Conflict resolution in simple social encounters

[Corsario]

Hey all, I'm back with yet more questions about the game. Don't you just love newbies?

My first question is about the Persuasion skill: I had a player use it on a guard with the intent of convincing the guard to get them an audience with Da King. He failed the test, but I wasn't too sure what to do in terms of complicating the matter or making the failure interesting. What would be a good way to make things interesting if a player fails the test in Persuasion?

Second question! (Yes, I'm keeping track of numbers for your convenience. Aren't I nice?) I've also had a player playing an Orc barbarian Intimidate some NPCs. The succesful use of the skill = forced Steel test. I can understand how that works in combat, but what about a social encounter? How would conflict resolution be applied to a character suceeding or failing an Intimidate test?

That's all. For now. Heh. Like always, all help is appreciated :)

Corsario.

[ChrisG]

1. If it's not a big deal, sometimes having to skin that cat another way is interesting enough. Or you could have them beaten from the castle. Or the guard informs their enemies. Or gives them an audience with someone else at court who they don't want to see, or know they're talking to the king. "Hey, Grand Vizier, these guys have interesting news concerning a secret cabal of wizards operating at court."

2. What was the player's intent?

[Kublai]

The guard could ask for a bribe. Make an Ob 2 Resource test or get lost.

A common example we use of using Steel tests outside combat is a guy Intimidating a Guard/Bouncer to get inside without being immediately challenged. If the guard hesitates, the character walks right in. Of course, the guard may go in after him after he recovers.

[Corsario]

1. If it's not a big deal, sometimes having to skin that cat another way is interesting enough. Or you could have them beaten from the castle. Or the guard informs their enemies. Or gives them an audience with someone else at court who they don't want to see, or know they're talking to the king. "Hey, Grand Vizier, these guys have interesting news concerning a secret cabal of wizards operating at court."

2. What was the player's intent?

Those are some very good examples, thanks!

For #2, let's say the intent was "Force this guard to get us an audience"


The guard could ask for a bribe. Make an Ob 2 Resource test or get lost.

A common example we use of using Steel tests outside combat is a guy Intimidating a Guard/Bouncer to get inside without being immediately challenged. If the guard hesitates, the character walks right in. Of course, the guard may go in after him after he recovers.

And those examples are very nifty as well, thanks for offering them.

Corsario.

[Rafe]

For #2, let's say the intent was "Force this guard to get us an audience"

They're threatened with being jailed, or the watch is notified of said individuals aggressively seeking an audience with X (they're on the lookout and may cause trouble or Obs go up for future attempts via other methods due to past suspicion), more guards are summoned to reinforce the guard being pressured, etc.

Lots of ways you could go with it. Remember that a consequence doesn't have to be immediate. The group could be sent on their way and face complications later as a result of that failed roll.

[Corsario]

They're threatened with being jailed, or the watch is notified of said individuals aggressively seeking an audience with X (they're on the lookout and may cause trouble or Obs go up for future attempts via other methods due to past suspicion), more guards are summoned to reinforce the guard being pressured, etc.

Lots of ways you could go with it. Remember that a consequence doesn't have to be immediate. The group could be sent on their way and face complications later as a result of that failed roll.

Hey, now those are some awesome suggestions (not implying that the previous ones weren't, mind you). Thanks Rafe, I'll keep that idea in mind.

I think I'm getting the hang of it, but if anyone in this forum would like to offer more examples/ideas, please, by all means :)

Corsario.

[Odie]

Hey all, I'm back with yet more questions about the game. Don't you just love newbies?

My first question is about the Persuasion skill: I had a player use it on a guard with the intent of convincing the guard to get them an audience with Da King. He failed the test, but I wasn't too sure what to do in terms of complicating the matter or making the failure interesting. What would be a good way to make things interesting if a player fails the test in Persuasion?

Keep in mind that dice should never hit the table if the Task doesn't fit the Intent, or (possibly more importantly) if you don't have an interesting consequence for failure. If you can't think of one, it's OK to say "OK, the guard gets you an audience with the King" or "Well, he's just a guard, but he can let you talk to the King's advisor" or "He's just a gateguard, man. He doesn't have that kind of pull" without the player testing at all.


Second question! (Yes, I'm keeping track of numbers for your convenience. Aren't I nice?) I've also had a player playing an Orc barbarian Intimidate some NPCs. The succesful use of the skill = forced Steel test. I can understand how that works in combat, but what about a social encounter? How would conflict resolution be applied to a character suceeding or failing an Intimidate test?

You may be looking for Intimidate's cousin, Interrogation. Intimidate forces a Steel check, which can be useful in situations where you want the person to cower in fear while you, say, saunter past them and into the castle. But if you want your target to do something other than freeze up, Intimidate can't help you. If you're trying to get something out of someone, Interrogation's more helpful. If you want the guard to get you an audience with the King, Intimidate won't work. Interrogation might.

-B

[Corsario]

Odie - Why, I actually never thought of just saying "yes" to something like that! You raise a very good point, thank you for the wisdom.

And I didn't know about Interrogation being used that way. I suppose there's plenty of room for learning in BW :)

Corsario.

[ChrisG]

Intimidate could work! It's like the Jedi Mind Trick. The guard is passing the buck upwards.

"This Orc is going to murder me if I don't give him an audience. I'll let the Kingsguard deal with him!"

Or maybe the guard lets him in because there are a lot more guards *in* the court room to back him up, and four paces in the Intimidate Ob goes up (Let it Ride in effect) and the guards grab the barbarian. Hope you put points in Oratory or Conspicuous, or your audience is about to be over!

[Corsario]

Intimidate could work! It's like the Jedi Mind Trick. The guard is passing the buck upwards.

"This Orc is going to murder me if I don't give him an audience. I'll let the Kingsguard deal with him!"

Or maybe the guard lets him in because there are a lot more guards *in* the court room to back him up, and four paces in the Intimidate Ob goes up (Let it Ride in effect) and the guards grab the barbarian. Hope you put points in Oratory or Conspicuous, or your audience is about to be over!

Hey, I rather like that idea, too. Thanks for the suggestion, ChrisG.

Man, there's so many ways to add twists to simple things like intimidating a guard, I love CR.