Xenology
Characteristic: Intellect
p. 125
Those who have mentally catalogued the different species of the galaxy and learned their distinctive traits are skilled at Xenology. Knowledge of the varied cultural traits is vital for a character who interacts in a social fashion.
Xenology is also indispensable for anyone who might need to offer medical treatment to members of varied species, as differences in basic anatomy and biochemistry can make drugs effective in one species lethal to another.
- • When a character first encounters a member of an unfamiliar race, a Xenology check may be made to identify the typical way to interact with that character socially. This may be used to avert any major gaffe.
- • If a character needs to either help or harm a member of another species, Xenology may assist them in identifying a type of injury or in pointing out a characteristic vulnerability.
- • Different species need substantially different environmental conditions and foodstuffs. A Xenology check may allow a character to offer the appropriate considerations to a guest.
Xenology Difficulty
The difficulty for a Xenology check should be based upon both how often the acting character interacts with the members of the species in question and the relative rarity of that species.