Player's Handbook[]
This proficiency gives the character a basic understanding of the proper forms of behavior and address required in many different situations, especially those involving nobility and persons of rank. Thus, the character will know the correct title to use when addressing a duke, the proper steps of ceremony to greet visiting diplomats, gestures to avoid in the presence of dwarves, etc. For extremely unusual occurrences, a proficiency check must be made for the character to know the proper etiquette for the situation (an imperial visit, for example, is a sufficiently rare event).
However, having the character know what is correct and actually do what is correct are two different matters. The encounters must still be role-played by the character. Knowledge of etiquette does not give the character protection from a gaffe or faux pas; many people who know the correct thing still manage to do the exact opposite.
Player's Option: Skills & Powers[]
Characters with this skill are familiar with the typical manners of formal interaction- at least as they relate to the culture in the campaign world. They know what fanfares are required to greet royal visitors, how to seat the lords and ladies at a table, how to organize the reception line, and how everyone is to be addressed. None of these tasks require a proficiency check.
When dealing with a foreign or completely unknown culture, the characters must pass proficiency checks to correctly gauge the required etiquette. The check should be modified- +2 if the foreigners are the same race as the character, +1 or more if the character has had some time to observe the foreigners.
Characters with the empathy trait gain a +2 bonus to their rating with this proficiency.
Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms Setting[]
Etiquette is described in the AD&D Player's Handbook: It provides knowledge of proper behavior and forms of address. It does not replace roleplaying. For dragons, it applies to the customs and protocols of dragonkind and the Council of Wyrms. Hatchlings can't select this proficiency.