Recall Knowledge
Recall Knowledge
Golden Hand Mercenary
RECALL KNOWLEDGE
Recall Knowledge — Humanoid (Society): DC 20
Unspecific Lore: DC 18
Specific Lore: DC 15
Critical Success The character recognizes a disciplined private soldier employed by a wealthy commercial interest. The standardized equipment, removable hand-and-serpent badge, and deliberate lack of conventional heraldry identify the mercenary as connected to the Golden Hand. The character also recognizes the mercenary's defensive fighting style. Reveal two useful combat facts: their ability to Strike enemies who move or manipulate objects within reach, their improved defenses while fighting beside another shield-bearing ally, or their ability to force opponents backward.
Success The character recognizes the mercenary as a trained professional rather than an ordinary guard or bandit. Their equipment and tactics suggest they are intended to hold ground and protect something important. Reveal one useful combat fact: Hold the Line, Golden Hand Formation, or Drive Them Back.
Failure The character recalls no useful information beyond the obvious fact that the mercenary is well trained and heavily equipped.
Critical Failure The character mistakes the mercenary for an ordinary hired guard and underestimates the coordination and discipline of their fighting style.
Recognize the Golden Hand — Society or Mercantile Lore DC 18
Success The small hand-and-serpent badge resembles the mark used by a private commercial network with financial interests tied to Kerse. The symbol is intentionally mundane enough to resemble a merchant house, investment concern, or security company.
Critical Success The character notices that the badge is made to detach quickly and that every other identifying mark has been removed from the mercenary's equipment. Whoever employs these soldiers places unusual importance on deniability.
Golden Hand Archer
RECALL KNOWLEDGE
Recall Knowledge — Humanoid (Society): DC 20
Unspecific Lore: DC 18
Specific Lore: DC 15
Critical Success The character recognizes a professional scout and skirmisher trained to operate alongside heavier Golden Hand soldiers. Their equipment has been deliberately stripped of normal identifying marks, though the removable hand-and-serpent badge links them to the Golden Hand. Reveal two useful combat facts: their Sneak Attack against off-guard targets, their ability to reposition while firing, their ability to exploit allies engaging a target, or their ability to Step away after an adjacent enemy misses them.
Success The character recognizes the archer as a trained scout or private security operative rather than a common bowman. They specialize in attacking distracted targets and avoiding prolonged melee. Reveal one useful combat fact: Sneak Attack, Skirmishing Shot, Find the Gap, or Slip Away.
Failure The character recalls no useful information beyond recognizing the archer as an experienced ranged combatant.
Critical Failure The character assumes the archer is primarily a stationary marksman and fails to recognize how aggressively they reposition and exploit distracted opponents.
Recognize the Golden Hand — Society or Mercantile Lore DC 18
Success The hand-and-serpent badge matches the symbol used by the same private commercial network employing Golden Hand mercenaries. The archer's lack of unit markings suggests employment intended to remain unofficial.
Critical Success The character recognizes small similarities in equipment procurement—matching buckles, arrowhead manufacture, and standardized field gear—that indicate these archers and the heavier Golden Hand mercenaries are supplied by the same organization, even when they operate separately.