[Rq-rules] Re: Cooking

[Frank L Filz]

> I appreciate the inclination not to require a roll for 
> everything, and by and large, I'm in agreement that there 
> should not be a Cooking roll every meal or even every day. 
> However, it seems to me that in the interests of keeping the 
> game system integrity, it makes sense to speak of preparation 
> of a meal as calling for a Cooking roll, and then acknowledge 
> that most of the time the GM will waive this requirement.

This type of thing is always an interesting dilemma. First, I would say that
if you will NEVER (or almost never) roll the skill, or use it's rating in
some way (the skill being at 90% to qualify the character for rune lord or
priest would be one example of use of the rating), then the skill doesn't
belong in the game. Second, assuming the rating is relevant, but rolls are
rarely made, then something has to be done to allow experience rolls. I
allow players to make language experience rolls if they are using a language
other than their native language on a daily basis every couple weeks or so.
I allow players to make a riding experience roll after a couple week or so
ride. If someone is the camp cook, I'd allow the same.
 
> I've been thinking about a way to integrate Cooking rolls (in 
> principle, whether or not they are waived) into my house 
> fatigue rules (which are also subject to being waived, of 
> course), and I think I have found a way that works out to my 
> satisfaction.

Fatigue rules are a bit more detail than I want for my game, but one could
still potentially make some use of cooking rolls during an expedition. Have
the player make one cooking roll for a reasonable length expedition (or
perhaps every few days or so, I wouldn't do it daily). If supplies are
important, I'd consider making a failure mean they waste supplies. A fumble
might result in exposure to a disease.

But overall, I'd have to say cooking is a skill I'm not rushing to add to my
game.

Frank