Fishing

Fishing is a Common skill, and is modified by your Dexterity.

Fishing is more than just a way to relax by the water—it’s a versatile tool for survival, crafting, and combat. Adventurers skilled in Fishing can harvest an array of aquatic resources, from mundane fish and shellfish to rare, magical catches with unique properties. Beyond gathering food, the Fishing skill also provides characters with the expertise to craft specialized non-lethal tools, such as bolas, nets, and weighted lines, which can be used to ensnare, disarm, or disable foes. These tools are invaluable for adventurers who prefer to subdue rather than slay, whether to capture a fugitive, neutralize a dangerous beast, or engage in combat without unnecessary bloodshed. Additionally, a trained fisher gains enhanced proficiency when using these items in battle, improving their accuracy and effectiveness through technique and practice.

The Fishing skill adds an element of resourcefulness and creativity to any campaign. Characters can spend Downtime fishing in rivers, lakes, or oceans, seeking valuable catches that can serve as ingredients for magical recipes or be sold for profit. The crafting aspect of Fishing allows players to tailor their tools to suit their playstyle—lightweight nets for quick entanglements, durable bolas for tougher prey, or magically infused fishing lines to increase their range and effectiveness.

As your skill in Fishing grows, you will gain additional benefits from it.

Increased Affinity: When you first attain a new title in Fishing (Initiate or Apprentice), you gain a 25% Affinity increase in either the Angling, Casting, Fishing, or Marine Knowledge Skills. You can gain this affinity even if you did not have a previous Affinity Bonus or Ranks in the chosen skill.

Initiate (Ranks 10-19):
Fish Speaker: You gain a bonus to any check that involves communicating or understaning the intent of Aquatic creatures equal to your ranks in Fishing. Additionally, you gain a bonus to your defenses equal to your Ranks in Fishing when an Aquatic creature tries to use a Charm, Compulsion, or Fear effect against you.

Apprentice (Ranks 20-34):
Aquatic Cognition: Natural fish (not monstrosities) will not attack you unless provoked, and they will avoid targeting you when possible, choosing another target if one is available. Any Aquatic type creature that attacks you suffers a penalty to its Accuracy checks equal to your ranks in Fishing.

All of these bonuses are cumulative.