Social Sciences

Empathy
Memory
Reasoning

Short Description

Expertise in sociology, psychology, and human behavior, aiding in understanding group dynamics, predicting social trends, and assessing motivations in diplomatic or political situations.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

Gain background information on key political players or influential agents in a known society. On a successful roll against DR 100, you identify their likely goals or alliances. For every 20 points above the DR, you gain an additional insight such as hidden loyalties, weaknesses, or current agendas.

The better you know the culture, the easier the DR will be and vice versa.

Long Description

Social Sciences covers the study of human behavior, group dynamics, and societal systems. It allows characters to understand how institutions function, how power is distributed, and how individuals or groups are likely to respond in specific social contexts. This skill is especially useful when analyzing public sentiment, managing group interactions, or engaging with political structures.

It plays a key role in diplomacy, negotiations, and social conflict, offering insight into motivations, biases, and long-term consequences of social actions. Social Sciences often pairs well with skills like Politics, Crisis Negotiation, or Leadership when navigating complex societal pressures or influencing public or organizational outcomes.

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.