Oracle and Omen Interpretation

Overview

This Non-Weapon Proficiency is actually a series of skills concerning Omens and Oracles.There were two classifications of oracles, impetrative (impetrativa, sought or requested) and oblative (oblativa, unsought or offered) - this proficiency deals with both.

The first aspect in the proficiency is the ability to accurately differentiate between what appears to be natural phenomenon and what are really oracular signs or omens from a god, demon, or spirit. The determination of whether it's an omen or not is not needed where the oracle is being actively sought in such a case the first check is whether or not the Divine Inspiration State, needed for the omen to take place has actually occurred.

All Oracle and Omen Non-Weapon Proficiency takers receive either Cryptomancy or Theomancy as their first divination type. Paladins and Priests MUST take Theomancy as their first divination type. NOTE: Theomancy includes some forms of Prohibition on some other types of Divination.
If a Character takes another form of Divination Type (which can be gained at a rate of 3 per Non-Weapon Proficiency.), then it will transform the related material, event or animal behaviour into a type of Divination, and therefore a potential Oracle producing situation for the character. As an example a Ranger with tracking can track their target, but a Ranger with Ichnomancy (Footprint Divination) also gains a chance to perform a divination and thereby receive a divine oracle or omen from the tracks as well.

The second part of the skill is the determination of which God, Deceased Being, Divine Being or Demonic Entity is seeking to send the omen or oracle, which can influence the intent and even honesty of the sign.

Lastly is the interpretation itself. These are all key points to take into account when dealing with omens and oracles.

Skill Check 1: Sign Differentiation

This element of the Oracle or Omen interpretation is determining if the tree suddenly falling is the result of nature or an example of Cryptomancy (an Omen) such as an attempt by a God to warn the characters of a danger ahead. Does the crow suddenly changing direction in mid-flight and flying towards the Temple of Apollo bode well or badly, or was it simply a bird spotting an easy meal on the ground?
Sign differentiation is the first part of Oracular and Omen Determination or Prognostication that can make all the difference. But, it is the Divination Method that can allow the individual to see an event for what it really is.

Skill Check 2: Divine Source Determination

This is just as critical, the omen may well be divine but the was the correct source recognised. A crow could just as easily be from Hades as it is from Apollo. So this can change the omen from a good one to evil in an instant.

Skill Check 3: Interpretation/Veracity

The interpretation or determination of the veracity of the sign or omen and oracle help to cut through the following questions. It helps determine the meaning of the oracle or omen. It also helps to identify if the Omen or Oracle given was an honest and fully disclosed oracular statement or sign, or was it only partly true, or even false. (Note: Some classes have other abilities that can supplement this check.)

Does it mean to come or to go, is it in rhyme and rhythm or does it involve determining the shapes made by the internal organs of the slain creature. For example, 'Did the PSIRENS warning include punctuation, or did the kidney just plop out like that?'

Proficiency Use

Each element of the Skill must be checked individually. If it is undertaken at an Oracular Centre then the first two elements of the Oracle or Omen determination need not be done. Wisdom Based Skill costing 1 Prof Point. Wisdom check at -12. You gain Cryptomancy as a Divination Method from the outset. (If additional points are put into the Proficiency then 3 more divination methods can be added.) See below for some locations of education centers that teach some specialised Divination Methods.

Proficiency Modifiers

Knowledge of Celestial based languages influence the differentiation and divine source determination by +1/05% per Oracle or Divine Language Spoken. This includes Celestial, Elvish, Titanic, Hadean, Herian, and Sphinx for a maximum of +6/30% points if all languages are spoken. Every two forms of Divination Method learned also increases the skill by another +1/05%.

Oracle Language (from Language Section)

If a Divine or Oracular language is spoken by the Oracle receiving a divine vision or message AND that language matches the source of the Oracle, then the initial confirmation of the oracle, and verification of the source are considered successful. For example a speaker of Hadean receives an Oracle from the Dead Spirit of Achilles.

Otherwise there is a +1/05% bonus for each Oracle language spoken when determining the source and significance of the message. (But not the content).

Speak with the Dead, Animals and/or Plants will temporarily +1/05% to the source and significance check also - if the Omen is coming from one of those sources then the verification check happens automatically.

Oracle/Divination Type Mastery

The practitioner of Oracle and Omen Interpretation is allowed to take three forms of Diviniation for each Non Weapon Proficiency Point placed into the Proficiency. Each type of divination must be learned from a master or mistress of that art. Fortunately, many such experts congregate in the same locations - often in Oracular sites or Holy Temples.


Eye of the Moon Atmospheric Divination School
This oracle has 8 types of divination available to it, focusing on Weather Divination, and those of the Goddess Artemis.

Necromancy Oracular Sites and Schools of Learning

These oracles specialise in Necromantic Divination
Necromanteion of Acheron

The Necromancy of Poseidon

Career

Qualifications

Any class can choose this Non Weapon Proficiency in Atlantis - it is critical to everyone whether or not they have offended a God or are receiving a message from a departed family member.

The more an individual knows - in terms of related skills and abilities - the better they are at interpretation.

In a World where Gods, Demons, Devils and the Dead are all able to pass on information to the living - each profession, class and race have their own unique ways of divination to determine if one of the supernatural entities are indeed trying to reach them.

Career Progression

As skills are gained - some of them will lend themselves automatically to the ability to interpret omens and oracles.

Consulting the Oracle

Type

Religious