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Message: <blockquote data-quote="iserith" data-source="post: 7328600" data-attributes="member: 97077">You might consider: A task is not a check. A check is a mechanic used to resolve any uncertainty as to the outcome of a task. This uncertainty is determined and established by the DM. Therefore, a check implies that a task has been performed, but according to the rules on "How to Play," the player is required to describe what he or she wants to do before any check is called for. Without an attempt at a task, there can be no check (and in many cases there isn't one because there's no uncertainty as to the result). Keep this in mind.Now, under the rules for passive checks, "a passive check is a special kind of ability check that doesn't involve any die rolls." So as you can see here, "passive" isn't referring to the task - it's a descriptor for the check, in that you don't roll dice. It doesn't necessarily mean the character is acting in passive manner. In fact, the rules go on to say "Such a check can represent the average result for a task done repeatedly, such as searching for secret doors over and over again..." That's not a character acting passively.Taken altogether, we see that this mechanic can be used to resolve tasks described by a player that the character is doing repeatedly over time that also have an uncertain outcome (as determined by the DM).Yes, in general, that is the case. There is no such thing as "active perception." There are ability checks, for one-off tasks, and passive checks as described above.The one Dexterity (Stealth) check result is compared to each orc's passive Perception, provided the orders are keeping watch while traveling. Some of them might be engaged in other tasks that distract from that. In general, however, it's safe to assume they are always keeping watch on an ongoing basis which indicates a passive check is a reasonable mechanic to resolve the uncertainty (though essentially it's just setting a DC for the PC's task of hiding, one that must be exceeded for success).It depends on whether they're engaged in this task in an ongoing basis while traveling. If they aren't, then it's just an ability check against the DC set by the elves' Dexterity (Stealth) check or passive Stealth score if the elves are hiding in an ongoing basis. The orcs must meet or exceed the elves' result in the former or exceed the elves' passive score in the latter.So you might say the steps for resolving these sorts of situations is:1. The DM describes the environment.2. The players describe what they want to do.3. The DM decides if the outcome is uncertain.3a. If certain, skip to 4.3b. If uncertain, the DM decides if what the player described is a task being performed repeatedly.3c. If it is, then a passive check is called for.3d. If it isn't, then an ability check is called for.4. The DM narrates the results of the adventurers' actions.5. Repeat.</blockquote>

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