Ordinary Sneaking vs. Near-Invisible

[Zulgyan]

This is an offspring topic from my project about redoing the thief. But the discussion has interest if you play OD&D with just the 3LB.

The question is: How do you, as the referee, distinguish between normal stealth any character can do, from the hobbit and elven abilities to become "near-invisible".

How would you rule a same scenario, but that is being played first by an elf and then by a men fighter in no armor?

[coffee]

I, myself, would say that the Elven ability to move silently and remain unseen were stripped out of the race and provided for as magic items; i.e. the elven cloak and boots.

Hobbits are just sneaky; I wouldn't necessarily call for a die roll, I'd just adjudicate it based on the situation and the description the player gave.

As far as an Elf and a Man each sneaking down a corridor (for instance), I'd just listen to the description they gave and go from there. I might lean a bit toward the elf as far as natural ability goes, but unlike many of the die-hard Tolkien fans out there, I'm not automatically pro-elf.

I guess I don't have any specific game mechanics to share with you. But that's not too surprising; I much prefer rulings to rules any day.

[Zulgyan]

Yes, it's not mechanics what I'm after, but guidelines, ideas, clues, about how to handle it.

[coffee]

In that case, I guess I'd look at the overall situation.

Is the player roleplaying being sneaky? Or is he jabbering away to his buddy while waiting for me to tell him what happens?

Is it a good idea in this situation to be sneaky, or is he just wasting everybody's time?

What could happen if the party weren't sneaky, and do they deserve it to happen to them? (Note: The fact that someone is trying to be sneaky indicates they don't deserve something bad to happen, but situations vary).

In other words, I'd just wing it. Hope this helps!

[Deleted]

For the Elf IMC, I allow him the Thief abilities of "Move Silently" & "Hide in Shadows", using the GH Thief progression--but rolling for success (4) levels higher. For the Hobbit/Halfling, I allow the same, but only in brush or woodlands.

But I can definitely see where your coming from, coffee.

[coffee]

If I was using Greyhawk, I'd probably do the same as you.