If the creator-deity of your choice says two and two is five, is he right? I'm really not equipped to make this into a philosophical question. I will only say that houserules should exist to correct flaws, and the determination of what is a flaw should only be made from a position of knowledge.


I will reluctantly agree that human beings have a lot more moving parts than a lock or a car engine. If you're dealing with a single person, these sorts of ups and downs ought to be represented with circumstance modifiers. Gather Information tends to be plied on groups, however; if you agitate one guy in the chain you cut losses and proceed to the next. There is a methodicalness to it that can be replicated, just like picking a lock. In fact, due to such large sample sizes, you can actually Take 20 on a Gather Information check if you can afford to sink the Wealth cost. The skill description even says as such:



Considering that one of my class features depends on Gather Information checks I kinda need an answer to this as well.

Counterexample: profession checks. These can take weeks, but they're no less routine than driving. Anything can become routine. I'm on Supernatural season 4 and I'd definitely say the "yeah, sure, whatever" attitude the boys have in their research endeavors has become quite routine.

Honestly, when I ran 3.5 or a one-shot d20 Modern, I never worried about it. There was always a lot of crunch for the system set and none of my players really liked it. We simply RPed or detailed the actions so I could give them feedback and experience.

... We're really generating a lot of text here. Artemis is gonna have her hands full next she logs in. Hopefully she'll read it before my PM because I took ten on a Disable Device check to pop a lock. We're doing some pre-introductory gaming stuff.

arty u no kill me plz kk?

Douse it with oil and burns it!

*coughs and walks out*

Yea, but we're all being respectful and helping one another. She loves it when we do that :)

In reply to Father Simon Cole (msg # 923):

So my attempt to change the subject fell flat. Skeletor! Kittens!

Skeletal kittens!

Eww...no that is sad. Skeletor's kittens is funny, though. ;-)

Oh my goodness! I leave you guys alone for two days...

Ok, this whole thing got a bit messy. As soon as the word "math" was mentioned I knew I was in trouble! Ha! ;P

So here's a quote from my thread about posting that I put up three and a half years ago. It explains my philosophy pretty well:

"The game should be taken seriously in that posts are high quality and we stick to a good storyline, etc. However, I am much more story based than rules based. If you are a stickler for everything exactly by the book, then this is not the game for you. Occasionally I may miss something, or forget some minor nuance of a rule, etc. If that's the case, chill. We'll work through it and get back on track. I know how to play the game, but memorizing every little rule is not why I play it. I want to get on with the story and the adventure, not be a rules Nazi. That said, I will try to be fair and accurate to the rules, I just won't be too upset if something gets glossed over now and again."

It's as true now for me as it was then. I understand and respect people who are completely by the book. I totally get it. That said, I don't want all that pressure to be perfect at everything and get people upset if I change something or forget something or whatever the case is. There are a lot of nitty gritty rules I don't always have memorized. I tend to do research in times of question and then we either go off what I found or find something in between that makes more sense. Heaven knows the systems aren't exactly flawless...

I do also try to make sure the majority is pleased. So if everyone was in preference for a particular rule or variation I tend to go with what makes everyone happy. I'm pretty mellow that way. But I do want to challenge you guys too....mwahahahaha!

In regard to this particular instance, I did some research and found the following:
http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/M...r_Information_(Skill)

It basically says you can take a 10 on gather info, but not a 20, along with explanations why. I like it. It makes sense. I say we go with it! :)
Of course if memory serves you guys got decent rolls on it anyway so I wouldn't worry about it right now.

Also, Simon, I'm glad to hear your brother got his settlement. That must be a huge relief! And that's so crazy sweet of him to give back like that. What a great attitude to have after all the crap he's been through! And I do love me some kittens guys. Can't go wrong there!

Thanks everyone for your patience while I answered all this. Hopefully everyone is satisfied with the conclusion.

Sweet works for me! 26 then on my check instead of 17!

This message was deleted by the player at 17:13, Thu 01 June 2017.

It, uhm, would appear that Simon and I have reached an impasse and my introduction cannot continue in its original format. I have deleted my posts on his request.

I am uncertain how to proceed.

I've pmed you. I am not sure how to go forward either.

I'd think adjusting your "format" of introduction would work.

Instead of "HEY I've appeared, I'm super invisible, and creepy!" you could possibly knock on the door, late at night, and introduce yourself!

That would enable good roleplay, with a LITTLE tension (i.e. "why'd you wake me up again?") but it would enable both parties to have a comfortable frame to start in.

Heehee~! Leave it to Jo to offer advice on how to be loved by all. =3

That's a very sensible course of action to someone who's used to using doors and not going all Ceiling Cat on people. It's entirely possible Ezri could have succeeded on a Wisdom check for once and realized she should probably research how to make a good impression, since she doesn't have an adorable Jo around to tell her that diplomacy doesn't need to occur under live fire conditions. It is, indeed, the likeliest compromise Simon and I can reach.

Kay Lets give this another try.

This message was deleted by the player at 14:48, Fri 02 June 2017.

Aw, no more Jo sexycutetimes. =(

Change what you look like mid-kiss, and any girl would walk away.

*drops mic*

Yea that would freak me out too.

Lol, right?!

Lol the pic, I hadnt realized I changed it until earlier this mornin.

I'll post tomorrow. Don't do anything for now please.

Between a short power outage and my own issues, I don't have the energy to even look at this today.

I'm sick unfortunately. I'll post next week.