pming
Legend
Hiya!
I'm of the "I ask for rolls, Players don't 90% of the time" side of the fence. I'd call for their Insight bonuses...THEY WOULD NOT ROLL...and make the check when what they are saying and doing in-game makes it seem like they are ACTUALLY suspicious and the REASON for that suspicion.
For example, "But you live above your shop? You heard nothing?" ... "Nope. I'm a sound sleeper"... "Really? So how did you hear us knock at the door last night when you were sleeping? We didn't knock too loudly..." ... "Well, uh, I'm used to that knocking. Part of my business and all" ... "So I could get in a life and death fight with a thug who sneaked into my room at night and you'd just sleep away? Sounds awfully dangerous. Maybe we should get our month's money back and find somewhere else"... Ok. NOW give me your Insight adjustments. There was a lot more questioning and it was definitely the 'feeling' of Ned trying to 'cover' for his lack of attentiveness (if he wasn't guilty)...or his attempt to keep dodging realistic expectations for an innkeeper (if he was guilty).
I would also make the roll for EVERYONE there...not just Bob's PC. Whomever got the highest result I would address and fill them in on what 'vibe' they were getting (or whatever).
^_^
Paul L. Ming
How would this specific scenario play out in your game? If you have a strict "only the DM calls for a roll" what would Bob have to do or say to indicate that they are suspicious in order for you to call for an insight check? What would Susan have to do or say to indicate her PC believes whatever the merchant says?
*If Bob is asking for an insight check with every NPC they interact with, or if he tries to resolve every situation with a simple roll of the die, that's a separate issue and we'll discuss play style.
I'm of the "I ask for rolls, Players don't 90% of the time" side of the fence. I'd call for their Insight bonuses...THEY WOULD NOT ROLL...and make the check when what they are saying and doing in-game makes it seem like they are ACTUALLY suspicious and the REASON for that suspicion.
For example, "But you live above your shop? You heard nothing?" ... "Nope. I'm a sound sleeper"... "Really? So how did you hear us knock at the door last night when you were sleeping? We didn't knock too loudly..." ... "Well, uh, I'm used to that knocking. Part of my business and all" ... "So I could get in a life and death fight with a thug who sneaked into my room at night and you'd just sleep away? Sounds awfully dangerous. Maybe we should get our month's money back and find somewhere else"... Ok. NOW give me your Insight adjustments. There was a lot more questioning and it was definitely the 'feeling' of Ned trying to 'cover' for his lack of attentiveness (if he wasn't guilty)...or his attempt to keep dodging realistic expectations for an innkeeper (if he was guilty).
I would also make the roll for EVERYONE there...not just Bob's PC. Whomever got the highest result I would address and fill them in on what 'vibe' they were getting (or whatever).
^_^
Paul L. Ming