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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com)
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Ver 2.0 2022.02.20
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Note: green is Official Setting information, blue is Extended Universe information, and brown is dojinshi information.
Note: these Skill Programs cost one (1) Skill Program each.
Air/Space Traffic Controller Skill Program
Air/space traffic controllers ensure that air and space traffic over a planet or around an airfield is safe and does not cause a crash, and is an essential job in busily trafficked areas. Air and space traffic controllers must have sharp attentive skills and keen observation, being able to juggle and safely organize dozens—sometimes hundreds—of vehicles at once. The job is a stressful one as such keen attention is required, so traffic controllers are given plenty of breaks on their shifts to keep their minds clear and focused.
- Radio
- Navigation
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Computer Operation
- Pilot: choose 1 from air or space
Animal Trainer/Cowboy Skill Program
Animals are something that people on many planets love. Pets and other domesticated animals often require training to ensure that they are well behaved and do not destroy things. Even though animal trainers commonly train dogs and other household pets, they can specialize in any specific animal or group of animals. As a result, many animal trainers can be found in zoos.
- General Repair and Maintenance
- Horsemanship
- Land Navigation
- Identify plants & Animals
- WP Knife (use for lasso)
Artist/Graphic Designer/Photographer Skill Program
A photograph can capture a moment frozen for all time as it is. But an artist can paint a picture, or alter a photograph to give an image depth, emotion, soul, and feeling. Artists commonly receive formal training by undertaking a 2-year art course. Some may even go on to study art at a university. Others will learn by their mistakes and undergo no formal training. Graphic designers are both regularly employed and work freelance. Luck at finding a job, and personal choice, are the deciding factors.
- Art: Drawing
- Art: Photography
- Computer Operation
- Research
- Domestic: choose 1
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Cameraman Skill Program
A cameraman learns in a 2-year media course everything there is to know about operating cameras and filming—fom photography through to TV and movie film cameras. They do not learn the finer arts of production or directing, but they learn about framing a shot, camera angles, basic lighting, how to care and handle film, cameras, and what sort of camera, lens and film should be used for each shot. This is in addition to any other additional equipment that may be required, such as nightvision adaptors for the camera. Cameramen are also trained on how to make minor repairs to their equipment.
- Radio
- Basic Electronics
- Read Sensory Equipment
- Computer Operation
- Photography
Communications/Telecoms Engineer Skill Program
Telecommunications engineers are trained to install, repair, and upgrade telecommunications equipment; such as telephone networks and radio equipment. Many telecommunications engineers seek extra training in the area of satellite relay after their basic training, as it is an advanced area to study and leads into Space Fold communications training—which is highly-paid work everywhere that's been settled in the galaxy.
- Radio
- Electrical Engineer
- Basic Mechanics
- Read Sensory Equipment
- Computer Operation
Communications Skill Program
- Cryptography
- Radio
- General Repair and Maintenance
- Read Sensory Equipment
- Computer Operation
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Computer Specialist (Hacker or SysAdmin/Operator Skill Program
Computer hackers are usually school, college, or university students, and are learning about computers with a desire to one day have a job working with them. Learning by trial and error and the few books they have bought about computers is their way of learning, and they learn at a slow rate, picking up hints and tips here and there on the Internet. There is another type of hacker, the type that commonly gets into the news. These hackers are referred to by other hackers as crackers, as they crack into computer systems and cause mayhem and destruction.
System Administrators/Operators are responsible for administering and running computers and computer networks. They ensure that the system is working, up-to-date, and available for users who wish to log into it. SysAdmins and SysOps usually have some programming and hacking knowledge, as they need to be able to edit files and programs, and defend their systems against computer attacks and viruses.
- Streetwise
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Operations
- Computer Programming
- Research
Destroid Pilot Skill Program
Some Destroids have been sold off to civilians. The majority of those were sold to construction companies, who require trained pilots to work in close coordination with other workers in construction and demolition work. These well-trained Destroid pilots are also trained in operating the other heavy equipment found on construction sites.
- Demolitions
- Pilot Destroid
- Pilot Tracked Vehicles
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Construction: Building
Diver Skill Program
Divers are employed in and around seaports, coastal villages, and in water-based construction and salvage operations. Divers are trained in SCUBA, with some even specializing in deep sea diving and piloting submersibles, to get to things right on the sea floor—which would cause a deep-sea diving suit to crack like an egg. Divers are extremely well compensated for the hazardous nature of the jobs that they routinely undertake.
- Swimming
- Pilot Boat
- Construction (Underwater)
- Demolitions (Underwater)
- WP: Knife
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Driver (Professional Instructor or Racer) Skill Program
Driving instructors have to deal with nervous new drivers on a daily basis. They must be able to turn them into good and careful drivers in addition to calming them down when needed.
Racers require nerves of steel and excellent reflexes, and only a handful of people can handle the sheer speed of motor racing. They are also well trained in the maintainance of their vehicle to help the team diagnose their racing cars and maintain the vehicle at peak performance. Many racers are also well connected in the industry—mostly to recruit sponsors and their racing team.
