Knowledge (local)

[High Lord Dee]

Okay. It does not need to be this difficult. Slaughterj, you say you want simple. The system we play is about as simple as it gets. You need to make a knowledge local check? Where are you at? Have the players roll with their skill modifier. Yeah/Nah. Pretty simple.

All the rest of the ideas are well thought out and may work for some of you. I agree that there is enough to look up without adding more to it. The system we use DOES WORK based on actual game play. I am comfortable with it. Players can still buy skills in Knowledge(local) if they so choose in our campaigns and some do.

The whole reason for modifying the skill simply had to do with my original post: there never are enough skill points to go around. I like using the knowledge checks in my campaigns and generally want my characters around for awhile. The knowledge skills just do not match up to the more useful adventuring skills (i.e. spot, listen, ride, swim, etc.).

Play it anyway you like. Over and out.......

HLD

 

[Raven Blackwell]

Why not use Knowledge [local] as a sort of geographic Reputation? Start with the area that the character lives in and increase the DC of the areas away from that point by proximity. Thus an Zingaran has a +5 DC when dealign with Aquilonia but a +20 when dealing with information about Khitan.

 

[GimpCowKing]

well thats more knowledge geography, i always thought local knowledge usualy refered to social info, gossip, rumors, maybe politics/economy, anything that could be gained from a gather information check whike asking the right people the right questions

so, like sense motive, the skill is pretty much nerfed

 

[High Lord Dee]

Fine point about 'earned skill points' except, as has already been commented, you cannot JUST give skills to this particular type of knowledge, and not give them a +1 BAB for 'earned' combat effectiveness, or raise the AC by +1 Misc Mod, or increase Intimidate skill....

Why not? It works for our group. The skills are earned by actual in-country time. I may tweak the system a bit based on INT, Class, etc. but there certainly has not been any game inbalance created and it makes it simple.

 

[slaughterj]

Okay. It does not need to be this difficult. Slaughterj, you say you want simple. The system we play is about as simple as it gets. You need to make a knowledge local check? Where are you at? Have the players roll with their skill modifier. Yeah/Nah. Pretty simple.

All the rest of the ideas are well thought out and may work for some of you. I agree that there is enough to look up without adding more to it. The system we use DOES WORK based on actual game play. I am comfortable with it. Players can still buy skills in Knowledge(local) if they so choose in our campaigns and some do.

The whole reason for modifying the skill simply had to do with my original post: there never are enough skill points to go around. I like using the knowledge checks in my campaigns and generally want my characters around for awhile. The knowledge skills just do not match up to the more useful adventuring skills (i.e. spot, listen, ride, swim, etc.).

Play it anyway you like. Over and out.......

HLD

Your method seems to work for you, and that's fine. I'm offering a method that enables one to use the current system, which many might find appealing, rather than modifying the system. It is simple as well.

 

[urdinaran]

... i always thought local knowledge usualy refered to social info, gossip, rumors, maybe politics/economy, anything that could be gained from a gather information check whike asking the right people the right questions.

Knowledge (local) is different than Gather Information.

I don't have my book in front of me but, I believe Knowledge (local) is intended to reflect a character's knowledge of local customs, beliefs, laws, etc.;

Gather information, on the other hand, is searching for information (general or specific) such as social info, gossip, rumors, latest news, etc.

 

[Raven Blackwell]

well thats more knowledge geography i always thought local knowledge usualy refered to social info, gossip, rumors, maybe politics/economy, anything that could be gained from a gather information check whike asking the right people the right questions

so, like sense motive, the skill is pretty much nerfed

No, I think it means knowledge of the laws, customs, people as opposed to the terrain itself. What I think Knowledge [local] means is what the character is already heard of before you set foot there. You can use Gather Information to fill in the gaps, given time and sources of information.

As for Sense Motive, that skill can get a lot of play- esp. if Improved Feint is a common Feat in your campaign. In a social situation it is invaluable. Is that person telling you the truth as they see it, or do they plan treachery. Their eyes look a little shifty.....