Medieval Fantasy RPG -

Tracking IV (by Enemy)
Power Level: Base ()
Efficiency: 5% Common / 2% Uncommon / 1% Advanced / .5% Master
Type: Agility
Range: Touch (0’)
Distance: .2' per 1%
Methods: Physical
Sacrifice: No
Tools: Yes (Climbing)
Duration: Instant
Time: One attack
Area of Effect:
Limits:

Effect: You attempt to track a foe.

Tracking - You are a skilled tracker and able to find minute traces of footprints and other evidence and interpret them. However you must put some of the clues together yourself. A successful displacement common check will tell you in which direction they are going but it may also reveal other information depending on the special skills that you implore. It is easiest to track in light terrain and hardest in special.

Common

Finding Displacement Common - Common displacement takes place when anything is moved from its original position. A well-defined footprint or shoe print in soft, moist ground is a good example of displacement. Displacement can also result from clearing a trail by breaking or cutting through heavy vegetation with a machete. These trails are obvious to the most inexperienced tracker who is tracking. Direction of travel cannot be determined with this skill. Displacement can be further investigated for these fine details. (See Analyzing Displacement) Time: You take no extra time to use this skill. It is always in effect.

Find animal trails:

Find Water:

Analyzing Displacement Common. By studying the footprint or shoe print, the tracker determines several important facts. Footprints may indicate direction, load and rate of movement. If footprints are deep and the pace is long, rapid movement is apparent. Dirt or debris are thrown in the opposite direction of travel. Long strides and deep prints with toe prints deeper than heel prints indicate running. Prints that are deep, short, and widely spaced, with signs of scuffing or shuffling indicate the person is carrying a heavy load. When loads are set down at a rest or at a campsite, they usually crush grass and twigs. A reclining enemy also flattens the vegetation. Time: It takes one turn to use this skill.

Countertracking Common: You can obscure basic signs of your passing or slip by light vegetation and direct your party to do the same. This is rolled by the GM so you are not aware if it is successful.You can counter track all the time if you wish or choose to activate or deactivate this skill at will. It must be in effect to be active. Time: You must slow to half speed to do this or 1/4 if you are also using advanced tracking.

Uncommon

Determining Basic Key Prints. The individual in the group that usually leaves the clearest footprints leave what trackers refer to as the key prints. It is usually the last person in the line. Using this basic method the tracker cuts a stick to match the length of the prints and notches it to indicate the width at the widest part of the sole. He does this for each print identified. It can count up to 4 people. He can then study the angle of the key prints to the direction of march. The tracker looks for an identifying mark or feature, such as worn or frayed footwear, to help him identify the key prints. If the trail becomes vague, erased, or merges with another, the tracker can use his stick-measuring devices and, with close study, can identify the key prints. This method helps the tracker to stay on the right trail. Time: It takes one turn to use this skill.

Finding Displacement Advanced - Advanced displacement takes place when anything minute and above notice is moved from its original position. A slight footprint on grass or a stirring of dust can leave a shoe print. Foliage, moss, vines, sticks, or rocks that are scuffed or snagged from their original position form valuable indicators. Displacement can also result from successful countertracking when the enemy is brushing by plants and breaking or bruising light vegetation. These trails are not obvious to most inexperienced trackers. Details can be further investigated to analyses displacement advanced. (See Analyzing Displacement) Time: You must slow to half speed to do this or 1/4 if you are also using counter tracking.

Analyzing Displacement Advanced. Footprints may indicate direction, and rate of movement, number, condition of gear and sex of a traveler. A print left by worn footgear or by bare feet may indicate lack of proper equipment. Small bits of clothing, threads, or dirt can be analyzed to determine the level and basic condition of their gear and the spacing of their steps can reveal a possible class type. To determine the sex, the tracker should study the size and position of the footprints. Women tend to be pigeon-toed, while men walk with their feet straight ahead or pointed slightly to the outside. Prints left by women are usually smaller and the stride is usually shorter than prints left by men although these are generalizations.

Counter Tracking Advanced: You effortlessly slip by heavy vegetation and direct your party to do the same. You also employ tricks such as reversing direction and walking back in your own prints or other false clues used to slow a pursuer down. You can counter track all the time if you wish or choose to activate or deactivate this skill at will. It must be in effect to be active. Time: You must slow to half speed to do this or 1/4 if you are also using advanced tracking or higher.

