E

[Alex Koponen]

    Eloquence is the least wanted ability in P&P. Except for acrobats,
executioners, merchants and moneylenders Empathy is always to be preferred
over Eloquence. Except in those four cases Empathy does everything that
Eloquence does and more besides.
    I suppose that some might argue that Appearance plays a smaller role
than Eloquence. For those with average appearance that is true. Those with
bonuses or penalties to nearly every encounter because of Appearance may
find that it is not true for them. Also Eloquence uses a maximum ability
modifier that subtracts from the total of multipliers whereas Appearance's
multiplier is rolled and has nothing to do with other multipliers.
    One finds that among experienced players there are very few cases in
which the multiplier for E equal, let alone exceed, the multiplier for Em.
In those cases the E native ability is larger than that of the Em. Indeed,
the multiplier for E is often left at 1.5. If one is given the choice in
rearranging the numbers rolled for abilities (a common houserule option)
only those intending to specialize in acrobatics, executioner, merchant or
moneylending would put a larger number in E Native Ability than in the Em
Native Ability.