D&D 5E (2024) How can I do a Charisma-Investigation (or a Strength/Dexterity-Investigation if I can't use Charisma) to find a secret door?

[ECMO3]

The fact that is very obviously makes no logical sense? We all have different lines, and I don't casually accept the kind of breaks from reality you're suggesting without explanation.

As I alluded to it makes a lot more sense than using topple against an Elephant ... let alone a Dragon.

Those things, and many, many more are a much bigger "break from reality" than not knowing where Mike went for a while.

 

[Maxperson]

Yep no problem at all IME ... and I have played Undermountain and had this very thing happen with my Paladin/Warlock.

Pretty much everyone at the table understands it.

That's fine. I wouldn't play that way, though.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

That's fine. I wouldn't play that way, though.

Yes you actually did mention that already a few several many times. No one is trying to convince you to change how you play, and it's not even relevant to what the thread was about before you hijacked it

 

[Maxperson]

Yes you actually did mention that already a few several many times. No one is trying to convince you to change how you play, and it's not even relevant to what the thread was about before you hijacked it

Wow. Over dramatic much? I didn't "hijack" the thread.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

I didn't "hijack" the thread.

Ok to be honest I don't know the definition of "hijack" but the thread was about one thing and then a few people turned it a completely different topic so that's all I meant. Seemed like appropriate description but might not be

 

[Maxperson]

Ok to be honest I don't know the definition of "hijack" but the thread was about one thing and then a few people turned it a completely different topic so that's all I meant. Seemed like appropriate description but might not be

It was a bit over the top.

Threads do meander and it seems this meandering is done.

 

[Micah Sweet]

As I alluded to it makes a lot more sense than using topple against an Elephant ... let alone a Dragon.

Those things, and many, many more are a much bigger "break from reality" than not knowing where Mike went for a while.

What the heck is topple? Is that a 5.5 thing? If something clearly doesn't make sense in my game, and the table agrees, then you can't do it. That certainly includes missing party members with no explanation that somehow no one talks about.

 

[mamba]

You know how sometimes in TV shows there are characters who are there but they just didn't do anything important enough to be shown on the screen? That's the Rogue. They are right there but for whatever reason just not doing anything noteworthy in this particular episode

no, they are not there at all

The Rogue does not stare vacantly at the wall. He is just flat not there when his player is not there. And in a world with extensive magic it is easily explainable and not even close to the biggest thing that makes no sense in the fiction.

Besides, why would they be there and then watch the party being stuck on things they are good at?

 

[ECMO3]

What the heck is topple? Is that a 5.5 thing?

Yes, and this is a 2024 forum. If you don't know the rules .....

That certainly includes missing party members with no explanation that somehow no one talks about.

So I guess it would be fine if the player said at the end of the session he was in said "I'm going to hang out over here while you go through some of the other rooms in the dungeon" or if he said in the middle of a city adventure the investigating cult activity "I'm going to go back to the inn and catch some Zs, see you guys later"

So that kind of trivial "excuse" would make it totally ok? But just assuming something like that happened without explaining it in game somehow breaks the immersion?

 

[Maxperson]

So I guess it would be fine if the player said at the end of the session he was in said "I'm going to hang out over here while you go through some of the other rooms in the dungeon"

If he had been roleplaying that he didn't give a crap about the rest of the group and was okay staying alone to possibly die to random encounters, then sure.

or if he said in the middle of a city adventure the investigating cult activity "I'm going to go back to the inn and catch some Zs, see you guys later"

Depending on what was happening in the adventure, I'm fine with that. If the group is shopping or engaged in some other unimportant activity, no problem. If the group has just broken into the cultist stronghold and is exploring it, see above.

Also, don't expect to pop back into the middle of the group next session, since you no longer know where the group is. You can go off searching solo, but the risk will often be very high.

So that kind of trivial "excuse" would make it totally ok? But just assuming something like that happened without explaining it in game somehow breaks the immersion?

Most trivial excuses are just weak justifications that carry with it immense risk of death or removal of the PC from the adventure if you follow that excuse to its logical conclusion.