The Arena (Inactive)

Game Master chaiboy

Your touch AC is off. Mage armor only applies against regular attacks and attacks from incorporeal creatures.

Fixed, you have a keen eye my friend.

How is your initiative so high? I'm coming up with +9, +11 with a trait.

5Dex,4Improved Init.,4Familiar Bonus,2Trait,1Cracked Dusty Rose Prism=16

Finish it up. I want to see how it turns out. It really is a good, solid build--one I may emulate in future games. I'm not really upset with your character choice so much as I am the situation as a whole. Everyone knowing everyone's stats during the creation process in a PvP strikes me as terribly silly as it could never truly be fair.

I chose to bring in a pre-made character instead of making one specifically for the tournament. That was my choice. I'll live with whatever comes of it.

Besides, if I get lucky and dominate and/or kill your character, it will feel like that much more of a victory. Seizing control of a low-will save fighter, albeit cool, is hardly a victory worth celebrating.

If it weren't for you and the synthesist, I don't believe the combats would be much of a challenge.

How did you get that initiative modifier?

EDIT: I missed the familiar. Solid choice. That cracked stone is illegal though. It's outside the allowed source books.

Besides, if I get lucky and dominate and/or kill your character, it will feel like that much more of a victory. Seizing control of a low-will save fighter, albeit cool, is hardly a victory worth celebrating.

If it weren't for you and the synthesist, I don't believe the combats would be much of a challenge.

That still sounds kinda antagonistic,but ill file it under Fighting Spirit:)

That cracked stone is illegal though. It's outside the allowed source books.

Fixed

If you dominate your opponent, do you know if the GM will let you take your opponent on with you to the next phase? The way I read it, and based on him not wanting me to use numerous mounts, I was reading it as a two men enters one man leave thing.

It's still a very good build either way, but I wouldn't want to find out how I thought something worked, didn't work that way durring a game.

If you dominate your opponent, do you know if the GM will let you take your opponent on with you to the next phase? The way I read it, and based on him not wanting me to use numerous mounts, I was reading it as a two men enters one man leave thing.

It's still a very good build either way, but I wouldn't want to find out how I thought something worked, didn't work that way durring a game.

Unless there's something in the environment that keeps them from following, like some kind of terrain that only I can pass, I don't see how it will be a problem.

Also, that would be a real dick move for any GM to pull without any forewarning.

The way I read it was the once an opponent was unable to continue fighting the round ended. The previous opponent was removed from battle and the winner continued fighting. I could be wrong however.

I'd have to agree with Ravingdork that it does not explicitly say that you cannot bring a dominated creature with you. Though that would make things interesting if they somehow stopped being dominated. Would that character have already been deemed a loser and forced to leave upon escaping said domination? Would they get to take revenge on that field alone? Would they get a new chance to get into the tournament?

THis arcane casters and their god complex.

Though that would make things interesting if they somehow stopped being dominated. Would that character have already been deemed a loser and forced to leave upon escaping said domination? Would they get to take revenge on that field alone? Would they get a new chance to get into the tournament?

Yeah, thats the reason I believe you wouldn't be able to take them along. If you kill the caster then you have all these undominated guys running around, do I have to kill them too or what? If they break the enchantment can they help the dominating characters opponent and then leave? What happens?

Will this fights have a time limit?

I'd have to agree with Ravingdork that it does not explicitly say that you cannot bring a dominated creature with you. Though that would make things interesting if they somehow stopped being dominated. Would that character have already been deemed a loser and forced to leave upon escaping said domination? Would they get to take revenge on that field alone? Would they get a new chance to get into the tournament?

Haha. I hadn't considered the idea of them escaping.

Still, I suppose it's possible with dispel magic and all.

Taking away my dominate person (or worse, not letting me use it to full effect) is a short cry from saying "no sorcerers." My versatility comes from my thralls. Taking them away is like taking away a fighter's focus weapon, a wizard's spellbook, or a summoner's eidolon. Not a great move that will be well-liked.

I wouldn't say it should be taken away, but ground rules should be set up on what happens if someone breaks free as they can get new saves if you try to force them something that would not normally do.

Edit: Though it could be exciting to keep that information hidden so that we don't know what will happen.

Though it could be exciting to keep that information hidden so that we don't know what will happen.

