Life Science
This broad skill represents a character’’s training in the life
sciences.
Skill checks involving this skill are made the same as Knowledge skill
checks.
Biology, Botany, Zoology
These specialty skills must be purchased separately.
-
Biology: The study of organisms and biochemical processes.
-
Botany: The study of plants and identification.
-
Zoology: The study of animals and animal life.
⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3,
-2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on
certain
other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty. These
skills
include Survival, Animal Handling, and Medical Science—treatment.
Psionics
This specialty skill represents the scientific study of the
biological
and biochemical nature of psionic abilities.
⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3,
-2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on
certain
other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty. These
skills
include Telepathy—drain, Bio-Kinesis—bioluminescent, and
Bio-Kinesis—bioweapon.
Biology
Biology is the study of life and living organisms, including their
structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.
Botany
Botany is the study of plant life, from the smallest mosses to the
giant
trees of a rainforest.
Genetics
Genetics is the study of heredity and genes, forming the basis of
genetic engineering and cloning.
⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3,
-2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on
certain
other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty. These
skills
include Medical Science—treatment, Forensic Science, and certain
Bio-Kinesis or Mutation checks.
Xenology
Xenology is the study of animal life forms of an alien nature and
can be
used to identify or classify such life forms, including alien
plant
life. It allows a character to make educated guesses as to the
nature,
behavior, and abilities of alien life forms.
⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3,
-2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on
certain
other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty. These
skills
include Survival (in alien environments), Animal Handling (with
alien
creatures), and Medical Science—xenomedicine.
Zoology
Zoology is the study of animals and animal life, of both
terrestrial and
extraterrestrial origin.