The Ruby Phoenix Tournament

Game Master polyfrequencies

So between the impact on visibility for everyone, and the negative effect it'll have on crowd response which is apparently a big factor in this AP, stinking cloud seems like a pretty bad idea except in the most emergency situation, especially since enemies first action would be to leave the cloud, And if we stayed in it to use it for cover it becomes a fireball target.

Emergencies like grappling with Chung Po? =P

And yeah the emphasis on visibility and crowd response really hampers the usefulness of greater invisibility as well.

Noro can probably use Greater Invisibility without issue, mostly because she dumped Combat Performance.

He told me it would likely spend the first couple of rounds buffing, then start tearing into opponents.

Auto-correct strikes again?

Honestly. If he tries that again I'd either use Divine spirit to basically become a flaming burst weapon, teleport out, not suppress the acid damage in my gauntlets....let him have his win that doesn't matter. Lol

Not quite. Was doing laundry at the time. Speech to text turned Hitome into he told me

It's been two weeks since we've heard anything from Noro, and a little over a week since the player's last post on the boards. I know that Ai Lua and Hitome's players have both played with them in at least one game on the boards each, so I'll ask if 1) you have any insight into them, and 2) if you have a way of contacting them.

I'm not ready to give up yet, but if we do not hear from Noro soon it places us in an awkward position storywise. After a certain amount of time, do you all want to bring in an alternate?

Looks like the recruitment Noro's playe's been running also had their last post on Fri, Aug 25, 2023, 05:26 pm and nothing since so they're definitely unavailable for one reason or another.

Unfortunately I don't have any insight, that campaign we were in together was a long time ago (and a bit of a mess, sadly).

After a certain amount of time, do you all want to bring in an alternate?

What are the other options? Botting Noro and hoping Edward returns?

Option 1: Bring in an alternate
Option 2: Bot Noro until Edward returns
Option 3: Continue with Petal, Blade, and Mage alone until Edward returns, with Noro suffering from Golarion's worst hangover

I'm open to hearing other options.

If we were simple first level characters I'd go with 2, but since we're not I think 2 is a lot of work. For option 3, the game is designed for 4 so just 3 of us would be hard or take work on your side to trim it down.

So that leaves us waiting (option 4?) or choosing option 1. We could combine them and pick a date from today, maybe even by Monday, if we don't hear from Edward, we get an alternative.

Normally I'd go with wait for longer, but we are relatively early in the game and we're about to get to a point where any of us missing for a bit will slow down the game significantly.

That sounds more than fair to me.

I need to explain my absence.

We went to the beach for labor day weekend and when we got home, we had a flea infestation in our house and have been spending all week fumigating and cleaning and spraying to get rid of them. its been taking all of my time.

That is... rather understandable. Ugh, sorry you had to go through that.

Welcome back. Hope your home is now nice and flea-less.

Yikes! Well I'm glad to see you. We left you some entertaining posts to catch up on and respond to

That really sucks! Definitely understandable.

Creature Type/Subtype

Senses
Special Defenses (i.e., DR, SR, Resistances, Immunities) (Each of these is a separate question)
Lowest Save/Highest Save
Movement
Special Attacks (e.g. breath weapons, gaze attacks, sneak attack)
Spell-Like Abilities
Spellcasting
Typical Feats
Skills
Languages
Other Special Abilities (SQ)

Resistance is an immunities are also important for spellcasters to know what to have ready.

Resistances don't matter as much in this case, because Jonovan has no big elemental spells (not counting Acid Splash and Ray of Frost).

Special Attacks? They are usually horrible, and might help setting up resistances of our own.

So far we have:

Question: What does "Spellcasting" encompass? Typical spells?

Usually just can they cast spells and standard spells if the rolls high enough

That's correct. Many creatures cast spells as though they had class levels, and these levels usually stack if they take additional levels in that class. These are different than spell-like abilities.

Ok I think this video seemed a little inspirational

Click me

Nice!

Well now I'm extra pumped!

Sorry, I am not sure where to find my token :(

In Roll20, you can upload your preferred character art.

I got that already. Or seems to, just can't figure out how to get the token on the board. But I just used the image and didn't crop it so I'll do that with the link you gave

Nevermind. Got it. I couldn't drag before, maybe it didn't like the dimensions?

I debated a lot between haste and good hope for her opening spell. Haste fit into her wording better. Leave it to Lua to pick a spell based on how well it can fit into a sentence.

Good choice. Now I don't need to pick Speed when I select a Divine Body weapon enhancement!

Haste and good hope down, so Lua can get to fighting now!

And great results on the glitterdust, Jonovan!

finally settled on where she was going to end up and drew a line of her path, 60 feet of movement, so 12 squares.

And great results on the glitterdust, Jonovan!

Thanks. I'm actually surprised they all failed. But it likely won't last more than a few rounds.