It's impossible for a dominated person to make their save without my knowing it. Among other things, it would break the telepathic link.

Succeeding on a Saving Throw: A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature's saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell, you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.

Joshua Hirtz wrote:

Though it could be exciting to keep that information hidden so that we don't know what will happen.

It's impossible for a dominated person to make their save without my knowing it. Among other things, it would break the telepathic link.

Other Things wrote:

Succeeding on a Saving Throw: A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature's saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell, you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.

Not what I was talking about. I was meaning it might be interesting to not know what the ruling in the tournament would be. Such as your allowed to bring your dominated companion along, but we don't know what the tournament will rule if said dominated person breaks free.

Wouldn't what happens/what they do be up to the player? Saying they "mysteriously vanish" once they break free or step into a portal leading into a new area just wreaks of GM fiat. I'd like to think Chaiboy is a better GM than that, and has something far more interesting than an arbitrary "hand wave" effect.

I was looking at is as that is information our characters might not know, so it might be nice to not know ourselves.

I was looking at is as that is information our characters might not know, so it might be nice to not know ourselves.

Makes sense.

The way I read it was the once an opponent was unable to continue fighting the round ended. The previous opponent was removed from battle and the winner continued fighting. I could be wrong however.

That is how I read it too.

RD, I wouldn't consider it a dick move if you don't ask about it.
Hence the reason I'm not playing a commoner herder with 40 Aurochs, 20 weasels, 4 bags of holding and 4 portable holes. I wouldn't consider using my maxed Handle animal skill to make my aurochs stampede in groups of 4 (which is the trick I would teach them) to trample all the melee caracters, doing (2d6+9 x 4) 8d6+36, ref dc 19, save for half, with 10 groups (80d6+360) nor would I consider training my weasels to rush into bags of a specific color (5 weasels each color), tying a each folded portable hole to one weasel per group of 5, and then throwing a color coded bag of holding in a square adjacent to the oposing character while the weasels run into it with the laden weasel going last and the other 4 provoking AoO's thus opening a gate to the Astral Plane. The hole, the bag, and any creatures within a 10-foot radius (my opponent) being drawn there, the portable hole and bag of holding being destroyed in the process, a viable tactic unless I had talked to the GM about it first. My commoner of course would take the master crafter feat and handle animal and proffession tailor as skills.

Joshua Hirtz wrote:

I'd have to agree with Ravingdork that it does not explicitly say that you cannot bring a dominated creature with you. Though that would make things interesting if they somehow stopped being dominated. Would that character have already been deemed a loser and forced to leave upon escaping said domination? Would they get to take revenge on that field alone? Would they get a new chance to get into the tournament?

Haha. I hadn't considered the idea of them escaping.

Still, I suppose it's possible with dispel magic and all.

Taking away my dominate person (or worse, not letting me use it to full effect) is a short cry from saying "no sorcerers." My versatility comes from my thralls. Taking them away is like taking away a fighter's focus weapon, a wizard's spellbook, or a summoner's eidolon. Not a great move that will be well-liked.

Don't sell your self short. your versatility comes from being a well designed fish in a flying bowl who is really good at casting spells that end a fight.

Hence the reason I'm not playing a commoner herder with 40 Aurochs, 20 weasels, 4 bags of holding and 4 portable holes. I wouldn't consider using my maxed Handle animal skill to make my aurochs stampede in groups of 4 (which is the trick I would teach them) to trample all the melee caracters, doing (2d6+9 x 4) 8d6+36, ref dc 19, save for half, with 10 groups (80d6+360) nor would I consider training my weasels to rush into bags of a specific color (5 weasels each color), tying a each folded portable hole to one weasel per group of 5, and then throwing a color coded bag of holding in a square adjacent to the oposing character while the weasels run into it with the laden weasel going last and the other 4 provoking AoO's thus opening a gate to the Astral Plane. The hole, the bag, and any creatures within a 10-foot radius (my opponent) being drawn there, the portable hole and bag of holding being destroyed in the process, a viable tactic unless I had talked to the GM about it first. My commoner of course would take the master crafter feat and handle animal and proffession tailor as skills.

Are you seriously comparing that level of cheese to the obvious, straight forward, and intended/proper use of dominate person? lol!

