I'm actually really glad this happened so soon, because, having actually faced it, it made me thing of something I want to add to the existing rule. Please see my 'Skill Checks and Using Skills' house rule, which I'll quote below for everyone's benefit.
'Skill Checks and Using Skills' wrote:Skill Checks
Unless the GM specifically requests the roll from a player, all skill check rolls will be made by the GM.
Using Skills
It is fine for a player to simply indicate their character is attempting to use a specific skill (e.g. "I will attempt to use my 'Disable Device' skill to open the lock."), but a player that conveys the same request through role-playing
(e.g. "Merisiel quietly searches through her pack and pulls out her masterwork thieves' tools. 'That lock should be no problem,' she thinks to herself.) will receive an automatic
+1 bonus to their attempt.
(Added: Wednesday, April 15, 2015)
Whether you attempt to role-play your skill attempt or simply elect to declare you want your character to use a specific skill, please:
- List the name of the skill being used and the base modifier listed on your character sheet to the bottom of your update.
- Please wrap these skills in the 'spoiler' tag to keep the meta-information out of the actual game thread.
- Also only include the modifier stated on your character sheet (do not guess as to other modifiers I might apply).
In either case, the GM will make the actual skill roll.
Ideally, players will want to role-play their character making the attempt in order to add realism to the game, and also to receive the +1 bonus. However, if you simply want to use a skill, feel free to simply state it in your post.
So, in this example, I'm honestly not positive what you're trying to accomplish with your use of the 'slight of hand' skill? I do see that you own a pair of daggers. Where are they located on your person, and are you attempting to hide one of them up your sleeve in front of the other strangers as some sort of trick? Considering how I would like the skills to be announced, maybe you could do something like the following:
"
Marshal, attempting to impresses his newfound acquaintances, attempts to spin a dagger from it sheath at his belt and into a holster hidden up his sleeve."
After reading the above, I would make the slight of hand skill roll at +2 (per your characters ability) and apply any other bonuses or penalties to the roll (e.g. +1 bonus for role-playing the skill attempt).
I will post the results of most rolls publicly. Some I will not. This will obviously depend upon whether or not the character would be able to tell for certain whether he was successful or not. Searching for a secret door or making a knowledge check? Probably not posted. Attempting to jump across a divide or climb a wall? Those results would be posted.
Make sense?
Das, for the action you already posted, can you please attempt to detail what Marshal is attempting to do with his slight of hand skill? Once I have a better understanding, I can assign the appropriate DC and make the roll, posting the outcome in my next update.