Didn't include bonuses for good hope/flanking/inspired since my action comes before Lua's

Actually, we are doing block initiative:

Jonovan, Ai Lua, and Noro are up! We're doing Block Initiative, so whoever responds first acts first.

There are questions I should bring up because it should be cropping up pretty soon. Specifically, the rules on Performance Combat say:

Energy Spells and Effects: Crowds tend to respond to flashy spells and effects. If a combatant casts a spell or produces an effect that deals acid, cold, fire, electricity, force, or sonic damage in a visible way (including weapons with special abilities like flaming burst or shocking burst that deal bursts of energy damage on critical hits), she can make a performance combat check as a swift action.

Q1: Does the spell/effect have to hit? Could a Sorcerer cast Scorching Ray, miss every roll, and still make a Performance Combat check?

Q2: Is there a minimum spell/effect level which counts as "flashy"? Could Jonovan make Performance Combat checks based on casting Acid Splash/Ray of Frost? Could Hitome make checks based on her acid gloves?

I mean, if you miss the roll should be with a substantial penalty. Being able to do something poorly isn't likely to impress a crowd.

I think the text actually covers the minimum. A flaming weapon doesn't. do it but Flaming Burst would on a critical. Think about what would be able to be clearly seen from the stands.

I'd think Shock shield, Burning hands, flare burst, shocking greasp, thunderstomp, clarion call, color spray, dazzling blade, enlarge person and snapdragon fireworks would likely be the lowest-level spells to qualify. (all noticably visible/audible spell effects)

Honestly, I'd think your opening move would probably qualify:

"A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades. "

If I was in the crowd I'd definitely remember this

Block Initiative yes, but I agree with Hitome's reasoning--technically her action was a Round 1 action, but I looped it back around to 2 for the sake of ease.

And Hitome is also right that what qualifies as flashy is spelled out as a minimum in the rules. Missing isn't very impressive, and I'd levy a minimum -5 penalty (like the action to withdraw). And depending on the read, it has to deal damage. If an opponent escapes a barrage of arcing beams of fire entirely unscathed, the crowd would either be equally impressed by both side or more impressed with the dodger.

Cantrips are also not very impressive, and I'll rule that they never prompt a check. (This could be different in 2E, however.)

The glitterdust could qualify, though. It was certainly flashy.

Oh, I have a question as well. Well, clarification that I'm just checking is right.

Lua's performance feat says

"When you spend a swift action to make a performance combat check, you present the weapon in which you have Weapon Focus in a triumphant display. You gain a +2 bonus on the performance combat check and make an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes within 30 feet who can see your display."

Originally I thought this meant she could take a swift and perform this action, but I think I was wrong and it really means, IF she qualifies for a swift performance check she can add this effect to it.

So one of these: charge, combat maneuver, max damage, fleshy spells, feint, trip, multiple hits

That's correct! Also, that's a gross typo on my part. Some spells are fleshy, but I meant flashy.

Reminding me of another game where I addle-minded/sleep-deprived described a large metal-reinforced journal as a large meal-reinforced general, and a player responded with this image.

Ai Lua can perform her Hero's Display as a swift action when she hits with a charge, connects with a combat maneuver, deals max damage, casts a flashy spell, successfully feints, knocks someone prone, or hits multiple times. She can also do it when she confirms a critical hit, draws first blood, or vanquishes an opponent.

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I do want to check Hitome's Performance check real quick. (With an Indifferent DC of 14, it was a success either way, but checking is always good.)

Charisma: +4
BaB: +3
Dance: +3
Good Hope: +2

So I still get a base +10, with +2 from Good Hope to +12. Heroic Echo boosts that to +13. I could very easily be missing something in your build.

In general, I do strongly encourage including all bonuses and penalties separately in your rolls instead of lumping them together, just in case your opponents have abilities that counter a piece of your rolls. For instance:

I know that Hitome's base attack is BaB +11, Str +3, Brawling +2, Bodywrap +2, Weapon Focus +1, Ancestor's Blade +1 for 11 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20 and 1d8+3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 8 base damage (as listed). So that 1d20+20 and 1d8+8 never needs to be accounted for. Just separate out things like the Personal Trial, Haste, Good Hope, Flanking, Inspire Courage, etc., especially if any of the bonus types overlap.

The glitterdust could qualify, though. It was certainly flashy.

I guess I missed an opportunity there.

