Tome of Prowess (3.5e Sourcebook)/Ciphers

Ciphers

Ciphers is an analysis skill. With it, you can piece together patterns in written work, translating ancient languages, cracking codes that hide meaning, and even determining what is missing from a scroll to release its power. Those with a great deal of skill in Ciphers can even become fluent in dead languages or avoid triggering written trap effects.

Key Attribute: Intelligence

Untrained Uses

None. Sorry, you actually can’t do this stuff without a bit of training.

Rank 1 Uses

Decipher Script

You’ve seen a few dusty tomes and can make sense of unfamiliar languages in them. You can decipher writing in languages you don’t read, as well as piece together messages in incomplete or archaic forms. The base DC for this check is based on the content of the message. A message consisting of a single sentence requires a DC 30 check, as there is little to work with. A message consisting of a paragraph is only a DC 27 check. A message near a page in length is a DC 24 check. Works consisting of multiple pages have only a DC 20 base check, but if the work is many pages, multiple checks may be required. For example, books require a check per chapter.

These DCs are only base DCs, however, and the complexity of the message may alter these amounts significantly. Particularly simple or straightforward messages, like time tables or troop rosters, may have a DC of up to 10 less than the base. A complex or intricate message, like a legal document or a complete war strategy, may have a DC up to 10 higher than the base. These DCs can be further modified by up to 5 higher if the language itself is particularly bizarre or ancient. If the script contains a hidden or coded message, you must also decrypt it with the Cryptography ability to understand that portion of the message. Because of these additional concerns, you do not know the exact DC of the check beforehand. If you are concerned with accuracy, it is worth working with as much material as possible, even though it requires substantially more time, since larger works have a lower DC.

Each check requires five minutes per page of text (approximately 250 words), which must be spent before you can make the check. Retries offer no further insight, and do not return useful information. The amount of material you understand is determined by your check result as indicated below.

Base DC: Determined by length of work, and modified by complexity
Check Result:

• DC+5 and above: You have a very clear understanding of the document, and have not glossed over any details.
• DC+0 to DC+4: You understand the general meaning of the document but may be missing some minor details. They probably aren’t important anyway…
• DC-1 to DC-5: You have a vague sense of the document, but are missing some important concepts. That doesn’t stop you from working with a partial understanding of the work, though.
• DC-6 and below: You have a vague sense of the document. Unfortunately, it’s a very wrong vague sense of the document.

Rank 4 Uses

Decryption

Words can be hidden in symbols, numbers, or even other words if you’re worried about someone else finding them. You can analyze these hidden or coded messages. This is similar to deciphering script in another language, and can actually be done at the same time as you are deciphering a work. An attempt at decryption requires five minutes per page of coded message. The DC to decrypt a code is determined by the strength of the code. You gain a +2 bonus to your check for each full page of material present or previously decoded using the same cipher, however. Retries offer no further insight, and do not return useful information.

Note that once you have decrypted one different message per five points of the DC, rounded up, in the same code you do not need to check further to break any future messages that use it, and may compose messages in the code yourself if you have your notes.

Base DC: Code strength DC
Check Result:

• DC+5 and above: You decode the message in its entirety. Treat this as two successful decryptions of this code.
• DC+0 to +4: You decode enough of the message to understand its intent, even if you don’t have every single tiny little syllable.
• DC-1 to DC-5: You fail to decode a substantial portion of the message, and have very little to work with.
• DC-6 and below: You decode the message wrongly. While you get something that makes sense, it’s not what the actual message is and so probably isn’t helpful.

Encryption

Aside from analyzing them, you can also create codes on your own or compose messages in codes that you understand. You can create codes with a decryption DC up to 15 + your ranks in Ciphers. It takes 4 hours to create a new code, less 1/2 hour for each 1 point less you accept for the decryption DC, to a minimum of 30 minutes. You can generate messages in any code that you have on hand or have analyzed, whether you created it or not, regardless of decryption DC. Material written entirely in an encrypted cipher, as opposed to hidden in a larger and otherwise normal message, is considered magical writing. It cannot be understood with comprehend languages unless the caster knows the cipher themselves or their caster level + 15 is equal to or greater than the code DC.

