Intel - Aliens, Cultures & Customs is the ability to read and understand the complex cultures of the galaxy's many and varied species. It is not only about knowing the customs of different races but understanding the underlying emotions, beliefs, and motivations that drive their actions. As an Intel - Aliens, Cultures & Customs expert, you are a true master of diplomacy, able to navigate the murky waters of inter-species relations with ease. You can spot a potential ally or enemy a mile away and have the cultural insight to approach them in the right way. With this skill, you can gain the trust and respect of even the most skeptical or hostile aliens. Your knowledge of different races gives you a unique perspective on the galaxy and makes you a valuable asset to any team or organization.
Each intercultural interaction will have a difficulty rating based on the alien species' complexity, cultural differences from humanity, and the sensitivity of the situation. The more alien the species and the higher the stakes, the higher the difficulty.
When you attempt to interact with alien species, understand their customs, navigate cultural protocols, communicate effectively, or identify cultural artifacts, you will make an Intel - Aliens, Cultures & Customs skill check against the situation's difficulty rating. The GM may apply Boons or Banes based on factors such as prior exposure to the species, language barriers, cultural research available, or the aliens' disposition toward humans.
Rather than spending skill points to move up skill levels, You may instead spend skill points to purchase any of the following tricks.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You gain fluency in one alien language, enabling easier communication and understanding. When speaking this language, you can communicate complex ideas, understand nuances, and pick up on cultural context. You gain a +1d4 Boon when using this language for diplomacy or negotiation. You can take this trick multiple times for different languages.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You have exceptional ability to read alien body language and emotional states. When interacting with aliens, you can sense their emotional state (hostile, friendly, fearful, deceptive) even if their species expresses emotions differently than humans. This grants you insight into their true intentions.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You can quickly identify and interpret alien technology and artifacts. When examining alien objects, you gain a +1d6 Boon to determine their purpose, origin, cultural significance, and potential value. You can identify forgeries and assess authenticity reliably.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You master the art of diplomacy across species boundaries, using cultural sensitivity and tact to communicate effectively. When negotiating with aliens, you gain a +1d8 Boon and can often find common ground even in seemingly impossible situations. Your cultural awareness prevents accidental offenses.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You understand the psychology and behavioral patterns of different alien species at a deep level. You can predict how aliens will react to situations, identify their motivations, and understand their decision-making processes. This provides valuable insights during negotiations, investigations, or tactical planning.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You can adapt your behavior to blend seamlessly with different alien cultures. For one operation, you can adopt the mannerisms, customs, and social behaviors of one alien species so convincingly that even members of that species may mistake you for one of their own (at least culturally, if not physically).
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: Your understanding of alien cultures is so complete that you can navigate any intercultural situation with ease. For one mission, you automatically succeed on basic cultural interactions with any alien species, even those you've never encountered before. You intuitively understand their customs, taboos, and social structures.
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: You have encyclopedic knowledge of alien history and evolution. When dealing with any alien civilization, you can recall relevant historical context, understand their cultural trajectory, predict their likely reactions based on historical patterns, and identify valuable artifacts or significant locations. This provides a +1d10 Boon to all checks involving that species for the mission.
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: You can establish positive first contact with completely unknown alien species. Even when encountering aliens with no documented contact with humanity, you can communicate peaceful intent, establish basic communication, and begin building rapport. This prevents first contact disasters and creates opportunities for alliance or trade.
Each species you integrate with grants a stacking Boon to Aliens, Cultures & Customs rolls when interacting with that species:
Boons apply when: