I, as a GM, have a situation which relates to Silence and Ventriloquism, so posted it here.
There is an enemy(Sor8) who has Ventriloquism, Charm Person, Suggestion not as spells but as spell-like abilities. And PCs got a Wand of Silence, and frequently uses it against spell-users.
This seems to me a “Decided by GM” situation, but I want to hear your voices to get wider view. So please help me with your advices or opinions if possible.
My questions are as follows;
Case4:
Can Sor8 use Ventriloquism(spell-like ability), and cast her spell with verbal components on her next turn in area of Silence cast by the party’s wand?
Case5:
Same as Case4, but how if she tries to use Suggestion(spell-like ability) on her next turn? She needs to tell target PC what she suggests.
Case6:
Same as Case5, but how if she tries to use Charm Person(spell-like ability) on her next turn?
She needs to tell target PC something to effectively use Charm Person.
My impressions are Case4:No, Case5&6:Yes.
Thank you in advance.
I’ve searched forums for PFRPG rules discussion threads, but couldn’t find any mentions about this problem. If anyone can shed light for me, thank you beforehand.
I'm pretty sure you're right. And I'm pretty sure that error stems from how my stat block spreadsheet handled the mystic theurge prestige class at the time (i.e., a kludge). Basically, if the user manually changed his caster level on the wizard and cleric tabs, all derived values (like school powers) come from that modified value. That has since been fixed (the actual level and the effective caster level are tracked separately).
Thank you for your reply. And it's a great module, again.
I’m very impressed by this module, and am looking forward to run it as GM in two weeks or so. My only major concern is that my players are all fond of The Mythos on their own ways, so there might be some gap in liking this module’s way of interpreting The Mythos. But even this concern gears me up as a challenge. It should be a memorable session. Thank you, Mr. Pett.
A tiny question.
Spoiler:
In page 25, Keeper Crove’s data states he has dimensional steps(90ft/day). My understaning about wizard’s school power is that it is defined by wizard level, not by character level. Keeper Crove’s wizard level is 3(so 90ft/day, I believe) though his character level is 9(Conjurer3/Cleric3/Mystic Theurge3). Still he has dimensional steps, which is 8lvl Conjurer school power. I think dimensional steps is one of key elements in his escape plan, so if it’s a typo, I can give him a scroll of dimension door, and it’ OK about this module’s play. But I’m still on way of understanding PFRPG rules, so this topic matters me much. Sorry for nitpicking.
I’ve searched forums for PFRPG rules discussion threads, but couldn’t find any mentions about this problem. If anyone can shed light for me, thank you beforehand.
Nice works, Paizo staffs, as always. These rules remind me of Good Old Days of the green box.
I am a little confused by the Edict rules, though.
1) Upkeep Phase Step 2 (Pay Consumption) precedes that month’s Improvement Phase Step 6(Edicts), so how one can determine the increase of Consumption by Edicts? By previous month’s Edicts? Or should a Ruler declare that month’s Edicts before Improvement Phase?
2) More important question. It seems that Festivals are measured by numbers per Year. But Consumption and Loyalty are needed by monthly rate. How does it work? For example, does “No Festival per Year” mean “Loyalty -1 at the end of 12 consecutive months with no Festivals”?
I can rule by myself, but if there are any advices or answers, it would be better.
A change to edicts doesn't affect the consumption for that month; it takes a bit for the change to go into effect, and so won't hit consumption until the next turn's Upkeep.
As for the festivals, the number per year is as much the number you actually hold as it is the number you promise, and the number that the common folk prepare for and look forward to over the months. This assumes that the king isn't lying when he tells the commoners "we'll have 12 festivals this year!" You get the stat changes automatically, in other words; if you reduce the number per year later, the modifiers change then.
Nice works, Paizo staffs, as always. These rules remind me of Good Old Days of the green box.
I am a little confused by the Edict rules, though.
1) Upkeep Phase Step 2 (Pay Consumption) precedes that month’s Improvement Phase Step 6(Edicts), so how one can determine the increase of Consumption by Edicts? By previous month’s Edicts? Or should a Ruler declare that month’s Edicts before Improvement Phase?
2) More important question. It seems that Festivals are measured by numbers per Year. But Consumption and Loyalty are needed by monthly rate. How does it work? For example, does “No Festival per Year” mean “Loyalty -1 at the end of 12 consecutive months with no Festivals”?
I can rule by myself, but if there are any advices or answers, it would be better.
If there were multiple spells with same caster level in effect on the target of the dispel magic, what will happen? All of them dispelled? If not, who chooses which spell to be dispelled?
Perhaps a really simple question, but I am somewhat confused.
Does a PC need to speak a word / phrase to activate a wand?
From Page 136, Activate Magic Items:
Spell Trigger, Command Word, or Use-Activated Items:
So Spell Trigger and Command Word are different.
and from Page 362, Wands:
Activation: Wands use the spell trigger activation method <snip>. To activate a wand, a character must hold it in hand and point it in the general direction of the target or area.