Determining Advanced Key Prints. The individual in the group that usually leaves the clearest footprints leave what trackers refer to as the key prints. It is usually the last person in the line. Using this advanced method the tracker uses the 36-inch box method if key prints are not evident. To use the 36-inch box method, the tracker uses the edges of the road or trail as the sides of the box. He measures a cross section of the area 36 inches long, counting each indentation in the box and dividing by two. This method gives a close estimate of the number of individuals who made the prints; however, this system is not as accurate as the stride measurement. Time: It takes one turn to use this skill.

Rare

Find Displacement Expert. In areas that are difficult to track such as stone floors or in a stream dust may be dragged or displaced, dew droplets moved or smeared, or stones and sticks overturned to show a different color underneath. Grass or other vegetation may be slightly bent or broken in the direction of movement. The tracker inspects all areas for bits of clothing, threads, or dirt from footgear that can be torn or can fall and be left on thorns, snags, or the ground. Flushed from their natural habitat, wild animals and birds are another example of displacement. Cries of birds excited by unnatural movement is an indicator; moving tops of tall grass or brush on a windless day indicates that someone is moving the vegetation. Footprints can be further investigated for displacement which is the fine details of the imprint. (See Analyzing Footprints)

Analyzing Displacement Expert: Footprints may indicate direction, and rate of movement, number, sex, and whether the individual knows he is being tracked. If the subjects are using advanced counter tracking then you may notice that the subject is walking backward when they have a short, irregular stride. The prints have an unnaturally deep toe, and soil is displaced in the forwards instead of backwards.

Counter Tracking Expert: You can obscure basic signs of your passing or slip by all vegetation and terrain and direct your party to do the same. This is rolled by the GM so you are not aware if it is successful.You can counter track all the time if you wish or choose to activate or deactivate this skill at will. It must be in effect to be active. Time: You must slow to half speed to do this or 1/4 if you are also using advanced tracking or better. If the person being followed tries to use a stream to cover his trail, the tracker can still follow successfully. Algae and other water plants can be displaced by lost footing or by careless walking. Rocks can be displaced from their original position or overturned to indicate a lighter or darker color on the opposite side. The person entering or exiting a stream creates slide marks or footprints, or scuffs the bark on roots or sticks. Normally, a person or animal seeks the path of least resistance; therefore, when searching the stream for an indication of departures, trackers will find signs in open areas along the banks.

Determining Advanced Key Prints. The individual in the group that usually leaves the clearest footprints leave what trackers refer to as the key prints. It is usually the last person in the line. The most accurate way of measuring them is to use the stride as a unit of measure when key prints can be determined. The tracker uses the set of key prints and the length of stride and can track a near unlimitless umber of tracks. Time: It takes minute to use this skill.

Master

Find Displacement Master. In areas that are near impossible to track such as stone floors or with a target who is flying this skill is needed. Flushed from their natural habitat, wild animals, birds, insects, and spiders are another example of displacement. Valuable clues are disturbed bees, ant holes uncovered by someone moving over them, or torn spider webs. Spiders often spin webs across open areas, trails, or roads to trap flying insects. If the tracked person does not avoid these webs, he leaves an indicator to an observant tracker.Cries of birds excited by unnatural movement is an indicator. Also moved tops of tall grass or brush on a windless day indicates that someone is moving the vegetation. Footprints can be further investigated for displacement which is the fine details of the imprint. (See Analyzing Footprints) Changes in the normal life of s may indicate that someone has recently passed.

Analyzing Displacement Master: Footprints may indicate direction, and rate of movement, number, sex, whether the individual knows he is being tracked and the class skill of the travelers, whether they are wounded, and the residual remains of magic if it has been used.

Counter Tracking Master: You can obscure expert signs of your passing or slip by all vegetation and terrain and direct your party to do the same. This is rolled by the GM so you are not aware if it is successful.You can counter track all the time if you wish or choose to activate or deactivate this skill at will. It must be in effect to be active. Time: You must slow to half speed to do this or 1/4 if you are also using advanced tracking or better. If the person being followed tries to use a stream to cover his trail, the tracker can still follow successfully. Algae and other water plants can be displaced by lost footing or by careless walking. Rocks can be displaced from their original position or overturned to indicate a lighter or darker color on the opposite side. The person entering or exiting a stream creates slide marks or footprints, or scuffs the bark on roots or sticks. Normally, a person or animal seeks the path of least resistance; therefore, when searching the stream for an indication of departures, trackers will find signs in open areas along the banks.

Track or countertrack as a free action