- Auto Mechanics
- Pilot Wheeled Vehicles
- Navigation
- Streetwise
- Teaching
Electrician Skill Program
Electricians are employed by construction companies, who need newly built buildings wired, to the average civilian, whose electronics have blown and require someone to fix them. Some electricians study basic drafting skills to better read and/or assist the planing of building wiring. Virtually all electricians have an aptitude for common mechanics, as they are similar and sometimes necessary in the repair of the devices that they work on.
- Electrical Engineer
- Over Technology (mecha) Electronics (but is -20%)
- Basic Mechanics
- Math
- Read Sensory Equipment
Espionage Skill Program
- Choose any 5 from Espionage and Rogue
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Fashion Designer Skill Program
High fashion is a cutthroat business, and designers must ensure that they stay on top of what is and isn't fashionable. Competition in the fashion market is fierce, with designers always trying to get their fashionable designs worn by the latest model so that they can sell their designs and get more work. Most designers apprentice themselves in a known fashion house after completing their training, so that they can pick up tips from the more famous designers.
- Art: choose 1
- Sewing
- Palming
- Streetwise
- Research
Fire Fighter Skill Program
Fire fighters have a hard and dangerous job. They commonly rescue people trapped inside of burning buildings, and must risk their own lives to save others. It is a job with low pay (compared to the risk level) but great rewards whenever the fire fighter saves a life.
- First Aid
- Climbing
- Pilot Wheeled Vehicles
- WP Blunt (the fireman's axe - despite training being focused on using it as a tool to assist in fighting fires)
- Choose 1 of Athletics, Climbing (Rappelling), or Body Building & Weightlifting
(Unified) Government Official Skill Program
Governments need administrators, bureaucrats, officials, and leadership personnel—all experts in the bureaucracy of government. Most of their education isn't learnt on the job. It is debatable in modern democracies if the bureaucratic leaders of the various departments and ministries who remain in their position through successive governments are the people who actually make the decisions. Is your character the type of official who wants to relax in a cushy job, or a go-getter that goes gangbusters to become a *real* decision maker?
- Math
- Streetwise
- Computer Operation
- Lore: Economics
- Research
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Healer (Natural Medicine) Skill Program
Holistic doctors are natural pharmacists—naturalists who create drugs from vegetation—and study common ailments. They specialize in using plants to create salves, balms, ointments, and lotions; to soothe burns, boils, rashes, and insect bites; reduce swelling; create local anaesthetics; and to heal wounds faster (twice the normal rate). Natural healers also create potions and tonics for upset stomachs and sleep disorders. The natural healer also has the knowledge of where to find healing plants, edible fruit, roots, and bark, as well as how to use or avoid dangerous flora. The character can also preserve foods, and knows how to set and mend bones, and bandage and suture cuts.
- First Aid
- Paramedic
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Botany
Journalist/Photojournalist Skill Program
Journalists are the people who tirelessly endeavour to bring us the news from around the galaxy, and sometimes put themselves in harm's way to get it. Many journalists are more than a little ruthless, and have no problems with 'bending the law' to get a better story. News anchormen and women are the journalists who have attained the highest ranks of the journalist profession.
Photojournalists will commonly do anything to get "the shot", as their careers may depend on it. Some of the more unscrupulous are referred to as "the Paparazzi", who follow celebrities anywhere, even to the point of intrusion and bending the law, to get any photo. Some photojournalists become famous for capturing the emotions of planetary or galactic leaders, and others are heroic, risk taking war correspondents. All photojournalists are skilled in journalism—preferring to tell the story in pictures, not words.
Note: as long as the photojournalist wields only a camera and film on the battlefield, they are considered to be a noncombatant by the majority of human opponents in the galaxy. Once they wield a weapon, they become a target. Most wear body armour.
- Art: Photography*
- Intelligence
- Streetwise
- Lore: Journalism*
- Research
* Add +10% to just 1 of the 2 skills
Mechanical Skill Program
- Basic Electronics
- Mechanical Engineer
- Over Technology (mecha) Mechanics (but is - 20%)
- Choose 1 of Automotive Mechanics, Aircraft Mechanics, or Boat Mechanics
- Math
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Mechanical: (Mining & Demolitions) Explosive Construction Skill Program
- Basic Electronics
- Basic Mechanics
- Demolitions
- Chemistry
- Choose 1: Geology or Construction: Building
- Math
Mechanical: Microchip Technology Skill Program
- Electrical Engineering
- Basic: Mechanics
- Math
- Computer Operation
- Computer Programming
Mechanical: Weapon Construction Skill Program
- Basic Electronics
- Demolitions
- Mechanical Engineer
- Weapon Systems
- Math
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Medical Skill Program
- First Aid
- Paramedic
- Pathology
- Biology
- Chemistry
Miner Skill Program
Planets, asteroids, and other stellar objects contain enormous amounts of resources. Miners normally specialize in either Earth or space mining techniniques, although it is common for those who have been miners for a significant period of time to train in both. The more intelligent will have gone to university and learnt mining engineering. These higher educated miners will often coordinate and organize resource extraction operations, and the search for new extraction sites. Some of these educated miners go on to run their own prospecting and mining companies—starting from searching for sponsors, to running the day-to-day operations of a mine.
