in the selected direction.
Distance depends on weight carried, B<Str> and B<Dex> of the user. This skill
may also be used as an attack.

=head2 karate

You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
and level. This attack is the fastest and (at higher levels) most deadly
of the hand-to-hand attacks available.

=head2 climbing

Having this skill allows you to move faster through hilly areas than players
without this skill.

=head2 literacy

You can identify books and scrolls that you hold. Since scrolls are
currently always identified, this is not the greatest of skills.

=head2 lockpicking

You may "pick locks" (open doors). You need to have readied some
B<lockpicks> to use this skill.

=head2 meditation

Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate. 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>, 
B<mace>, etc). Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and
direction keys.

=head2 two handed weapons

You can use two-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<longsword>, B<club>, etc).
Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and direction keys.

=head2 missile weapons

The user is capabale of making attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow).
Fire arrows by applying a bow and using teh fire and direction keys. To fire
specific arrows to kill a monster that is weak against a certain arrow, mark
this arrow and fire.

=head2 mountaineer

While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through "hilly"
terrain (hills, mountains, etc.)

=head2 oratory

You may "recruit" followers. Recruitees must be of lower level, and
unaggressive to start. Use of this skill may anger the audience. Also,
"special" monsters are immune to recruitment. Success depends on user's
B<Cha> and level.

=head2 praying

You are allowed to cast "cleric" spells. In addition, this skill may be
used to accelerate the accumulation of grace. This skill may be either
learned (e.g. using a B<skill scroll>) or acquired through the use of a
B<holy symbol>.

=head2 punching

You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
and level. This is the most feeble of the hand-to-hand attacks.

=head2 find traps

You can search (more effectively) for traps. This is not a "passive"
skill, it must be applied in order to gain the advantage in discovering
traps, or actively used when in vicinity of a trap. To use it, fire into
any direction.

=head2 disarm

You can disarm previously discovered traps (for example, with the B<find traps> skill).

=head2 sense curse

You can detect whether items that you hold are B<cursed> by firing in any
direction while this skill is readied.

=head2 sense magic

You can detect whether items that you hold are B<magic> by firing in any
direction while this skill is readied.

=head2 singing

You may pacify hostile monsters with this skill. Certain kinds of
monsters are immune. Success depends on user level and B<Cha>.

=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.

=head2 stealing

You can take items from the inventory of NPCs, monsters and maybe other
players.

=head2 thaumathurgy

You can identify rods, wands and horns that you are holding, and, with
the help of a B<thaumaturgists workbench> and the alchemy skill, create
those things.

=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?

=head2 use magic item

You can use magic items like rods/wands/horns. The level of experience
influences how powerful the spells are you can evoke from the
rod/wand/horn.

=head2 woodsman

While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through
"wooded" terrain (B<forest>, B<grasslands>, B<brush>, B<jungle>, etc.)

=head2 inscription

You can inscribe scrolls 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. B<Sp>,
time and an old scroll are needed. Backfire effects are possible. Only
available as a 'writing pen'.

How to rewrite a mail scroll/books etc.:

   mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu
   use_skill inscription <your message goes here>

How to rewrite a spell scroll:

   mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu
   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.

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
benign is that one becomes confused for a short time. Other effects are
more severe and can even be dangerous.

=head2 spark touch

You can do a "bare-handed attack" and shock 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 sparklings.

=head2 shiver

You can do a "bare-handed attack" and send waves of frost to 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 iceborns.

=head2 acid splash

You can do a "bare-handed attack" and splash the opponent with acid using this
skill. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a unique skill
that can only be used by acidborns.

=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.

=head1 About experience and skills

=head2 Associated and miscellaneous skills

In Crossfire two types of skills exist; The first kind, "associated"
skills, are those skills which are associated with a category of
experience. The other kind of skill, "miscellaneous" skills, are not
related to any experience category.

The main difference between these two kinds of skills is in the result
of their use. When associated skills are used successfully experience
is accrued in the experience category associated with that skill. In
contrast, the use of miscellaneous skills never gains the player any
experience regardless of the success in using it.

Both miscellaneous and associated skills can fail. This means that
the attempt to use the skill was unsuccessful. Both miscellaneous
and associated skills can have certain primary stats associated with
them. These associated stats can help to determine if the use of a skill
is successful and to what degree it is successful.

