Dark Ages

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But the philosopher skill is free anyway. Or are you referring to a "teacher"?

Yes, a teacher. I didn't rename it.

Does it stack with weapon skills? For example, does it give +2 range and double preemptive strike when combined with the polearm skill?

No, the styles don't combine with each other. They do combine with things like "cleaver." That is, these things work for any slashing attacks, for example, and not just for a specific weapon.

It's probably too early to judge, but it looks a bit overpowered: it costs nothing, doubles one of the stats, gives a number of useful defenses, and +25% skill points. It's a very versatile bonus. The "Terraform" skill, at best, gives +2 skill points (and even then, only if you take a specific skill) and a situational ability. The ability to kill one NPC once a day (for which you still have to pay) doesn't seem very good to me, unless it allows you to one-shot even very strong opponents. The situation with "Darkness" is more complicated. But the basic skill looks quite unusual and won't suit every character. "Servant" will give bonuses equivalent to "Monotheism," but for a fee and with a restriction on the character's freedom. And without a discount on skills. In other words, for 2 points and less freedom of action, the player will get a weaker version of "Monotheism." But "Dark Magic" looks quite good (better than "Power of the Ancients"), although I'm not sure if the 1-point lower cost is equivalent to the lack of stat bonuses. It's still unclear about "Philosopher." It all depends on how large the stat bonus will be. But something tells me that it's less than +100% to concentration. And "Monotheism" also gives additional skill points, which will allow you to increase other stats (possibly even more than a philosopher will). However, "Teacher" looks like a useful skill (although it all depends on how randomly the companion is generated).

Yes, this needs to be taken into account. I can't say that all of this is intended to be perfectly balanced, but it needs to be reworked. Terraform – from my point of view, one-shot kills with it are quite good, although situational; artifacts of the ancients are very serious. In general, this religion is more suitable for those who will draw an "artifact of the ancient" card before the start, then it will really shine. But maybe I'll still strengthen it so that it's less situational.

But "Dark Magic" looks quite good (better than "Power of the Ancients"), although I'm not sure if the 1-point lower cost is equivalent to the lack of stat bonuses.

There should have been a bonus to will and speed, I'll add it now.

It's still unclear about "Philosopher." It all depends on how large the stat bonus will be. But something tells me that it's less than +100% to concentration. And "Monotheism" also gives additional skill points, which will allow you to increase other stats (possibly even more than a philosopher will). However, "Teacher" looks like a useful skill (although it all depends on how randomly the companion is generated).

Since the stats are not randomized, too strange companions should not appear.