QuoteWhat if, when a PC says they explore something in game, they just automatically find whatever is there? Surely, that has to be more interesting than the alternative, doesn't it?
This sparked an idea in me:
You've got a rogue, an arcane caster and a fighter in the party. The clearing they've just arrived at has a decrepit altar besides a small pond and an old willow tree, the latter's shade littered with old stuff.
- masterwork sword: figther auto, rogue 10, rest 16 / find in town at barracks
- signet ring: rogue auto, history skill 10, rest 14 / find in town at ball
- altar patron: divine auto, religion 8, rest 16 / find in village or monastery
- signs of ambush: ranger auto, fighter 10, rest 15
- component weeds: arcane auto, divine 12, rest 16 / find at witch or at town
- document: history/lore 12, rest 18 / find at monastery or in town at ball
If someone with auto notation makes a perception check, they find it, regardless of the result. If someone with a number assigned makes a perception check beating the number, they find it. If a location / event is indicated, later the party can find clues based on that. The ambush sign is exciting whether found or not.
Also, they can later return with an NPC (or more) they ask (roleplay) or hire (resources) who can find what they missed.
This way they have alternative ways of finding stuff, making perception checks count but not binary.