All gained experience is modified by the associated stats for that skill
(table skill statistics) and then the appropriate experience category
automatically updated as needed.

=head2 Restrictions on skills use and gaining experience

Neither a character's stats nor the character class restricts the player
from gaining experience in any of the experience categories. Also, there
are no inherent restrictions on character skill use-any player may use any
acquired skill.

   Average of Experienced
   Associated Gain
   Stats      Multiplier
   1          0.01
   2          0.1
   3          0.3
   4          0.5
   5          0.6
   6          0.7
   7          0.8
   8          0.85
   9          0.9
   10         0.95
   11         0.96
   12         0.97
   13         0.98
   14         0.99
   15         1.0
   16         1.01
   17         1.02
   18         1.03
   19         1.04
   20         1.05
   21         1.07
   22         1.09
   23         1.12
   24         1.15
   25         1.2
   26         1.3
   27         1.4
   28         1.5
   29         1.7
   30         2.0

=head2 Algorithm for Experience Gain under the skills system

Here we take the view that a player must "overcome an opponent" in
order to gain experience. Examples include foes killed in combat,
finding/disarming a trap, stealing from some being, identifying an object,
etc.

Gained experience is based primarily on the difference in levels between
"opponents," experience point value of a "vanquished foe," the values of
the associated stats of the skill being used and two factors that are set
internally. (Note: If you want to know more about this, check out the
skills_developers.doc.)

Below the algorithm for experience gain is given where player "pl" has
"vanquished" opponent "op" using skill "sk:"

   EXP GAIN = (EXP(op) + EXP(sk)) * lvl_mult * stat_mult

where C<EXP(sk)> is a constant award based on the skill used, C<EXP(op)> is the
base experience award for "op" which depends on what op is (see below),
stat_mult is taken from table experience modification, and lvl_mult is:

For C<< level(pl)> < level(op) >>:

   lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk) * (level(op) - level(pl))

For C<< level(pl) = level(op) >>:

   lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk)

For C<< level(pl) > level(op) >>:

   lvl_mult = (level(op)/level(pl));

where C<level(op)> is the level of "op," level (pl) is the level of the
player, and C<FACTOR(sk)> is an internal factor based on the skill used by
"pl."

There are three different cases for how EXP (op) can be computed:

=over 4

=item op is a living creature: EXP(op) is just the base experience award
given in the spoiler.

=item op is a trap: EXP(op) = 1/(fraction of the time which the trap is
visible). Thus, traps which are highly visible get lower values.

=item op is not a trap but is non-living: EXP(op) = internal experience
award of the item. Also, the lvl_mult is multiplied by any magic
enchantment on the item.

=back

=head1 How skills are used

=over 4

=item B<< skills >> This command lists all the player's current known
skills, their level of use and the associated experience category of each
skill.

=item B<< ready_skill I<skill> >> This command changes the player's current
readied skill to <skill>.

=item B<< use_skill I<skill> I<string> >> This command changes the player's
current readied skill and then executes it in the facing direction of the
player. Similar in action to the invoke command.

=back

Three player commands are related to skills use: B<ready_skill>,
B<use_skill>, and B<skills>. Generally, a player will use a skill by first
readying the right one, with the ready_skill command and then making a
ranged "attack" to activate the skill; using most skills is just like
firing a wand or a bow. In a few cases however, a skill is be used just
by having it readied. For example, the mountaineer skill allows favorable
movement though hilly terrain while it is readied.

To change to a new skill, a player can use either the B<use_skill> or
B<ready_skill> commands, but note that the use of several common items can
automatically change the player's current skill too. Examples of this
include readying a bow (which will cause the code to make the player's
current skill missile_weapons) or readying a melee weapon (current skill
auto-matically becomes melee weapons). Also, some player actions can cause
a change in the current skill. Running into a monster while you have a
readied weapon in your inventory causes the code to automatically make our
current skill melee weapons. As another example of this-casting a spell
will cause the code to switch the current skill to wizardry or praying (as
appropriate to the spell type).

It is not possible to use more than one skill at a time.

=head2 Acquiring skills

Skills may be gained in two ways. In the first, new skills may
learned. This is done by reading a B<skill scroll> and the process is very
similar to learning a spell. Just as in attempts to learn incantations,
success in learning skills is dependent on a random test based on the
learner's INT. Using your INT stat, look in the learn% column in table
primary stat effects to find your % chance of learning a skill. Once you
hit 100%, you will always be successfull in learning new skills.