No where does it say that you have to say anything, just point. This sorta means that a wand can be used in a silenced area.
So what exactly *is* a Spell Trigger?
Help!!!
-- david
Papa.DRB
Comparing 3.5 and PFRPG Beta, it seems to me too that PFRPG Beta lacks an explanation about what a “Spell Trigger Activation” is.
In PFRPG Beta, as you say, individual descriptions of wands or staves state “a character must hold it forth in at least one hand”, and these individual statements are almost same in 3.5DMG.
However, in 3.5DMG, it is clearly stated that activating a Spell Trigger Item needs “ a single word that must be spoken”, and that requirement is solidified by official FAQ by WotC. The FAQ even states “they(spell trigger items) don’t work in areas of silence”.
This requirement is omitted with couple of other things about Magic Items in PFRPG Beta.
I can't say for sure if this is intentional or not.
It may appear in final version.
So what level was Nex when he created Kakishon? The Scroll of Kakishon artifact in Jackal's Price has a caster level of 23rd, and suggests that Nex was epic-level when he made it ("after transcending the typical mortal ken of magic and passing into the workings of the quasi-divine"). Yet in this adventure, all spells aparently used by Nex (mostly encountered on the Isle of the Dead) are at caster level 20th.
What's with the disparity?
I think even 23rd Level is not enough to create a world, or enslave some proteans in Maelstrom for that matter. So it would be safe to consider the items were made at lower levels intentionally(to lower the costs, perhaps?). Then the disparity might not be a problem.
1. In Page 26 (and other places as well), it is stated that proteans can’t activate their plans while non-natives are still in Kakishon. Are “non-natives” limited to genies and PCs only? How about other denizens of Kakishon like azer smith Artel, Bloodhunter gnolls, hydras, xorns for example? Do they have to be removed as well? Nex seems to have brought or bound some creatures. Azer, hydra, xorns would be in this category. Gnolls are described as “feral remnant of Jhavul’s gnoll armies” in page17, so they seem to be non-natives. Or are they different generation from originals Nex or Jhavul brought with(with shorter lifespan than Genies perhaps, they might be), and to be considered as natives of Kakishon?
2. I got impression that Kakishon is a less populated place. But Set Piece enables PCs to get information by Knowledge(local) or Gather Information. Check result chart even mentions “some sailors”. Who are they? Gnoll outrigger riders?
And some nitpickings.
Spoiler:
1. In Page 20, “Of course, allying with Dilix is only one route to escaping Kakishon” should be read as “Of course, allying with Dilix is not only one route to escaping Kakishon”, perhaps.
2. Less important, in Page 20 again, “Dilix was left behind by Jhavhul after being told by the warlord that she would not suffer…” should be read as “Dilix was left behind by Jhavhul after being told by the warlord that he would not suffer…”.
Alright, so at the end of The Jackal's Price, the PCs are given a ruby tuning fork by the Captain of the Sunset Ship, assuming they ally with him. The Jackal's Price claims that this odd magical device (it radiates abjuration magic) will prove to be useful in Kakishon, but it's never mentioned in The End of Eternity...
I had same question with you, so your suggestions(and Mr.Jacobs's answer) enlightend me very much. Thank you!
One of clevernesses of Pathfinder books is that some parts of adventure are divided into other articles in the volume. Like, Random Encounter Table in the Bestiary, journey between the town and the main dungeon in “In the Shadow of Pale Mountain” article. Thus adventures themselves can use pages for more details, more plots, and more stories.
In this volume, even the foreword is bearing part of the adventure. It is most “useful” foreword I’ve ever seen(I do like "normal" forewords of Pathfinder too, and they often are very useful and suggestive in the end).
And for complaints about railroading, I would simply say “See this adventure”. Ironically, “The End of Eternity” has become the most non-railroading Pathfinder Adventure Path adventure ever published(of course, there are many useful suggestions in the adventure to lead GMs, not players), I think. And Kakishon is beautifully and tactfully created. Thank you, Mr. Nelson and Paizo staff.
I've got the pdf and now I'm skimming through it. Today is my holiday(I was at work recent weekends), and I'm enjoying my small travel to this Kakishon. So far, it looks good and wonder-full place.
1. Who is the big genie on the cover? Did I miss his scene?
2. The genie article mentions that Marids sometime ally with brine dragons. Where can I find more info on brine dragons?
3. In the Katapesh Market article, the Seer is studying one of the Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan. Is that an artifact, magic item, or just a unique set of books? Where can I find more on that?
May be I can help you a little.
1. The illustration is mentioned in Paizo Blog of March 2 as “a series of four cover characters who, while not necessarily specific personalities in the Adventure Path, epitomize the genies featuring prominently in each.”
2. I too want to know about it. And about sandmen who are mentioned in Shaitans column. Are they to appear in Pathfinder Bestiary? I think sandmen first appeared in 1st edition Fiend Folio.
3. The Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan is a Cthulhu Mythos artifact, which is mentioned in "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" by H.P.Lovecraft. What power the PFRPG version of the book has, is unknown to me.
