Swarmkeeper
Hero
I believe the 5e rules are not prescriptive when it comes to how a PC must act after the result of an ability check. Two key points in the PHB make this clear to me.
First, from How to Play (PHB p6):
"The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions"
This is the DM describing whether or not the PCs' actions succeeded or failed and the resulting change in the fiction - that is the resulting change in the environment and/or change in attitudes or actions of any monsters/NPCs that are present. It's not the DM narrating the adventurers' actions, it is the results of those actions that are being narrated.
Second, from Social Interactions (PHB p185):
"Roleplaying is, literally, the act of playing out a role. In this case, it's you as a player determining how your character thinks, acts, and talks."
Nowhere in this section (or the within the Social Interaction section of the DMG, p244, for that matter) does it talk about the particular way one must have their PC act in the face of a die roll. Nor does it say the DM determines how the PC acts in the face of a die roll. The DM controls the NPCs, the players control their PCs.
Now, that is not to say one cannot have a table rule that allows these very things - a DM describing the thoughts/speech/actions of a PC or the dice prescribing how a player must roleplay their PC. If everyone is on board with that agreement and having fun, go with it. I don't believe that is the 5e design intent, however.
First, from How to Play (PHB p6):
"The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions"
This is the DM describing whether or not the PCs' actions succeeded or failed and the resulting change in the fiction - that is the resulting change in the environment and/or change in attitudes or actions of any monsters/NPCs that are present. It's not the DM narrating the adventurers' actions, it is the results of those actions that are being narrated.
Second, from Social Interactions (PHB p185):
"Roleplaying is, literally, the act of playing out a role. In this case, it's you as a player determining how your character thinks, acts, and talks."
Nowhere in this section (or the within the Social Interaction section of the DMG, p244, for that matter) does it talk about the particular way one must have their PC act in the face of a die roll. Nor does it say the DM determines how the PC acts in the face of a die roll. The DM controls the NPCs, the players control their PCs.
Now, that is not to say one cannot have a table rule that allows these very things - a DM describing the thoughts/speech/actions of a PC or the dice prescribing how a player must roleplay their PC. If everyone is on board with that agreement and having fun, go with it. I don't believe that is the 5e design intent, however.
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