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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GMMichael" data-source="post: 9404075" data-attributes="member: 6685730">I can't get behind the idea of having multiple subsystems for these activities.  That's a D&D 3rd ed. finer point: adding some uniformity to the rules.  But then 3e fills all that cleaned up rules-space with new rules and new books.My system is one step simpler than 3e's treatment.  I unified the rules (the Contest), but didn't go on to add tables or subsystems afterward:PC: What do I know about trolls?GM: Good question.  They're big, green, and mean.PC:  No, I mean, are they vulnerable to fire?GM: Roll a Mental contest.PC: 17, and I added my Lore skill.GM: That's a Pro, so you've heard that they are, but you think it's just a rumor.PC: OH, no.  Are those the headhunters ahead?GM: Yes, and they're hefting their axes as they approach you.  PC: So they're hostile? Can I soften their spirits a bit with some song and dance?GM: Ever the bard, Yngwie.  Sure, roll a metaphysical contest.  Since there are four of them, your difficulty is Arduous.PC: It's 13.  We're in trouble.GM: Yes, that's a Con.  What went wrong?PC: How about . . . the song I started reminded them of their favorite war chant?GM: Sounds good.  They get oddly evil grins as you almost start their own war chant for them.  So they'll get a morale boost for a bit, and you get a free hero point.</blockquote>