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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7476738" data-attributes="member: 6796661">More to DEFCON1's point, I've found this problem especially try in organized play. Perhaps to avoid complaints of partiality or failing to follow the rule, many AL DMs just call for skill checks. I've also noted that many players seem annoyed by attempts by other players to roleplay out scenes. Outside of AL games, I think DMs have a lot of ways to reward creativity, which would make the use of cantrips like prestidigitation and druidcraft shine. My preferred approach is to adjust the DC number. That may not be proper according to RAW. But giving advantage seems like such a blunt instrument. Here is how I look at it. Grumpy McStabbyspear the town guard may not be inclined to gossip with the PCs who are new to town. The recent rains soaked the kindling and he can't light the brazier he normally warms himself with on cold evenings--and nobody in the town watch thought to bring dry kindling to him. He's cold, miserable, underpaid, doesn't feel respected, and he and his wife had an argument in the morning. He is not happy standing out in the cold but is also not looking forward to going home to a crabby wife. The PC, Doe-ai Treehugger, approaches, and comments on the cold. She asks if she can light the fire at the brazier and warm herself. Grumpy complains that the wood is soaked. But that's no obstacle to Doe-ai, who uses Druidcraft to start the fire. As the fire warms the two, Doe-ai continues the chit-chat, asking Grumpy about his family, etc. She learns he has a young daughter. She takes out a seed of a rare orchid, puts some dirt in small bag, wets it with her water flask, and used druid craft to sprout it and cause it to bloom, "here, I think your daughter would like this."  "Oh, she will LOVE it, as will the missus" says Grumpy whose eyes light up in wonder and appreciation. Only now does Doe-ai begin to ply him for information about the town and NPCs the party needs to learn about. Persuasion DC if the player simply comes upon the guard and says "I'm going to make persuasion check to try to learn X information from the guard" =  18.   DC after lighting the fire = 15DC after the flower = 10 AND I would give inspiration if the character didn't already have it. Depending on the nature of the information, I may also just make it an auto-success. For example, if the information is not sensitive.</blockquote>

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