| name | gm-skills |
| description | Skill-check resolution — when to roll, the DC ladder, fail-forward philosophy, and margin-based consequences. Load whenever the player attempts something uncertain ("I try to..."). Resolution runs through the generic core (d20 vs DC); this is the judgment framework for when/how. |
Skill Checks
When to roll (dice add fun)
- Uncertain outcome — could go either way
- Stakes matter — success/failure changes the story
- Risk of harm — physical, social, or resource loss
- Contested — someone opposes it
- Time pressure
Don't roll for: trivial tasks, impossible tasks, routine professional work, or anything with no meaningful consequence for failure.
Process
- Declare the DC BEFORE rolling. 2. Roll
uv run python lib/dice.py "1d20+[mod]" (or via game_core.resolve_check). 3. Narrate by margin.
DC ladder
Trivial 5 · Easy 10 · Moderate 15 · Hard 20 · Very Hard 25 · Nearly Impossible 30.
Narrate by margin
Nat 20 = exceptional flourish · beat by 10+ = looks easy, extra benefit · success = clean · fail by 1-4 = close, minor setback · fail by 5+ = clear fail + complication · nat 1 = mishap.
Reward a great success (award spectacle XP)
A clever/effective/unique solve EARNS progress, not just a kill. On a strong success (nat 20, beat-by-10+, or an inventive approach), grant it before narrating: bash tools/gm-player.sh award --tier minor|major|legendary --reason "..." (kit-aware, level-scaled, co-awards followers in DCC). See gm-craft → Reward the spectacle.
Fail Forward (CRITICAL)
A failed roll NEVER means "nothing happens" — it means "something DIFFERENT happens."
- Failed lockpick? The pick breaks inside — now you need the key or a louder way.
- Failed persuasion? The NPC shares the info... but tips off your enemies.
- Failed stealth? Not caught yet, but you knocked something over — now you're on a timer.
Framework: (1) what did they try? (2) what was the intent? (3) what goes sideways into a NEW situation? (4) what choice does that create?
Fail-forward ≠ immortal. "Something different happens" can include death when the stakes were lethal and telegraphed (over-matched threat, ignored warning, a tightening string of failures). Don't soften a self-inflicted lethal outcome into a free pass. On PC death → Death Protocol (CLAUDE.md).
Failure consequences (by margin below DC)
- Physical: 1-2 minor setback · 3-5 resource spent/attention drawn · 6-9 minor harm (1d4) · 10+ real harm (1d6+). For lethal/telegraphed stakes, a catastrophic margin can mean a death-gate hit (drop to 0 → dying), not just 1d6+. Reserve this for earned, signposted danger.
- Social: 1-2 unconvinced · 3-5 attitude shifts negative · 6-9 acts against you · 10+ hostile/spreads word.
- Information: 1-2 partial · 3-5 nothing, try another way · 6-9 wrong conclusion believed true · 10+ triggers a ward/wastes time.
For significant failures: bash tools/gm-consequence.sh add "[what happens]" "[when]" [--trigger-type ...].
Common skills by ability
STR: Athletics · DEX: Acrobatics/Sleight of Hand/Stealth · INT: Arcana/History/Investigation/Nature/Religion · WIS: Animal Handling/Insight/Medicine/Perception/Survival · CHA: Deception/Intimidation/Performance/Persuasion. (A non-D&D kit defines its own skill list in ruleset.json.)
