hearn

At certain points in Mask of the Betrayer, if your character failed a skill check, sometimes your party members would make the skill check for you if you had enough influence with them. I believe Gann did that if you failed a skill check with the devils in the academy. He only helped you with a skill check on that occasion, because he felt like it, and even then only if he liked you enough. Such as system would be the most natural in my opinion, giving your party members some autonomy, though it should be employed on a greater scale. For example, a selfish party member might help you manipulate someone in order to get a better reward, but refuse to do so when he has nothing to gain from it. A violent party member might refuse to intimidate someone, because he or she is looking forward to the fight. Perhaps you could try to forcefully persuade a party member, but loose some influence with them in the process.

Why exactly would a mage throwing fireballs around with ease after a few levels have to be any more realistic than a mage who needs to study for 60 years before he can make people tingle inside a little?