handling research

[Greymalkin]

Hello. Without creating a new skill, how would you recommend handling a PC who wants to research (for instance, in a large library) the answer to a particular question? For the sake of example, let's say the PC is looking for information on a particular sorcerer who died ten years prior. This sorcerer isn't super famous, but some information is probably available if one knows where to look.

I would like the information gleaned to be like the gather information skill, where the higher the roll the better the info. However, Gather Information seems too focused on social interaction, not research (though some questioning of knowledgeable individuals might be necessary).

I am leaning towards using the closest applicable knowledge check (so in the example above I would use Knowledge: Arcana), but that doesn’t sound exactly right. Does anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks a lot.

 

[mikebr99]

Knowledge: local??


Doesn't the Bard's legend lore cover an example like yours?


Mike

 

[Senior Bobo]

If the information is in there somewhere and it's just a question of looking til you find it, you could always go with Search.

You could make it more complicated also by allowing a syngery bonus to the search roll for skills like knowledge (local history, or whatever appropriate), gather intelligence (asking around for clues to make your search more accurate), or any other skills you think would be applicable to the topic at hand.

 

[Shin Okada]

When you can't really decide which skill to apply, use ability check. Int check will do, in this case.

 

[DarkMaster]

If the information is in there somewhere and it's just a question of looking til you find it, you could always go with Search.

You could make it more complicated also by allowing a syngery bonus to the search roll for skills like knowledge (local history, or whatever appropriate), gather intelligence (asking around for clues to make your search more accurate), or any other skills you think would be applicable to the topic at hand.

Would do the same Search + Knowledge skill

 

[Otterscrubber]

Sounds pretty subjective to me. Since it is regarding a sorcerer I would go with Knowledge (aracana) with a bonus if he has access to a library that would contain related information regarding this not-to-famous sorcerer. Since he was not well known I would make the DC for such a check higher than normal. Alternatively you could make an adventure out of it having your character track down a famous bard who might be able to help with his Bardic Knowledge skill or even going to this sorcerers hometown or some other similar adventure hook.

 

[Liquidsabre]

If there's plenty of time is there really a need for a rol at all? Taking 20 in any skill should get the result, just may take days or even a week or two is all.

If that's not the case I agree with using Search wit ha synergy bonus from an applicable knowledge (such as Know: Arcana) otherwise a Gather info is not a bad idea either as a library patron or assistant/scribe may be of help as well and could involve that social itneraction. Mayhaps if the Hather info succeeds then the scribe has pointed him in the right direction lowering the DC for the check or giving a +2 aid bonus. Your call really.