Tasks are things that personas do that require a test. There are lots of things that personas do that do not require a test.
The most recent bout of play testing brought to my attention some confusion in both the structure and language of tasks and skills.
Each vocation has a list of tasks that they are good at. This list is not exhaustive and the play loop for tasks is supposed to involve player creating tasks and then using skills to increase the chance of success. A gamefication of uncombat activities. It is/was supposed to allow uncombat tasks, like making a cloning machine, have enjoy a similar feel to combat moves.
No longer seems to work. If it ever did. So the language is being reworked. Always my starting point when manipulating mechanics.
Tasks are composed of skills and knowledge. Skills have difficulty and players roll to win. Each skill has a clear win state and player benefit. Knowledge is divided into Interests and Expertise.
Interests are broad areas which improve the player’s chance of winning the Task roll for skill being challenged. Expertise (formerly skills) are more specific element of knowledge that improve the player’s chance of winning the task roll.
This needs to be reflected in the persona record where skills and knowledge will be structurally separated. Knowledge can be applied to different skills. Skills list will be examples and the player can make up a new task at any time.
Example time. A 2nd level biologist has the skill of identify poison with a Difficulty of 5. The person’s competency for this skill will include: exps level (2), interests in taxonomy (2), and an expertise in poison (1) and envenomation (1). The player makes a task roll for the skill ID Poison with a difficulty of 5 versus a competency of 8.
Not So Useful Table
| Existing | Proposed |
| Task Roll | Task Roll |
| Interest | Interest |
| Skill | Expertise |
| Difficulty | Difficulty |
| Research Team | Project |
| Research Team | Teamwork |
The task roll can be gamified by role playing, attributes, technology and helpful team mates.