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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jackinthegreen" data-source="post: 6226795" data-attributes="member: 6678119">Strictly speaking, for me the elf ability to notice secret doors is something that must be taken into account on the DM side just as much as the dwarf ability to notice unusual stonework.  It is a passive ability that is always on and thus it is the DM's job to react to it, not the player's job to constantly remind the DM about it.  Since the DM is always going to know where secret doors are it should be quite trivial to keep track of.  Is there an elf in the party with that ability? Yes? Then all secret doors (s)he passes within 5 feet of are going to be rolled for.  That's how the rule goes.And no, that does not give other abilities a free leave for the DM to be the one who takes care of it.  Only when the abilities actually make the most sense for that should it be the case.  In this case it's a passive ability on part of the character to interact with things the DM sets out, thus it's up to the DM to react to them.Likewise, I would assume only the relevant secret doors are going to be rolled for.  Sure, there might be several secret doors in a city, but if those doors aren't going to lead into something to further the campaign along or at least make for something interesting then there's barely any point in acknowledging their existence much less bothering with any rolls about them.As a DM, ask yourself if these doors are going to be a big deal in the game.  If they are then ask whether you actually want elves (or anyone) to have those free search checks.  Heck, ask that question even if doors aren't going to be a big deal.  Presumably the rule was added in to actually be used and relevant, so if it isn't then taking it away and providing some other ability as compensation might be in order.\Likewise, ask the player if they care about the secret doors thing.  If they don't then houserule the ability away and put in something equally-powered but relevant to the player.Personally, I don't understand why some DMs don't seem to have players tell them exactly what their character is and what relevant abilities they have and then make notes on that.  Got an elf in your party? Make a note about the free search checks!  Same for dwarves and their stonecunning.  You don't have to memorize every racial ability ever, but if you don't know what your players and their characters are generally capable of then you're likely going to have issues DMing.</blockquote>

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