Page 1362 - Aid, Shutdown Lessened
9th Apr 2020, 6:00 AM

Author: GreatDinn

Guest Author’s Note: “I think it says a lot about D&D that there are three skills that utilize the same stat that can be used for social situations. They could have just had a single Charisma based skill that handled how the players interact with others, but they decided to split it up to encourage different kinds of play behavior, or character builds. You can get help from others by pulling a Tom Sawyer, and bluffing the others into thinking its totally a good idea; you can use Diplomacy to create a genuine compromise between both parties or approach the situation logically; or you can just be scary as all get out! And likewise, this encourages the DM to have NPCs react differently to the different stimuli. Of course, the player’s intent doesn’t always match the skill used, but…

By the by, today’s comic is sponsored by…”

FS: Um…does a 10 pass?
MD: No…but with the help from Twilight’s 20, you all don’t fail at cleaning.
FS: Oh, thank goodness.
MD: So, what would be next…decorations? Let’s go with that.
FS: Umm…I have a question.
MD: What is it?
FS: Could I use Diplomacy to try and get other students to help?
MD: You can try, but it won’t be an easy roll for you.
FS: I know. <roll>
MD: Hmmm…well…
FS: Oh no…
RT: Wait! This is a perfect opportunity to use that Aid Another action, correct?
MD: It’s a bit late…
Twilight Sparkle: I don’t think a little leniency will hurt this time.
FS: I can’t look…
MD: …yeah, OK. Go ahead.
RT: Et voila!
RD: Whoa! No need to chuck it!
AJ: It’s a 14.
RT: Apologies! Just got a bit excited.
MD: Okay, 8 plus Fluttershy’s Diplomacy skill plus 2…You pass. Barely.
RT & FS: Yes!
FS: Now we have some minions!
RT: Now we can pawn off the boring work!
MD: Real diplomatic.