Knowledge (local)

[ThoughtfulOwl]

But that knowledge is usually gained automatically, or not? I mean, without the skill.

Or do you require a character to have Knowledge (local) to find out such basic information?

Bye
Thanee

For really basic information (say, customs of your hometown), the DC would be 10 or less - eligible for an untrained knowledge check - meaning that any Int 10 average commoner would automatically know it; ah, the wonder of taking 10!

 

[Thanee]

But Knowledge cannot be used untrained.

Bye
Thanee

 

[ThoughtfulOwl]

Aha! You failed your Knowledge(Rules Lawyering) check! I guess DC 30 was a tad too much...

From the SRD:
Untrained: An untrained Knowledge check is simply an Intelligence check. Without actual training, you know only common knowledge (DC 10 or lower).

Edit: following from this and the take 10 rules, IMC I assume for simplicity that everything at DC 10- will be automatically known or recalled by people with at least average intelligence. The Int 6 Half-Orc Barbarian, OTOH...

 

[Thanee]

Ah, I see.

Bye
Thanee

 

[ThoughtfulOwl]

Mmmh... for the sake of completeness, here is my position about knowledge categories.

I do not split Knowledge(local) between regions, like I don't split Knowledge(religion) between different cults, Knowledge(history) between different eras and so on. I have two reasons for that:
1) Because it becomes too costly and dispersive in terms of skill points; it could be doable if skill points had a finer granularity.
2) Because I'm a big supporter of striking a compromise between eyeballing and micromanagement. I'd rather guess a modifier on the spot than put up a complex system that may or may not be used.

Following from the above points, I adjust Knowledge DCs whenever a PC ought to be particularly familiar or unfamiliar with the question at hand. Knowledge(local) checks will be more difficult when you are in a new place, like Knowledge(religion) will be for obscure cults, Knowledge(nobility & royalty) will be way easier when concerning the lineage of your own noble family and so on.

If the DC drops to 10 or lower, it's common knowledge that the PC might recall even without ranks (and a PC with Int 10+ and a moment to think it up does know is).