The acquisition of a skill tool will also allow the player to use a new
skill. An example of a skill tool is "lockpicks" lockpicks (which allow
the player to pick door locks). The player merely applies the skill tool
in order to gain use of the new skill. If the tool is unapplied, the
player loses the use of the skill associated with the tool.

After a new skill is gained (either learned or if player has an applied
skill tool) it will appear on the player's skill roster (use the 'skills
command to view its status). If the new skill is an associated skill,
then it will automatically be gained at the player's current level in the
appropriate experience category.

For example, Stilco the Wraith, who is 5th level in agility, buys a set of
lockpicks and applies them. He may now use the skill lockpicking at 5th
level of ability since that is an agility associated skill.

=head1 Authors

Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by
Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information
compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander.

Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van
Steenhoven and Marc A. Lehmann.

Revision:	1.8
Committed:	Thu Jun 1 02:42:56 2006 UTC (18 years, 1 month ago) by root
Branch:	MAIN
CVS Tags:	rel-0_2
Changes since 1.7:	+187 -187 lines
Log Message:	* empty log message *
#	User	Rev	Content
1	root	1.6	=head1 Skills
2
3			=head1 Description
4
5			Instead of gaining experience for basically just killing monsters (and
6			disarming traps) you can also gain a variety of experience through the
7			use of skills.
8
9			=head1 Skill Overview
10
11			Skill Experience Associated Stats
12			Stat 1 Stat 2 Stat 3
13			Achemy Mental Int Dex Wis
14			Bargaining NONE n/a n/a n/a
15			Bowyer Mental Int Dex Wis
16			Clawing Physique Str Dex n/a
17			Disarm Traps Agility Dex Int Str
18			Find Traps Mental Int Dex n/a
19			Flame Touch Physique Str Dex Int
20			Hiding Agility Dex Int n/a
21			Inscription Mental Int Dex n/a
22			Jeweler Mental Int Wis Dex
23			Jumping Physique Str Dex n/a
24			Karate Physique Str Dex n/a
25			Literacy Mental Int Wis n/a
26			Lockpicking Agility Dex Int n/a
27			Meditation NONE Int Wis Pow
28			Melee Weapons Physique Str Dex n/a
29			Missile Weapons Physique Str Dex n/a
30			Mountaineer NONE n/a n/a n/a
31			Oratory Personality Cha Int n/a
32			Praying Wisdom Wis Pow n/a
33			Punching Physique Str Dex n/a
34			Sense Curse Wisdom Pow Wis n/a
35			Sense Magic Magic Pow Int n/a
36			Set Traps Mental Int Dex Str
37			Singing Personality Cha Int n/a
38			Smithery Mental Int Str Dex
39			Stealing Agility Dex Int n/a
40			Thaumaturgy Mental Int Wis n/a
41			Throwing Physique Str Dex n/a
42			Use Magic Item NONE Pow Int n/a
43			Wizardry Magic Pow Int n/a
44			Woodsman Mental Int Dex Wis
45
46	root	1.8	=head1 Detailed Skill Description
47	root	1.6
48	root	1.8	Below is a more detailed description of each skills and how they are used.
49	root	1.6
50	root	1.1	=head2 alchemy
51
52	pippijn	1.4	You can identify potions, containers, and different kinds of ore and mineral,
53			mix potions and create other stuff (such as gold, weapons, deadly monsters
54			killing him/her etc.) from other ingredients using a cauldron.
55	root	1.2
56			I<Never, ever, do alchemy in your home or in public places!> You can
57			easily create powerful monsters that will kill you, kill you again when
58			you wake up in your savebed, kill you again... etc.
59	root	1.1
60			=head2 bargaining
61
62	pippijn	1.4	ERROR: Is this true?
63
64	root	1.2	While this skill is readied the user has added B<Cha> for purposes of
65			purchase and selling of items only. B<Cha> is never allowed to exceed 30.
66	pippijn	1.4	When you are in a shop, you can use_skill bargaining to see whether that
67			shop will buy the items you want to sell at a higher price than others and
68			whether the shopkeeper likes you. Elf shopkeepers will like elf players.
69	root	1.1
70			=head2 bowyer
71
72	pippijn	1.4	You can identify missile weapons and missiles such as arrows, bolts and bows.
73			One can also create special bows and arrows from other ingredients using the
74			alchemy skill and a B<workbench>.
75	root	1.1
76			=head2 clawing
77
78	root	1.3	You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
79	pippijn	1.4	and level. With time, one can have different claws such as fire claws or
80			electric claws. An elemental residue from the dragon guild is required.
81	root	1.1
82	root	1.2	=head2 levitation
83	root	1.1
84	root	1.3	You can levitate (fly low) at will. Using the skill first makes you
