Hi, imagine the following.

The goblins have almost defeated the last player. It’s now the player's turn. Desperately, they use the influence action, trying to deceive the goblins. "Please, don't kill me. My family was kidnapped as a bail, and I was forced to fight. I had no choice but to attack you. There’s a reward for my capture—alive! If you take me to your superiors, you’ll be well compensated." (This is a lie, he has no family and there is no reward), They roll a 19. That result is higher than any of the goblins' Intelligence scores.

I ask you, DMs. How would you hadle the situation? Will the goblins have mercy on the player and spare their life? Is the favourable mechanical resolution enough to spare the player's life for now? He can argue that he was able to influence the goblins...

And now the problematic situation (we interchange roles)

The party has almost defeated the last goblin. It’s the turn of the last bloody goblin. Desperately, he uses the influence action, trying to deceive the party. "Please, don't kill me. My family was kidnapped as a bail, and I was forced to fight. I had no choice but to attack you. There’s a bounty on my head—alive! If you take me to your leaders, you’ll be rewarded handsomely." (this is a lie, he has no family and there is no reward). He rolls a 19. That result is higher than any of the party's Intelligence scores.

I ask you, DMs. How would you hadle the situation? Is the party forced to follow along with the gobling deception. Is it against player agency? What is deal with monsters using the influence action against PCs.

Hope you find this discussion interesting and I can get a few tipsabout this issue.