Did your character seriously want to be remembered for this trick? He's not exactly heroic, or even an adventurer as we traditionally see them, just a twink build meant to humiliate the other players. I'm glad the GM said "no." Among other things, it would have lead to your character not doing anything. It was your creatures that mattered, not your character. A commoner could have full-filled your character's role. This contest is about the contestants, not animals.

I imagine the game will be more fun for everyone, including you, without the heard.

Don't sell your self short. your versatility comes from being a well designed fish in a flying bowl who is really good at casting spells that end a fight.

I have about a 60% chance of ending a fight before it starts. That's hardly focused or automatic, especially when you consider the number of immune contestants, short spell range, and 1 round casting time of dominate person.

Not like that new Fox that just joined. That character is so focused it's scary.

In any case, being able to end a fight does not equate to versatility. That's just one trick. Generally you need multiple tricks and must be capable of handling a myriad of different situations in order to be considered versatile.

Okay, go ahead and lock Brice Benton in. The only things that I'm going to do now is distribute my equipment between my familiar and myself and decide which extracts to prepare for the day. I'm not going to make any other changes or purchase any other equipment, just book keeping from here on out.

Hence the reason I'm not playing a commoner herder with 40 Aurochs, 20 weasels, 4 bags of holding and 4 portable holes. I wouldn't consider using my maxed Handle animal skill to make my aurochs stampede in groups of 4 (which is the trick I would teach them) to trample all the melee caracters, doing (2d6+9 x 4) 8d6+36, ref dc 19, save for half, with 10 groups (80d6+360) nor would I consider training my weasels to rush into bags of a specific color (5 weasels each color), tying a each folded portable hole to one weasel per group of 5, and then throwing a color coded bag of holding in a square adjacent to the oposing character while the weasels run into it with the laden weasel going last and the other 4 provoking AoO's thus opening a gate to the Astral Plane. The hole, the bag, and any creatures within a 10-foot radius (my opponent) being drawn there, the portable hole and bag of holding being destroyed in the process, a viable tactic unless I had talked to the GM about it first. My commoner of course would take the master crafter feat and handle animal and proffession tailor as skills.

Also... What did I just read? o_0

Edit: And add a backstory if I have time.

So we are going to do one battle at a time? All the beginning matches occur at the same time though, correct?

Ok so here is the first draft,there is still some work to do, i have to write up the gear and the spell list needs some fixing.But fairness commands that I let the others see what they are dealing with.

Going to sleep now.More tommorow.

Hey, the best race in the game!

And ha, I've been wanting to build an enchantment-focused kitsune sorc for awhile, but I haven't had the opportunity yet. I'll need to look over your build a bit more, and I'm interested in seeing how you do with him :P

RD,

I didn't quote because it would make this post HUGE.

No I didn't consider that, nor did I ask if I could do it. It would be assinine. I actually hate myself a little more for even thinking of it, but it serves the purpose of saying ask the GM.

(what I had was 3 ponies and a dire bat so if you killed my pony I could use the others for the next fights.)

I'm also not comparing bringing a dominated person with that trick.

What I am doing is saying if you think something will work one way and it's a new campaign with some elements of the unknown, ask the GM

This, to me, leaves it open about what happens to the loser. It's an arena, not a campaign, so I don't think too many people are worried about this...

Wouldn't what happens/what they do be up to the player? Saying they "mysteriously vanish" once they break free or step into a portal leading into a new area just wreaks of GM fiat. I'd like to think Chaiboy is a better GM than that, and has something far more interesting than an arbitrary "hand wave" effect.

Again, I don't care how he rules it, but when you build a character for a character v character combat and then expect to use the other characters to fight that combat while you sip latte, you should

Also... What did I just read? o_0

One of my old tricks from back in the day.

Is an armored kilt legal in this game? I can't seem to find it.

If it weren't for you and the synthesist, I don't believe the combats would be much of a challenge.

You're will save is not exactly uber (I know you aren't trying though)

Honestly though considering this line up, if I were to build something specific to kill you all I would probably go with a Dwarf (glory of old trait and steel soul) Witchunter Inquisitor forsaves in the stratosphere. With stalwart class ability he'd shrug off all casters fort and will spells unless he rolled real crappy.

Probably make him an archer with the animal (feather) domain and just shoot the melee's while his pet Tiger mauls them....

