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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 7733089" data-attributes="member: 23935">I would adjust this statement to: " In D&D systems with (a) Vancian casters with prolific access and (b) noncombat action resolution governed by a process-based or outcome-based sim (internal causality rather than genre logic) task resolution (rather than conflict resolution), users of magic are going to be inevitably dominate noncombat action resolution."Another way to distribute the ability to engage with non-combat encounters is to distribute magical effects more widely among the group members through the inclusion of magical devices, consumables, and NPCs (factions, favours, and followers). Such blocks should have back-story, but not necessarily be secrets.  Everyone may know the chamberlain is a drow and thus 50% resistance to magic cast by an 11th level caster, or perhaps the PCs previously sold a ring of spell turning to the same man, or perhaps it is widely known (and the players were told in advance) that the position, being one with both access to power and public face, comes with its own perks and protections.  Then again, maybe it was a secret and until it was unearthed by the PCs  investigation (or not and is still a secret).  Secret backstory is usually not unknowable back-story. Immersion breaking is subjective and I do believe you'd get some people eye-rolling this form of play much like you indicate eye-rolling for blocks, above.Other ways that exist to get around an obstinate public official that are open to most character types: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is a bribe expected or customary?  Pay it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there anything he cares about more than blocking you?  Threaten it or offer protection in a persuasive way.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there something that must occupy his attention completely? Cause it to happen and deal with his fill-in.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there something in his life that causes him angst?  Solve it and earn a favour in return.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there a reason he doesn't like the PC group in particular? Change it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the obstinacy to further his own interests or to work against the realm's?  Expose it.</li> </ul>Basically, step one is discover why you are being stonewalled.  Step two is resolve that issue.Even if the obstinacy is unbreakable, go around it:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Connive an "accidental" encounter at a public event or appearance.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Persuade a friendly guard/servant/official to deliver a hand-written note begging for an audience or spelling out the threat.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Talk to someone the chamberlain cannot refuse (like the head of the priesthood, sister of the king, powerful noble, foreign embassy, and anyone else the king meets with) to bring you or your message to the king.</li> </ul>Nothing on these lists prevents a wide variety of GMing styles for being applied.</blockquote>

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