Skill Challenge: The Missing Ingredient

This skill challenge can be run in both urban and rural settings. They are similar, but in some circumstances make use of different skills. Both variations are presented below.

The Missing Ingredient (Urban)

This Skill Challenge can easily be adapted for any scenario where the PCs need to find an item or object that is rare, dangerous, hard to find, illegal, etc.

Setup

The PCs need to find a rare or illicit ingredient needed to complete a ritual.

Complexity

3 PC level +1 (requires 8 successes before 3 failures).

Primary Skills

Arcana, Bluff, Diplomacy, History, Insight, Intimidate, Religion, Streetwise, Thievery

• Each skill can only be used to accomplish 1 success towards the overall skill challenge unless noted otherwise.
• Skill checks denoted as assist do not count as a success or failure towards the overall skill challenge.

Secondary Skills

Insight, Perception

Arcana (easy DC, maximum of 2 successes)

You know what the component looks like and how it should be handled, stored, transported, etc.

Bluff  (hard DC, maximum of 2 successes)

You try to convince someone that your need for the component is honest and innocent.

Diplomacy (moderate DC, maximum of 2 successes)

You gain the trust of a shady character.

History (moderate DC, maximum of 2 successes)

Your knowledge of the city’s districts and classes allow you to look in the right places for the component.

Insight (moderate DC, assist)

People’s reaction to your inquiries indicate if you’re on the right track. +2 to your next Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate or Streetwise check.

Intimidate (hard DC +2)

You threaten physical violence against a man with knowledge of where to find the component.

Perception (moderate DC, maximum of 2 successes)

You spot tools used to cultivate, store, transport the component. +2 to the next check made by you or another PC.

Religion (easy DC, maximum of 2 successes)

You know what the component looks like and how it should be handled, stored, transported, etc.

Streetwise (moderate DC, maximum of 3 successes)

You’re able to ask the right people the right questions.

Thievery (hard DC)

You decide to steal the component when you find it.

Success

You acquire enough of the ingredient to complete the ritual.

Failure

You were unable to acquire enough of the ingredient to complete the ritual. Now you have to locate a substitute component at the cost of gold and time.

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The Missing Ingredient (Rural)

This Skill Challenge can easily be adapted for any scenario where the PCs need to find an item or object that is rare, dangerous, hard to find, illegal, etc.

Setup

The PCs need to find a rare or illicit ingredient needed to complete a ritual.

Complexity

3 PC level +1 (requires 8 successes before 3 failures).

Primary Skills

Athletics, Arcana, Dungeoneering, Heal, Nature, Religion

• Each skill can only be used to accomplish 1 success towards the overall skill challenge unless noted otherwise.
• Skill checks denoted as assist do not count as a success or failure towards the overall skill challenge.

Secondary Skills

Arcana, Heal, Nature, Perception, Religion

Athletics (hard DC, maximum 2 successes)

You need to climb a tree or scale a cliff to acquire the ingredient.

Arcana (moderate DC, maximum 2 successes)

You have knowledge of what the component looks and smells like, requires to thrive, etc. +2 to your next Dungeoneering or Nature check.

Dungeoneering (moderate DC, maximum 2 successes)

You have knowledge of where the ingredient can be found in an underground or cavernous environment.

Heal (hard DC, assist)

You have knowledge of alternative medicinal purposes of the component. You know what it looks and smells like. +2 to your next Dungeoneering or Nature check.

Nature (moderate DC, maximum 2 successes)

You have knowledge of what the component looks and smells like, requires to thrive, etc.

Nature (hard DC)

You know what other plants and animals might live in a similar environment. +2 to the next check made by you or another PC.

Perception (moderate DC, assist)

You spot other plants or animals that generally live in a similar environment. +2 to your next Dungeoneering or Nature check.

Religion (moderate DC, maximum 2 successes)

You have knowledge of what the component looks and smells like, requires to thrive, etc. +2 to your next Dungeoneering or Nature check.

Success

You acquire enough of the ingredient to complete the ritual.

Failure

You were unable to acquire enough of the ingredient to complete the ritual. Now you have to locate a substitute component at the cost of gold and time.

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