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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jacob Lewis" data-source="post: 7560398" data-attributes="member: 6667921">Hey, everyone! There has been a lot of discussion lately about Skill Challenges, which originated with 4e D&D. Back when I was running a 4e PbP campaign many years ago, I had created several unique skill challenges that went over very well with my players. Since I have some free time on my hands while recovering from knee surgery, I've decided to share these details with the ENWorld community for those looking for some ideas, inspiration, or free advice.Please note, I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject. It has been many years since I ran this campaign. There are some things I might've done differently when I look back in retrospect, and I may even point out as I discuss this. Although I ran these specifically using 4e rules, they can easily be adapted or converted to other editions or similar systems using similar skills. If this is of any interest to you, please feel free to comment, question, or even critique, as long as you can do so constructively and respectfully. And I will do my best to respond in kind, medication willing.This will be a fairly long post and will require a lot of formatting on my part, so for simplicity's sake I will break this into several posts over several threads. (Assuming there is interest and positive response, of course.) Each thread will consist of a single Skill Challenge so the relative discussion can focus on each individual example. At least, that is the hope.I will begin with the very first skill challenge I created for a major combat encounter that took place in the middle of a town's market square. I will present the setup for the encounter as well as attach the battle map here. The skill challenge itself will be presented in the next post, followed by a quick summary and retrospect. Enjoy!Encounter WICH 1-02: Taking the Market Square[HR][/HR]SETUP: The characters have been instructed  to defend the market square and to  prevent the goblins from running it  over. If the monsters should succeed  in gaining control of the area,  they will obtain a strong foothold  inside the town and possibly turn  the tide of battle for them.When the party arrives at the market square, however, they find many of   the town's people are hiding about or lingering in the area. This makes   it difficult for the group to fight effectively in the large area and   dangerous for the bystanders still hanging about. The characters must   use their skills and abilities to help get everyone out of harm's way so   that they can better focus on defending the area and the people from   the attacking monsters.The group will need to defeat several waves of monsters while attempting   to clear the area of any non-combatants by completing the Skill Challenge: Out of Harm's Way.   Until the skill challenge is completed, the characters will suffer a   penalty on their ranged or area attack rolls, and the party will not be   able to take a short rest between waves of monsters. See the Skill Challenge below for more details.[HR][/HR]Area FeaturesIllumination: Bright light (Early morning and overcast)Note: There are a lot of symbols and details on these maps, but   I'm not detailing every unique piece or feature with a specific set of   rules. If you want to improvise an action using what you see on the  map,  then I'll do my best to adjudicate with the circumstances  involved. The  features most commonly found on the map will use the  following  standards provided here.Difficult Terrain: Squares marked with an open triangle symbol are considered difficult terrain.Obstacle: Squares marked with the other symbol  contain  obstacles that obstruct movement, but can be negotiated with an   Acrobatics check. A character who succeeds against a DC 10 as part of   their move action can move through the square as if it were difficult   terrain. If the character fails the check, however, he or she   immediately stops moving and falls prone in that square. Monsters will   not attempt an Acrobatic check to go through these squares.An obstacle also provides cover for small creatures, or medium creatures   that duck behind them. (Minor action to duck down, and a minor action   to get back up.)Skill Markers: The battle map features a number of Red and Gray skill markers that can be used as part of the Skill Challenge   described below. To activate a skill marker, the character must be   standing in a square that borders the appropriate marker that they wish   to use. The Red markers are for Athletic checks, and the Gray ones are   for Stealth checks. A White skill marker indicates that the marker has   already been activated and is no longer available for use during the   skill challenge. For more information on how these skills are used   during the skill challenge, refer to the details provided below.SpecialCrowded: The market square is full of innocent bystanders. Until the party can successfully complete the Skill Challenge,   all characters receive a -2 penalty on attack rolls for ranged and  area  effects, and the party will not be able to take a short rest.</blockquote>

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