ESPIONAGE SKILL: TRACKING: HUMANS & ROBOTS
Visual tracking is the identification of tracks, and following the path
of men, cyborgs, robots and animals by the signs they leave on the
ground and vegetation. Tracking is a precise art, requiring much
practice. The skill includes the evaluation of tracks, indicating
whether the subject being tracked is loaded down with equipment,
running, moving slowly (by measuring the space between steps), and so
on. By this means, the tracker can estimate the subject's rate of
movement, apparent direction, the number of people/robots in the party,
and whether the person or machine appears to know they are being
followed. Depending upon the shape of the being's feet and footwear,
the tracker may also be able to tell the D-Bee or demon's race or
species and whether it is an adult or juvenile. Other methods of
tracking include recognizing tell-tale signs such as blood and other
stains, broken and misplaced vegetation, overturned rocks, litter (such
as cigarette butts, packing from food rations, candy wrappers, soiled
bandages, campfire remains, etc.), and even odors carried by the wind.
Likewise, the tire tracks of vehicle, the weight of its load, and
sometimes even its make and year. Monsters, demons and animal-like beings are
recognized by their tracks, habits, and faeces.
Note: The track humanoid skill requires concentration, focus,
and time to examine the trail. It will require at least one full melee
round (15 seconds) of observation to pick up a trail and can not be
used in the midst of combat where the character is distracted with
staying out of the line of fire, finding cover, and staying alive.
Counter-tracking techniques are also known, and include covering one's
trail, misdirection, parallel trails, avoiding obvious pitfalls like
littering and others.
A failed Tracking: Humans & Robots roll means that the signs are
inconclusive, vague or misleading. Additional signs must be found to
verify or clarify (roll again). Three consecutive failed rolls, means
the tracker has completely lost the trail. Roll once every 40
yards/meters when following a trail, unless it is very obvious, like
that made by a caravan of wagons, a giant robot, or company of soldiers
(30 or more). Characters attempting to follow a skilled tracker who is
deliberately trying to conceal their trail suffer a penalty of -25% to
stay on them. However, the character engaged in counter-tracking
techniques travels at slow speeds, about half that of a casual rate of
speed (or one-quarter their maximum speed).
The percentage covers both tracking and counter-tracking abilities. A
character trained in tracking humans may attempt to track animals,
creatures of magic and supernatural beings, but does so at half this
skill's normal ability.
Prerequisites: None.
Base Skill: 25%.
Per Experience Level: +5%.