This skill allows a character to gain an understanding of the etiquette, politics, and culture of various regions of the world. For each point invested in this skill, the character may chose to either increase his understanding of a given area or learn about a new culture or region. A point invested in this skill will buy the character either general knowledge of one of the main landmasses or nations of Gaianar, or more detailed information about a more specific area or cultural group. Note that while one might feel this skill counts as a Knowledge Skill, it is the character’s Influence, not book-learning, that allows them to adapt to the new environment, successfully interact with the people there, and quickly pick up the nuances of a new culture.
With enough points invested in Cultural Knowledge of a given area, a character may be able to become a Diplomat, a job that commands prestige a high salary. However, diplomatic immunity in the world of Gaianar simply does not exist. In fact, depending on the hostility of the diplomat's home city-state, the diplomat may have to pay dearly for botched trade agreements or for precipitating intercity incidents. This skill is also useful in hostage negotiation, and collective bargaining.
Note that a character can use this skill away from the bargaining table or embassy. A Cultural Knowledge check can help a character make sense of what he sees in nation or city, such as politics, cultural details, etiquette, current events, and important historical events. Constructs can take this skill and use it to store details regarding cultures and nations, but they suffer a -4 penalty when trying to negotiate with other cultures because of their limited ability to express themselves and their habit of interpreting everything literally.
Critical Success: The diplomat is fully able to accomplish his or her goals in a way that may be much more advantageous to his home city-state than had first been anticipated. Or, the character using the skill determines something of great value regarding the culture or nation of interest.
Critical Failure: The diplomat causes an intercity incident, souring relations with the foreign city in question. Or, the character using the skill misinterprets an important aspect of the culture or nation of interest.