Omen Interpretation (Proficiency)

A character with this proficiency is able to infer information about the present or future from natural phenomena. Therefore, the character cannot choose when to use the proficiency, nor what questions to seek answers to.
Omens are signs hidden within the seemingly mundane or natural world, thought to have been sent by the spirits or deities, giving warnings or encouragement to mortals. The flight of a rare bird, patterns in the sunset, the color of smoke rising from a campfire, all of these things may be omens containing hints toward the likely outcome of a battle, the wisdom of starting a journey, or any similar matter. This proficiency allows a character to recognize and identify an omen.
It is possible for a character to seek an Omen. For example, an interpreter might spend a day standing on a hilltop looking for unusual birds, or he or she might spend take a walk through the woods studying the wildlife and plants; After ldlO hours have passed, a successful proficiency check (rolled either by the player or secretly by the DM) means the character identifies an omen, and the DM should then give vague hints regarding the matter he seeks information on. The character has no control over when, or if, an omen appears, and the DM has the option of presenting the character with a false omen if the proficiency check is failed.
The following are examples of omens that DMs might weave into their adventures. They are grouped according to their subject; the information in quotation marks is an interpretation of the omen.
Battle
* The night before a battle the flames of the campfire flicker with a reddish hue—"one of those around the fire will die if he or she joins the battle tomorrow." 
* As the forces gather on the field vultures wheel lazily overhead—"the vultures are lethargic because they know that there will be few deaths here today." 
* A few drops of rain fall from a clear sky as the forces gather—"the gods/spirits cry, saddened that this battle is to be fought." 
* A sacred bird wheels above the battlefield—"the spirits know that this battle is of great importance, and have sent a messenger to watch for its outcome."
Birth
* Two usually solitary animals (like eagles) are seen together—"the birth will produce twins". 
* A snake is found in the house where the woman is in labor—"the child will be evil and should be abandoned or sent far away." A dead mouse is found in the house around the time of the birth—"the child will not live to adulthood." 
* An owl lands on the roof of the house where a woman is in labor—"the child will be exceedingly wise" (in other words, would make an ideal apprentice for a shaman).
Journey
* A vulture is perched watching the travelers as they walk towards it along the road—"there will be death on this journey." 
* As the travelers assemble a cuckoo lands close by—"one in the group is not all that he or she claims, and should not be trusted." 
* As the group begin their journey a fox is spotted in the bushes just up the path—"an ambush has been set further on."
King/Ruler 
* A lion in the forest is being chased down by a pack of wild dogs—"the fate of the noble is in the hands of the base." One night a storm blows up, and though not particularly ferocious it fells the great old tree that stands in the center of the wood—"though the danger may not seem great, it may lead to the downfall of the ruler or his/her dynasty."
Trade
* Immediately upon leaving home in the morning, a merchant finds a gold piece in the gutter— "today will bring many opportunities for easy profit." 
* The town's mayor is given a fine, rare, smoked fish by an ambassador or trade envoy, but when he has it served up that evening he nearly chokes on a bone—"trade with that place (the ambassador's/envoy's city) will bring ruin for this town."
War
* The call of war goes out, but when one of the I commanding officers goes to fetch his weapons from his vault he finds his sword flecked in rust—"the armies of the nation are ill-prepared for this coming conflict." 
* As the party enter the gates of a city, a single stone falls from the top of its impressive walls— "if the city is besieged, it will fall, despite its mighty defenses." On the morning that the army marches out, they pass a funeral cortege—"the army is doomed." 
* The day that hostilities break out the sunrise bathes the land in a deep golden light—"the war shall bring the nation vast wealth."
Category:Shaman Proficiencies