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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MichaelSomething" data-source="post: 8748806" data-attributes="member: 51168">A Battle of WitsSet-UpSkill Challenge Level: VariableComplexity:3Number of Successes:8Number of Failures:3Primary Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Insight Important NPCs: Your foe, a mysterious man dressed only in black; the hostage(s)Let’s suppose you and your opponent were unable to act against each other due one or the other having a hostage. You are unable to reach an arrangement, and therefore, are at an impasse. To break this impasse, your foe challenges you to a battle of wits; for the hostage(s); and to the death. He pours two glasses of wine and then pulls out a small vial before saying the following. “This is Iocane powder. It is odorless, tasteless, and dissolves instantly in liquid, and is among the more deadly poisons known to man.” He then takes both glasses and turns his back towards you. A moment later he returns both glasses to a nearby table. “All right; where is the poison? The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide and we both drink, and find out who is right, and who is dead.”Skill ChallengeBluff (DC Hard): A well placed lie is always useful when playing mind games. However, this masked man is no fool and will not be easily tricked. Diplomacy (DC Hard or Normal): Talking is always an option when dealing with people. If the PC(s) use diplomacy in order to discern clues about which cup is poisoned use the hard DCs and limit them to two successes with this skill. The masked man is not willing to give away much if any information. If the PC(s) pursue a peaceful compromise to end the impasse use the normal DCs. If four successes are achieved this way, the skill challenge immediately ends due to the PC(s) and the masked man reaching an agreement of some type.Insight (DC Normal): By observing the masked man, you can learn his dispostion and motives. Up to three successes can be achieved this way. After each success, give the PCs one of the following tidbits...1. The masked man is still willing to pursue a peaceful solution to the situation. The PC(s) learn that Diplomacy can still be used to achieve a compromise.2. The masked man is both smart and wise. The PC(s) learn that Bluff is set at the Hard DC. 3. The masked man is quite calm and relaxed for a life or death situation; perhaps too relaxed?Nature (Normal DC): Knowledge about the poison may be helpful. The PC(s) can learn where the poison comes from as well as other trivia related to it. The DM generally should customize the information to suit his/her campaign world. A successful check does not count as a success (or failure) but does add a +2 bonus to the next Insight check made.Streetwise (Normal DC): PC(s) can use their knowledge of local culture (or any knowledge skill, depending on how the PCs justify it) to figure out the masked man's mindset. A successful check does not count as a success (or failure) but does add a +2 bonus to the next check made. Of course, the DM can allow other skills to be used if PC(s) can justify their reasoning for using it well enough and/or roleplay it out in an entertaining manner.Ending the ChallengeSuccess: The PC(s) successfully acquire nine successes trying to figure out which cup is poisoned, they instead figured out that battle of wits is a <a href="http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0428.html" target="_blank">shell game</a>. In that event, the PC(s) and the masked man are back at square one. If the PC(s) acquire four diplomacy checks trying to reach a peaceful settlement, then they do so. The terms of the agreement is left up to the PC(s) and DM to decide. Failure: If the PC(s) fail the skill challenge, they come to the conclusion that one of the glasses is safe to drink. By drinking from from any of the glasses; they guessed wrong. Both cups of wine were poisoned. The masked man has developed an immunity to the poison. By drinking from any wine cup, they fell for the trap. The poison takes its full effect on the PC(s). Experience PointsIf successful, the PC(s) earn experience points equal to defeating three monster at the level of the Skill Challenge.</blockquote>

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