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*bump*

So what if you have Dimensional Anchor tied to an Unhallow spell... (or a dimensional lock for that matter)

Would it prevent a wizard affected (within the area) to bring in any creatures by using say, summon monster spells? They're not explicitly listed as being prevented... but if dimensional travel is prohibited I don't see those monsters 'coming in' so to speak?

Thoughts?

@Scrapper>> Nice one... thanks.

Anyone else anything to suggest? (Game is tomorrow. :-) )

@Mark>> I know but I asked for specific fluff elements for this particular story seed to spice things up a bit and to then just answer with one big blanket statement as 'look to the world for inspiration' isn't helping. It just diverts attention and focus from the threads original intent. Thanks for your two suggestions. That's contributing :)

@Kryzbyn>> "The mother protects her child, and although she displays a great deal of affection for the child and it's father, no one is sure whether it's out of love or duty."

---> That's pretty much her angle and stake in this so far on in. She's neutral evil, not Chaotic Evil, and she's viewing the PC's actions as a springboard that caused her to rise in ranks quickly (something that might have taken her centuries otherwise) ; the pc's were responsible for closing the gate/portal to her homeworld, cutting off the retreat path of a bunch of demons there that got massacred by the invading party's armies at the time. (hence the quick promotion in rank, positions opened up quickly).

She's got a couple of drawbacks though. She can't teleport away with her child. (Teleport is self only). Which makes her reluctant in wanting to betray the PC's. The way she sees it, she escaped death at the hands of the invaders and so far, in her mindset, this is a good deal for her.

Of course, the head of their order is right that putting such a powerful creature among a bunch of low level townsfolk is going to be a temptation that'll be difficult to resist for her not to try and exploit, especially when they're not always around.

Their order however, wants the situation dealt with, without any innocent townsfolk getting hurt as well.

I like the idea about the twist of the baby perhaps attacking livestock or other small children (maybe cannibalism)

Keep em coming folks, good stuff so far :) Thanks for that.

In terms of power level wise, the Succubus got promoted from a normal Succubus to a Lilitu.

The PC party consists of 6 players (all 16th level)

Anyone else with something with more substance please? :-)

Hey all,

the players in my campaign are members of a group of monster hunters (tracking down undead, thwarting would be demon summoners etc)

and they came across a Succubus. There's a war going on in her homeworld and she fled, claiming 'refugee asylum'. She posed herself as a cleric of the deity of lust and love and in fact even shacked up with one of the pc's and gotten pregnant by him.

9 months later, there's a baby. The PC has an NPC keeping an eye on things when he's off adventuring but now the head of the order has arrived at their castle, and the succubus (whom recently had gotten a demonic promotion as a bunch of Succubi demons got killed on her home realm, as such, she moved up on the ranks.) fears being persecuted or locked up by the head honcho, and convinces the PC to leave together towards a small town, and start a life there.

Now, the pc's have returned and found out that earlier that day, the succubus and her baby have left the castle. At the evening meal there's a bunch of grouchy faces stating how it's irresponsible and that any innocent blood will be on them.

The head honcho is in favor of tracking her down and putting her to the sword. However, if the PC's really want to give the Succubus a chance, he wants them to take responsibility for her actions, and he wants them to test her. It's one thing of 'playing nice' being around wary monster hunters while pregnant for 9 months long and 'not doing anything nasty'... moving to a farmer town community with low level townsfolk is of course a whole different ball game.

Any ideas on how to spicen up this plot? (already got a bunch of npc's part of the order intent on killing her anyway, regardless of orders, or if they can, framing her into making it -seem- the Succubus was behind it)

Tips? Suggestions? Red herrings?

Thanks

Thanks for the additions, anything else? Spells maybe?

Bumping up an old thread I know but does anyone have further input on this? To the original question I mean? More ways to make someone flat-footed?

Thanks

I mean, if it were just a new weapon still needing to make a name for itself, but I can imagine a legendary self respecting weapon wouldn't want to transform itself into another shape all the time, of course an inferior shape to its own, anymore than a pc human wouldn't want to be polymorphed into say, a goblin, right?

Hi there,

a PC is wanting to enchant Transformative Weapon on an intelligent magical GreatAxe.

The GreatAxe has a long history and has a relatively high Ego. It belonged to a legendary Barbarian that conquered the land from pesky Elves ages ago.

The PC doesn't have a proficiency in a Great Axe and wants to use the item as a Falchion (for the increased Crit range).

The question is this:

Can an intelligent weapon resist getting further enchantments placed on it?

And if not... can an intelligent weapon on its own revert back to it's normal shape? The transformative weapon description states it reverts back to when it's unattended. But unattended means dropped, not when placed back on one's back or in a scabbard.

It might concede to be allowed in combat to be used as another weapon (at least it gets to cut into something then, and be used) ; on the other hand, when idle, it will want to revert to its true form. It's not going to enjoy being a Falchion on the back of this Barbarian's back... or in his scabbard. ; so can it force it's own transformative weapon power to revert to it's true form? It wants to be seen and recognized as this legendary weapon after all. Soak in the glory so to speak.

Or does 'unattended' mean here... 'when not held in hand/wielded'?

The only reason he wants to keep the weapon as a Falchion around is to not having to use a standard action to change it again between combats (for instance, when the party might be hit in a surprise round or something of the sort)

@Rednal>> well thats the thing, if she willingly fails the saving throw and takes full damage she would have died. There was hard stone cover though so just putting her wrists and hands in harms way to break the item while keeping the rest of yourself covered is not as I'd read into it, failing her save (she isn't suicidal after all)

Perhaps just rolling an item saving throw applies best here.

