Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Vraille Darkfang" data-source="post: 2316023" data-attributes="member: 16989">I'd let the Bluff Roll stand. But, Bluff vs Sense Motive are not the only skills involved here.However, a Potion of Longevity isn't a standard potion (iirc), as potions are merely spells in liquid form.&nbsp; The NPC, as a good merchant, SHOULD have cast Detect Magic (and allowed the casting of such) to determine the relative properties of the offered merchandise.Under Detect Magic, the Potion of Spider Climb would have shown up as Minor (Transmutation), CLEARLY not a Potion of Longevity.&nbsp; A simple Knowledge (Arcana) or Spellcraft check should of told the NPC the PC was pulling a fast one.Doesn't matter how high the Bluff check is, you can't sell a Cattle Rancher a Dairy Hiefer calling it an Angus Bull.&nbsp; He knows better.So, they Bluffed the merchant.&nbsp; He belived them.&nbsp; Then he sees irrefutable evidence they are lying.&nbsp; This is a case of got caught Bluffing really well.&nbsp; They're scam artists, really good ones, but just that, scam artists.He doesn't know what they're trying to sell him, he just knows it isn't what they claim it is.As I see it 2 options exist for why he'd still go through with the deal.1.&nbsp; He's an idiot (from a mercantile stand point).&nbsp; He's a normal merchant who just happens to have some Magic Items (at least he's been TOLD they're magic) from somebody who had to default on a loan &amp; offered these 'precious magic items' as partial payment of the debt.&nbsp; The merchant normally deals in grain, spices, or something else &amp; hasn't a clue about magic.&nbsp; With a good bluff check, you could have traded him 'magic beans'.Of course, this means he has no idea if the magic items he's selling do what he's been told they do.&nbsp; Could be cursed for all he knows.2. He's a scam artist too.&nbsp; Got some 'hot' or cursed items he needs to off-load in a hurry.&nbsp; Not sure what that potion is, but knows he won't hang for having 'potion X' as opposed to Duke Uberpain's Family Ring of Magical Power.&nbsp; Or once the wearer has used the item to breathe water, they can no longer breathe air.&nbsp; Thus, he's more than willing to allow himself to be 'scammed'Your right, as a DM I wouldn't let a true 'magic merchant' fall for that dumb trick, probably.&nbsp; He'd not only have to lose the Sense Motive roll, he'd also have to flub a Knowledge (arcana) roll (very badly in this case).&nbsp; Sure, I'd let the dice determine the outcome.&nbsp; If he fails the Sense Motive Roll, followed by a 1 on the Know check, fine.&nbsp; Otherwise he's shutting the deal down.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Vraille Darkfang, post: 2316023, member: 16989"] I'd let the Bluff Roll stand. But, Bluff vs Sense Motive are not the only skills involved here. However, a Potion of Longevity isn't a standard potion (iirc), as potions are merely spells in liquid form. The NPC, as a good merchant, SHOULD have cast Detect Magic (and allowed the casting of such) to determine the relative properties of the offered merchandise. Under Detect Magic, the Potion of Spider Climb would have shown up as Minor (Transmutation), CLEARLY not a Potion of Longevity. A simple Knowledge (Arcana) or Spellcraft check should of told the NPC the PC was pulling a fast one. Doesn't matter how high the Bluff check is, you can't sell a Cattle Rancher a Dairy Hiefer calling it an Angus Bull. He knows better. So, they Bluffed the merchant. He belived them. Then he sees irrefutable evidence they are lying. This is a case of got caught Bluffing really well. They're scam artists, really good ones, but just that, scam artists. He doesn't know what they're trying to sell him, he just knows it isn't what they claim it is. As I see it 2 options exist for why he'd still go through with the deal. 1. He's an idiot (from a mercantile stand point). He's a normal merchant who just happens to have some Magic Items (at least he's been TOLD they're magic) from somebody who had to default on a loan & offered these 'precious magic items' as partial payment of the debt. The merchant normally deals in grain, spices, or something else & hasn't a clue about magic. With a good bluff check, you could have traded him 'magic beans'. Of course, this means he has no idea if the magic items he's selling do what he's been told they do. Could be cursed for all he knows. 2. He's a scam artist too. Got some 'hot' or cursed items he needs to off-load in a hurry. Not sure what that potion is, but knows he won't hang for having 'potion X' as opposed to Duke Uberpain's Family Ring of Magical Power. Or once the wearer has used the item to breathe water, they can no longer breathe air. Thus, he's more than willing to allow himself to be 'scammed' Your right, as a DM I wouldn't let a true 'magic merchant' fall for that dumb trick, probably. He'd not only have to lose the Sense Motive roll, he'd also have to flub a Knowledge (arcana) roll (very badly in this case). Sure, I'd let the dice determine the outcome. If he fails the Sense Motive Roll, followed by a 1 on the Know check, fine. Otherwise he's shutting the deal down. [/QUOTE]

Verification