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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hriston" data-source="post: 7329374" data-attributes="member: 6787503">As others have said, there's no difference in the fictional positioning of the character between a passive Perception check and a rolled Perception check. In both cases, the character is "keeping an eye out" for things that are hidden or wouldn't otherwise be noticed or detected. The difference is that a passive check can be used when the activity is done repeatedly, or the DM wants to keep it a secret that a check is being made. Perception is an aspect of Wisdom according to the default descriptions in the rulebooks. There is a rules-variant, however, that lets you mix and match skills with different abilities.Saying they aren't looking for you implies they don't have a dedicated lookout and are preoccupied with some other activity. For example, they might all be focused on tracking some creature as they march. In that case, I wouldn't consult their passive Perception score at all and would describe a successful result to the hide attempt.There's no difference between one orc and five orcs as long as they all have the same passive Perception score. The hiding creature makes one Dexterity (Stealth) check which is contested by the orcs' passive Perception. If the hiding creature's check meets or exceeds the orcs' passive score, it remains hidden. If its check is lower than the orcs' score, they notice it. As I said, if they aren't looking, their passive Perception doesn't contribute to finding elves or anyone else, so the hiding creature remains hidden. If they are looking, however, then their passive Perception score is compared to the creature's Stealth check to see if the creature is discovered. I'd assume if they were keeping watch for hidden elves that they'd also notice other hidden creatures whose Stealth check result was lower than their passive Perception score.You're welcome!</blockquote>

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