I'm just getting started and I haven't been able to figure out some of the skills. I'm at a loss about how to use Forester to find food (I'm only at the first level). And what about Master of Arms and Learning (I'm also only at the first level for these) - does just having the skill give me benefits?

Palladia the Amazon

To use forester, click on the skill so that it is in your spell box and then click on the forest during your journey. Usually you will get a mushroom.

Try:

http://darkstone.godgames.com/skillsmain.shtml

http://www.lockes.net/ds/dshtml/dsskills.html