It’s the difference between saying “Can I use politics to get a Skill Chalenge Success?” as opposed to saying “I strike up a conversation with the Theif Lord about local politics, figuring he isn’t too keen toward Emporer Pipmagtop either.” Both wotk mechanically but one makes players feel the story more.

A DM that wants to enforce better role playing in these situations can always make the DC one lower when the player describes things rather than just asking to make the roll or something similar.

Kind of an interesting idea in itself. I do think it’s better than a one-off roll (unless speed is of the essence), though at the same time I think role playing could be encouraged and there have got to be ways to better incorporate it without mandating oscar performances from players.

While I know that player expectations with D&D are not as often open to full role playing… this system strikes me as a bit choose your own adventure. Nothing wrong with those books (they, and others similar (GrailQuest!) were a significant part of my childhood and early reading experience), but for me it does serve to indicate D&D’s stance as some kind of RPG/board game hybrid rather than a straight RPG.

Still, it all comes down to having fun, and I know for a sizable segment of gamers out there this could fit the bill. Just give me Shadowrun and White Wolf games (or board and card games!)