Jezekiel was not your average bard. He had spent his life mastering the lore of dragons and knew everything there was to know about them.
One day, a group of adventurers came to him seeking information about a dragon they were planning to hunt. Jezekiel provided them with valuable insight that helped them prepare for their battle. Thanks to his expertise, they were able to slay the dragon and complete their quest.
Lore is a skill that allows characters to remember and recite information about the game world. It can be used to recall details about people, places, and events and to remember bits of history or legends.
In this post, we’ll look at how the Lore skill works and offer some tips for using it in your Pathfinder 2e games.
Table of Contents
Lore Training
Lore is a valuable skill for both players and Game Masters. In addition to recalling knowledge, players can use lore to earn income by working and by teaching others what they know.
As you gain additional training in Lore, you will be able to use your knowledge to help others, whether they are other player characters or NPCs.
Here are some tips for using Lore in your game:
- Use lore to help players understand the game world.
- Use lore to recall information about creatures and locations..
- Use lore to remember details from history or legends.
- Finally, use lore to earn income by teaching others and working jobs.
Recall Knowledge
The Recall Knowledge skill is used to answer questions about lore topics. To use this skill, the character must first know the answer to the question. The character then makes a Lore check against a DC set by the GM.
If the check is successful, the character recalls the information correctly. If the check fails, the character either does not recall the information or recalls it incorrectly.
As you progress through the ranks in a given Lore, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered by that skill. This will allow you to more easily recall knowledge about those topics.
Earning Income with Lore
You can use your training in lore to earn income during downtime.
This requires you to find a job that makes use of your knowledge. The amount of money you earn is determined by the GM, based on the task’s difficulty.
In some cases, you may be able to find a better job by using your diplomacy skill, though this requires time.
Teaching others what you know is also an excellent way to earn income with Lore. You can charge students for private lessons or give talks at local taverns.
Income Earned by Task Level
| Task Level | Failure | Trained | Expert | Master | Legendary |
| 0 | 1 cp | 5 cp | 4 cp | 5 cp | 5 cp |
| 1 | 2 cp | 2 sp | 2 sp | 2 sp | 2 sp |
| 2 | 4 cp | 3 sp | 3 sp | 3 sp | 3 sp |
| 3 | 8 cp | 5 sp | 5 sp | 5 sp | 5 sp |
| 4 | 1 sp | 7 sp | 8 sp | 8 sp | 8 sp |
| 5 | 2 sp | 9 sp | 1 gp | 1 gp | 1 gp |
Lore Subcategories
All characters know at least one type of lore gained from their background. Players can learn multiple types of lore over the course of their adventure by leveling up and acquiring new skills.
PCs can use this knowledge to unravel mysteries or gather information about a subject. They can also use their lore skills to learn about monsters and their weaknesses.
There are many different subcategories of lore to learn in Pathfinder. We’ve included some of our favorites.
Academic Lore
Academic lore is the study of history, mythology, and other branches of knowledge. It can be used to answer inquiries about academic topics, such as scholarly works, important schools, and famous teachers.
Wizards, sages, and other scholars are the most likely to have this type of knowledge. Only those who’ve spent time at prestigious schools, learning from the best minds in the land, can recall detailed information about ancient history and famous works of art.
You can use your knowledge of academic lore to:
- Remember the names of prestigious schools.
- Recollect facts about historical events.
- Name a well-known teacher at a school of magic.
- Identify a famous work of art.
Dragon Lore
Characters can train in dragon lore to learn more about these creatures and their place in Golarion. Dragon lore can be used to answer questions about a dragon’s ecology, habits, and weaknesses.
Studying dragons can be helpful for anyone, but it is essential for characters who want to become dragon hunters.
Some of the things they can do include:
- Recite facts about different types of dragons.
- Identify different dragon species.
- Name the weaknesses of dragons.
- Tell stories about dragons.
Hunting Lore
Hunting lore is the study of game animals and their habits. Players can use it to recall knowledge about animal behavior, tracking, and hunting techniques.
Hunting lore is invaluable in the wild. Knowing how to find water sources and edible plants could mean the difference between life and death.
Use your knowledge of hunting lore to:
- Share information about an animal’s behavior.
- Track an animal’s movements.