Or RAGE Subdomain and buff with greater invis.
Rage+Bane+Divine Power+you can see me = melee win.

Still seems silly to me as my intent has always been obvious and clear and in line with the rules as intended...

Chaiboy: Should I have any reason to believe that my thralls, if any, will be unable to assist me from challenge to challenge?

Alright, I think Gorik is fully done. I just switched a couple scrolls (I had 2 Echolocation and no See Invisibility... I'm not honestly sure why I thought that was a good idea).

So, yep, all set I think. Probably until I realize another error in thinking. Bleh.

Honestly though considering this line up, if I were to build something specific to kill you all I would probably go with a Dwarf (glory of old trait and steel soul) Witchunter Inquisitor forsaves in the stratosphere. With stalwart class ability he'd shrug off all casters fort and will spells unless he rolled real crappy.

Probably make him an archer with the animal (feather) domain and just shoot the melee's while his pet Tiger mauls them....

Or RAGE Subdomain and buff with greater invis.
Rage+Bane+Divine Power+you can see me = melee win.

Don't forget to have him use the healing judgement mixed with a high constitution and fast healer.

I would go Dwarf Inquisitor as well though probably with the Black Powder Inquisition if I didn't take my wolf AC.

Is it bad that I can see Ezra being dominated by Ravingdork and serving Meredith all through the arena as any request in the arena would pretty much be within Ezra's favorite things.

That is Fighting and Exploring.

Still seems silly to me as my intent has always been obvious and clear and in line with the rules as intended...

Chaiboy: Should I have any reason to believe that my thralls, if any, will be unable to assist me from challenge to challenge?

I look forward to being your thrall. ;)

I would go Dwarf Inquisitor as well though probably with the Black Powder Inquisition if I didn't take my wolf AC.

Is it bad that I can see Ezra being dominated by Ravingdork and serving Meredith all through the arena as any request in the arena would pretty much be within Ezra's favorite things.

That is Fighting and Exploring.

** spoiler omitted **

+1.

Here's a question:

Assuming dominated characters do continue on, and then someone kills the dominator, could the now undominated person kill the other original oponent and continue on to win? Or if three characters were dominated, would it turnin to a 4 person everyone for him/herself?

Azaelas Fayth wrote:

I would go Dwarf Inquisitor as well though probably with the Black Powder Inquisition if I didn't take my wolf AC.

Is it bad that I can see Ezra being dominated by Ravingdork and serving Meredith all through the arena as any request in the arena would pretty much be within Ezra's favorite things.

That is Fighting and Exploring.

** spoiler omitted **

+1.

Will you provide the linky?

To my campaign or what?

To my campaign or what?

I would guess to the campaign. If he's not asking that though, I will :P

@ Gus: Interesting question. I guarantee if Gorik runs into Meredith while she's got some thralls, he'll only be going after her, 'cuz he kinda super detests mind control stuff (Chaotic is not just an alignment descriptor on him).

So that could certainly be a possible scenario.

Edit: I was actually originally thinking that if he ran into a situation like that, his first action would probably be to free the dominated person with Cleanse... but then I realized it's personal use only, so he'd just have to kill her. And to think, he's trying to go through this without killing people :/

The Link will probably appear in my Profile under website.

And if we were to play under the Hunger Games concept I can see Ezra and Meredith forming an Alliance.

Here's a question:

Assuming dominated characters do continue on, and then someone kills the dominator, could the now undominated person kill the other original oponent and continue on to win? Or if three characters were dominated, would it turnin to a 4 person everyone for him/herself?

I imagine everyone would turn on her. Shortly after would likely be an awkward "what now" moment. It would be awesome if Meredith's manipulations inadvertently got the others to band together and overthrow the corrupt competition organizers.

I guarantee if Gorik runs into Meredith while she's got some thralls, he'll only be going after her, 'cuz he kinda super detests mind control stuff (Chaotic is not just an alignment descriptor on him).

She's kind of meant to be hated. I think of it more like blood bending than I do mind control which, among other things, means the victims remember everything.

She's kind of meant to be hated. I think of it more like blood bending than I do mind control which, among other things, means the victims remember everything.

Either way, it's more just the matter of someone imposing their will on somebody else. Gorik highly values his own personal freedom and respects that of others. He would be quite pissed to be the target of anything like that, or to see it happen to others.

