Even though the question mark is on purpose, meant to indicate that it isn't based on merely one Characteristic, but is instead based on what the Martial Arts style being used with it is linked to, I agree that the question mark is somewhat confusing. Perhaps I should replace it with "variable" as I did with the Martial Arts skill? Would that change, along with the description of Duel Dance itself, be enough to make it clear?

The description of Duel Dance, I also notice, has a spelling error that I'm going to fix right now, where it mis-spells "duel" right away as "dual"... In fact that same spelling error occurs later in the description as well. Yay,..I love mistakes made in haste....

Scottie

Here's the new entry for Duel Dancing (also changed in the Skill List):

Duel Dancing- (variable)
This skill uses beautiful and artful movements as an impressive display of physical prowess. Its Characteristic Link is based on the Martial Skill the player primarily uses. It is usually performed prior to actual combat and is meant to intimidate or impress your opponent. It may be rolled once at any time during a combat round. Every two Successes rolled indicate an additional die the player may add to any single roll in that round. This skill may also be used as a form of bloodless sparring between two duel dancers, whom would both roll their Duel Dancing Skill against one another. If either rolled higher than the other, then the difference between Successes rolled indicates an amount of additional dice the winner may add to any single roll in the following combat. The impressed loser may choose to bow down, admitting defeat, i.e. offering one’s throat to the dominant.

I feel that over the last several years of play, the skill of duel dancing didn't get used enough! It is a good way to get a little leg up on your opponent at least for one good strike and at higher levels of martial arts skill, the absolutely crazy maneuvers you can claim your character does in his dance are VERY cinematic and impressive. I intend to TOTALLY ham it up, Tony Jaa style, with all kinds of crazy acrobatics and tomfoolery. Thanks for bringing up this oft-overlooked skill!

Originally posted by Ghorüm
Thanks for bringing up this oft-overlooked skill!

It'll be good to see this skill used more often. One of the main reasons it was overlooked in the past was the fact that the rules for it were not well developed nor very clear as to the rewards of performing it. Hopefully now the rewards are more obvious, and the incentive is there to bring about more use of this potentially cinematic action.

Scottie