This goes a bit off topic but I like how the cypher system does it:

The GM assigns a difficulty on a scale of 1 to 10—a 1 is extremely simple, while a 10 represents a herculean task beyond the means of most mortals. Once the GM has assigned this difficulty, the rest is up to the players.

Players apply their skills and experience, tools or other advantages, aid from one another, and other assets to reduce this difficulty. They can also focus a limited resource called Effort to further lower the difficulty of actions really important to them.

Once a player has reduced the difficulty as much as they are able, they roll a d20. The target number is equal to three times the difficulty.
This system resolves every task, including combat.

The flexibility of the system frees the GM to build the adventures they imagine with a focus on creativity over “work,” and the GM intrusion mechanic enables great plot twists that the players welcome rather than shy away from.

Last edited by Count Turnipsome; 31/07/23 03:25 PM.
It just reminded me of the bowl of goat's milk that old Winthrop used to put outside his door every evening for the dust demons. He said the dust demons could never resist goat's milk, and that they would always drink themselves into a stupor and then be too tired to enter his room..