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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zaruthustran" data-source="post: 3114830" data-attributes="member: 1457">Ask for Standard Operating ProceduresNeed more info. Do you normally require your players to explicitly say "We loot the bodies"? Or do you usually put treasure into the post-combat wrapup? Did the players seem to be in a hurry to move on? Was it "Okay, they're dead--let's get out of here!" or was it "Okay, they're dead. Let's camp and rest."One option is to give the PCs the obvious treasure, but JUST the obvious treasure. If the players spaced, then assume the characters did as well. Anything glowing would be assumed to have been taken. I mean, that's a gimme. Any big bulging coin purses could be assumed to have been taken. Spellbooks, scrolls, and potions out in the open (not hidden in bags or whatnot) can be assumed claimed. But mundane-looking weapons, armor, cloaks, bags, and their contents... I can see ruling that some of that was left behind.Me, I'd go with whatever the party considers Standard Operating Procedure. Which is why when I DM, I ask the players to literally write out Standard Operating Procedures. It takes about 15 minutes, but once you get it all down then you've got it forever--and in the long run, it saves a LOT of time that would otherwise be spent bickering/arguing/retconning.I ask for:1. Marching order in wilderness2. Marching order in dungeons3. Marching order in cities4. Resting in wilderness5. Resting in dungeons6. Resting in cities (do they get rooms? what kind of place? do they ask for top floor/ground floor? do they trap the door and windows, and with what? do they share rooms? do they eat the local food and drink or eat from their own rations?)7. Dealing with doors in dungeons8. Looting the deadFor all of the above, I don't allow them to say that they "take 20", but they can say that they're "taking 10". That's what Take 10 is for: routine tasks. If they want the extra attention to detail of a take 20, or if they want to spend more than a single round/single skill check, then they have to call it out during play or it doesn't happen. And for marching and resting, I ask them exactly what buffs they "normally" cast, and when. Same goes for normal prep times for spells. Resting includes camp layout, location of horses, and watch schedules. Obviously they can alter their SOPs at any time, by simply stating that they are doing so. But by asking for SOPs, I avoid the whole situation of my asking "okay, what's your marching order" and having everyone being extra paranoid, claiming that "of course I'd have this buff up" when really they probably wouldn't, etc.It also keeps play from draaaaaaaaagging in dungeons. If every. Single. Door. Involves the rogue pc having to go through the whole litany of spot, listen, search the square in front of the door, search the door, open the lock.... well, that gets real boring real fast. Much better to ask the PC if he's fine taking 10, and going with that.*-z* One thing to keep in mind is that you don't use the SOPs to run the characters. If the PCs are exploring and come upon a door, wait for them to say "Dougal goes up and searches the door". With that one phrase, you can move the rogue up and compare his Search, Spot, and Listen against any traps or monsters. Quick, but with the PCs still driving the boat. Don't just say "Okay, you move forward and come upon a door. Dougal goes up. He searches, finds nothing, and opens the door. Oh noes! There's a monster on the other side and it attacks. Take 5 damage." <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />The idea is convenience, not autopilot.</blockquote>

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