vaelora/Rules/Ability Trees/Skills/Crafting/Drawing (Wit) - Lines of Sight.md

Artists, mapmakers, and illusionists alike wield the pen and brush as tools of power. A single line can memorialize a battlefield, deceive a guard, or guide a caravan through the wilds. Those who master Drawing know that images can change minds, preserve knowledge, and even shape reality itself.

The Lines of Sight tree reflects mastery over visual representation and symbolic design—skills that can serve as camouflage, forgeries, maps, or even magical wards.

Overview of Tiers and Progression

• Tier 1 (Drawing 1+): Perfect recall and functional field sketches.
• Tier 2 (Drawing 2+): Leverage art for knowledge and subtle magic.
• Tier 3 (Drawing 3+): Create maps and artwork with tactical or protective value.
• Tier 4 (Drawing 4+): Produce flawless forgeries, illusory art, and unrivaled maps.

Ability Tiers

Cost: Each tier costs Tier × 3 Marks, paid from Drawing or other Wit-based Knowledge skills (Navigation, Occultism).
Advancement: Must unlock Tier 1 before later tiers.

Tier 1 Abilities (Drawing 1+)

Name	Type	Action/Duration	Roll (if active)	Description
Sketch Memory	Active	10 minutes downtime	Wit + Drawing	You may perfectly recall and draw any scene you’ve witnessed. Allies gain +1 die to Investigation rolls using the drawing as reference.
Quick Map	Active	5 minutes downtime or 1 Action (encounter)	Wit + Drawing	Once per scene, sketch a usable map from memory. Allies navigating with the map remove 1 penalty die from Navigation rolls.
Decoy Art	Effect	Attaches to a Wit + Drawing roll (forgery attempt)	Wit + Drawing + Deception (if inspected)	Mark one die as Effect. If it succeeds, the fake document, seal, or artwork appears authentic. Failing the marked die automatically alerts inspectors during close scrutiny.

Tier 2 Abilities (Drawing 2+)

Name	Type	Action/Duration	Roll (if active)	Description
Illustrated Knowledge	Passive	Always on	—	Allies studying your drawings gain +1 die to related Knowledge rolls (History, Zoology, Languages, etc.).
Spot Forgery	Active	1 Action (encounter) or 5 minutes (downtime)	Wit + Drawing vs. forger’s Deception + Drawing	Once per scene, you may detect a fake document or painting.
Mark of Power	Effect	-	Wit + Drawing or Occultism	You may create a simple magical glyph (ward, signal) on a surface. Mark a die as Effect. If it succeeds, the glyph triggers a minor effect (alarm, glow, symbolic meaning) on contact.

Tier 3 Abilities (Drawing 3+)

Name	Type	Action/Duration	Roll (if active)	Description
Artistic Cover	Active	1 hour downtime	Wit + Drawing	Conceal an item, message, or compartment within artwork. Only a successful Wit + Investigation roll at 3+ successes reveals the hidden element.
Cartographer’s Precision	Effect	Attaches to Navigation rolls using your maps	—	Allies using your maps gain +1 die on Navigation rolls. Mark one die as Cooperative. If it succeeds, the group avoids 1 environmental complication during travel.
Illusionist’s Eye	Passive	Always on	—	Gain +1 die when detecting magical glamours, illusions, or false images.

Tier 4 Abilities (Drawing 4+)

Name	Type	Action/Duration	Roll (if active)	Description
Master Forger	Active	1–2 hours downtime (complex documents)	Wit + Drawing	You may replicate any document, seal, or artwork without detection. Forgery detection rolls automatically fail unless aided by supernatural means.
Illusory Art	Active	1 Action (encounter) or 10 minutes (downtime)	Wit + Drawing	Once per session, create a still illusion visible to all. Lasts 1 scene and cannot directly deal damage or harm, but can block sight or deceive foes.
Master Cartographer	Passive	Always on	—	You always know where you are (absolute directional sense) and can produce flawless maps. Allies using your maps gain +2 dice to Navigation.

[!hint] Design Notes

• Drawing ties together forgery, navigation, and symbolic magic.
• Effect abilities (Decoy Art, Mark of Power, Cartographer’s Precision) latch onto existing rolls for synergy.
• Active abilities define clear downtime vs. encounter use, ensuring no ambiguity.
• The final tier makes the character a world-class mapmaker, illusionist, and forger, expanding beyond simple sketching.