Alright, just so its clear, which spells in Jonovan's primary list qualify for Performance Combat checks? I've highlighted the ones I think might qualify in italics

5th (5/day)—Wall of Force, Echolocation

4th (7/day)—Threefold Aspect, Black Tentacles (one of the fleshiest spells around), Greater Invisibility, Stone Shape, Enervation, Shadow Conjuration (DC21) (depending on spell reproduced)

3nd (8/day)—Heroism, Haste, Paragon Surge, Fly, Dispel Magic, Stinking Cloud (DC20), Battering Blast (DC20)

2nd (8/day)—Eagles Splendor, Glitterdust (DC19), Invisibility, Mirror Image, Resist Energy, Minor Image (DC19) (depending on effect produced), Rope Trick, Aram Zey's Focus

1st (8/day)—Moment of Greatness, Mage Armor, Shield, Grease (DC18), Charm Person (DC18), Obscuring Mist, Magic Missile, Sure Casting, Enlarge Person (Page of Spell Knowledge), Featherfall (Page of Spell Knowledge)

Edit: Also I think I miscounted the squares. Re-calculating Jonovan's movement, he should be to the east of Ai Lua.

Hitome, Lua did inspire greatness on her first round as well, so she should still get that bonus. +2 attack/+2 damage

Cool so the inspired bonuses hold! Yay.

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I do want to check Hitome's Performance check real quick. (With an Indifferent DC of 14, it was a success either way, but checking is always good.)

Charisma: +4
BaB: +3
Dance: +3
Good Hope: +2

So I still get a base +10, with +2 from Good Hope to +12. Heroic Echo boosts that to +13. I could very easily be missing something in your build.

In general, I do strongly encourage including all bonuses and penalties separately in your rolls instead of lumping them together, just in case your opponents have abilities that counter a piece of your rolls. For instance:

I know that Hitome's base attack is BaB +11, Str +3, Brawling +2, Bodywrap +2, Weapon Focus +1, Ancestor's Blade +1 for 11+3+2+2+1+1 and 1d8+3+2+2+1 base damage (as listed). So that 1d20+20 and 1d8+8 never needs to be accounted for. Just separate out things like the Personal Trial, Haste, Good Hope, Flanking, Inspire Courage, etc., especially if any of the bonus types overlap.

I have 9 ranks in Perform (Dance), not 3 (re-arranged before we started and applied the ranks where they'd be useful)

When I was making Lua I thought at first she could never fail a performance check cause she's built for it and then was corrected, pointing out there was a chart of ranges of skill ranks to bonus in performance checks.

Maybe that is the reason for the difference in numbers for Hitome as well?

Highest Perform Ranks Bonus on Performance Combat Check
0 +0
1–5 +1
6–10 +2
11–15 +3
16+ +4

Yes, Ai Lua is correct. The Performance Combat check is a Charisma check modified variably by the PC's BaB and the number of ranks they have in specific Perform skills (act, comedy, & dance), as follows:.

Base Attack Bonus Bonus on Performance Combat Check

0 +0
1-5 +1
6-10 +2
11-15 +3
16+ +4

Highest Perform Rank Bonus on Performance Combat Check
0 +0
1-5 +1
6-10 +2
11-15 +3
16+ +4

Thus it's:

Just a note, I really seldom check on weekends.

As a side note (moot since he missed his attack on Noro), you shouldn’t be able to make an attack after using Abundant step RAW (It’s “as Dimension door”) Of course GM fiat applies, but the same also applies to when I use my Flickering Step ability that does the same.

In fact, there's a whole Chain of Feats designed around being able to act after teleporting (dimensional agility is the minimum required to act after dimension door)

Ah, good to know! I'll retcon it slightly that he tried to attack Noro before abundant stepping away, and move him a little further away so that she can't just grab him again. That's better for him anyway. Noro, note the new position.

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As for the why flat-footed, that'll be a DC 15 Knowledge (local) check to identify a monk ability that allows them to attack vs flat-footed AC.

Guachen would have yielded after Hitome's second attack. So do with that what you will.

Hitome needs to do another Performance Combat check for healing.

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Per Ai Lua, the affected opponents will be panicked for 1 round and shaken for 3 rounds.

Jonovan is lucky that Shuko Kien is currently panicking, otherwise he'd be casting in a threatened square and provoke from him.

Does this guy seriously have a reach of 40+ ft?

Can Jonovan tell that he has a reach of 40+ ft?

And if not, can any helpful party member tell Jonovan that he has a reach 40+ ft?

Aw dip, for some reason I had in my head that Enlarge Person was a touch spell. No worries. You're safe.

For now.

Hello all, just popping in for no other reason than to say Hi, hope all is well.

Cheers! I'm just waiting to see if Noro decides to melt one of these poor outmatched monks.

I'm alive.

Mostly.

I think.

Today is a Monday, all day long. Tomorrow, a Tuesday, all day long as well... Just babbling a bastardization of a song my kids had to sing each day to learn the days of the week. And saying hi :)

Hi!

Hey y'all! Sorry, I'm still working on trying to get the next combat round going. Shortly after I got back from my out-of-town travel, I was consumed with two things: lots of paperwork and a surprise illness!

But don't worry, we'll get things going up again soon!