Concerning the Listen Check While Invisible

[Kaeldorn]

Shameless self-quote:

official D&D rules state that on making a move silently check while running and invisible, you get a -20 penalty (opposed to their Listen). Sundren's implementation lets you take 20 to compensate for low MS skill values.

According to vanilla D&D rules, if you were running while invisible, you would not get a static 1 or 5 for your rolls. You'd get a 5+1d20-20. The most you'd get out of such a roll is 5, and you get that guaranteed on Sundren.

Now, if you were to activate your sneak mode, then you would get 5+1d20 on your rolls, with no penalty. Of course the downside is that you move a lot slower.

[cmosier]

Well that cleared a lot of things up, thanks.

[Dayledose]

Uh yeah, so basicly if you're stealthing, you get a roll, if you're not, you get your base MS skill check cuz the rolls cancel eachother out.

[cdnspr]

So, could someone clarify this for me, please?
On being a succesful Listen check against an invised PC, can you 'see' (or pinpoint location, whatever you want to call it) the character in question, or are you just made aware of their presence?

[Doubtful]

With the system that Sundren has in place a successful listen check against an invisible PC results in hearing something close to their location.

You'd be aware of a presence, but not who/what was there.

From that point onwards it's RP - From the 'Who's there?! *clutches nightclothes/boyfriend/spaniel closer*' of a horror movie through to using other means to determine what's there.

[Vala Rift]

[EDIT] Yea.. What that last guy said. >_> [/EDIT]

With a successful listen check, you could RP as having heard a number of things.. Rustling armor/clothes, scraping of boots, footsteps, etc. I wouldn't say you would be able to pinpoint the person, but you can make a general assumption that "Something is moving over there" as specified.

Whether you RP as knowing that someone is invisible or simply relating it to natural sounds depends on where you are at when you hear it. In the wilds, you probably wouldn't think much of it.. In a closed room - it would get really suspicious.

Just my thoughts though.

I wonder how simple it would be to have the check determine the armor type the person is wearing (or other factors) and provide a description of the sound?

[Doubtful]

I suspect it would be a massive task to script an armour type check, and probably overkill.

I can't remember off of the top of my head if the persons MS vs Listen check is displayed in the info box, if it is then I'd say use the roll/amount you've won the check by as a vague guide to what you might have heard..

For instance a low victory roll might be a "Did you hear that? I'm sure I did.." moment, where as a really high victory roll might allow you to use a bit more information "Ahah! I heard the unmistakable sounds of mage-beard and overstarched collar!"

Or negotiate with your local sneaky-mage or potion drinker.. Either send them a /t and ask what you've heard, or if you're the sneak-in-question and you're heard by someone then let them know what it they heard - Was it the burreto you really shouldn't have had before attempting stealth, did you stand on a mouse, or did part of your armour jangle.

[cdnspr]

thanks for the replies, they answered my question perfectly.

[RPMike17]

Was it the burreto you really shouldn't have had before attempting stealth, did you stand on a mouse, or did part of your armour jangle.

I sense many "shouldn't have had that burrito" tells happening in the near future...