This skill affects how much information and how many clues a character gets through observation. It may be used to notice the right things, to find carelessly hidden objects, to see that pile of old clothes in the corner, to notice the imperfection in the wall that hides the secret door, the trigger for the trap ahead, an ambush. These are the type of things that the Game Master (GM) cannot mention to the players because to do so would call them to special attention that the character’s perception might not allow.

If a character states that they are watching or examining an area, situation, or place, the GM should have them make a skill roll to determine if the character notices or detects anything. The GM should only reveal what the character has observed. Of course a heavy subtraction should be given (if a roll is allowed at all) in situations where the players don’t know what their characters are looking for or don’t specify their characters are looking for something in particular (likewise, looking for ceiling traps makes it difficult to see pit traps, etc.).