85	root	1.2	levitate, and at the second time returns you to the earth.
86
87			=head2 summoning
88
89	root	1.3	You can cast spells related to the B<summoning> school of wizardry, which
90	root	1.2	mostly summon monsters, bullet walls and similar things. This skill
91			may be acquired either through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or
92			learned via a B<skill scroll>.
93
94			=head2 pyromancy
95
96	root	1.3	You can cast spells related to the B<pyromancy> (fire) school of
97	root	1.2	wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of an
98			appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill scroll>.
99
100			=head2 evocation
101
102	root	1.3	You can cast spells related to the B<evocation> (mostly cold magic)
103	root	1.2	school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either through the use of
104			an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill scroll>.
105
106			=head2 sorcery
107
108	root	1.3	You can cast spells related to the B<sorcery> (identify, town portal and
109	root	1.2	other meta-spells) school of wizardry. This skill may be acquired either
110			through the use of an appropriate B<talisman> or learned via a B<skill
111			scroll>.
112
113	root	1.1	=head2 flame touch
114
115	root	1.3	You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's
116	root	1.2	B<Str> and level. This is the default hand-to-hand fighting skill for the
117	root	1.1	fireborn character class.
118
119	root	1.2	=head2 hiding
120	root	1.1
121	pippijn	1.5	You enjoy limited form of invisibility. If you attack or move too much
122	root	1.3	you become visible. Right now it is possible to hidden while next to
123	root	1.1	hostile monsters. Not a reasonable feature!
124
125			=head2 jeweler
126
127	pippijn	1.4	You can identify amulets, rings and talismans. One can also improve magic
128			rings or enchant non-magic rings to give them stat bonuses using the alchemy
129			skill and a B<jeweler's workbench>.
130	root	1.1
131			=head2 jumping
132
133	pippijn	1.4	You can "skip" over one, two or three spaces in the selected direction.
134			Distance depends on weight carried, B<Str> and B<Dex> of the user. This skill
135			may also be used as an attack.
136	root	1.1
137			=head2 karate
138
139	root	1.3	You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
140	root	1.2	and level. This attack is the fastest and (at higher levels) most deadly
141			of the hand-to-hand attacks available.
142
143			=head2 climbing
144
145	pippijn	1.4	Having this skill allows you to move faster through hilly areas than players
146			without this skill.
147	root	1.1
148			=head2 literacy
149
150	root	1.3	You can identify books and scrolls that you hold. Since scrolls are
151	root	1.1	currently always identified, this is not the greatest of skills.
152
153			=head2 lockpicking
154
155	root	1.3	You may "pick locks" (open doors). You need to have readied some
156	root	1.2	B<lockpicks> to use this skill.
157	root	1.1
158			=head2 meditation
159
160	root	1.2	Player can regain mana/hp at an accelerated rate. Player must first strip
161			off encumbering armour however. This skill is only available to the "monk"
162	root	1.1	character class.
163
164	root	1.3	=head2 one handed weapons
165	root	1.1
166	pippijn	1.4	You can use one-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<shortsword>, B<dagger>,
167			B<mace>, etc). Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and
168			direction keys.
169	root	1.1
170	root	1.3	=head2 two handed weapons
171	root	1.2
172	root	1.3	You can use two-handed hand-held weapons (e.g. B<longsword>, B<club>, etc).
173	pippijn	1.4	Wield and ready the weapon by applying it and use the fire and direction keys.
174	root	1.2
175	root	1.3	=head2 missile weapons
176	root	1.2
177	pippijn	1.4	The user is capabale of making attacks with ranged weapons (eg bow, crossbow).
178			Fire arrows by applying a bow and using teh fire and direction keys. To fire
179			specific arrows to kill a monster that is weak against a certain arrow, mark
180			this arrow and fire.
181	root	1.1
182			=head2 mountaineer
183
184			While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through "hilly"
185			terrain (hills, mountains, etc.)
186
187	root	1.2	=head2 oratory
188	root	1.1
189	root	1.3	You may "recruit" followers. Recruitees must be of lower level, and
190	root	1.1	unaggressive to start. Use of this skill may anger the audience. Also,
191	root	1.2	"special" monsters are immune to recruitment. Success depends on user's
