Learning Stuff via Sense Motive? [3.5]

[Fortuna]

So I was wondering something. A character of mine has an insane Sense Motive modifier, although it is short of the epic uses, and I wanted to know if this is a viable use of it. Say your character is in a conversation with someone he wants to learn something from, and he drops a name or two. Can you pick up, from body language and facial expression, whether the other person has heard the name and roughly what it means to them?

[Mushroom Ninja]

So I was wondering something. A character of mine has an insane Sense Motive modifier, although it is short of the epic uses, and I wanted to know if this is a viable use of it. Say your character is in a conversation with someone he wants to learn something from, and he drops a name or two. Can you pick up, from body language and facial expression, whether the other person has heard the name and roughly what it means to them?

Although I haven't found any rules about that yet, it seems reasonable enough to me.

[Xzeno]

Sure. As a DM, if you asked if you could do that, I would congratulate you on good use of the skill.

As for the DC, I can tell from body language if someone has heard a name and I'm way below epic. With an "insane" modifier, you should be able to do it easily.

[Fortuna]

Actually, I don't know that it's that insane. Is +39 at level 14 good? And also, wouldn't it be some kind of opposed check? And what kind of information can I get if I succeed really well?

[Sinfire Titan]

Actually, I don't know that it's that insane. Is +39 at level 14 good? And also, wouldn't it be some kind of opposed check? And what kind of information can I get if I succeed really well?

Fairly good. DC 50 on an 11+. I'm guessing custom magic items or Legacy Item.

[Xzeno]

Actually, I don't know that it's that insane. Is +39 at level 14 good? And also, wouldn't it be some kind of opposed check? And what kind of information can I get if I succeed really well?

I have no (real life) experience with people actively trying to hide motives. For that, I think the opposed check (sense motive vs. bluff) is a good idea.

For a great success, I would say that if you beat the DC by 5 or more, you know what emotion this name invokes in the person (anger, fear, happiness, lust). That's all I can think of. I hope it helps.

[Fortuna]

Fairly good. DC 50 on an 11+. I'm guessing custom magic items or Legacy Item.

No, actually. +8 Wis mod +17 ranks +14 Truth domain. Nothing custom about it.

OK, I'll run that by my DM.

[Harperfan7]

If, in a conversation, you dropped a name, they would probably react with facial expressions or body language, unless they deliberately attempt to not show anything, which would be a bluff check.

The first is probably a set DC modified by their wisdom mod, the second is an opposed check, but I can't come up with any good DC modifiers.

[Tehnar]

A DC 20 Sense Motive check gives you a hunch to a general social situation you are in.

As a DM I would expand that, so if you beat the DC by 5 or 10 you get more information. A + 39 modifier is truly epic, and you should have no problem determining emotional states of any NPC you come across.

[hewhosaysfish]

Be careful though: if they make their Sense Motive check against you, they might realise that your deliberately dropping names to fish for information. How's your Bluff score?