Page 1226 — Lying in Plain Hearing

Persuasion in tabletop games is very powerful because good deductions and acting can bolster bad-to-average rolls and great rolls can sometimes overcome tall social hurdles. I'm not sure there's another mechanic that has that kind of dual-support, now that I think about it.

DM: Well, given how generally unlikely it is that turning on your friends is your true intention… give me a Deception check.
Sandbar (AJ): <roll> 16.
DM: That said, you're playing to his biases, so for his Insight… <roll>
Chancellor Neighsay: Wisely put, colt.
DM: Another touch to his amulet…
Gallus (RD): And we break out!!
DM: And the magical chains separate just enough to let Sandbar out before reconnecting.
Gallus (RD): Ugh, really?
DM: You're still defeated, remember? Too bruised and tired for sudden movements.
Smolder (RT): You know, it occurs to me… Sandbar's doing this of his own initiative, correct? Which means we're completely in the dark. For all we know, he really is betraying us.
DM: You're free to make an Insight check.
Smolder (RT): Mmm, but I might as well enjoy the shock and indignation.
Ocellus (TS): Of course…
Gallus (RD): I'm definitely hurling curses at him as they walk out. Exotic griffon curses!
Yona (FS): Yona is just sad.
Chancellor Neighsay: Don't mind them. Everypony will come to their senses… eventually.
Sandbar (AJ): Yep. We'll show them the truth.
DM: …<roll>