Read the Room

Intuition

Empathy

Reasoning

Short Description

Instantly assess social tension, mood shifts and power dynamics. It allows a character to pick up on unspoken cues, hidden agendas, and interpersonal relationships,

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

Roll d100 against DR 100. If successful, you gain knowledge on who are obvious allies and power structures. DR 120 to see hidden agendas, fake friendships or silent powerstruggles. 140+ to recognize blackmail and secret alliances.

‍

+10 DR – Group is emotionally guarded or acting formally

+10 DR – You're an outsider or not familiar with the culture/social norms

+15 DR – Multiple agendas are at play and not openly acknowledged

+20 DR – Someone in the group is deliberately manipulating the mood (e.g., lies, magic, tech)

+25 DR – The situation is chaotic, hostile, or rapidly shifting

+30+ DR – You arrive mid-conflict or after a major unseen event has changed the dynamic

‍

Long Description

With practiced instinct, you spot subtle shifts in posture, tone, and attention—catching power dynamics that others miss. You recognize who’s truly in control, who’s holding back emotion, and where tensions are likely to flare. This insight allows you to speak with precision or choose silence strategically.
Read the Room is a support skill that can prepare you for how to act, who to side with, and who might need to be kept an eye on.

Pairings:

Skills:
- Spot Habit – to detect physical tells or emotional leakage
- Insight – for reading intentions and understanding unspoken motivations
- Detect Lie – to confirm suspicions or validate instincts

Sequencing

Potential Counters

How to use this page

All the information above is intended as a guide to help you navigate the many situations that can arise during your game. Since it's both impossible—and frankly uninspiring—to plan for every possible outcome, players are encouraged to think creatively when using their skills. Game Masters, in turn, are encouraged to embrace and support that creativity.

Whenever possible, aim to resolve situations through narrative choices, logical thinking and role playing. If that’s not feasible, agree on a Difficulty Rating (DR) using the provided Success Criteria and Modifiers. These are not rigid rules, but suggestions - starting points to help you find the right level of challenge. The player describes their intended action, and the Game Master proposes a DR. This should be open to brief discussion at the table, ideally resulting in consensus. If not, the Game Master has the final say.

It’s important to emphasize that all suggested effects, modifiers, and action examples are exactly that: suggestions. If you’re unsure how to resolve something, they offer a reliable fallback—but wherever possible, we encourage you to push boundaries. That’s where some of the most memorable and exciting moments in play are born.

Sequencing and Potential Counters are far from exhaustive. With hundreds of skills, spells, and tech modules in the game, the possibilities are too vast to list. You’re encouraged to explore combinations that make sense in your story and setting and in the situations that arise in your game. Sequencing and countering are core to Cosmic Odyssey - they’re where strategic depth meets dramatic flair, and where legendary moments often take shape. Even if no sequencing and counters are mentioned, some certainly exists and can be smartly utilized.

So explore boldly, improvise wisely, and enjoy the game as it unfolds around your choices.