iserith
Magic Wordsmith
I actually find it to be bad design that the social skills aren't "mind control". We accept a saving throw against a mind control spell, but we won't accept an insight check against a deception or persuasion check?
Magic is the difference.
I actually had this discussion with my players a while back, and they agreed to play along with NPC social skills checks. We only used it a little (because one of the players was playing a court advisor wizard), but it did create some fun situations where the players out of character had good reason to suspect one of the advisors, but the advisor was so charming that they were convinced to back off for the time being. They then had to pursue different avenues.
House rules are fine, but the issue in this situation for me is that the players always determine how their characters think and what they do and say. That means there is never uncertainty as to the outcome of the NPC's attempt to persuade and thus no ability check. The outcome is whatever the player says it is.
You wouldn't tell the Enchanter, no I don't have to roll a will save for this NPC because reasons, would you?
I might, in some circumstances.