Reptilian Skills
by Cab DavidsonWhile most general skills are common to all intelligent species, there are some that are peculiar to the reptilians, often requiring the unique physiology shared by certain reptiles to use.
Envenom Weapon (Con): Only useable by creatures possessing a natural venom. The skill of applying one’s own venom to a weapon. A successful skill check allows a single dose of venom to be applied to one piercing or cutting weapon (a sword, spear point, an arrow, etc.). The venom remains active for up to 6 rounds, or until a successful hit is achieved. Any saving throw is made as if the poison was delivered directly from the source.
Lockjaw (Str): Any reptilian may learn this skill. When hitting with a bite attack, the character may make a skill check to effectively lock their jaw in place. While no further damage is inflicted, if the victim is effectively grabbed. If roughly the same size as the attacker or smaller, they suffer a -4 penalty to armour class and a -3 penalty to wrestling rating while thus locked on to. While obviously unable to attack with a bite while locked to a victim, the attacker may choose to attack with claws (if they have such an attack) or alternatively with any small melee weapon.
Shell slam (Str): Only useable by testudinata. A form of unarmed attack used by both tortles and snappers. If the character makes a successful skill check they can in place of any other attacks made in a combat round attempt to force a foe to the ground, (see ‘trip’ special effect, as per weapon mastery). Physical damage inflicted thus is minimal (1d4 plus strength bonus) when using a shell as a weapon, but this may leave an enemy prone and vulnerable.
Snake Wrestling (Dex): Only useable by snake kin. A character possessing this skill has learned how to effectively use their body form when wrestling. A successful skill check means a taken down or pinned character suffers no negative effects due to being grabbed, taken down or pinned. While the attacker may still inflict damage on a pinned snake, the snake kin character may choose to make ordinary wrestling rolls or unarmed attacks (including bites) while pinned.
Taste the Air (Wis): Only useable by snake kin and lizard kin. Many reptiles sense their surroundings by flicking their tongue out, collecting samples of scents in the air, and returning their tongue to an organ in the roof of their mouth to transfer the scent. This gives them an excellent sense of smell, but some learn to use this ability to an extraordinary degree. By means of a successful skill check, a reptilian may compose a complete olfactory picture of creatures in front of them, within 10’, including invisible or hidden creatures. Use of this skill can also give a +3 bonus to the tracking skill.