Stealth

Stealth is a skill in and. Stealth allows characters of any class to attempt to avoid being seen or heard. It is used automatically whenever the character is in Scouting Mode. The higher the character's skill, the closer they can get to enemies before being detected.

Mechanics
Stealth governs the ability to hide from others. It can be used to circumvent encounters or to set up good positions from which to start a fight. When entering Scouting Mode the character actively attempts to avoid detection, at the cost of a reduced movement speed.

The higher the Stealth skill, the longer others need to detect the character, thus allowing for example a Rogue to sneak towards an enemy to reach the required distance for a Backstab, or to steal from a container in plain view of its owner. The Stealth score also determines how "carefully" the aforementioned owner guards his container: the higher the value of its contents, the more likely the thief will be detected.

Initial bonuses
The following bonuses are applied as a result of a character's class and background.

In 

In 

Buffs in
In addition to a character's base Stealth, 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 Stealth 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/talents
Unlimited – Permanently active once learned

Weapons
One only – While equipped

Equipment
One only – While equipped

Rites
One only – Duration: see table

Resting
One only – Duration: see table

Boons
One only – For the protagonist only – Duration: see table

Passive effects
unlimited – obtained during gameplay

Resting bonuses
one - until next rest

Equipment
unlimited – bonus while equipped

Pets
unlimited – bonus while equipped to either self or party

Consumable items
unlimited – for the user for a duration (sometimes only in combat)

Scripted interactions
In scripted interactions the Stealth score is checked for actions that require sneaking and hiding. Some situations allow to choose which party member will perform the action, sometimes a certain member, the player or the whole party will be checked.

Quest dialogs
In quest related dialogs the player's Stealth score may unlock options related to things of a shady character.

Other dialogs
In dialogs, not related to certain quests, the player's Stealth score may as well unlock additional conversation options.