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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 10:01:32
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Poll Question:
This is my 1st poll, so I start with something simple.
It is the Year of the Tankard (1370 DR), and king Azoun IV is alive. Long live the king! Now, how difficult should a Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill check be, to know the name (and only the name 'Azoun', and not the more formal name 'Azoun IV') of the king?
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Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
Edited by - webmanus on 21 Aug 2005 12:29:02
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 11:35:44
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I'd say it's as low as DC 1 or 2 even. The impression I get from the novels and (pre 3.x ed) sourcebooks is that Azoun maintained a highly "visible" rule, so that even a very young child probably knew at least his name. (In fact, after the Crusade, this probably could be said to hold true for the Dalelands - and to a lesser degree, Sembia, the Vast, and the Moonsea - as well). |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist. Terry Pratchett |
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Misericordia
Seeker
Italy
66 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 12:28:05
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quote: Originally posted by Kajehase
I'd say it's as low as DC 1 or 2 even. The impression I get from the novels and (pre 3.x ed) sourcebooks is that Azoun maintained a highly "visible" rule, so that even a very young child probably knew at least his name. (In fact, after the Crusade, this probably could be said to hold true for the Dalelands - and to a lesser degree, Sembia, the Vast, and the Moonsea - as well).
I agree. Azoun is probably known to everyone in Cormyr, also before the Crusade. After that I'd use a 0 CD! |
Omnia sunt communia. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 13:37:33
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*wonders who thought it should be DC 40 and why* |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist. Terry Pratchett |
Edited by - Kajehase on 11 Aug 2005 13:38:06 |
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Sir Luther Cromwell
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 14:06:04
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DC 5, because where the average person knows Azoun, the village idiot might not. |
"At what temperature does a Goblin boil?" "Any Rakshasa should eat a healthy diet that is high in wood elf, and low in shield Dwarf. One must always watch those cholesterol levels." "If a Svirfneblin falls in the underdark, does anybody care?" |
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Misericordia
Seeker
Italy
66 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 14:21:31
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quote: Originally posted by Sir Luther Cromwell
DC 5, because where the average person knows Azoun, the village idiot might not.
I think the village idiot won't have knowledge skill at once. If you have that skill you MUST know who is the king. |
Omnia sunt communia. |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 14:35:59
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Well, it all depends on who is the village's idiot.
- Villager A1, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 3, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill. - Villager A2, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 6, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill. - Villager A3, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 8, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill. - Villager B1, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 10, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill. - Villager C1, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 12, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill. - Villager D1, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 18, no ranks in the Knowledge (local Cormyr) skill.
I assume that the average villager should be B1. With A1 - A3 beeing "the fools". As noted above, these villager have no additional local knowledge. That is, they have only access to common knowledge.
However, the following dude, with only 1 rank, does not only known common knowledge (DC 0 - 10), but also things that the average person just does not known (DC 11+):
- Villager E1, 1st-lvel Commoner, Int 12, with 1 rank in Knowledge (local Cormyr).
Thanks to that only rank, villager E1 can make skill checks for all kind of DCs. Pretty good. But then, it did cost him two skill points ... a lot of effort, I assume.
Well, thanks to all of you who have so far participated in this poll. Interested of more skill polls? |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 16:26:16
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It should be DC 10. Most people will be able to name the king of Cormyr without much effort--taking 10 on the Knowledge check (really an Int check with no ranks or Int bonus)--but when pressed, threatened, or otherwise challenged (that is, denied the ability to take 10), certain outsiders, fools, and other uninitiated won't be able to come up with the correct answer. |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 16:42:58
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Garen, I liked your post ... It made me think, reread rules, and so on. Still, I do not agree. I do not think that taking 10 applies to the above situation. Taking 10 is more for routines, such as chopping wood; a character would not need to routinely answer the same question. |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 17:19:34
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quote: Originally posted by webmanus
Garen, I liked your post ... It made me think, reread rules, and so on. Still, I do not agree. I do not think that taking 10 applies to the above situation. Taking 10 is more for routines, such as chopping wood; a character would not need to routinely answer the same question.
A character wouldn't routinely need to answer the question "What color is grass?", either, but they'd still know the answer quite readily. When something is common knowledge, you don't have to stop and think about it.
Until his death, Azoun IV was the only king most Cormyreans knew or had known. As pointed out earlier, he was also a very high-profile ruler. So, to a Cormyrean, only a fool or an outsider from far away wouldn't know who the king was. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 17:20:53
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quote: Originally posted by Kajehase
*wonders who thought it should be DC 40 and why*
I'm wondering that one, myself... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 17:33:08
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Correct. And, therefore, skill checks as Knowledge do not take time to execute, at least, under normal conditions. And, take 10 is for routine task, and a Knowledge skill check should not be considered as such, at least, that is what I think.
Now, if the DC i 0, then we all know that very few persons will not know the answer ... and with Azoun beeing so famed, DC 0 could be the one to use. However, DC 10, would meen that 50% knows, and the rest do not know. Of course, if you think that take 10 is appropiate, then, 100% will know the answer. Now, while gaming, I would under normal conditions never ask the players to roll a DC 0 check ... although it could be funny ... "So, you DO NOT KNOW who AZOUN is??? And we who have travelled together all this time!" |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 01:42:38
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Just as a practical point, Narnra in Elminster's Daughter almost knew the name of the LINE, Obarskyr (I forget how she mispronounced it), but she didn't know Azoun's name. But she was a street urchin in Waterdeep. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2005 : 14:51:12
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I think it would be just DC 5 - however, I think that to know his daughter or the fact of Azoun V might be a little harded. I think KnightErrantJR makes a good point.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2005 : 20:58:01
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Hi Xysma!
