Lore is one of the five skills in Pillars of Eternity. It allows the character to use higher level scrolls. In Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Lore is replaced by Arcana.
Description[ | ]
Lore represents a character's accumulated miscellaneous knowledge and trivia, often of occult or esoteric topics. Outside of conversations and scripted interactions, Lore is used to activate scrolls. Higher Lore values allow the character to use higher level scrolls.
Effects[ | ]
Lore determines the level of a scroll a character may use. In order to use a scroll, a character's lore score has to be twice the number of the scroll's level (except for level 1).
Note that the highest scroll level in Pillars of Eternity is 6 (5 without expansions), so casting-wise, the highest Lore needed is 12. Moreover, as there is only one level 6 scroll (Scroll of Prayer Against Treachery [WM2]), if you do not need to cast this one, you only need Lore 10 to cast all the other scrolls.
As with other skills, Lore is checked in dialogues and scripted interactions, when there are questions regarding knowledge about the world, its inhabitants or mysteries.
Initial bonuses[ | ]
The following bonuses are applied as a result of a character's class and background.
| Chanter | +2 |
| Cipher | +1 |
| Druid | +1 |
| Fighter | +2 |
| Paladin | +1 |
| Priest | +2 |
| Wizard | +2 |
| Aristocrat | +2 |
| Artist | +2 |
| Clergyman | +2 |
| Dissident | +1 |
| Explorer | +1 |
| Mercenary | +1 |
| Mystic | +2 |
| Philosopher | +2 |
| Scholar | +2 |
| Scientist | +1 |
Buffs[ | ]
In addition to a character's base Lore, there are various ways to gain further bonuses. Some of these buffs are permanent or can be activated for as long as desired, while others must be enabled and then expire after their duration runs out. Some can only applied to the character themselves, while others apply to allies. Some buffs stack, others are mutually exclusive.
A character's Lore score for a certain attack can benefit from the given number of bonuses from each of the following tables at the same time.
Passive abilities and talents[ | ]
Unlimited – Permanently active once learned
| Talent | Classes | Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| Hylea's Boon | All | +1 |
Equipment[ | ]
One only – While equipped
| Slot | Item | Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| Armor | Argwes Adra Pillars of Eternity | +2 |
| Armor | Rundl's Finery Pillars of Eternity | +2 |
| Neck | Glanfathan Adraswen Pillars of Eternity | +2 |
| Head | Liripipe of Thinking Pillars of Eternity | +2 |
| Feet | Viettro's Formal Footwear The White March - Part II | +3 |
Rites[ | ]
One only – Duration: see table
| Item | Modifier | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Rite of Ancient Legends | +3 | 120.0 sec |
Resting[ | ]
One only – Duration: see table
| Area | Inn | Room | Modifier | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copperlane | The Goose and Fox | Suite of Worldly Wonders | +2 | 2 rests |
| Caed Nua | Brighthollow | Library | +2 | 3 rests |
Boons[ | ]
One only – For the protagonist only – Duration: see table
| Prostitute | Modifier | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Aldwyn | +1 | 1 rest |
Notable uses[ | ]
Quest dialogs[ | ]
In quest related dialogs the player's Lore score may unlock options of knowledge about things, that otherwise first would have to be asked for, or that allow alternative ways of solving the task.
| Quest | Location | NPC | Description | Lore required | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Moment's Respite | Encampment | Glanfathan Leader | 1 | ||
| A Moment's Respite | Encampment | Glanfathan Leader | 1 | Intellect 15 | |
| The Old Watcher | Endless Paths of Od Nua Level 1 | Maerwald | Know what he means when speaking of an Awakening. | 2 | |
| Fragments of a Scattered Faith | First Fires – Ducal Palace | Records keeper | Comment about the Dyrwoodans' treatment of Readceran prisoners of war, granting access to the records. | 5 | Perception 19 |
| Clandestine Cargo | Brackenbury – Sanitarium (first floor) | Nans | Tell her she speaks nonsense and would be very well able to repair the scepter, thus raising its value. | 4 | |
| Durgan's Battery | Caed Nua – Main Keep | Steward | Instead of having to ask where Stalwart lies, you know it's a long way. | 2 | |
| Durgan's Battery | Caed Nua – Main Keep | Steward | Instead of having to ask what Durgan's Battery might be, you know it's the source of the famous steel. | 4 | |
| The Assassin at Large | Hearthsong - The Passage of the Six | Anamenfath Bethwl | You can point out that her tribe, the Guided Compass, is known to be more open to outsiders than the other tribes. | 10 | |
| Hard Bargain | Hearthsong - Hearthsong Market | Alarhî | You can mention that the reputation of their tribe to future trading partners is tied to their actions to convince Alarhî to return Rinatto's money peacefully. | 10 | |
| The Rising Tide | The Abbey of the Fallen Moon[WM2] | Kaoto | You can pass the recitation ritual without gathering clues | 10 | |
| Ready the Cannons[WM2] | Durgan's Battery | Wengra | You can mention that you have heard that the cannons atop the Battery can hit a target five miles away. | 11 | |
| Siege of Crägholdt | Crägholdt | Concelhaut | You can mention that Watcher's soul can be used for time manipulation spells. | 13 |
Other dialogs[ | ]
In dialogs, not related to certain quests, the player's Lore score may as well unlock additional conversation options.
| Location | NPC | Description | Lore required | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyrford Village | Hendyna | Ask if she is pregnant. | 4 | |
| Dyrford Village | Lord Harond | Tell him that there are better cities to look for a suitor. (Also available with [Intellect 14].) | 4 | |
| Dyrford Village | Lord Harond | Ask him why he didn't take another route. | 5 | |
| Dyrford Ruins | Blood Pool | Discover what the spirits are. | 6 |
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