The Finishing Stroke

Your ability to analyze magical scripts also lets you guess at the missing stroke or word that will release their stored power. You may attempt to activate any scroll or other spell completion item that you have already deciphered. The DC for this check is equal to 15 + the caster level of the spell stored in the object. This check is made as part of the action to activate the item.

You must have a minimum score of 10 + spell level in the relevant ability to use a scroll or similar item. If you have less than this you must fake it with another ability or you suffer a cumulative -2 penalty on your check for each point you are short.

Base DC: 15 + object’s caster level, +2 for each additional attribute point you need to use the item
Check Result:

• DC+0 and above: The spell completion item functions normally.
• DC-1 to DC-5: You fail to activate the spell completion item.
• DC-6 and below: You activate the item, but in the wrong fashion. You have a 50% chance of suffering a scroll mishap (see table in the DMG). If you do not suffer a mishap, the item is consumed without effect.

Translate Scroll

Magic users often have ridiculous notation and idiosyncrasies in writing that make others cringe. You can read through that nonsense to find the magic stored beneath. With a check against DC 10 + Item Caster Level check you can identify the spells stored in spell completion items like scrolls. This is a full round action.

Base DC: 10 + object’s caster level
Check Result:

• DC+0 and above: You learn which spell is stored within the work, and can either attempt to activate it yourself later, give it to the appropriate spell caster friend, or sell it without being particularly ripped off.
• DC-1 and below: You fail to identify the spell stored within the object.

Rank 8 Uses

Rosetta Stone

You know your way around a text, even when it’s written in an obscure, insane, dead language. If you read enough of a dead language, you can eventually become fluent in it. Each successful use of your Decipher Script ability provides you a +2 cumulative bonus for works written in the same language. If this bonus reaches +10 you no longer need to make checks to read the language, and are actually fluent in its written form. You can even compose messages in it if you like.

You are unable to learn the spoken form of the language without a native speaker, however. If you have access to the spoken form of a language that you are fluent in the written form of, by listening to native speakers or magical recordings, you may learn the language even if it is normally restricted and they aren't actually trying to teach it to you. Learning a language in this way does not cost any skill points.

Rank 10 Uses

If Books Could Kill

You’re familiarity with writing, hidden messages, and symbols has made you familiar with their magical variants. Spells such as Explosive Runes, Sepia Snake Sigil, Secret Page, and the various Symbols can be triggered during reading, and you are prepared for them. If you are about to trigger a magical effect by reading it, you are entitled to a Ciphers check (DC 15 + Caster Level) to avoid triggering it entirely. This check is treated like a saving throw, you either pass it and avoid triggering the effect or fail and trigger it. In either case you are aware of the effect after your check. If the effect is not triggered, but merely a standing effect that alters the page like Secret Page, you are entitled to a Ciphers check at the same DC to notice the effect. Once you notice an effect on a page you may use your Ciphers skill to disable it as if it were a magical trap. This check has a DC of 15+ Caster Level, and requires 2d4 full rounds to complete. The results of your work are listed on the table below.

You are also well versed in placing such traps, if they are a part of your class abilities. You may use your Ciphers ranks in place of your caster level when determining how difficult it is for others to notice and avoid your magical scribbling, but this does not increase any other aspects of the spell.

Base DC:15 + caster level
Check Result:

• DC+10 and above: You can either disable and remove the magic without issue, suppress it as indicated below, or make minor modifications to the magic as if you were casting the spell yourself. Maybe you change the secret word, or change the targeting instructions. These modifications are obvious to anyone who inspects the work, but that means that they probably have to survive it first.
• DC+5 to DC+9: You can either disable and remove the magic as if it were successfully dispelled or you can suppress it for up to 5 rounds per rank in the Ciphers skill.
• DC+0 to DC+4: You disable and remove the magic. It can’t hurt or frustrate you anymore.
• DC-1 to DC-5: You believe that you have disabled and removed the magic, but you haven’t actually done that. If it can go off, it does when you try to move on.
• DC-6 and below: The magic goes off in your face. If you were attempting to dispel a non-offensive effect like secret page, the hidden message is message is destroyed as if it were subjected to an erase spell. In general, the worst thing that could happen to you from monkeying with the effect is what happens.

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