Skills System

Skills are a large part of any Mud. This holds true for Cosmos as well. At Cosmos we have a very "open" skill system, which is somewhat similar to a "spheres" system you might see on a Fantasy Mud. Instead of spheres we have Knowledge Bases.

Knowledge Base

On Cosmos there are four knowledge bases. These knowledge bases are general areas of knowledge that players are able to learn and use. It is up to the player whether they spread out their knowledge in all four bases or if they specialize in one. The four knowledge bases are as follows:

Biology - Biology is the study of life. Along with the pursuit of understanding everything considered 'living', biologists also try to change and manipulate that life. With the growing ability to warp and change the basic roots of most carbon-based life (genetics), after enough time Biologists may gain the control of power once granted to gods.

Psionics - Psionics is the use and control of mental energy within the universe. The knowledge of psionics has been investigated and developed for a few hundred years. Some races like the Faern are far more developed in psionic ability than other races due to their controlled mind. Both a fine-tuned intelligence and plenty of willpower is necessary in order to have any success with psionic abilities.

Tactics - Even with the spread of technology throughout known space, there is nothing more effective in combat than tactics. The knowledge of tactics will allow someone to understand the weaknesses of the enemy and take advantage of them. Many advantages in hand to hand combat come to those with a tactical mind.

Engineering - Those who embrace technology and fully understand the potential of the 'new' will migrate to Engineering. Once thought as a "Geek's World", the importance of machinery and electronics is recognized by all but the most ignorant. Engineers love to create and improve electronic devices, as well as fix them.

In order for a player to gain knowledge in one of the four bases, they need to go to one of the Learning Centers on Station Newcastle. Once a player grows in power (raise a level) or perform a difficult task (complete a mission) they will gain Learning Points which they can use to learn more in a specific knowledge base.

The player does start out with the potential to direct their own path in the game, by being awarded with a starting amount of Learning Points. This is one of the more desirable effects of such a system... the player decides where they grow and when.

The Knowledge base is simple in design. The knowledge of the player is rated on a zero to one hundred scale. Zero means the player is clueless about a knowledge and one hundred meaning they are a certified expert. The player can never exceed one hundred, or be lower than zero.

Skills

The skills in Cosmos consist of various commands or actions the player can perform. These skills are based on the four Knowledge bases. (There are a few exceptions with skills that require multiple knowledge bases to be usable, but we won't get into that.)

Some example skills from each of the knowledge bases:

Psionics - mind blast, meditation, confusion, drain

Biology - bandage, inject, splice, clone

Tactics - punch, aim, block, dodge

Engineering - salvage, repair, assemble, enhance