So, if you dominate him, I suggest you make sure he dies before he gets free. Or he most certainly would seek revenge :P

Finish it up. I want to see how it turns out. It really is a good, solid build--one I may emulate in future games. I'm not really upset with your character choice so much as I am the situation as a whole. Everyone knowing everyone's stats during the creation process in a PvP strikes me as terribly silly as it could never truly be fair.

I chose to bring in a pre-made character instead of making one specifically for the tournament. That was my choice. I'll live with whatever comes of it.

Besides, if I get lucky and dominate and/or kill your character, it will feel like that much more of a victory. Seizing control of a low-will save fighter, albeit cool, is hardly a victory worth celebrating.

If it weren't for you and the synthesist, I don't believe the combats would be much of a challenge.

How did you get that initiative modifier?

EDIT: I missed the familiar. Solid choice. That cracked stone is illegal though. It's outside the allowed source books.

Definitely will have to have PMed character sheets next time. the other thing are tricks to the maps. the problem is the tricks to some of them wont work for the next pair to go in since they will have seen the previous events posted. So some of the trickier bits I had to be scrapped.

In any event tactics aren't revealed with the sheets so even with a full list there will be surprises.

This just reminds me of a recent Pathfinder Scenario I played in. We were facing vampires and members of the group were getting dominated so my trusty dwarven cleric busted out Antimagic Field and started running around putting the dominated in his area to suppress the Domination effect. It also led to him picking up the gunslinger and running off with him so he could go free other teammates from being dominated.

I imagine everyone would turn on her. Shortly after would likely be an awkward "what now" moment. It would be awesome if Meredith's manipulations inadvertently got the others to band together and overthrow the corrupt competition organizers.

If they were to turn on the organizer (A Trickster God) I would end up siding with the God.

Ezra might be a stubborn pigheaded woman BUT she isn't stupid. Plus she refuses to betray any God.

@Chaiboy: I can't wait!!!!!

Ravingdork wrote:

I imagine everyone would turn on her. Shortly after would likely be an awkward "what now" moment. It would be awesome if Meredith's manipulations inadvertently got the others to band together and overthrow the corrupt competition organizers.

If they were to turn on the organizer (A Trickster God) I would end up siding with the God.

Ezra might be a stubborn pigheaded woman BUT she isn't stupid. Plus she refuses to betray any God.

@Chaiboy: I can't wait!!!!!

I get the feeling that he meant everyone would turn on Meredith if they managed to escape her domination.

"It would be awesome if Meredith's manipulations inadvertently got the others to band together and overthrow the corrupt competition organizers"

"It would be awesome if Meredith's manipulations inadvertently got the others to band together and overthrow the corrupt competition organizers"

My apologies. That's what I get for skimming.

Still seems silly to me as my intent has always been obvious and clear and in line with the rules as intended...

Chaiboy: Should I have any reason to believe that my thralls, if any, will be unable to assist me from challenge to challenge?

The Heralds make it clear only the winner will move on to the next challenger. So once they are dominated and unable to break free (that is they can no longer make saving throws to get free) then they have lost. of course once the competition is over you'll have a whole lot of "fans" waiting for you.

This just reminds me of a recent Pathfinder Scenario I played in. We were facing vampires and members of the group were getting dominated so my trusty dwarven cleric busted out Antimagic Field and started running around putting the dominated in his area to suppress the Domination effect. It also led to him picking up the gunslinger and running off with him so he could go free other teammates from being dominated.

But that only suppresses, right? The moment the thralls leave the area, they are thralls again.

I'll be away from my computer tomorrow. I'll check back Monday and of course later tonight.

Joshua Hirtz wrote:

This just reminds me of a recent Pathfinder Scenario I played in. We were facing vampires and members of the group were getting dominated so my trusty dwarven cleric busted out Antimagic Field and started running around putting the dominated in his area to suppress the Domination effect. It also led to him picking up the gunslinger and running off with him so he could go free other teammates from being dominated.

But that only suppresses, right? The moment the thralls leave the area, they are thralls again.

It does, and it makes things rather interesting having to stay that close together.

Hmm, Enchantment-Based Casters are going to be pretty potent...

P.S.: On my Profile I posted up the temporary rules page for my campaign.