Rules Update: Dissect/Collect Essence

The skill Collect Essence is being merged (back) into the skill Dissect.  The original intent was to transition from one skill to the other - to simplify things, the two skills are being combined into one, under the name Dissect:

Dissect (Continuous)
Creation, Concentration, Knowledge
This skill allows a character to recognize and identify essences in items, dead beings, or areas, and to collect essences from these sources. To use this skill on a dead being, you must call the skill to the player of the being to determine if an essence is present; to use this skill on an area or item, you must spot an essence card in its place. You must role-play collecting the essence for at least ten seconds, after which will be given or may take the essence card.  A character may also use this skill to remove and preserve body parts from dead creatures. The character must role-play the dissection. It takes one minute per cubic inch of the object being dissected.

---

The skill Collect Essence will be replaced with Dissect on the Alchemist list, at a cost of 1 build.

The skill Collect Essence will be replaced with Dissect on the Assassin, Druid, and Healers lists, at a cost of 3 build (keeping the cost the same).

The skill Dissect will be updated / added to the Sorcery and Divine Ceremonies list, at a cost of 3 build.

The skill Dissect will be added to the Commoner list at a cost of 5 build.

The Torturer list has been updated as follows:
* The Torturer gains the ability "Rank I Physician Skill" with a cost of 2 build, and a pre-requisite of First Aid.
* The skill Dissect has been dropped as a stand-alone skill.

THANK YOU!

I'm excited that it got added to the commoner list

woot! dissect to commoners list!
Although I'll stick with taking treasure (not essences) off of the creatures of Travance.....for now....

I have collect essence on my healer's list.  I have dissect on my physician's list.  So my question is do I have to learn dissect on my healer's list? 

Nope, you'll be refunded the build you spent on Collect Essence from the Healer List.  Dissect from the Physician list is all you'll need going forward.

Thank you! 

As an alchemist with Collect Essence (which currently costs 3 build), I am assuming that I'll be refunded 2 build because it now is called Dissect which only costs 1 build on the Alchemist list.  Am I correct?

--Larry

You are correct Larry - Be sure to make note of it on your card and/or talk to the Card Deputy next event to make sure the correct changes are made.

How long will it take to "dissect" an essence from a creature? My mental picture of essences is a sort of ethereal vapor or very insubstantial quintessential liquid, at its most substantial, which does not lend itself to the image of "cubic inches" very well.

Also, am I to understand that a jawbone of a lycanthrope (and similar components), which could be anywhere from normal wolf size up to giant bear or boar size, especially if dire, might have a variable extraction time?

It states in the skill how long it takes to use it.  Ten seconds if the body part contains an essence and one minute per cubic inch for other reasons.

The essences were misconstrued to be exactly what you're thinking, however that was never the intent.  Certain creatures store these essences in parts of their bodies, for example the jawbone of a lycanthrope contains the lesser essence of sorcery in it.

This has been updated in the Online Rulebook.

It still reads "Collect Essence" on the Physician's list.  Should it be changed to "Dissect?"

Will the cost still be 2 Build?

Yes, and yes.  We missed that in the initial announcement.

Edit: I'm an idiot.  No.  They have Dissect already.   Collect Essence has been removed, and you can be refunded the build for it (as opposed to the 1 Build for Dissect).