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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Merova" data-source="post: 1110224" data-attributes="member: 2505">Script ImmunityHi all!Each character in an rpg will have a purpose, be it simple (ie: eat the PCs) or complex (initiate Plan X to accomplish goal Y then . . .). We'll call this purpose a "script." To model a character's strength at maintaining its script there are various mechanics involved, mainly AC, hit points and saving throws. We'll call these elements "Script immunity."For a PC to alter an NPC's script, they need to bypass its immunity. So, if a PC wants to hack the NPC to pieces, they'll need to bypass its "passive resist-style" immunity (AC) and deplete its "refresh-style" immunity (hit points). Until the hit points are depleted, the PCs cannot rewrite the script to say "the NPC has been hacked to pieces."Likewise, if a PC wants to turn an NPC to stone, they'll need to bypass to "active resist-style" immunity (saves). If the NPC has an effective active-resist for this situation, like a high level fighter with a boosted CON, then their immunity will likely rebuff the attempt. However, if the resist fails, then the immunity is bypassed and the PC can rewrite the script declaring that the NPC is now stone.In terms of combat challenge, D&D is very well written and excellently balanced. The various immunities may be arranged and combined in interesting tactical manners.However, there is a backdoor to altering script immunity, the social skill set. As written, most NPCs have no defense against social challenges. They can't "armor up," they get no "save progression" and have no ablative/refresh pool to resist such attacks. A medium-level, social powergamer can defuse many a nasty situation with a single die roll, regardless of challenge rating. This is in accordance with the rules as written.The social challenge structure makes a mockery out of script immunity. Yes, one can say that turning somebody "friendly" is much less powerful than turning them to a snail. However, in game terms, the result is similar; the conflict has been overcome.Moreover, the actual adjudication of such is overly vague, which is the premise behind this thread. What exactly constitutes "friendly," "indifferent," or "helpful." The handful of words that gets offered as advice is not even close to being enough to make fair adjudications.Basically, my feelings are that if a diplomacy check results in given result, then the PC gets to rewrite the script in a way that reflects the given result, in accordance with the stated delineation of the task. This rewrite needs to be approved by the GM, of course. Just because you've convinced the Queen to fund your outrageous expedition by rolling a "Helpful" result doesn't mean she's going to sleep with you as well. You'll need to roll another check to get that. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />This is all, IMO. YMMV. Thanks for reading---Merova</blockquote>

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