- Demolitions +15%
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Computer Operation
- Pilot Wheel Vehicle or Spacecraft (choose the 1 that matches the mining speciality)
- Lore: Mining (choose either Earth or Space)
Miners who attend university (costs one (1) additional Skill Program) receive the following:
- Both Lore: Earth Mining and Space Mining skills.
- Mechanical (Mining) Engineering
- Geology
- Math
- Construction: Building
Music Producer Skill Program
Music Producers may not always be able to play a musical instrument or carry a tune, but they usually know what good music sounds like. A music producer can record a singer or musician's song, provide creative input to make the song better, organize it on a recorded release (CD album, etc.), and successfully market the song and the artist. Music producers are normally hard taskmasters, and will commonly make the people singing or playing for them redo a piece over and over until it is perfect. Music producers also have extensive connections in the music industry, allowing them to wade through the cutthroat production companies, and sign other artists to a production.
- Art: Music Composition
- Basic Electronics
- Streetwise
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Computer Operation
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Musician Skill Program
Musicians are people with extraordinary skill with a musical instrument or instruments. Many of them live and breath only to play their musical instruments, and would be lost without them. They may or may not know how to make a recording, or organize a world or galactic tour. Making marketable music is both a joy and a pain in the ass for the average musician. Making millions and sharing their skills with as many people as possible is a joy, but the stifling of creative freedoms is sometimes not worth it.
- Art: Dance
- Art: Music Composition
- Play Instrument (choose one at professional quality)
- Streetwise
- Lore: the classics of the chosen instrument
Pilot Aircraft/Helicopter or Boat Skill Program
Aircraft pilots are trained to pilot everything from small crop-dusting airplanes to large passenger jumbo jets. Some of the pilots are former military pilots that have outgrown the need to risk their lives, but not the need to fly. All of these pilots are also trained in piloting helicopters, to maximize their employability in the civilian sector. The majority of these pilots will be able to pilot a VF—in Fighter form only—in an atmosphere. They will be completely inept at combat without a training in piloting fighter aircraft and using weapon systems. They will also be at a complete loss once outside the atmosphere if they don't have space fighter or spaceship training.
Boat pilots are trained to pilot everything from small inflatable dinghies through to large ocean-going freighters and tankers. They can pilot anything on and under the water. They can find employment doing anything from teaching high school students to ferrying cargo across great oceans. Experienced pilots who wish to settle down and grow roots in one area usually end up being harbour pilots, guiding larger ships into port.
- Radio
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Navigation
And either...
- Pilot Aircraft
- Pilot Helicopter
or...
- Pilot Boat
- Pilot Submarine
Private Investigator Skill Program
Private Investigators (PI) are occasionally former police officers who have decided to establish a more financially rewarding business that challenges and utilizes their investigation skills. Others are people who failed to join a police force and take this up as it is a cousin of their unattainable dream job. A PI must know the local laws, to know what he can and can't do legally in the pursuit of the investigation. However, most PIs bend the law as much as they can get away with. PIs also tend to have a lot of contacts on the street, and ensure that they know everything that's happening—as it may help with a present job, or set them up with a new one. When investigative work is slow, PIs down on their luck often hire themselves as bodyguards or muscle.
- Art: Photography
- Intelligence
- Streetwise
- Lore: Law
- Research
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Science Skill Program
- Computer Operation
- Science: choose any 4
Singer Skill Program
Singers breathe life into the lyrics of a song, giving them emotion and life. Singers, along with actors, are sometimes the more famous, or notorious, members of society. They can become living legends during their careers due to their ability to sing and compose lyrics and music. Homegrown singers tend to have long-term careers, and slowly gain popularity. They also keep going no matter how bad and bleak their singing career becomes. Discovered singers are like meteors—they flare brightly and at the top of the charts, but usually for only a short time. In both cases, if they make it big and get signed by a music label, they are usually guaranteed high wages and lots of publicity.
- Sing (professional quality)
- Art: Music Composition
- Art: Dance
- Streetwise
- Lore: famous songs
Spacecraft/Ship Crew Skill Program
- Radio
- General Repair and Maintenance
- Pilot: choose one of Spacecraft, Submarine or Boat
- Navigation
- Read Sensory Instruments
- Choose any 1 from electrical, mechanical, or piloting, or 1 of the following: Cryptography, Cooking: Institutional Food, or Paramedic (this is the area of specialization for the crew person's stationing).
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
Technical Skill Program
- Choose any 5 Technical, excluding Language.
▲ Top ▶ Character Creation Index
REFERENCES
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Based on the Palladium Books Game Engine
Sections condensed from UNSDB's Civilian OCC.
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The numerous players of the MRG and MRC over the years who have play-tested these rules.
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© Aaron Sketchley
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