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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Mar 2004 : 16:57:32
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Not everyone knows the true facts of the case. How much false information should a PC glean from books and fireside tales? Will they learn that trolls die from the mere touch of fire? That a mirror will deflect a dragon's fightful presence back on it?
This isn't necessarily about Gather Information checks. This is a topic more suited to the sort of legends and myths that are prevalent in a mostly informally educated world.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 02:37:01
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Hmmm...a very interesting alternative.
This skill would definitely have extensive in those settings where legends form the greater part of the world's history. For example, Krynn, and the early legends and tales of great Dragons (later proven), and the world of the Diamond Throne, where the ancient tales of mighty Giants who ruled the land were also thought to be nothing more than a myth.
So much of what happens in the present day on these worlds could benefit from the information uncovered by such a skill. Imagine the advantages the residents of the town of Solace on Krynn would have enjoyed had the ancient tales about the Dragons been uncovered much earlier. The War of the Lance may have progressed much differently, or not at all.
The standard PC is bombarded with a great deal of information during the period of a standard campaign, providing this type of skill for usage, might just help to further separate what's useful...from what's not.
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 05:37:50
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I was just going for a clever-sounding title, not anything to do with game mechanics. I was talking about things to toss at players, who would have to work them out in character.
For instance, one sage might emphatically stress the importance of silver being used against all things "impure" -- such as undead. So if the PCs are convinced of this, they'd go and buy some silvered weapons before entering that valley with zombies in it. Doesn't help a bit, of course, but the only harm done is to the PCs' purses -- and the upside is that they should be given some XP for doing something that the players would know is wrong.
Anyway, this is just the sort of superstition that might arise in any area where a lack of information allows other ideas to fill the gap -- even by people who should have known better. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 06:04:17
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Yes, I was merely speaking of this idea in terms of game mechanics.
Although, given the prevalance of superstitions, and old folk-tales, having the players work them out through their characters can only add levels of realism to the connection between the player, and his effect on the world around him.
I really do like this idea, and it even has the potential to allow those same players to hire specialised NPCs who could assist them, as with your example of the sage. Of course, if these same NPCs are providing 'false', or legendary information (what I mean by this is, those tales that have been passed from one person to the other for so long that it starts to take on the illusion of truth), you can help alleviate the PCs of more of their hard earned gold-pieces...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 06:46:36
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Oh boy. I just realized that Jack Archer has even less of a clue about what to do . . . for the time being, at least. I think I might have just lost me some gold.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Skill check: Gather (False) Information
