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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 5951986" data-attributes="member: 11300">I think I would have to say no. Or at the least, I don't think I want formal mechanics in the majority of circumstances.I prefer a more informal set of ideas and possible directions rather than something as formalized as 4e's skill challenges. I find when I'm DMing and inhabiting the NPCs, I produce a truer and richer experience when I'm not worried about following mechanics. This does require a bit of prep though to get it how I want it.However, there are most likely simpler interactions between the PCs and a less important NPC where formalized mechanics may help where the range of results is more simplified. For example, when haggling over the selling price of an exotic or unusual item, there is most likely room for a good range of results. These need to take into account:- Do the PCs know how much the item is worth?- Does the merchant know how much the item is worth?- What do the PCs think the merchant thinks the item is worth?- What does the merchant think the PCs think the item is worth?- How desperate is the merchant to either sell or buy the item?- How convincing are the PCs in changing (or not changing) the merchants mind?I'm sure you could bundle all this together into a reasonably complex social interaction of several phases. After the 5th haggling event though, people might prefer to go back to something simpler. I'm also sure that you can have a few possible results tied to a simpler haggling contest between the PCs knowledge and bluffing capacity against the merchants knowledge and insight or sense motive. A couple of rolls and result achieved. I'm thinking though that the particular conditions of the various merchants are always going to be a factor and so most of this stuff is going to be coloured by the adventure/NPC anyway. I don't know. I'm just not convinced there is a great way for D&D to do complex social interactions that everyone can get on-board with.Best RegardsHerremann the Wise</blockquote>

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