* Restricted: only Assassins and Scouts (most Ths with Wilderness skills, incl. all Elves and Grasslanders)
DIS
Relevant Chars: Sm / In
Succeeds on: 25%
Mask Smell is the art of disguising one's scent to blend in with one's environment. It gives a DL against Scent.
It partly involves personal cleanliness (washing to reduce one's body odour, but not using perfumed soaps) and partly rubbing oneself with local materials (soil or foliage - rubbing oneself with animal remains or excrement may mask one's own smell, but it will substitute that of the animal). This process can take some time. Higher Throw effects go beyond this, and involve the Thievish ability to move through one's environment without leaving one's scent.
Make periodic Throws: at least every Caeriad (more often in hot / humid weather), or on a change in environment or after strenuous (sweaty) activity.
The Thief may attempt to Mask another's Smell, at half his normal M, and subject to a maximum M of 100%. Apply a DL if the subject does not follow the Thief's instructions thoroughly (animals and monsters are unlikely to do so!).
| T | Effect |
| >= 101 | Failure 4: Mask Smell @ DL -3 |
| 76 to 100 | Failure 3: Mask Smell @ DL -2 |
| 51 to 75 | Failure 2: Mask Smell @ DL -1 |
| 26 to 50 | Failure 1: no effect |
| 25 to 1 | Mask Smell @ DL1 |
| 0 to -24 | Mask Smell @ DL2 |
| -25 to -75 | Mask Smell @ DL3 |
| <= -76 | Mask Smell @ DL 3 - (T+75)/50 FRU |
The DL achieved is reduced (down to DL0, or the Failure result if lower) if the subject undertakes vigorous activity for more than a short period. Subtract 1 from DL each time the subject fights in a melee or runs for a sustained period (e.g. away from an encounter). The DL is permanently reduced on the subject stopping the activity, and may only be re-established by a further Mask Smell attempt. Spell Casts do not reduce DL for this purpose. This effect may be reduced in relation to movement effects by the Enchanter No Sweat Spell.
The effect of Mask Smell is cumulative with the effects of Alchemical Stink Bombs (see DL note 8 to the Activity Spec for Scent). Mask Smell can help mitigate their effects, which effects do not give a DL on Mask Smell itself. Washing is recommended before attempting to Mask Smell someone who has been hit by a Stink Bomb.
Mask Smell is not cumulative with other Mask Smell attempts or with the Illusionist Sm Chameleon Spell. Apply whichever gives the higher DL.
Difficulty Levels:
Type of Being whose Smell is being Masked:
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