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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 7470883" data-attributes="member: 2629">I break down the interaction with the world into three different areas:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Detection - Do you note the existence of it as something notable?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Understanding - Do you understand what it is?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Manipulation - Can you make ti do what you want?</li> </ul>Detection is often achieved via a perception role, but other skills can be used to detect in some circumstances.  For example, realizing there is hidden text within a portrait or spotting a fake floor panel might be a perception role.  However, noting that there is a secret word cypher in a text of passage would be an investigation check or noting that a famous story has had facts altered in a certain telling would be a history check.Understanding is usually achieved through a wisdom or intelligence skill associated with something you've perceived.Manipulation can be achieved through almost any skill (or tool) check.  Whatever is appropriate for the manipulation.  Thieves tools to open a lock, athletics to climb into a secret hole, sleight of hand to grab the rare book, intimidation to scare the timid guard, etc....Whenever a PC is going to attempt anything, I consider what they need to detect, understand and manipulate.  Often, they don't need to role checks for all three of these things to 'beat' the situation - but there can be benefits for rolling them, such as additional pieces of data for a good perception check, more ideas on how to manipulate the situation with an understanding check, or newly revealed information from manipulating the situation.  I've been using different variants on this idea since the 80s and the first introduction of a skill system into D&D.  It works well.</blockquote>

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