At this site called "black!"
http://dngnsndrgns.blogspot.com/2017/02/having-fun-with-lockpicking-v2.html?m=1
There's a story about how Phil Barker (of Tekumel fame) gave one of his players one of those metal puzzle toys (like you get at Cracker Barrel) and that player tried to solve it while the other players were fighting off the monsters. The point was that as soon as the thief player solved the puzzle, the characters in-game would be able to flee to safety.
Not exactly what you're describing but close.
Why do you have a character sheet?
It's all good in the name of immersion. The character sheet allows you to do it to begin with. In the case of the illustrated card, it is also a nice prop and the number of dice models the complexity and delicacy of the locking mechanism.
Quote from: zircher on August 08, 2023, 10:54:56 PM
It's all good in the name of immersion. The character sheet allows you to do it to begin with. In the case of the illustrated card, it is also a nice prop and the number of dice models the complexity and delicacy of the locking mechanism.
Actually, I can pick up a card with some dice on it without a character sheet or any rules system. I did so earlier.
Just to clarify, I mean that the sheet has the skill established for the character. So, they're allowed to do the lockpicking mini game without any penalty.