How would you guys run the following scene: a PC rolled critical on a intimidation check and begins to speak threats against the creature, but that creature doesn't understand him (he didn't know).
Honestly, this should have been considered before the roll.
If it's another humanoid or the creature could be expected to understand body language, then it sees the threatening body language. Or however you think they would have communicated the menace.
Otherwise, if there's no way to convey the menace...then the roll shouldn't be allowed. If the character is just saying threatening to words to a crocodile with no aggressive actions, they fail to do anything because crocodiles don't understand "I'm going to turn you into a handbag!" So you don't roll.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
You do not need to share a language to be intimidated by someone. In fact, you do not even really need the ability to speak a language to understand someone is being intimidated - a dog is capable of being intimidated by someone yelling at them.
The issue is that they subject of the intimidation does not know what is being asked of them. They might beg for mercy in a completely different language. They might shut down and assume a defensive posture. They might try and flee or fight back. If it would be obvious what they would do -say they are a door guard and the players want them to unlock the only door in the room - perhaps they nervously do charades to try and ask if that is what the players want.
With a natural 20, the person was very much able to communicate “I am threatening you” but not “so you should do X.” So only consider that first part when deciding how to respond - that the individual feels threatened with no idea why they are getting threatened.
I will note that there’s no such thing as a critical skill check. I know it’s a common house rule, but a 20 doesn’t have to auto succeed on anything but an attack roll. A 20 intimidate can still fail.
So, the answer will depend largely on the enemy. If it’s an ocre jelly, no amount of foot stomping and angry yelling will get the point across, for example. So the big question is, is the enemy creature close enough species-wise, to the PC and intelligent enough that the body language will translate?
depend how you run it as DM and depend from creature, it might understand that it's threatened, but may don't understand reason why pc threaten it, you can hint pc that perhaps body language is the way (if situation allow)
also as DM:
before even rolling you should consider all outcomes, including nat 20
even nat 20 don't grant success in some tasks if dm decide
you not obliged to let players roll what they want in any given moment
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How would you guys run the following scene: a PC rolled critical on a intimidation check and begins to speak threats against the creature, but that creature doesn't understand him (he didn't know).
Body language, simply menacing
Honestly, this should have been considered before the roll.
If it's another humanoid or the creature could be expected to understand body language, then it sees the threatening body language. Or however you think they would have communicated the menace.
Otherwise, if there's no way to convey the menace...then the roll shouldn't be allowed. If the character is just saying threatening to words to a crocodile with no aggressive actions, they fail to do anything because crocodiles don't understand "I'm going to turn you into a handbag!" So you don't roll.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
You do not need to share a language to be intimidated by someone. In fact, you do not even really need the ability to speak a language to understand someone is being intimidated - a dog is capable of being intimidated by someone yelling at them.
The issue is that they subject of the intimidation does not know what is being asked of them. They might beg for mercy in a completely different language. They might shut down and assume a defensive posture. They might try and flee or fight back. If it would be obvious what they would do -say they are a door guard and the players want them to unlock the only door in the room - perhaps they nervously do charades to try and ask if that is what the players want.
With a natural 20, the person was very much able to communicate “I am threatening you” but not “so you should do X.” So only consider that first part when deciding how to respond - that the individual feels threatened with no idea why they are getting threatened.
I will note that there’s no such thing as a critical skill check. I know it’s a common house rule, but a 20 doesn’t have to auto succeed on anything but an attack roll. A 20 intimidate can still fail.
So, the answer will depend largely on the enemy. If it’s an ocre jelly, no amount of foot stomping and angry yelling will get the point across, for example.
So the big question is, is the enemy creature close enough species-wise, to the PC and intelligent enough that the body language will translate?
depend how you run it as DM and depend from creature, it might understand that it's threatened, but may don't understand reason why pc threaten it, you can hint pc that perhaps body language is the way (if situation allow)
also as DM:
before even rolling you should consider all outcomes, including nat 20
even nat 20 don't grant success in some tasks if dm decide
you not obliged to let players roll what they want in any given moment