192			B<Cha> and level.
193	root	1.1
194			=head2 praying
195
196	root	1.3	You are allowed to cast "cleric" spells. In addition, this skill may be
197	root	1.1	used to accelerate the accumulation of grace. This skill may be either
198	root	1.2	learned (e.g. using a B<skill scroll>) or acquired through the use of a
199			B<holy symbol>.
200	root	1.1
201			=head2 punching
202
203	root	1.3	You can make a "bare-handed attack". Damage is based on the user's B<Str>
204	root	1.2	and level. This is the most feeble of the hand-to-hand attacks.
205	root	1.1
206	root	1.3	=head2 find traps
207	root	1.1
208	root	1.3	You can search (more effectively) for traps. This is not a "passive"
209			skill, it must be applied in order to gain the advantage in discovering
210	pippijn	1.4	traps, or actively used when in vicinity of a trap. To use it, fire into
211			any direction.
212	root	1.3
213			=head2 disarm
214
215			You can disarm previously discovered traps (for example, with the B<find traps> skill).
216	root	1.1
217			=head2 sense curse
218
219	pippijn	1.4	You can detect whether items that you hold are B<cursed> by firing in any
220			direction while this skill is readied.
221	root	1.1
222			=head2 sense magic
223
224	pippijn	1.4	You can detect whether items that you hold are B<magic> by firing in any
225			direction while this skill is readied.
226	root	1.1
227			=head2 singing
228
229	root	1.3	You may pacify hostile monsters with this skill. Certain kinds of
230	root	1.2	monsters are immune. Success depends on user level and B<Cha>.
231	root	1.1
232			=head2 smithery
233
234	root	1.3	You can identify arms and armour that you hold, and, with the help of a
235	pippijn	1.4	B<forge>, can even create weapons using the alchemy skill.
236	root	1.1
237			=head2 stealing
238
239	root	1.3	You can take items from the inventory of NPCs, monsters and maybe other
240	root	1.2	players.
241	root	1.1
242	root	1.2	=head2 thaumathurgy
243	root	1.1
244	pippijn	1.4	You can identify rods, wands and horns that you are holding, and, with
245			the help of a B<thaumaturgists workbench> and the alchemy skill, create
246			those things.
247	root	1.1
248			=head2 throwing
249
250	pippijn	1.4	You can throw items at monsters. To do this, fire at a monster with this skill
251			readied. You can chose what to throw by marking an item, if you do not chose an
252			item, an item from your inventory is randomly picked and thrown unless the item
253			is locked.
254
255			ERROR: Randomly?
256	root	1.1
257			=head2 use magic item
258
259	root	1.3	You can use magic items like rods/wands/horns. The level of experience
260	pippijn	1.4	influences how powerful the spells are you can evoke from the
261	root	1.2	rod/wand/horn.
262	root	1.1
263			=head2 woodsman
264
265			While the skill is readied, the possessor will move faster through
266	root	1.2	"wooded" terrain (B<forest>, B<grasslands>, B<brush>, B<jungle>, etc.)
267	root	1.1
268	pippijn	1.4	=head2 inscription
269	root	1.1
270	pippijn	1.4	You can inscribe scrolls with a text. This is useful to create messages,
271			especially via the Imperial Post Office (IPO).
272			You can also rewrite spell scrolls with a previously known spell. B<Sp>,
273	root	1.2	time and an old scroll are needed. Backfire effects are possible. Only
274			available as a 'writing pen'.
275
276	root	1.6	How to rewrite a mail scroll/books etc.:
277
278			mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu
279			use_skill inscription <your message goes here>
280	root	1.2
281	root	1.6	How to rewrite a spell scroll:
282
283			mark <name of scroll> # or use the menu
284	pippijn	1.4	cast <spell> # prepare the spell you want to write
285			use_skill inscription # write the spell on the scroll
286
287			The scroll on which you want to write has to be much lower than your inscription
288			level, otherwise you may accidentally read the scroll and cast the spell inside it.
289			If you succeed, the scroll will be a scroll of the spell you chose and your level of
290			inscription as its level. Hence, you don't need to be that level in the spell skill
291			to write higher level spellscrolls.
292	root	1.2
293	root	1.6	Caution: Magic spell writing can be risky to one's health. There can be
294			some negative effects if one fails to write a spell scroll. The most
295			benign is that one becomes confused for a short time. Other effects are
296			more severe and can even be dangerous.
297
298	root	1.2	=head2 spark touch
299
300	pippijn	1.4	You can do a "bare-handed attack" and shock the opponent with this skill
