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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 5690179" data-attributes="member: 92305">Not really.  I don't know how to pick a lock in real life, but if I'm playing a thief, I can describe how my character gets down on one knee and eyeballs the lock (simulating the character trying to determine the type of lock).  Then, I'll just make up some stuff that sounds cool. It doesn't have to be real.  This is a fantasy game.  But, a player can attach the sense of being real in his description....off the top of my head... PLAYER:  "I drop down on one knee and eyeball the lock.  I'm trying to determine the type.  I'm also looking for small pin holes or anything else unusual about the lock--looking to see if its trapped." DM:  "It's a standard type lock you've seen before--at least that's what you think from your inspection outside the keyhole.  You don't pick up any tell-tale signs of it being trapped." PLAYER:  "OK then.  I'll open my rolled pouch of tools that I keep at my waist.  I'll use the oil syringe with the rabbit bladder and squeeze a little oil into the lock to lubricate the tumblers.  Then, I'll pick out the number 2 and number 5 picks and do my thing on the lock." Player rolls Open Locks skill.    In RL, I know nothing about picking locks.  I have no idea whether oil will help the process (I was thinking old, stuck tumblers from a door no one has used in a dungeon and a little oil to loosen them up), but it sounds OK.  It's believeable unless you have a locksmith gaming with you (in which case he can help make descriptions realistic). That's all I'm looking for--interesting description that is more than "I'll roll my Heal Check" or "I'll make my Open Locks and see what's behind the door." You don't have to know a lot about something in RL.  You just have to make it sound cool and interesting. The same can be done with the Heal check or any other type of check.</blockquote>

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