Understanding and applying social customs, cultural protocols, and formal behavior to create goodwill, avoid offense, and gain privileged access.
d100 + Etiquette skill vs. DR 100
Success: You are treated with respect or curiosity, gain access to restricted circles, or avoid negative attention
Strong Success (20+): You’re recognized as a valued guest or worthy peer — gain invitation, access, or deference
Critical Success (40+): You leave a lasting impression, improving reputation or gaining alliesFailure: You offend, alienate, or embarrass yourself; doors may close, and consequences vary by culture and rank
–20 DR — You are in a familiar culture or social setting
–10 DR — Target is open-minded or appreciative of etiquette
+10 DR — You’re from a rival culture or faction
+20 DR — Event is highly formal or elite
+20 to +40 DR — Your allies are acting rude, disrespectful etc.
At a diplomatic gala hosted by the Eidrani Cultivation Circle, you declare the use of Etiquette to make a respectful impression. The GM sets the base DR to 80 due to cultural overlap and appropriate attire. Suddenly, an ally crashes into you, shouting with a mouth full of food that you should “stop talking to the old fool” and try the buffet. The GM rules this a +40 DR penalty for severe disrespect, raising the total DR to 120. You roll to see if you can still secure an audience with the high speaker.
Etiquette represents the mastery of social grace, cultural knowledge, and formal behavior. This skill covers noble customs, religious rites, diplomatic protocol, ceremonial gestures, and even subtle differences in greeting styles or table manners. It opens doors in courts, temples, embassies, or elite organizations—especially when first impressions matter.
It's most useful when meeting unfamiliar factions, navigating tense diplomatic settings, or trying to avoid offense during sensitive negotiations. While it may not persuade or deceive, it ensures the character is taken seriously and allowed a voice. Used creatively, it can build bridges where brute force or rhetoric might fail
Sequence with Insight, heraldry, glibness for example
Sense Motive – May detect forced or insincere etiquette
Insight – Reveals if your gestures are interpreted wrongly
Empathic Cloak - This spell can give a bonus versus empathy-based skills