Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="GSHamster" data-source="post: 5611845" data-attributes="member: 20187">Well, in this example, there's no ability check involved after the fight. The PCs killed the lich in combat, and thus end up better than they started. The rest is normal plot.But on the other hand, if the following sequence happened after the lich died:1. The PCs ask if they can identify the phylactery through a skill like Knowledge: Arcane.2. The DM agrees and sets a DC.3. The PCs succeed on the check.4. The DM has them destroy the fake phylactery.5. Events proceed as above.I would see that as unfair.Admittedly, this example is a little more complicated because knowing your character failed the check tells the player enough information to be successful. Player knowledge and character knowledge differ now, and that always makes life complicated.I would probably be okay with having a low-ish DC to be "fooled" by lich's deception, and a high (secret) DC to see through the deception to the truth.But if the PCs "truly" succeed on the check, if they beat the secret DC, they should be able to identify the phylactery as a fake through the use of their skill.</blockquote>