Perception
Perception is the skill used when methodically gathering information, analyzing clues, and uncovering hidden truths. Whether searching for hidden traps, unraveling mysteries, or piecing together evidence from a crime scene, this skill lets you explore the world with a keen eye for detail and intuition for what might be hidden just beneath the surface.
Initiative: Perception sets the turn order in combat. At the start of every combat, everyone rolls Perception plus any initiative bonuses; the highest result acts first (see Initiative and Turn Order in Combat Mechanics). Your initiative bonus, written in the Initiative box of the character sheet, is your Perception rating plus bonuses such as the Commander’s root.
Ambushes: Perception against the ambushers’ Stealth decides whether you notice an ambush before it is sprung; creatures who fail are surprised.
Damage: When using ranged weapons, you gain bonus damage equal to your Perception skill level.
Stunts
- Unerring Senses
- You can never be surprised. You always act in the first round of combat, even if ambushed. When rolling for initiative, roll twice and take the higher result.
- Truthseeker’s Eye
- You gain +2 to Perception rolls to detect illusions, invisibility, magical concealment, or lies (when used in combination with social insight).
- Track the Minute
- Once per scene, you may ask the GM for a detailed sensory clue others missed—such as the exact number of footsteps, faint traces of a scent, or slight temperature shifts.
- Eagle Focus
- Once per session, you may gain supernaturally precise vision or hearing for 10 minutes. During this time, you ignore penalties for distance, lighting, or noise when using Perception.
- Sixth Sense
- When you fail a Perception roll, you may automatically succeed with it instead. You may use this once per scene.