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We had a long discussion in my game about how to handle haggling. There were so many skills that fit the bill, such as appraise, diplomacy, sense motive, and bluff. In the end, we didn't see one that encompassed the whole back and forth.

Diplomacy is skill in managing negotiations and handling people so that both parties walk away satisfied leaving little or no ill will. Friendly people have a leg up in the matter, but its certainly not the defining aspect of the skill. Countries that don't like each other "haggle" all the time. BUT, that doesn't account for knowledge of value or the art BS'ing about how this sword was once used by Duke Awesome Shinypants and I can't just let it go for normal price.

The end conclusion was that it should be a skill challenge, because knowledge, negotiation, and lying all play a part. We thought about synergies, but decided that A) those have been phased out of pathfinder, and B) skill challenges seemed a little more exciting and they're "in" at the moment. Yes, we let ourselves be steered by popularity, you can take my cool card away.

Caveat: Haggling is an art form, and if your characters are haggling over every little box of trail rations or dagger, your game will quickly devolve into Andoran Pickers Roadshow the RPG. I can't stress enough that this should be considered a role playing opportunity that loses its glamor VERY fast if overused.

The skill challenge: Haggling comes down to the final diplomacy roll. The challenge follows several steps, the outcome benefiting or hindering the diplomacy roll at the end. In order to keep it from being a minor collection of rolls, this method should *only* be used during one of the rare times that you decide to role play the purchase. Perhaps because the PC's needs something to complete a quest and needs just that little bit extra to afford it. Role play each step and *then* roll. Let the group participate, either by letting different characters take point on different steps, or aiding the point character by...

I know this is an old post, but I am looking for a "complex" rule for negotiation because I have a player who seeks to expertise in commerce and negotiation.

I felt for your proposition! Thank you so much, this matches with the kind of spirit of negotiating I was looking for :-)

Because in the description of the spell, creatures in the darkness can gain Concealment (20% or 50% depending on light), which is a protective "side effect" :-)
You can cast darkness on an ally who is close to death to protect him from further attacks.

This Voidfield is a strange ability : should you use it on foes or on team ?

The Ice Storm part implies it is meant to be cast on foes, without any doubt.

But the Deeper Darkness part, which is protective, suggests it should be cast on the party !

If I use this ability on foes, it will deal cold damage, but it will also protect them with concealment !

Or maybe it is intended to be like that : you deal damage to foes, but also protect them. It is up to the player to decide if the damage dealt is worth the protection.

How is it supposed to be used ?