Pathfinder Campaign Setting
Gods & Magic
Classic Monsters Revisited
Guide to Absalom
LB1:Tower of the Last Baron
E2:Blood of Dragonscar
PFS #16,17,18,19,20
I think Elaine Cunningham’s Channa Ti has gracefully introduced us a concept how a seemingly peaceful druid class sit in a little harsher world of Golarion. It reminds me of Counselors and Kings Trilogy by her, which was almost an only source of mysterious Halruaa in those days. Novels by an excellent hand like of hers sometimes speak more words and draw more pictures than any adventures or sourcebooks. I don’t want to see Golarion driven by “cannon” novels, but I dearly want novels of this kind. Thanks, and I love your novels, Ms. Cunningham.
I’m planning to use this Flip-Mat for Red Foam Whaling (with some modifications, of course) in Serpents of Scuttlecove in my Savage Tide Campaign. This is a great map which charms GMs to use it. Good work, Mr. Macourek!
Excellent mixture of journey and city adventures, and nice change of atmosphere from (equally excellent) dungeon crawling in previous adventure.
But...
** spoiler omitted **
Answer: ** spoiler omitted **
Thank you for your answer.
Spoiler:
I’m glad to hear “Background Story” of an Adventure Path. I believe in your ability of making good things better, so I’m looking forward to see the last adventure(the last 3.5 adventure, isn’t it?) of LoF(and two more adventures between, of course). My questions are products of my curiosity, not negative comments. And at the same time, they are my humble efforts to enjoy Pathfinder more thoroughly. I’m very much appreciate your sincere and quick answers.
Excellent mixture of journey and city adventures, and nice change of atmosphere from (equally excellent) dungeon crawling in previous adventure.
But...
Spoiler:
, I couldn’t find Davashuum. My impression from page 8 of HoCK was that he might be somewhere in this adventure. I suspected(wrongly) that “Father Jackal” might be Davashuum(He seems to be an assassin, after all.).
How about sharing your ideas about using Game Mastery Maps(Flip-Mats or Map Packs) in any published adventures? Of course, some modifications may be required, but too many goodies there are.
I start with this.
Gamemastery Map Pack: Wizard’s Tower
The Old Observatory(The Whispering Cairn in AoW)
It’s interesting. “Luck” abilities of some classes(Swashbuckler, for example) enable them to reroll dices once per day in most cases, but “Unluck” aura always make others roll two dices and take worse one.
“Unluck” is stronger than “Luck”. It may be a law of nature.
Thanks again for your quick and insightful answer, James.
Spoiler:
I thought that, after one year of down time between HoCK and HotB, PCs may have forgotten a name of an old statue, but players will not stay down for one year(I hope so), and they have tendencies of memorizing some names quite well(better than in their actual lives, maybe), so I wanted advises. Your answer blew off my concerns. Thank you.
Thank you for your quick responses, James. As other people have already said, this is one of the best things about Paizo and this board.
Spoiler:
The maps are really great. Especially, the existence of three doorless minarets and spiral stairs under them. I love it!
As for PDF, I’m using Adobe Reader (It is 8, not 9, for that matter.), and faced no such problems except this case(Rokova). I tried almost all other graphics in same file(Beast), and all of them worked well. So, I’m afraid there may be a problem of PDF file itself.
In HotB, disguised Zayfid tells PCs that his name is Zayfid(HotB page 8). But careful PCs may have already known the name “Zayfid” by investigating statues of Templars in The Old Monastery area A4(HoCK page21).
Is this intentional? If so, what’s the purpose? I think it will make a great roleplaying opportunity(“Oh, you study well! Actually, my parents named me after one of a legendary Templars of Five Winds!”), but at the same time, it may blow off Zayfid’s cover too easily. At least, it will make PCs’ suspicions larger(though I admit that this kind of suspicion can’t be said always harmful to adventures).
Or, should disguised Zayifd give PCs some kind of false name?
Please give me some guidances,if you could.
A Great adventure. “House” is exactly “somewhere you’d want to explore”. Maps are crying out “Ravenloft”, or “ToEE”, but with more playable scales. And Mr. Hitchcock did so without losing variety of encounters. I’ve been playing since era of 1stEd, and although I'm enjoying to read this board almost every dary, this is my first post on this board. “House of the Beast”(and “Howl of The Carrion King”) made(or forced) me to do post. Congraturations to Mr. Hitchcock and Paizo staff! I’m very much looking forward to running this adventure(though it must be at least half a year later, because I’m currently running Savage Tide for my players.)
Spoiler:
Tidbits.
*Two of the maps of “House” are scaled by “One square = 5 feet”. I believe that one of them, Grundmoch’s Lair, must be “One square = 10 feet” as other “House” maps(Please compare it with overall map on page 13), but I can’t say for sure about another one, The Stone Speakers, because it’s almost independent from other maps. Please tell me if these scales are correct.
*I can’t get graphic of Rokova from my pdf properly. Select the graphic and copy and paste it on Paint, you get background symbol of him, not a gnoll Assasin. Others, Zayifid for example, I had no problems.
