Theology

Defaults: IQ-6 or Religious Ritual (same)-4

Theology (IQ/Hard) is the study of a particular religion: its gods, cosmology, doctrines, scriptures, etc. Requires specialization by religion. Typically, there are no defaults between religions, but the GM may permit a default at -4 or so for systems that have similar origins or one is derived from the other.

Alternatively, you may study the similarities and differences between religions, i.e. Theology (Comparative). This can let you default to many religions but at -5 to each.

Main Uses

• Knowing neat stuff about a religion/mythos/cosmology
  • Monster Hunters often learn theology (and possibly some Hidden Lore) to learn the rules and limitations of the creatures they're looking for--demons, fae, ghosts, etcetera.
• Making moral decisions (important for Clerics)
• Impressing other members of the faith (or getting into debates!)
• Impressing supernatural beings with your knowledge of their favorite things
  • or, as an "influence skill" to gain favor with a higher power

In Dungeon Fantasy / DFRPG

• A Per-based Theology (Druidic) roll can detect the telltale signs of "wildmen", who make special markings along their territory.
• Theology (any relevant) can identify Spirit Guardians of temples and holy (or unholy) sites.

Study and Belief

A character does not necessarily believe in the religion they're studying. For instance, a world-traveling member of the Duncorne Foundation or ISWAT may need knowledge on many religions.

Talents

• Close to Heaven includes Theology as one of its very priesty set of skills

As A Job

• Any priest or holy-person at TL1+ will need Theology and Religious Ritual for their religion (at a mild skill-12) Earlier TL0 religions need only Religious Ritual.

Streamlining

• In some campaigns, you might create a sort of "What's that unholy thing?" skill that combines Theology, Occultism, Philosophy and Hidden Lore from a given religion. Only a handful of monsters that are key to the religion are mentioned, so it works as a knowledge skill without covering every monster, and lets the team Cleric leverage their knowledge against unholy foes!
  • Likewise, Religious Ritual, Symbol Drawing, Ritual Magic and Public Speaking could be bundled together as "Rites and Responsibilities"!