Religion

Empathy
Memory
Presence

Short Description

Interpret, debate, and apply religious teachings and traditions. Useful for diplomacy, gaining favor, mediating disputes, or influencing faith-based communities.

Success Criteria

Roll 1d100 + Religion vs. DR 100

Effects

Success: You correctly interpret faith-based doctrine, gain modest support, or navigate a religious situation

Strong Success (20+): You secure a favor, resolve a theological dispute, or strengthen trust with religious figures

Critical Success (40+): You inspire deep spiritual reflection or devotion, or manipulate religious sentiment for political gain

In Combat: Followers of your faith gain inspiration providing +5 to all d100 rolls next round. This increase by +5 per 15 success rate.

Failure: You offend a leader, misquote sacred text, or spark suspicion among believers

Modifiers and Restrictions

–10 DR — You’re recognized as a practitioner of the faith

–10 DR — Using known religious references, doctrine, or text (you must have researched)

+10 DR to +30 DR — Acting outside the norms of the religion

+20 DR — Working across religious or cultural boundaries/not part of the religion

+25 DR to +50 DR — Attempting to sway a fanatic against their beliefs

Action Examples

You request access to a temple vault by referencing a rarely used liturgical exception (-10 DR). The GM sets DR to 110 due to you not being part of the religion (+20 DR).

During interfaith talks between rival sects, you quote a shared parable to unify their positions. The GM sets DR to 120 for cross-faith mediation.

Long Description

Religion is both a bridge and a weapon. It allows characters to mediate spiritual disputes, inspire allies, gain favors, or leverage belief systems for political ends. The skill blends academic understanding with emotional and cultural sensitivity, allowing you to guide, debate, or redirect religious sentiment.

You can navigate known religious traditions with ease, quote scripture, perform rituals, or gain support from devout individuals. However, the greater the ask—such as swaying a zealot or invoking divine privilege—the harder the task. Religious fanatics, obscure doctrines, and unfamiliar practices all increase DR.

Sequencing

Sequencing with dancing, singing, story telling, illusions etc. for a potentially better effect.

Potential Counters

If sequenced as seen above skills, spells and modules that can help see through illusions etc.

Sense Motive — Detects false sincerity or misused doctrine

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.