Why do you give them one rank, and why not a +1 circumstance bonues instead? In terms of DC, what do you define as general information?
As I understand/interpret the rules, knowledge is either common (DC 0 - 10) or non-common (DC 11+). |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2005 : 21:02:58
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Hi all!
A question to all of you you have thought of say DC 5+. If knowing the name of the king is DC 5+, what would be DC 0, that is, an even easier question? Do you have a good example? |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2005 : 16:02:05
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Hi folks!
Another issue. If the DC is 0, or 5, do you think that a Cormyrian should get a +2 circumstance bonus? And, how about a fellow from the Dalelands, should he get +2, or maybe +0? Someone from the Vilhon Reach should maybe get +0/-2, or even -5/-10. Waht do you think? |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Sir Luther Cromwell
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2005 : 00:55:15
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The way I usually do knowledge local of a character's local area, I simply allow the character to take a 10. Average people knows average information about his native land, a smart person would know a bit more. |
"At what temperature does a Goblin boil?" "Any Rakshasa should eat a healthy diet that is high in wood elf, and low in shield Dwarf. One must always watch those cholesterol levels." "If a Svirfneblin falls in the underdark, does anybody care?" |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2005 : 20:26:26
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I did miss you post warlockco,
Knowledge skill cannot be used untrained ... yes ... but ... as long as something is considered common knowledge, then it is possible to roll a Intelligence check to find out if the character knows something about the issue. Maybe, I am taking the wrong approach, and I do not understand how this skill should be used ... but ... I feel pretty sure that I do understand this skill. Below, from the SRD 3.5 quote: Untrained: An untrained Knowledge check is simply an Intelligence check. Without actual training, you know only common knowledge (DC 10 or lower).
Thus, if we define a question and an answer, then we should be able to set an appropiate DC and select an appropiate Knowledge skill. If the DC is greater than 10, then only persons with ranks in the appropiate Knowledge skill may make a check. At least, that is how I understand the rules.
What do you say warlocko? How about you others ... Maybe, we should ask the Wizards ...
Link to the SRD 3.5: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/skillsInt.html |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2005 : 21:13:21
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As to who would know of Azoun. I would say everyone except the smallest kids or the most remote parts of the kingdom would know of Azoun. Outside of Cormyr, Sembia and the Dalelands, alot of people would have at least heard of him, beyond that.... Let's just say even with the spread of knowledge in the present day, there are some Americans that don't know that Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States. |
News of the Weird
D20 System Reference Document D20 Modern System Reference Document
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2005 : 06:29:13
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quote: Originally posted by warlockco
Let's just say even with the spread of knowledge in the present day, there are some Americans that don't know that Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.
But pretty much every Swede above the age of 10 does know it... |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist. Terry Pratchett |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2005 : 07:22:38
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quote: Originally posted by Kajehase
quote: Originally posted by warlockco
Let's just say even with the spread of knowledge in the present day, there are some Americans that don't know that Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.
But pretty much every Swede above the age of 10 does know it...
We have people that think Mexico and Canada are States. Not Countries. |
News of the Weird
D20 System Reference Document D20 Modern System Reference Document
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2005 : 22:56:14
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By the way. I did create an encounter with two fellows from Cormyr who tought that Shadowdale was a barony or county of Cormyr. Those two Cormyrians were in an inn in Mistledale. And, a Shadowdalian soldier (who happened to travell with the party) was VERY upset. |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 15:51:38
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DC 5 only because realistically, there ARE idiots, and Faerun is no different. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me: http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Bluenose
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
134 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 16:22:10
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DC 5 rather than DC 0 because there are easier questions: where do you live?; what country friends, is this?; and others.
There's a story, possibly untrue, that in 1644 after the English Civil War had been going for three years, a group of parliamentary soldiers challenged a local shepherd to say whether he was for king or parliament. Apparently his reply was something like "Be they having a falling out then?" So it's not impossible to imagine someone who doesn't know. |
These, in the day when heaven was falling, The hour when earth's foundations fled, Followed their mercenary calling And took their wages and are dead.
Their shoulders held the sky suspended; They stood, and earth's foundations stay; What God abandoned, these defended, And saved the sum of things for pay. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 03:42:17
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I would keep it on the low end for anyone from Cormyr and the surrounding areas. |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 05:48:53
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quote: Originally posted by warlockco
quote: Originally posted by Kajehase
quote: Originally posted by warlockco
Let's just say even with the spread of knowledge in the present day, there are some Americans that don't know that Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.
But pretty much every Swede above the age of 10 does know it...
We have people that think Mexico and Canada are States. Not Countries.
´
(some) Americans ignorance never fail to surprice me :S |
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 11:07:12
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DC 0. Everyone who has chosen the Skill Knowledge (Local-Cormyr) should have come agross the name of Azoun along his studies. Taking already a single skill point should grant him that basic knowledge. It's like studying geography and not knowing that the world is a globe.
Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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