Well, at least for me, I play a game that is more simulationist than that. My PCs, NPCs, and monsters don't come with labels like "5th level paladin" or "4th level expert/2nd level bard". For me, Knowledge(Local) could provide a name of an NPC, some info about how the community feels about that NPC (he's a hero, he's a jerk, he's unremarkable, etc.), what he does for a living (he's a baker, he's a soldier, he's a noble, he's a minstrel, etc.), how good he is at it (he's a famous baker, he's an unknown soldier, he's a dastardly noble, he's an extremely talented minstrel, etc.).
I would never say that a simple Knowledge skill could give you the exact class of a NPC unless his class is well known (Paladins tend to be obvious, so do summoners with their eidolons, monks can be pretty obvious although there are similar classes that might look and act the same, etc.) and never, ever say that it could tell you his levels or what spells he can cast.
However, if Count Jeggare has been seen, in public, casting fireballs, then chances are a good Knowledge(Local) check would reveal this information. He might be a wizard, sorcerer, arcanist, or any other class with fireballs, and he might be 5th level or 15th level - no way to know). If Aram Zey is well known to defend his home with an Iron Golem that also serves as butler and door-greeter, then chances are a Knowledge(Local) can reveal that. But if he has a spiked pit in his back hallway, just asking the guy who shines his shoes about him won't reveal that fact, even if you roll over 100 (but you MIGHT find the guy who actually built that pit, if you're lucky enough and roll high enough, in which case, you might learn about THAT pit).
Yeah, I didn't mean it as in giving out stats for the NPC, but answering questions like you do for monsters. Just as you'ld find out that a red dragon breaths fire, you'ld find out that Sir Isgard practices a sword style that revolves around breaking weapons.
I like your idea.
I replaced monster with NPC, goblin with farmer and tarrasque with archmage;
You can use this skill to identify NPCs and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the NPC's CR. For common NPCs, such as farmers, the DC of this check equals 5 + the NPC's CR. For particularly rare NPCs, such as an Archmage, the DC of this check equals 15 + the NPC's CR, or more. A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that NPC. For every 5 points by which your check result exceeds the DC, you recall another piece of useful information. Many of the Knowledge skills have specific uses as noted on Table: Knowledge Skill DCs.
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Besides CR-based monster lore, a Knowledge skill can answer questions within its field of study. I might suggest identifying a well-known individual by name, position and general reputation is a basic question (DC 15) and individuals who are not famous or actively suppress knowledge about themselves have higher DCs. Since this is not monster lore, the character would have to meet the DC for a more difficult question to get specific information.
Yeah, I didn't mean it as in giving out stats for the NPC, but answering questions like you do for monsters. Just as you'ld find out that a red dragon breaths fire, you'ld find out that Sir Isgard practices a sword style that revolves around breaking weapons.
That specific example would be reasonable. But in general the kind of information you could expect to get would be very dependent on what people had seen them do and what common people could deduce from those observations.
I replaced monster with NPC, goblin with farmer and tarrasque with archmage;
You can use this skill to identify NPCs and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the NPC's CR. For common NPCs, such as farmers, the DC of this check equals 5 + the NPC's CR. For particularly rare NPCs, such as an Archmage, the DC of this check equals 15 + the NPC's CR, or more.
The problem with that direct recopying is that it flies in the face of our ordinary notions of fame. A well-known or legendary figure would have more known about him than a relative commoner. As a simple example, can you name the husband and children of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom? Can you name the spouses and children of any of Finland's cabinet ministers? For that matter, can you name any of the Finnish cabinet ministers themselves? Can you name any of the members of local councils in Finland?
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I do this yes, as it it what is intended in my opinion. As mentioned by Orfamay, I modify the check based on how popular the person is. If they are a legend then it is harder though as wild tales spread of their deeds, if they are unknown it is also hard as there aren't a lot of ways you could have received the information. I tend to allow all knowledge checks to have a sense motive check with them(which makes the world actually work as there would definitely be misinformation about monsters everywhere) to determine whether or not the person receives a piece of misinformation in addition to good information.
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I replaced monster with NPC, goblin with farmer and tarrasque with archmage;
You can use this skill to identify NPCs and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the NPC's CR. For common NPCs, such as farmers, the DC of this check equals 5 + the NPC's CR. For particularly rare NPCs, such as an Archmage, the DC of this check equals 15 + the NPC's CR, or more.
The problem with that direct recopying is that it flies in the face of our ordinary notions of fame. A well-known or legendary figure would have more known about him than a relative commoner. As a simple example, can you name the husband and children of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom? Can you name the spouses and children of any of Finland's cabinet ministers? For that matter, can you name any of the Finnish cabinet ministers themselves? Can you name any of the members of local councils in Finland?
On the other hand the more famous the person, the more stories are made up about them, and the harder it is to know which ones are true.
I don't know. I think I would base it on how reclusive the person involved is.