What's the situation with Animal Companions in this scene? I suspect they're meant to be left out, even if they could do nonlethal damage, if only because none of the costumes would fit them and none of the roles imply animal companions (although the Crone might be suitable for someone with a Familiar and the Monkey King could no doubt have an ape companion, but neither of those things are to be found at my table).
|
I'm also of the opinion that companions were not meant to be part of the act, although it is not explicitly written.
But it gets confusing, what if your companion is an eidolon that is biped and can clearly talk and walk and dress up in a costume? Is the companion allowed to participate? What about a companion who is a four legged eidolon?
I've not communicated to my group yet who has one leopard companion, but for simplicity I will likely rule it not able to participate as I don't see how the creature fits into the act.
|
By the way, if you want to inject some realism in this latest scene, I'll gathered together a number of pictures of the different roles in my latest post. Feel free to use the links.
The scenario as written is actually quite accurate in terms of the different roles in a traditional chinese opera.
|
"Don't work with animals or children" is one of the age old bits of wisdom from stage and screen, and I'd suggest it holds true here as well.
There is no explicit exclusion of animals etc, and I am uninclined to arbitrarily nix people out of their class features - it creates more drama than this scene and endless complaining posts in the forum.
If they want to bring on pets, especially AC's, then it's going to be a pile of DC25 HA checks which will probably make it more effort than it's worth. Caveat emptor. If fluffy goes off the chain and mauls someone who hits it then bad things might happen.
If the weapon is sundered or stolen etc, nothing precludes some 'amateur kung-fu', but bear in mind they are unarmed attacks etc with all that entails.
Kuey has got some great images there, and that post is sensational - recommend people steal it as hard as they can. I'm more used to Indonesian plays (Barong, Garuda, Monkey etc).
My PC for this adventure is a Kensei, so it's a little frustrated with the lack of an armed but not armored option - UNLESS we're willing to say the Wizened Crone's cane is a nonlethal weapon for that role, which isn't specified but makes complete sense.
What do we think of that?
|
|
*Concur - unarmed are legit.
*The players are only limited as stated, ie they have to contend with limited weapons/armour per their roles. Everything else is fine.
*HA is reqiuired each time the animal is commanded to carry out an action. Once it is attacking an opponent it stays on that command/opponent, but switching opponents etc will require checks to be made.
The point is not to forget what tricks and DC's are applicable (and if the animal is injured the check is +2DC). For Druids and Rangers, pushing an animal is a move action. They should be ok, unless people have been dump statting or only invested minimal amounts in handle animal.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
**ADMIN**
*Table GM's will be added as reporters to the event.
This means you will be able to simply upload your own table data for reporting.
Please issue your players their chronicles however you normally would.
*Back-up GM's, I will input your data.
*Vouchers etc. Any vouchers/prizes (aside from boons) will be distributed via an open roll of all participants (player and GM) that I will post at the end of the event. I will be using your table data at: Table composition Please let me know of any MIA players.
*GM Boons will be emailed to you directly at the conclusion of the event.
I updated the sheet (still missing 1 PFS #), and did a strikethrough on an MIA player. Does that work?
|
Hi Shifty
Unfortunately I'm quite sick and unable to follows my game here.
I hope to be better soon, but meanwhile I wouldn't like to stop my players to be rip from one of the fun part of the scenario. I someone could take over my game while I'm not well it will be great.
|
One of my players and I were out at a con over the weekend, so over the weekend we only got through costume selection and curtain call. We're in the thick of the first round of combat now, and my table is pretty good about posting, so we should have no problem moving forward with good time.
Also, on the spreadsheet I deleted a pair of no-shows and replaced them with the guys who hopped in. We have a full table of 6, just not quite the table that was originally registered.
Is there a backup DM still available? I'd like to tag out.
Maybe my wording was a little opaque last post: I would like one of the backup DMs to take over for me, at least for a while, please and thank you.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Overseer yells curtains on day 8, with the scene ending on day 9.
@NN - If the PCs failed to befriend the ronin from the interlude encounter, he now accompanies the Consortium team. If instead the PCs befriended the ronin, the Consortium is accompanied by a new fighter, who uses the original
fighter’s stat block. If the ronin is on the Aspis Consortium team, he chooses The General; otherwise, the Aspis fighter portrays the Warrior Woman.
@IDiYC, I will ask Granta to take over your table until further notice, hope all is ok mate :)
@Granta, could you kindly look after the above table.
@Kuey the scene began Saturday morning my time, so will hear 'Curtains' on Sunday morning my time. Act 6 will begin my Monday morning.
...Off to source ANOTHER back-up GM...! :)
|
|
At the moment the aspis sorceress is levitating above the battlefield but is permanently blinded. Technically there is no real easy way to force her down, but she's a useless combatant now. I'm thinking that once all of her allies drop I'll have her blast the party with black tentacles or burning hands in anger and get promptly disqualified by the judges. Does that sound like a reasonable solution?
|
|
LOL whilst it would be funny and probably well deserved, I think even the Aspis would be smart enough to just suck up the loss hoping to pick up a victory later.
So no cranky pants Tentacles or Fireballs, or mana from heaven :)
In some ways, not securing a clear victory makes it interesting, the party either solves a problem or is forced to a coin toss.
|
I think our combat is about to end very early as the Ronin just crit with his sword.
As per non-lethal rules all non-lethal damage over max hp becomes lethal damage which ends the Opera immediately. If everyone is topped off on health then the first side to have someone go 'unconscious' should end the fight as it will deal at least 1 point of lethal damage.
Just weird timing on everything as the entire fight is dealing with non-lethal damage.
|
|
Yeah, that's a weird subject. When I played this in person the GM indicated that the organizer told them not to use that as grounds for a disqualification as it didn't appear to be the intent of the performance. Obviously that goes against the strictest interpretation of the rules, but seeing as the rules for nonlethal damage attacks and the rules for winning the encounter are at cross purposes to each other, I kinda lean towards letting it go unless a character continues to pummel an already unconscious character.
|
|
How many bad guys?
The PC's always face five combatants.
Either they face off with the Ronin, or they face off with a nameless NPC. If it is the Ronin, he plays one role, if it is the fighter they play another.
Either way it will be five opponents.
Ronin (as General)+4 Aspis
Or
Fighter mercenary (as Warrior Woman) +4 Aspis.
The Ronin interlude was simply there to give further (optional) depth to the encounter.
|
|
If it has been committed then I am loathe to retcon it. As NN959 has suggested elsewhere - the writing on this one could do with 'some gentle revision'.
I ran Runecarved Key on Sunday to wrap up a local con, and that has some sorrow-inducing moments of bad writing as well, so team, it doesn't 'get better' :p
My next MTS will be Siege of the Diamond city for another con, I haven't popped that one out for a detailed read yet, but I am now feeling burnt by specials.
