I’m curious how you guys handle “perception tests”. In my classic games I sometimes ask a specific or all of my players to do a perception test to see if anyone notes a specific detail, like something odd in the scenery or some overlooked knowledge. With sucess/grade of success I know how much information the PC perceived.
Additionally it’s an instrument to let the players know that there is some useful information if they bother to look/hear/smell/sense.
Now, in Blades all action comes from the players and I DON’T call for a specific action because the player will tell me how (s)he does it. Should I just tell them? Fortune roll seems not be right because it should be depend on some PC attribute.
Did you have this situation in your Blades games and how do you handle it?
Showing approaching danger is a core concept in BitD. So you never really want to hide essential information behind some check. Even if you did try to sucker punch the players, they can just resist roll out of it.
I would just tell them. You can be coy about it if you want to play up the investigation. “You’re in the Lord’s chamber and something strikes you as off. But you’re not sure what. Do you want to stay and figure it out or move on?” Then roll and if it goes badly snowball from there. If they try to investigate then they’re acting against the obstacle of a hidden secret. You could even set up a clock for it. But the important point is the players’ are deciding what they do.
Real danger should also be described when it is approaching. All it takes usually is describing shadowy silohuettes lurking in an alley. Or the footsteps approaching the door. If they want more information then they can roll study or survey, but if they think they know what’s going on they might just try to leave or plan an ambush.
Will try that. Thanks for the time and input! 🙂
Yep, Aaron has it.
Also, Fortune rolls can use any trait, including PC action ratings. Most gather info rolls will be Fortune rolls using an action rating.
You don’t call for rolls as the GM, but you can ask leading questions. “Would any of you be curious enough to search for hidden things here? Or do you not want to risk leaving traces of your search behind?”
“The Lampblacks spring their ambush and suddenly they’re on top of you, blades flashing. Does anyone want to flashback to spotting them first? Let’s call it 1 stress for that.”
Here’s an example I just wrote for how I do it:
GM: “So as Blink’s picking the lock to her bedroom, the camera pans over to the hallway, and this Iruvian in a black cloak creeps to the doorway, and noiselessly pours her silence potion on the dart. Blink doesn’t notice any of this, but feel free to ask questions. If getting the answer requires a roll, I’ll tell you, so be sure to be really ambitious with your question-asking.”
PC: “So, is there anyone else I know would be interested in raiding or stealing from Diplomat Avrathi’s manor?”
GM: “Yeah, Elstera Avrathi denounced the Red Sashes of Doskvol. That was your fault. That’s what that entire score was about for you guys. That’s stupid obvious, hit me harder. Yeah, so the Red Sashes would be interested in punishing her. Funny that both of you are betraying her. You’re terrible.”
PC: “Right. So yeah, yeah, shadow cloak over here blends into darkness and stalks me yeah, yeah, blah blah blah. Fuck that. Where is she and where’s her backup?”
GM: “Good~!. Well. I ain’t telling you unless you roll. There’s a clear obstacle between you and you knowing that information. How do you figure this out, sherlock?”
PC: “Survey. My eyes are on the lock so I gotta use my ears. Have I told you about my pointy, swiveling Tycherosi cat ears on the side of my head?”
GM: “Jesus. Okay, so Desperate, but Standard Effect. If you get a 6, you’ll also have the initiative, but anything else and she shoots that dart.”
PC: “She, you say?”
GM: “Lord. Where’s that roll, already?”
(6, 2)
GM: “YES! She’s still in the hallway and her backup is on the roof. You hear their footsteps.”
PC: Okay, so pistol on her, then reload, pistol on him!
GM: Nice. You didn’t ask this, but it’s obvious he’s gonna come down if hears gunfire. I don’t think that needs a roll. It would almost be controlled, but, eh, no. So, Skirmish or Hunt?
PC: I’m a Hound, what do you think?
Spot checks are a scam anyway. The DM asks everybody to roll, and somebody always succeeds. If everybody fails the DM gives the info anyway otherwise his railroad fails.
(I know, I’m a tad salty…)
Thanks everybody. Very helpful! 🙂