Detecting poisoned food?

[Alzrius]

Is there any way for a character to non-magically determine if they're about to eat poisoned food? Specifically, is there any sort of skill or ability check they can make to detect a foreign substance in their food or drink, ostensibly to then spit it out before it affects them? Beyond the detect poison spell, I can't seem to find anything in any of WotC's rulebooks about this.

 

[mvincent]

Is there any way for a character to non-magically determine if they're about to eat poisoned food? Specifically, is there any sort of skill or ability check they can make to detect a foreign substance in their food or drink, ostensibly to then spit it out before it affects them? Beyond the detect poison spell, I can't seem to find anything in any of WotC's rulebooks about this.

I kinda view that as being incorporated in the saving throw. Still, you could maybe allow a wisdom check (DC = poison DC) to notice a strange taste if someone is specifically saying they are testing their food.

Other rolls that could be used (depending on the circumstance):
- Craft (poison)
- Survival
- Profession (chef)
- Profession (food-tester)
- Knowledge (nature, or other knowledge skill applicable for the creature the poison was derived from)
- Heal (since it can be used to treat poisons)
etc.

I might also allow a passive roll to notice after the poison was actually consumed.

 

[Thurbane]

If someone was scrutinizing the food, I would allow a Search check to spot physical signs of the poison (powder residue, discoloration etc.).

 

[Thanael]

please ignore

 

[prospero63]

If someone was scrutinizing the food, I would allow a Search check to spot physical signs of the poison (powder residue, discoloration etc.).

This was my thought as well. Similarly, I'd let a knowledge nature/herbalism or a heal check to identify it.

 

[moritheil]

MVincent's list is great. Don't forget Sense Motive (indirect, but has saved parties countless times.)

 

[Oryan77]

Or you could use the method that is still used today by corrupt leaders:

Have someone else eat a bit for you. If they die, don't eat it. If nothing happens to them, you're good to go.

 

[mvincent]

"When a wizard is tired of looking for broken glass in his dinner, he is tired of life" - Discworld ancient proverb.

 

[moritheil]

Or you could use the method that is still used today by corrupt leaders:

Have someone else eat a bit for you. If they die, don't eat it. If nothing happens to them, you're good to go.

Or not, in the case of poisons whose onset is several hours later.