[Rq-rules] Re: Aptitude

[Fred Vogel]

I can see two sides to this and both are very valid.

On the one hand, if I see a plant and have plant lore at 15% and ask to ID 
the plant the following would seem to apply:

On Success
   1) It was part of what I had learned already.  I don't gain in knowledge 
for this, I just applied my knowledge.

On Failure
   1. It wasn't part of what I learned; I simply can't ID the plant.
   2. I could draw the plant or take notes and try to learn about it through 
research later and maybe increase via research.

But, on the other hand; if I was using my Orc Lore and I was spying on a 
group of orcs for several days, I may simply observe enough to learn 
something about Orc behaviour, culture, etc.; which could actually cause an 
increase or skill entry.

Both are valid viewpoints.  In this case I guess the best way to implement 
something that captures both sides, the GM would have to rule on a case by 
case basis what the learning value of the action/observation.

>From Steve's comment:
>Steve Perrin wrote:
>>But when you have that information in the deep dark recesses of your mind 
>>and you bring it out successfully, then you have imprinted it. You have 
>>seen it in action and it works (or is true, or whatever). Thus, your stock 
>>of ready knowledge increases, and your percentage goes up.

The problem I see with this angle is that it assumes that the player already 
possesses all knowledge of the subject and it is a matter of bringing it 
out.  This is contrary to the way learning actually is, where knowledge is 
only gained by study or observation.

The idea in Steve's comment that I like is the concept of retention.  When I 
learn something in real life, such as calculus, I have to use it or I forget 
it.  A quick brush up could get me able to use it quickly; but if I were to 
try to answer a calculus question after 5 years of not touching it, that 
might be a very hard task to pull off.

Off the top of my head I can't think of a way to model all of these aspects 
easily.  I will think about this and see if I can come up with something.

Fred




>It is known that some learn best by doing, some by reading, some by seeing 
>etc.
>
>I think with a low tech fantasy world then learning by doing will work with 
>knowledge skills, if you assume the roll is in fact the highpoint of 
>chatting, talking, observing, reading etc.
>
>In a modern BRP game you could actually ask people to categorise their 
>character into the three groups and allow different skill point increases 
>by type.
>
>So, I am a 'learning by doing' person, I get 1d6 for all action based 
>experience rolls, and can learn knowledge skills by training.
>
>I am a 'learning by observing', I get 1d6 for all training based increases.
>
>I 'learn by reading', I get 1d6 for all research based increases.
>
>Tom Zunder

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