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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LostSoul" data-source="post: 4451735" data-attributes="member: 386">The biggest trick to skill challenges is, I think, dealing with the fact that the DM doesn't roll any dice.  Generally, when the DM doesn't roll anything, the PCs don't get attacked, don't take damage, and nothing bad happens to them.  What you have to do is put all the pressure on the PCs in your description of what's going on.  Give them a reason to make the roll.This means that you need an opposing force on the other side.  In your example, you have the refugees and the wilderness itself.  Maybe things like:-monsters start prowing the refugees, and will attack them unless the PCs do something-the wilderness crowds in on the PCs, making them get lost in its thick underbrush-an angry treant, guardian of the wood, pushes the PCs back and away from their source of materials-the materials themselves snap back in anger, threatening to pin a PC underneath the obstacle-a couple of the refugee leaders push ahead of the pack and spot the PCs doing the work, angering themHere's how I look at it:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Someone makes what I call the "inciting action".  In this case, it could be the DM having the refugees moving off, or the PCs setting up the obstacle.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In response to that, the other side has to make an action.  Maybe it's the PCs scouting for a place to block the refugees, or it's the refugees getting prowled by some worgs.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You roll the dice, and the situation changes.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The PCs find a narrow pass</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They lead the worgs away</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They can't find a spot for a good obstacle</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The refugees are attacked by worgs.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The change in the situation leads into another "inciting action", and you repeat the cycle until enough successes or failures are met.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The refugees are coming around the pass and are going to walk through it before the PCs can set up their obstacle</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The refugees start running in panic, and the PCs are going to have to get out in front of them</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The refugees are getting closer to their goal, and there is no good spot for an obstacle</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The worgs rip into the refugees, killing them and eating them.</li> </ul></li> </ul></blockquote>

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