Use your communication skills, empathy, and authority to de-escalate tense situations, delay hostilities, or persuade hostile actors to consider alternatives.
Roll d100 + skill versus DR 100 + target Resilience
Target will be the leader of the opponents if more are present.
Success (Beats DR): Hostile action is paused, and the target begins to listen
Strong Success (Beats DR by 20+): Target enters dialogue, may suggest alternatives
Critical Success (Beats DR by 40+): Target agrees to terms, shares information, or defects
–10 to -30 DR - Target has a known emotional connection or motive you can appeal to
–10 DR - Roleplay includes relevant leverage, evidence, or logical concessions
–10 DR - Supportive presence from allies or backup (non-aggressive)
–10 DR - Calm surroundings or ceasefire already declared
+20 DR - Active combat ongoing
+10 to +40 DR -Cultural or language barrier
+10 to +40 DR - Target determination
+20 DR - Target previously betrayed or angered by negotiator
+10 to +30 DR - Unstable or panicked target
You are attacked by a group of low level robbers just as you are about go into a short rest. You could easily beat them, but would probably spend more resources than you would like. Therefore you step up and try to get them to stop the attack if you pay them a bit of money and no one gets hurt. We have active combat going (+20 to DR) and as the attack has just started, the robbers are somewhat determined (+10 to DR). Your friends does not attack, so that gives you a bonus of -10 to the DR totalling a 120 DR. You have 75 in Crisis Negotiation, but unfortunately you only roll a 25 for a total of 110, so the robbers continue their assault.
Crisis Negotiation allows a character to use diplomacy under extreme pressure. Whether calming a panicked ally, brokering terms in a hostage situation, or averting full-blown conflict, this skill is the voice of reason in chaos.
The negotiation is influenced by factors like tone, leverage, and current danger.
A successful negotiator may buy crucial time, secure partial cooperation, or even flip opponents.Used properly, Crisis Negotiation can stall enemy plans or change the narrative outcome of an encounter—without a single shot fired.
Sequence with Decoy Tactics, Glibness, Diplomatic Pressure and similar to optimize your Crisis Negotiation.
Other options are AI Tactics Companion for a bonus to Diplomatic Skills and creative use of the spells 'Suggestion' and 'Charm Person' or fear based spells.
Detect Lie – Opposed roll to identify if the negotiator is being dishonest.
Sense Motive – Detect hidden agendas or manipulation attempts.
Sonic Control – Can impose a penalty on negotiation by disrupting vocal clarity, tone, or emotional effect of speech
Zone of Truth – Forces honesty. If the negotiator attempts deception