Sailor, Fresh or Salt Water
Characters who grew up as an apprentice under, assistant to, or who were a cabin boy working with sailors and ocean navigators, will have the chance to have this particular Extra Skill. For it pertains primarily to the knowledge of maintaining, managing and otherwise sailing ships, including managing and handling the sails, steering the ship, keeping an eye out for other ships or land, etc. Thus while the character never has to be the one actually sailing, they do need to have been exposed to the process for long periods of time. This time would need to be vastly longer if the character is learning on their own without a mentor.
With the knowledge and experience of a Sailor under their belt, characters with this skill can expertly handle & steer a boat or ship without any rolls (unless in extreme weather conditions), & properly maintain it as much as possible. Most small boats sailors can sail with ease, and can steer, direct and otherwise oversee the movement of any boat or ship that's powered by sail. So long as their crew also have this skill, only the most extreme weather requires a roll from the Boating Proficiency. If only the helmsman has it, then a proficiency check is needed anyway. The same condition goes for using reckless or advanced maneuvers during strong weather conditions or when engaging in combat with other ships.
Furthermore the character with this skill will receive no penalties to the Boating Proficiency unless the ship itself has become damage in some critical way, or if a crew is needed, members of the crew have been incapacitated or abandoned ship. They can also attempt to match the speed of other ships in an attempt to board the other boat, though this requires a Proficiency Check in Boating with a +1 to the modifier of said proficiency. Finally they get a +1 to Monster Lore checks when looking for signs of activity in the oceans, and if they are aware of impending impact on their ship, can brace the ship to minimize the damage.
With the knowledge and experience of a Sailor under their belt, characters with this skill can expertly handle & steer a boat or ship without any rolls (unless in extreme weather conditions), & properly maintain it as much as possible. Most small boats sailors can sail with ease, and can steer, direct and otherwise oversee the movement of any boat or ship that's powered by sail. So long as their crew also have this skill, only the most extreme weather requires a roll from the Boating Proficiency. If only the helmsman has it, then a proficiency check is needed anyway. The same condition goes for using reckless or advanced maneuvers during strong weather conditions or when engaging in combat with other ships.
Furthermore the character with this skill will receive no penalties to the Boating Proficiency unless the ship itself has become damage in some critical way, or if a crew is needed, members of the crew have been incapacitated or abandoned ship. They can also attempt to match the speed of other ships in an attempt to board the other boat, though this requires a Proficiency Check in Boating with a +1 to the modifier of said proficiency. Finally they get a +1 to Monster Lore checks when looking for signs of activity in the oceans, and if they are aware of impending impact on their ship, can brace the ship to minimize the damage.
