It's no big deal, since we just called it Skullduggery and moved on - but last week our group was at a loss for what skill you would use if you wanted to forge a document? If it's a data file, I could see that being computers, but this was an actual piece of paper (a will) that we need to duplicate and alter slightly. We had a couple of ideas that might fit, but none of them seemed quite right.

So I thought I'd ask you guys what you would have used.

I would suggest a custom skill. I use those for any skill that is not listed and that my PCs want to specialize in. For instance: wanting to be a slicer but not wanting to specialize at the other things that Computers entails.

When in doubt, I tend to askt he players to propose a skill and justify it to me, assigning more black dice the more tangential it is. I think Skulduggery is fine, but also Computers if they said they were going to space-photoshop it, or maybe even Mechanics at a stretch. Naturally the PCs will address a given task with whatever skills they have, that's why some PCs will try to Stealth into a military base any others will try to charm their way in.

Skulduggery, Computers, Education, and even Deception all feel like they would work, at various difficulties.

If the document was handwritten and it was a case of duplicating that with some changes to the text, I'd say Skulduggery for sure.

If you are creating a new document, rather than copying an existing one and inserting a few changes, I would call for a Knowledge (Education). Or, Knowledge (Underworld) depending on what sort of document was being created. If there was someone's specific handwriting involved, add in a Skulduggery check.

Skulduggery was my first assumption also for physical documents (not digital which would be done with Computers). Perhaps Skulduggery with Intellect instead of Cunning?

But, it could depend on what exactly you are forging perhaps. Forging a legal document could be Education, for example.

I'd use what feels correct. I let the Archaeologist use Knowledge-Lore to prepare a BS manifest and supporting documents for shipping what was made to look like an ancient sarcophagus with a mummy in it, but instead of course it had spice...

Skullduggery would be the default option ,however id use other skills perhaps at a higher difficulty if the players were able to justify it.

Skulduggery would have been my call as well.

Skullduggery, Deception or education Education would all work at my table, even Vigilance or Perception if you have something to copy and it's all about getting the details right. The difficulty would probably be different between the the skills, and setback would change too

Desperate Allies has authentication device for detecting false documents. Fly casual has false credentials and and stuff on forging transponders and such..

You should also look at what the Forged Documents are for. Perhaps you don't make a skill check when forging them, but rather it is a scene where you spend time and resources on the attempt, and you're not sure exactly how effective they'll be!

Then, you are provided an upgrade or boost dice to your skill check when using the documents (likely Deception). Less "rolling to progress" is a good thing, I think. The risk for reward is built right in as well, nice and clean.

This is a scenario that tends to crop up from time to time in all my campaigns. I've been going with Skulduggery all the time. Typically I let the results of the Skulduggery check modify the Deception check that will most likely be needed, as when the PCs flash their forged credentials and try talking their way past the guards. Other times it can just be a straight-up Skulduggery check, like when they swipe a forged key card or I don't think the situation warrants an extended encounter.

A little on a tangent here, but a useful tip can be to let the players roll their Skulduggery dice when they forge the document and then write down the results. Then, when time comes to use the fakes, you roll the difficulty dice and compare them to the earlier result and take it from there. I've found that it keeps the suspense (even on a very good or very bad Skulduggery check) right up until the encounter takes place.

After some thinking, I would suggest Skulduggery, but only if the PC attempting the check had never done it before. For any PC with a criminal background, use knowledge Underworld to reflect the PC's experience in this.

It would really depend on what you are forging. For somethings computers for others skulduggery. And a knowledge check may give boost die as knowing what the real thing looks like is important. I would also give a boost die for having an original to work from...

How can you forge a digital document? I mean, use a similar font and you're good.

How can you forge a digital document? I mean, use a similar font and you're good.

I think the idea is that digital documents might not just be an image or text document. There could be embedded code, so more of a file with security to prevent tampering (read only) then just a .jpg or .doc.

Digital forgery would mean faking something like DKIM, which would be very sh*t hot computer skills.

To expand on what was said above, a digital forgery would include forging the digital signatures of the authorities in question, which would likely be extremely difficult if you don’t have their code key that they keep in the breast pocket of their shirt. Such digital signatures might also require forging biometric data regarding the person, like their fingerprint or their retina scan.

Then those documents might be timestamped and countersigned by a classified Empire-controlled cryptographic system. And the cryptographic hash of that document might be stored in a secure off-site facility.

How many layers of digital security do you want to put on this thing?

To expand on what was said above, a digital forgery would include forging the digital signatures of the authorities in question, which would likely be extremely difficult if you don’t have their code key that they keep in the breast pocket of their shirt. Such digital signatures might also require forging biometric data regarding the person, like their fingerprint or their retina scan.

Then those documents might be timestamped and countersigned by a classified Empire-controlled cryptographic system. And the cryptographic hash of that document might be stored in a secure off-site facility.

How many layers of digital security do you want to put on this thing?

So all that to say "it's a Computers check" then?

So all that to say "it's a Computers check" then?

I could see a number of skills coming into play. Maybe Skullduggery to steal a code key from a minor official, maybe Knowledge: Underworld or Streetwise to find a stolen code key that could be used this way, Mechanics to jury-rig a pirate version of a time stamping/counter-signing system, etc….

What do you think best fits the narrative, and best suits the characters in question?

To expand on what was said above, a digital forgery would include forging the digital signatures of the authorities in question, which would likely be extremely difficult if you don’t have their code key that they keep in the breast pocket of their shirt. Such digital signatures might also require forging biometric data regarding the person, like their fingerprint or their retina scan.Then those documents might be timestamped and countersigned by a classified Empire-controlled cryptographic system. And the cryptographic hash of that document might be stored in a secure off-site facility.How many layers of digital security do you want to put on this thing?

That would be a fun dice pool to hand a player!

Actually, I would hand them the green and yellow dice and keep all the purple and red ones behind the screen. That way I could spring any despairs on them in true GM fashion.

To expand on what was said above, a digital forgery would include forging the digital signatures of the authorities in question, which would likely be extremely difficult if you don’t have their code key that they keep in the breast pocket of their shirt. Such digital signatures might also require forging biometric data regarding the person, like their fingerprint or their retina scan.

Then those documents might be timestamped and countersigned by a classified Empire-controlled cryptographic system. And the cryptographic hash of that document might be stored in a secure off-site facility.

How many layers of digital security do you want to put on this thing?

So all that to say "it's a Computers check" then?

No, that could still be a skullduggery roll as that could just be various programs in a datapad applying the right information to the right places in the document.

A lot easier to just point a gun at someone who presses the 'OK' button....

How can you forge a digital document? I mean, use a similar font and you're good.

Documents come with a signature to authenticate them and now you are right into a encryption and computer problem.

Same as paper documents come with certain signatures and seals to approve authenticity.