> However, I think I'm getting closer to an answer in the rules-as-written. So, if my PC#1 has Air Rune 20, he can use that broad ability to fly, at an ability of 20. However, if PC#2 has the breakout ability Fly +1 and an Air Rune also of 20, PC#2 can fly at 1W, but PC#1 can now only fly at 14, taking the broad ability penalty - that's the niche protection within a party which the HQ2 rules are talking about on p51.
Yes, that was our intention.
> So, likewise, even though a "Weaponthane" occupational keyword is "less broad" than a clan keyword, it's still a broad ability. So, if PC#1 has Weaponthane 20, and PC#2 has Clan 20, and they're both trying to work out an outsider's clan or tribal membership from, say, his fighting style, PC#1's Weaponthane would be operating at 20, and PC#2's Clan would be operating at 17 (20 -3). And, if PC#3 happened to have a specific ability like "Identify Fighting Style 20", then PC#3 would be at 20, PC#1 at (say) 17, and PC#2 at 14.
Again, that is correct.
> An interesting one would be how the Harmony Rune "keyword", Healer Occupational Keyword, and "Heal Hurt" specific ability all interact when trying to heal a Hurt. I guess it's similar to the above, although I'm not sure which I'd judge as less broad, the Harmony Rune or the Healer keyword... :-)
Depends on what the group interprets "Healer" to mean! Does it just include chirurgical and medical abilities? Or does it include the broad range of knowledge that any Bronze or late-Iron Age specialist in healing lore ought to have? If the first, then the occupation is less broad than the rune. If the latter, then the rune is less broad.
Jeff
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