Intimidation

Intimidation
Use: Interrogation
may only be performed as a macro skill.
Sample specializations: Interrogation,
threats, non-verbal, bullying, against a specific type of target (men, women,
students, military recruits, etc.)
Intimidation is used
to threaten another character and unbalance them by making them feel in danger
from or inferior to the intimidator. In combat it can cause an opponent to
hesitate or back down. Out of combat, it can be used to force someone into
doing something the intimidator wants them to do such as follow his Orders,
answer questions or hand over something to the intimidator, such as money. Intimidation is also
the defensive skill used against intimidation,
though in some situations the willpower skill
could be used instead.
If
the target does not have intimidation
then Spirit
is used instead. The results of an intimidation are determined
by using the Interaction Results Table found in Chapter Four. When a character
attempts to intimidate someone,
the player should specify to the gamemaster the effect she wants it to have on
her character’s opponent before rolling the die. This is known as the player’s call and lets
the gamemaster better judge the results of the intimidation. Intimidation skill
totals should be modified by the gamemaster in relation to circumstance and
appropriate nature of the action, as well as the player’s roleplaying ability.
Intimidation can be as simple as looking dangerous, or involve use of a
position of authority, such as the shouting and abuse a drill sergeant heaps
upon recruits during military basic training, or the threat of jail time a
policeman might use to scare someone into cooperating. Interrogation attempts
are handled a bit differently from most other uses of intimidation. For an
interrogation to work, the target must believe himself to be at a significant
disadvantage, such as being captured or arrested, or at the mercy of the
interrogator. Some characters are arrogant or self-assured enough to prevent
most forms of interrogation from succeeding; player characters and most major villains
fall into this category. Interrogation does not involve the use of player’s call and uses a
different column on the Interaction Results Table than other uses of intimidation.
Interrogation is only necessary to gain information that the target is not
willing to freely divulge, if they are willing to answer questions then the persuasion skill is
used instead. More information on interrogations can be found in Chapter Four.