301			readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a unique skill
302			that can only be used by sparklings.
303	root	1.2
304			=head2 shiver
305
306	pippijn	1.4	You can do a "bare-handed attack" and send waves of frost to the opponent with
307			this skill readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a
308			unique skill that can only be used by iceborns.
309	root	1.2
310			=head2 acid splash
311
312	pippijn	1.4	You can do a "bare-handed attack" and splash the opponent with acid using this
313			skill. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a unique skill
314			that can only be used by acidborns.
315	root	1.2
316			=head2 poison nail
317
318	pippijn	1.4	TODO: Add goblins and think about the name goblin.
319
320			You can do a "bare-handed attack" and inject poison into the opponent with
321			this skill readied. Attacking is done by running into the opponent. This is a
322			unique skill that can only be used by goblins.
323	root	1.2
324	root	1.8	=head1 About experience and skills
325
326			=head2 Associated and miscellaneous skills
327
328			In Crossfire two types of skills exist; The first kind, "associated"
329			skills, are those skills which are associated with a category of
330			experience. The other kind of skill, "miscellaneous" skills, are not
331			related to any experience category.
332
333			The main difference between these two kinds of skills is in the result
334			of their use. When associated skills are used successfully experience
335			is accrued in the experience category associated with that skill. In
336			contrast, the use of miscellaneous skills never gains the player any
337			experience regardless of the success in using it.
338
339			Both miscellaneous and associated skills can fail. This means that
340			the attempt to use the skill was unsuccessful. Both miscellaneous
341			and associated skills can have certain primary stats associated with
342			them. These associated stats can help to determine if the use of a skill
343			is successful and to what degree it is successful.
344
345			All gained experience is modified by the associated stats for that skill
346			(table skill statistics) and then the appropriate experience category
347			automatically updated as needed.
348
349			=head2 Restrictions on skills use and gaining experience
350
351			Neither a character's stats nor the character class restricts the player
352			from gaining experience in any of the experience categories. Also, there
353			are no inherent restrictions on character skill use-any player may use any
354			acquired skill.
355
356			Average of Experienced
357			Associated Gain
358			Stats Multiplier
359			1 0.01
360			2 0.1
361			3 0.3
362			4 0.5
363			5 0.6
364			6 0.7
365			7 0.8
366			8 0.85
367			9 0.9
368			10 0.95
369			11 0.96
370			12 0.97
371			13 0.98
372			14 0.99
373			15 1.0
374			16 1.01
375			17 1.02
376			18 1.03
377			19 1.04
378			20 1.05
379			21 1.07
380			22 1.09
381			23 1.12
382			24 1.15
383			25 1.2
384			26 1.3
385			27 1.4
386			28 1.5
387			29 1.7
388			30 2.0
389
390			=head2 Algorithm for Experience Gain under the skills system
391
392			Here we take the view that a player must "overcome an opponent" in
393			order to gain experience. Examples include foes killed in combat,
394			finding/disarming a trap, stealing from some being, identifying an object,
395			etc.
396
397			Gained experience is based primarily on the difference in levels between
398			"opponents," experience point value of a "vanquished foe," the values of
399			the associated stats of the skill being used and two factors that are set
400			internally. (Note: If you want to know more about this, check out the
401			skills_developers.doc.)
402
403			Below the algorithm for experience gain is given where player "pl" has
404			"vanquished" opponent "op" using skill "sk:"
405
406			EXP GAIN = (EXP(op) + EXP(sk)) * lvl_mult * stat_mult
407
408			where C<EXP(sk)> is a constant award based on the skill used, C<EXP(op)> is the
409			base experience award for "op" which depends on what op is (see below),
410			stat_mult is taken from table experience modification, and lvl_mult is:
411
412			For C<< level(pl)> < level(op) >>:
413
414			lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk) * (level(op) - level(pl))
415
416			For C<< level(pl) = level(op) >>:
417
418			lvl_mult = FACTOR(sk)
419
420			For C<< level(pl) > level(op) >>:
421
422			lvl_mult = (level(op)/level(pl));
423
424			where C<level(op)> is the level of "op," level (pl) is the level of the
