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How do you do secret doors?
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<blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7527331" data-attributes="member: 6796661"><p>Some excellent answers here. I just want to address the common distaste many DMs have for Passive Perception. I think passive perception is fine if you run it as isereth describes above, but I would add that the passive perception is going to notice things that would easily be over looked that *could* be evidence of a secret door, or maybe it is just more recent construction or repairs. </p><p></p><p>I describe the environment and ask the players what they are doing. </p><p></p><p>"You force option the door to the ancient tomb. A 5' wide passage slopes down, continuing more than a 100' descending into darkness. What do you do?"</p><p></p><p>Maybe two characters quietly scout ahead, one focusing on traps and the other keeping a look out against undead or other potential attackers. Following along a ways back another character carefully checks for secret doors. The fighter and cleric take up the rear, keeping alert for anyone attempting to sneak up from behind.</p><p></p><p>As they move down the corridor, I describe the results of their activities. Instead of making them continually role for perception, they can use passive perception. For the player searching for secret doors, I may describe the passage as looking undisturbed an nothing seems out of place. Or maybe I state that they find an area where the morter has broken away, or some scratches on the floor, etc. The player can then investigate. Now many times, what there will be no secret door. This avoids having every passive perception result indicating a secret door. Maybe there is a secret door and you just can't figure out how to open it. Maybe there isn't one and it is just a stone that was damaged during construction. If you roll low on investigation, you won't be entirely sure.</p><p></p><p>This keeps players on their toes and engaged with the environment. </p><p></p><p>Also, I don't let everyone make an investigation check. Another character can help the character who made the passive perception check with the investigation, but to make a second investigation check, you have to bring something new to the table. Maybe the dwarf cleric, who wasn't looking for secret doors can make a second investigation using stone cunning to determine if the unusual grooves can be explained by construction practices or erosion, etc.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MNblockhead, post: 7527331, member: 6796661"] Some excellent answers here. I just want to address the common distaste many DMs have for Passive Perception. I think passive perception is fine if you run it as isereth describes above, but I would add that the passive perception is going to notice things that would easily be over looked that *could* be evidence of a secret door, or maybe it is just more recent construction or repairs. I describe the environment and ask the players what they are doing. "You force option the door to the ancient tomb. A 5' wide passage slopes down, continuing more than a 100' descending into darkness. What do you do?" Maybe two characters quietly scout ahead, one focusing on traps and the other keeping a look out against undead or other potential attackers. Following along a ways back another character carefully checks for secret doors. The fighter and cleric take up the rear, keeping alert for anyone attempting to sneak up from behind. As they move down the corridor, I describe the results of their activities. Instead of making them continually role for perception, they can use passive perception. For the player searching for secret doors, I may describe the passage as looking undisturbed an nothing seems out of place. Or maybe I state that they find an area where the morter has broken away, or some scratches on the floor, etc. The player can then investigate. Now many times, what there will be no secret door. This avoids having every passive perception result indicating a secret door. Maybe there is a secret door and you just can't figure out how to open it. Maybe there isn't one and it is just a stone that was damaged during construction. If you roll low on investigation, you won't be entirely sure. This keeps players on their toes and engaged with the environment. Also, I don't let everyone make an investigation check. Another character can help the character who made the passive perception check with the investigation, but to make a second investigation check, you have to bring something new to the table. Maybe the dwarf cleric, who wasn't looking for secret doors can make a second investigation using stone cunning to determine if the unusual grooves can be explained by construction practices or erosion, etc. [/QUOTE]
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