mrpopstar
Sparkly Dude
The player describes what her character is trying to do (in this case, decipher an esoteric symbol). The Dungeon Master decides whether the outcome of that attempt is certain to succeed (in this case, very easy to decipher), certain to fail (in this case, impossible to decipher), or uncertain (in this case, somewhere between very easy and impossible to decipher).Yes, even though you are using words I don't find to be a good fit, it seems we agree on the principle of the matter being basically the following process:
Player says what their character is trying to do (in this case, think up something relevant to current circumstances). DM decides if the outcome of that attempt is certain to succeed, certain to fail, or uncertain (in this case, if the character knows, doesn't know, or might know something relevant to current circumstances). DM calls for a roll of some sort to resolve any uncertainty the outcome might have.
The point I'm trying to make is that the description of each lore skill (Arcana, History, Nature, Religion) uses the word recall. An ability check that tests a lore skill is measuring your ability to remember and recollect knowledge you presumably hold.
