Clarification on Helping and FoRKing

[LordSmerf]

Ok, i saw over on the Forge that multiple FoRKs add bonuses to a single action as long as they all apply, that's cool, i like it. What about helping and helping FoRKs? This, especially in combat, can present an interesting problem. If i have Herbalism and Field Dressing do i add 2 dice to assisting Herbalism (one for helping one for FoRKing) what about if i'm assisting surgery (2 for FoRKing?)

My impression is that multiples are fine, i just wanted to check...

Thomas

[Kublai]

Helpers add one die if their skill is 6 or lower, 2 if greater. Helpers cannot help themselves to help others... er... :? Helpers cannot FoRK their own skills to grant more than one helping die.

So if there is a healer with a B5 herbalism and you have a B3 Herbalism and a B4 Field Dressing, you would still only be able to help with one die.

[LordSmerf]

What about double FoRKing? Could i add two dice to Surgery? What if i had Surgery, would i add two dice to myself?

Thomas

[Kublai]

If your character had Surgery, Herbalism, and Field Dressing, you most certainly could add 2 FoRK dice to your Surgery test. FoRKing your own tests are only limited by how many associated skills you have.

[luke]

ok, ok, let's not get too crazy.

For Helping
Exp 1-3 = +1D
Exp 4+ = +2D

On page 47 of the Burning Wheel at the end of the first paragraph, it states quite clearly that "Each helper may only call upon one skill to help the primary."

GHQ House rule: I've found that helping was so prominent and beneficial, I had to limit the +2D bonus to exp 5+ skills and stats.

For Forking
Exp 1-6 = +1D
Exp 7+ = +2D

Character's may use multiple FoRKs. The process is completely situational. Players must narrate how their character acts differently to incorporate all of their skill/knowledge into this one test. This doesn't have to be an elaborate description, just a little narrative grease goes a long way in this case. And, though the player has much control over this situation, final arbitration is up to the GM. FoRKing is a privilege, not a right.

Players ask me if they can FoRK, I ask them: "What do you do differently?" If they can answer sufficiently, they get the bonus die.

-L