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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pilgrim" data-source="post: 5652868" data-attributes="member: 6680799">From my PoV, as a DM I would have to say in this particular instance, having them roll would have been OK and I probably would have had them do so; reason being, success or failure in this case would not have been an unknown.If you would have had them make a skill check (whichever skill would have been most appropriate) then those that failed would not know why you asked for the roll. Those that succeeded, you would have told them in some manner, that they recognize the outcome (in this case the accent). This is a result that yields a observable outcome.This is different, than say, checking for traps. In a situation of this sort, it is more viable that the DM roll because even with a success, there could be no trap found since there might not actually be one there in the first place, but by the same token even if there is a trap there, a failed roll means the PC doesn't find it. So, either way, the PC has no knowledge as to what is observed unless the only outcome is that there is in fact a trap AND the roll is successful.My rule of thumb, it depends whether or not the outcome yields a similar result in both a success and a failure that I roll behind the screen.Another thing to keep in mind is whether or not the roll is initiated by a PC or the DM. If the PC actively searches for trap, they would know I'm going to make the roll behind the screen. If, however, I decide to make a roll without any PC actively doing anything (as the OP originally described) I would do so behind the screen without even mentioning it to the players unless one or more of the rolls succeeded, at which point I would then inform them that they recognize the accent of the man they seek, otherwise they are none the wiser.</blockquote>

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