- Identity different animals.
- Tell stories about hunting exploits.
- Determine the value of hunting trophies.
Fishing Lore
As a student of fishing lore, you know where to find the best fishing spots, what bait and tackle to use, and how to clean and cook your catch. You can use this knowledge to earn income during downtime by teaching others how to fish or by getting a job as a fisherman.
Fishing lore can also be used to teach others about fish, such as their habits, behavior, and the best way to catch them. Remember, teach someone to fish, and they’ll never go hungry!
Use your knowledge of fishing to:
- Find the best fishing spots.
- Use the right bait and tackle.
- Clean and cook your catch.
- Teach others how to fish.
Fortune-Telling Lore
A character trained in fortune-telling lore is knowledgeable about reading omens and portents, telling fortunes, and predicting the future. This knowledge can be used to earn income by telling fortunes or giving advice to others.
Fortune-telling lore may also be used to “see” the future, such as whether a particular event will happen or what will happen if a specific course of action is taken.
Someone trained in fortune-telling lore will be able to:
- Read omens and portents.
- Tell fortunes.
- Make minor predictions about the future.
Guild Lore
A student of guild lore knows all about the inner workings of a particular guild, such as its structure, membership requirements, and secrets. As you grow more familiar with a guild, you can use this knowledge to advance within its ranks.
Perhaps you were born into a guild or apprenticed to a master craftsman. Or maybe you just did a lot of research on the subject. In either case, you know all there is to know about the life of a guild member.
A character trained in guild lore would know:
- The name and purpose of a guild.
- How to join a guild.
- What is required to advance within a guild.
- The secrets and politics of a guild.
Scribing Lore
Characters who learn scribing lore will be familiar with many forms of notation, including musical notation, architecture, calligraphy, and cartography.
With your deep understanding of the scribing process, you can produce high-quality scribed works and command a higher price for them.
You can also use scribing lore to answer questions about the scribing process, such as the best way to create a particular type of scribed work.
You can use scribing lore to:
- Produce high-quality scribed works.
- Command a higher price for your work.
- Share knowledge about the scribing process.
Warfare Lore
Warfare lore is the study of military history, tactics, and strategy. Characters who learn warfare can be expected to know about famous battles, the development of armor and weapons, and the structure of armies.
Experts of warfare lore can also apply their knowledge to the heat of battle, giving them an edge over their foes. Several backgrounds gain knowledge of warfare lore, including Field Medic.
With your advanced knowledge of warfare, you’ll be able to:
- Remember details about famous battles.
- Identify different types of armor and weapons.
- Understand military strategy and tactics.
- Tell stories about your heroic exploits on the battlefield.
GM Advice: Using Lore
Lore can be a great way to make your world more interesting and believable. It can also be used to provide players with the information they need to make decisions about the course of the game.
When designing encounters or adventures, think about what kind of lore might be relevant to the situation. You can use this to create challenges for the characters or to provide them with opportunities to earn some extra money.
Lore can be used as a way to reward players for roleplaying their characters well. If a player comes up with an interesting bit of lore, give them some xp or other in-game benefits. This will encourage them to continue roleplaying their character in an engaging way.
When deciding the difficulty level of a particular task, consider whether or not the character has the relevant lore. A character with no training in religion lore will have a harder time understanding a divine prophecy than one trained in it.
Likewise, a low-level character who is trying to remember a piece of history is going to have an easier time if the story is common knowledge, while a high-level character will be able to remember even the most obscure details.
DCs by Level
| Level | DC |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 16 |
| 3 | 18 |
| 4 | 19 |
| 5 | 20 |
| 6 | 22 |
Source: Core Rulebook pg. 503
Finally, don’t forget that Lore is a skill; like all skills, it can be used creatively. If a player comes up with an exciting use for their Lore, let them try it out. You might be surprised at the results!
Tall Tales
Lore is the perfect skill for learning more about the world of Pathfinder, including famous battles, the development of armor and weapons, and the structure of armies. Characters trained in lore can also apply their knowledge to the heat of battle, giving them an advantage over their opponents.
You never know when your knowledge might come in handy, so train hard and become a master of this skill! After all, the pathfinder world is dangerous, and it’s always good to be prepared.
