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=Background and Idea=
One of the more intriguing ideas published in the 4th edition rules of D&D was a strongly simplified list of skills, which got rid of redundant skills and comprimented others together into more general rules. This is intriguing, as the shorter skill list is more straightforward and easier to use. On the other hand, the reduction of the skill list was too radical, as all skills with only a secondary or atmospheric roles were eliminated without replacement, which hurts both the game's versimilitude and the makes the development of multi-facetted characters more difficult. The elimination of skill points was another terrible choice, as it doesn't make the game significantly easier, but makes a finer adjustment of competences and preferences almost impossible

Serpents and Sewers offer an alternative skill system that is the best of both worlds - the fine-tuning and individual adjustment of the 3.5 rules, in combination with the manageable, shortened list of skills without the redundancies.


=List of Skills=
'''Acrobatics''' (2xDEX)

'''Athletics''' (STR + CON)

'''Concentration''' (CON + WIS)

'''Craft''' (INT+?)

'''Disable Device''' (DEX + INT)

'''Handle Animals''' (WIS + CHA)

'''Heal''' (DEX + WIS)

'''Intimidate''' (CHA + STR)

'''Intrigue''' (2x CHA)

'''Knowledge''' (2x INT)

'''Languages''' (INT + CHA)

'''Legerdemain''' (DEX + CHA)

'''Perception''' (CON + WIS)

'''Perform''' (CHA+?)

'''Profession''' (WIS +?)

'''Ride''' (DEX + CHA)

'''Sense Motive''' (WIS + CHA)

'''Spellcraft''' (INT + WIS)

'''Stealth''' (DEX + CON)

'''Survival''' (WIS + CON)

'''Use Magical Device''' (2x CHA)


=Description=
'''Acrobatics''': Include Tumble, Balance and all maneuvers that require agility, mobility, etc. 

'''Athletics''': Include Climb, Swim and Jump. All skills that require physical prowess, body control and endurance.

'''Concentration''': Keep your cool under pressure, the elementary spellcasting skill. 

'''Craft''': Anything you build, construct or form; specialization is necessary. The applied ability bonuses depend on the specialization.

'''Disable Device''': Includes Disable Device and Open Locks. The skill of disarming traps, using a lockpick and manipulate all kinds of mechanisms.

'''Handle Animals''': How to deal with animals and how to train them.

'''Heal''': Care and Treatment of wounds and illnesses.

'''Intimidate''': Fill the hearts of your opponents with fear

'''Intrigue''': Includes Bluff and Diplomacy. Lying, Manipulating  and Deceiving for fun and profit. 

'''Knowledge''': How to know things. Requires a specialization

'''Languages''': The ability to learn new languages and decipher written texts.

'''Legerdemain''': Includes Pickpocket and Sleight of Hand; the ability to do things with your hands while no one is watching or recognizing what you are doing.

'''Perception''': How to Spot, Search and Listen for things, persons, etc.

'''Perform''': Different forms of entertainment and Arts. This skill requires a specification, the applied ability bonuses depend on the specialization.

'''Profession''': Doing a job. This skill requires a specification, the applied ability bonuses depend on the specialization.

'''Ride''': The skill of not falling out of the saddle.

'''Sense Motive''': Look through lies, deceives and such like. 

'''Spellcraft''': The understanding of the magical ways.

'''Stealth''': The skill of moving silently, hiding and shadowing other people.

'''Survival''': General applied Wilderness and Nature lore

'''Use Magical Device''': How to trick a magical item into doing your bidding