Comment on “Grassroots Movement”

I love it! It makes me wonder what other "large-scale" or "population-affecting" actions might provide for fun gameplay when rules are made for them. I can't remember if you use a Bard or not, but these would seem perfect as a Bard sage skill.

Is there any chance that certain sage skills will be shared between classes, in cases such as this? It does seem that there could be some overlap. Ranger/Druid comes to mind immediately.

I also have a question about the Standard Bearer amateur ability for the Heraldry sage skill. What is the justification for that being a sage ability? I understand that knowledge is needed to know the right standard to bear, but why is the actual ability to grant a benefit restricted to those with Standard Bearer?

Speaking of Heraldry and, dare I say, "cross-class" sage skills: it seems that Heraldry might make sense for the Fighter, illiteracy or no. I know you're keeping the sage skills close to your chest, but could you tell me at least whether the Fighter sage skills will go on this "leader of men" direction?

Finally: could you elaborate for me the conceptual differences between what are traditionally* called "thief skills" and the sage skills? I understand the difference with sage skills that primarily provide knowledge of techniques, creatures, magical formulae, etc. However, with abilities like Grassroots Movement, the line between "something you know" and "abilities you have" seems thinner. Is the Thief's improved ability to sneak not a kind of sage skill: based on class, with power (partially) dependent on level, and enhancing the things one can do well?

*I say 'traditionally' because I believe you employ a different, more logical system where everyone can climb, steal, sneak, etc, but thieves and assassins do it best; as opposed to the silly thief percentile rolls in Gygax.