FASA Games, Inc.

Hello,

Is a 1st circle adept allowed to take a journeyman skill?

For example, a 1st circle troubadour taking Tactics as a skill.

Thank you,
H2Os

I could have sworn it was explicit in the rules that a character could only take Novice-tier skills at character creation, but I can't find a reference in any of the likely places. (How did we miss that?)

The intention is that a character's "free" skill ranks can only be spent on Novice-tier skills. After that, they can learn whatever skills they want -- assuming they can find a teacher and have the time and Legend to devote to it.

That said, if you want to allow it, go for it (especially where it isn't explicit). Keep in mind that Journeyman-tier skills are ones that can be a little bit unbalancing at low circles, or might overlap with talents or abilities that aren't available until Journeyman Circles (like second attack/second weapon, riposte, etc). Their increased cost mitigates this somewhat, but it's something to keep an eye on in case somebody wants to 'power game' via skills.

If you do let starting players pick one Journeyman level skill, I'd have them each make up an NPC mentor they learned it from (doesn't have to be an Adept). This anchors them into Barsaive a bit more and can give you, the GM, some hooks to play with later.