425			player, and C<FACTOR(sk)> is an internal factor based on the skill used by
426			"pl."
427
428			There are three different cases for how EXP (op) can be computed:
429
430			=over 4
431
432			=item op is a living creature: EXP(op) is just the base experience award
433			given in the spoiler.
434
435			=item op is a trap: EXP(op) = 1/(fraction of the time which the trap is
436			visible). Thus, traps which are highly visible get lower values.
437
438			=item op is not a trap but is non-living: EXP(op) = internal experience
439			award of the item. Also, the lvl_mult is multiplied by any magic
440			enchantment on the item.
441
442			=back
443
444			=head1 How skills are used
445
446			=over 4
447
448			=item B<< skills >> This command lists all the player's current known
449			skills, their level of use and the associated experience category of each
450			skill.
451
452			=item B<< ready_skill I<skill> >> This command changes the player's current
453			readied skill to <skill>.
454
455			=item B<< use_skill I<skill> I<string> >> This command changes the player's
456			current readied skill and then executes it in the facing direction of the
457			player. Similar in action to the invoke command.
458
459			=back
460
461			Three player commands are related to skills use: B<ready_skill>,
462			B<use_skill>, and B<skills>. Generally, a player will use a skill by first
463			readying the right one, with the ready_skill command and then making a
464			ranged "attack" to activate the skill; using most skills is just like
465			firing a wand or a bow. In a few cases however, a skill is be used just
466			by having it readied. For example, the mountaineer skill allows favorable
467			movement though hilly terrain while it is readied.
468
469			To change to a new skill, a player can use either the B<use_skill> or
470			B<ready_skill> commands, but note that the use of several common items can
471			automatically change the player's current skill too. Examples of this
472			include readying a bow (which will cause the code to make the player's
473			current skill missile_weapons) or readying a melee weapon (current skill
474			auto-matically becomes melee weapons). Also, some player actions can cause
475			a change in the current skill. Running into a monster while you have a
476			readied weapon in your inventory causes the code to automatically make our
477			current skill melee weapons. As another example of this-casting a spell
478			will cause the code to switch the current skill to wizardry or praying (as
479			appropriate to the spell type).
480
481			It is not possible to use more than one skill at a time.
482
483			=head2 Acquiring skills
484
485			Skills may be gained in two ways. In the first, new skills may
486			learned. This is done by reading a B<skill scroll> and the process is very
487			similar to learning a spell. Just as in attempts to learn incantations,
488			success in learning skills is dependent on a random test based on the
489			learner's INT. Using your INT stat, look in the learn% column in table
490			primary stat effects to find your % chance of learning a skill. Once you
491			hit 100%, you will always be successfull in learning new skills.
492
493			The acquisition of a skill tool will also allow the player to use a new
494			skill. An example of a skill tool is "lockpicks" lockpicks (which allow
495			the player to pick door locks). The player merely applies the skill tool
496			in order to gain use of the new skill. If the tool is unapplied, the
497			player loses the use of the skill associated with the tool.
498
499			After a new skill is gained (either learned or if player has an applied
500			skill tool) it will appear on the player's skill roster (use the 'skills
501			command to view its status). If the new skill is an associated skill,
502			then it will automatically be gained at the player's current level in the
503			appropriate experience category.
504
505			For example, Stilco the Wraith, who is 5th level in agility, buys a set of
506			lockpicks and applies them. He may now use the skill lockpicking at 5th
507			level of ability since that is an agility associated skill.
508
509	root	1.6	=head1 Authors
510
511			Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by
512			Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information
513			compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander.
514
515			Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van
516			Steenhoven and Marc A. Lehmann.
517