Skills

In Harath, all characters have Skills that determine what they can do. Unless otherwise stated, all skills have a TN=4. Players can raise their skill levels at a cost of one CP for every level that they want to gain. In other words, it takes 8 CP to improve a skill from level 7 to level 8.

Concentrations

When you learn a skill, you gain access to a broad scope of related abilities. As you practice more and gain familiarity with your chosen skill, you choose Concentrations, which give you bonus dice when using certain aspects of your skill. The aspects of the skill that you do not add as concentrations are collectively known as "Others". You gain a new concentration every time you raise your skill to an odd-numbered level. You can optionally gain one penalized concentration on each even-numbered skill level. Penalized concentrations add 1 bonus die to a selected concentration, but also add a penalty die to your "Others" skill. You must declare your Concentration when you move to a new skill level.

The two examples below both follow Rugga's progress as he learns various aspects of the One-Handed Sword (1H Sword) skill, which allows him to choose concentrations in a particular sword type (e.g., long sword), while the "Others" category indicates that he can use any other type of 1H Sword, but less well than those swords he has concentrated on learning.
Example 1: A line by line example:

1. Rugga learns 1H Sword and puts his concentration in "Katana". His 1H Sword skills are Katana=1+1, Others=1.
2. Rugga earns no concentrations. He chooses not to take a penalized concentration. his 1H Sword skills are Katana=2+1, Others=2.
3. Rugga earns a concentration, which he puts into Katana. His 1H Sword skills are Katana=3+2, Others=3.
4. Rugga earns no concentration, but chooses to take a penalized concentration in Katana. His 1H Sword skills are Katana=4+3, Others=4-1.
5. Rugga earns a concentration, and puts it into short sword. His 1H Sword skills are Katana=5+3, Short Sword=5+1, Others=5-1.
6. Rugga earns no concentration, and forgoes another penalized concentration. His 1H Sword skills are Katana=6+3, Short Sword=6+1, Others=6-1.
7. Rugga earns a concentration, and puts it into Other. His 1H Sword skills are Katana=7+3, Short Sword=7+1, Others=7.

Example 2: The same example in chart form:

Level	Concentrations	Skill	"Others"	Note
1	Katana	1+1	1	Concentration available, taken in Katana
2	Katana	2+1	2	Penalized concentration available, not taken
3	Katana	3+2	3	Concentration available, taken in Katanan
4	Katana	4+3	4-1	Penalized concentration available, taken in Katana
5	Katana	5+3	5-1	Concentration available, taken in Short Sword
	Short Sword	5+1
6	Katana	6+3	6-1	Penalized concentration available, not taken
	Short Sword	6+1
7	Katana	7+3	7	Concentration available, taken in "Others"
	Short Sword	7+1

Skill Levels

What does it mean to have a Skill level of 4? This table answers that question in general terms. A glance at the table tells you that in general, having that level of skill means that you could make a professional living using that skill. Let's say you have Pottery=4. Your products demonstrate sufficient quality that most ordinary people will think is great. It won't fetch the highest prices, but you'll likely be able to sell your wares to broad clientele. Even so, your fellow potters will generally recognize your work as pedestrian at best.

Professional Skill	Level	Notes
Apprentice	0	Doesn't indicate complete lack of knowledge, but can't discuss coherently; uninformed opinions
	1	Can do just enough to be dangerous to self and others
	2	Can do just enough to be dangerous to others, but occasionally satisfies the uninitiated
	3	Usually satisfies, and occasionally impresses, the uninitiated
Journeyman	4	Always satisfies, and usually impresseses, the uninitiated; occasionally satisfies fellow practitioners
	5	Always impresses the uninitiated; usually satisfies fellow practitioners
Craftsman	6	Always satisfies, and occasionally impresses, fellow practitioners
	7	Always satisfies, and usually impresses, fellow practitioners
Master	8	Always impresses fellow practioners, who view this person as an expert
	9+	9th and higher levels indicate more refined skill, a way to differentiate between experts

Styles

Certain skills have styles attached to them. A style means that when you learn the skill, you must follow a strictly regimented pattern of instruction. In game terms this means that you must take certain concentrations at specific levels. For example, Jujutsu requires you to take concentrations in Grapple, Hip Toss, and Pivot Throw at your first three levels. Starting level 4, you may take concentrations in any maneuver from the Preferred List of Maneuvers. When you become a master (Level 7+) you may take concentrations in any maneuver you wish. The chart below shows this progression.

Level	Concentrations	Skill	"Others"	Note
1	Grapple	1+1	1	Concentration available, taken in Grapple
2	Grapple	2+1	2-1	Penalized concentration available, taken in Pivot Throw
	Pivot Throw	2+1
3	Grapple	3+1	3-1	Concentration available, taken in Hip Toss
	Pivot Throw	3+1
	Hip Toss	3+1
4	Grapple	4+1	4-1	Penalized concentration available, not taken
	Pivot Throw	4+1
	Hip Toss	4+1
5	Grapple	5+1	5	Concentration available, taken in "Other"
	Pivot Throw	5+1
	Hip Toss	5+1

Skill Web