Skills & Specialized Training

Administration (Mage or Priest, 1 slot, Intelligence) : In the IMG only available to members in the Adminstrative (political) branch of the guild. A character with this proficiency is skilled in management and accounting. He knows how to account for money, plan work, and supervise the collection of taxes or the sale of goods. He also has a basic familiarity with the bureaucratic system, and can navigate through protocol and red-tape.

Bookbinding (General, 1 slot, Intelligence) : The trained bookbinder knows the ins and outs of the process of assembling a book, from the proper means of sewing the pages to the backing, to the various kinds of varnishes and treatments which can be used to ward off mildew and moths. By binding his own spellbook, the wizard may defer 10% of the cost. A critical success on the proficiency check produces a book with a +2 bonus to its item saving throws due to the quality and craftsmanship of the work.

Concentration (Mage, 2 slots, Wisdom -2) : Most wizards struck in combat or otherwise distracted lose the ability to cast spells for the duration of that combat round. Some of the IMG, however, have trained their minds in discipline and concentration, learning to ignore annoyances and disturbances which might otherwise interfere with spellcasting. In order to use this skill, the player must state that he is concentrating when he begins to cast the spell, which doubles the casting time of the spell. If the wizard is struck by any attack inflicting 2 points or less damage, he may make a proficiency check to continue to cast his spell. The wizard may also ignore grappling or restraining attacks that cause no damage, but with a -4 penalty to his proficiency check. A character using this ability must focus on the casting of his spell to the exclusion of all other activity, any Dexterity adjustment to armor class is lost, and flank or side attacks against the caster count as rear attacks. A character with concentration can also reduce the time required to memorize spells by 25% with a successful proficiency check.

Diplomacy (Mage or Priest, 1 slot, Charisma -1) : In the IMG, this proficiency is only available to members of the Administrative (political) branch. The character with this proficiency is skilled in diplomacy, the language of governments. He is able to discern the true intent of the various declarations, statements, and gifts or exchanges that make up a diplomatic encounter, and is capable of couching his own wishes in the proper diplomatic terms.

Investigation (Mage, 1 slot, Intelligence-2) : This proficiency is only available to members of the Intelligence branch of the IMG. The wizard is adept at discovering the truth through in depth investigation. He knows how to approach witnesses and suspects to gain information by interview or interrogation; he can unearth clues left at the scene; and he is skilled in deductive reasoning. Think of Sherlock Holmes.

Papermaking (General, 1 slot, Intelligence) : The character is trained in the art of manufacturing paper, parchment, or vellum. He is familiar with the various chemicals that can be infused in the pulp to strengthen and protect the paper, he knows of various dyes and other papermaking techniques. A wizard with this proficiency may make the paper for his own spellbook, reducing the cost by 50%. Of course, this requires a minimum of 2 weeks' time and a suitable work area. Research (Mage, 1 slot, Intelligence): This proficiency is only available to members of the Research arm of the IMG. The wizard is extremely well-versed in the theory and application of spell research. His grasp of the fundamental processes of experimentation and problem-solving, combined with his extensive familiarity with libraries and laboratories gives this character a +5% bonus to his success roll when researching new spells.

Tactics of Magic (Mage, 1 slot, Intelligence -1) : This proficiency is only available to members of the Intelligence (or Policing) arm of the IMG. The wizard has learned to accurately judge situations to determine the effectiveness or desirability of certain spells in specific battle situations. With a successful proficiency check, the wizard can gauge the range to a target, estimate how many enemies will be caught in a given area of effect, or determine whether or not he (or his allies) would be in danger due to proximity or spatial volume of the spell's area of effect.