JiminyQ wrote:

 Or ask for checks out of the blue without context, give info only on successes;

This is how I usually do it, I tell the player: make a Observation/Perception check, using your Mind and Appropriate career.  If they are successful: "Something catches your eye" or "you hear a noise from the bushes off to your right", etc..

If they fail "you look around and don't notice anything, all of a sudden a large boar rushes out from the bushes to your right - make a Priority Roll!"  (In this case, because they failed their Observation task roll, they would get a -1 penalty to thier Priority Roll)

For me, BoL is all about dynamic action... "usually" the die get rolled when things are going to get "interesting."  (But not always..)
 

Last edited by Sigulf (4/29/2024 3:51 pm)

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, the "just in the nick of time" approach makes a lot of sense, especially for S&S type adventures. (A trap would work similarly, too, I imagine.)  I was thinking that's "Make a spot roll!" would happen anyway if no one in the party had a relevant Career. But I suppose it all depends on the point of scene and the number/tastes of the group. I guess it'll take some experimenting to find the sweet spot.

The other sorts of perception tasks that I'm a little fuzzy on are more people-focused ones, like lies. Usually, I'd be inclined to just describe the situation (with or without hints, depending on the NPC), but generally let the players decide to be suspicious or not; if they don't figure it out right then, they will soon enough - and probably in a much more inconvenient situation.
Any pointers on that sort of thing, eg dealing with a swindle or something?

Gruntfuttock wrote:

The only correct answer is 'what is the best for your table'.

Absolutely! It's just good to know I wasn't missing something explicit in the book. Sometimes I'm just *not quite sure* when it comes to unfamiliar rules. Sounds like the ideal is just to be pretty open-minded and lean into the surprises, action, intrigue without worrying too much about what's "correct."
 

Ah, right, that's a good point. Some boons and flaws need an opportunity to do their thing, too. Now I'm starting to understand the advantage of calling for a Task Roll right at the moment.
Very helpful insights, thanks.

 

So, just to add a slightly different take to the discussion. I tend to keep a record of PC character stats to the side; if I want characters to make a "passive" check without the players being tipped off about things, I sometimes just tell the players to roll a specific number of dice without telling them how I decided the number. Sometimes I get them to do it even if it's not needed to keep them guessing; it can really mess with them if they roll a high number and I still don't tell them anything. The trick is not to abuse it - do it the right amount and it can add tension even when there is nothing about to happen.