Well its in regards to an npc not a pc but just curious as to what would apply :-)

Hi all,

Question:

A prisoner put into magical shackles gets hit by a 70+ hitpoint area effect of force damage rendering her unconcious and dying after the damage has been dealt. My question is this, she made her save (for half damage) but would not want to extend that save to her forcefully worn shackles (in fact, she'd even lift them into the blast hoping it would break the damn thing)

How would one go about such a thing? I take it the shackles get their own save? Or just take damage, apply metal hardness and then go from there?

Or does it mean that if the creature makes her save that goes for all equipment worn, even the involuntary ones?

So she was concious when the blast hit her, and unconcious and dying afterwards just to make that clear.

Thanks

I agree with the framework approach... it leaves most of the player agency intact.

Just have more going on than what you just described. Have dragons stirr from their slumber and raid villages as well. Do they handle the dragon problem? --> as a result, the undead army will grow. Do they handle the undead problem? --> the dragons will rampage and destroy a few towns.
Put in a few more problems like that... and your BBEG (whomever is left alone) will develop along with your character group.

I ran a similar storyline in my campaign, and it was just within a country, so, a civil war so to speak (about religion, what else) ; so there was this Necromancer that went about pillaging the battlefields of corpses to raise his army. The group who belong to a group of monster hunters decided not to get politically involved with the Civil War matter and ignored the war plotline for quite a long while... until rumors started finding their way that bodies of slain combatants were going missing. By that time the undead army infestation had grown quite a bit larger... just by their assumption and player choice they didn't want to get involved in the political aspect of it.

In my case, I let the story evolve around the players choices and actions... not the other way around. Nobody likes being railroaded, so, give them options, and make their choices matter. For better or worse.

After each session, decide on what happened in that session, and take your framework notes, and consider ramnifications of current events and how they impact others. Some important NPC got killed? Is there a new power vacuum? Who will take advantage? Who will profit... who will suffer for it? Cause and effect.

Cheers.

Just going to run it as a Curse effect I suppose. Letting her keep her Dragon Disciple levels/powers for now (though without spellcasting ability, she'll need to take a new level in a different class for now) ; and then we'll have to get her a quest in order to somehow appease some deity to restore it. (and the fallen Paladin just got redeemed on this one) ; oh well, never a dull moment :-)

Well,

I ran the encounter last Saturday.

They triumphed in the end but it took almost al day to run.

They opened up with casting one of their Disjunction scrolls on the baddies, and with a 40 feet radius that were a lot of saving throws to be rolled for items and stuff. With adjusting tacticus because items weren't functioning as they should.

In the end the sorcerer failed her save on the second casting of the Disjunction on the artifact though, by one... Even the bard allowing a reroll didn't help it so now she no longer can cast spells. Wonder to handel it as a curse effect.

She also has levels in the dragon disciple prestige class... And technically no longer fulfills its class requirements either. Which is rather brutal.

Anyone any ideas on how to handle this one?

Amrel>> That's true... no full attack in surprise round. Suppose that mitigates somewhat.

@Nord>> That's silly, the FAQ part... just hire a bunch of mid-level fighter thug goons, scry on the intended target and then cast haste in the round before and then full-attack ambush the living daylights out of a single target you'd like to assasinate then, who's flat footed, cause, surprise round?
Bad FAQ, abusive as hell, I wouldn't allow it at my table. (And if players would ensist on this FAQ ruling as RAW, I'd have the tactic used against one of the PC's by the BBEG at least once in their adventuring career. What's good enough for the goose is good enough for the gander after all)
(And yes, there are defenses against it, but not many, and not everyone has spells like 'Mindblank' at their disposal, which is an 8th level spell)

RaizielDragon>> Right... makes sense :-) thanks for clearing that up.

About Ball lightning...

as casting it takes 1 standard action... and moving the globes takes a move action... could you strike multiple targets with them on the round of casting?

What I mean is, given the spell range is medium and the spell doesn't state the globes originate from you as the caster.

Can you cast the spell as a standard action and then you make the globes manifest anywhere within range on spots where creatures are already standing? (forcing them the reflex save or take damage) ; and then use your move action to move them 20 feet around and strike nearby allies/monsters?

Or even strike the same creature twice? ; once on the standard action, then the globes get to move 20 feet, so... 5 feet to the side, and 5 feet back again, target gets zapped again?

Would this be possible and a legitimate use of the spell? (at the expense of not moving that turn as the caster of course)

Wakrob>> It's meant for unattended sentient objects. If you're grappling with someone you'll need to have possession of the object before it will go with you when casting Dimension Door. ; contested is not enough. So you'll either have to steal it, or disarm someone, or perhaps use telekinesis in order to snatch it somehow first.

As to your second question, I always read that as to anyone, making use of the spell's effects. So yes, Caster + passengers. It literally states... after using this spell (it doesn't say, after casting this spell) ; you (you being caster but also passengers, as passengers are users of the spell too) can't take any other actions until your next turn.

This is done to prevent a party in delaying their actions, then having the wizard/sorcerer cast Dimension Door and then having the party members full attacking the ambushed target. No... you have to wait a turn. (Note that there are certain feats that omit this restriction)

Still useful if the party uses other means of stealth. (casting greater invisibility along with a Silence effect for instance)

The Seeking Contagious Flame is a good one :-) Thanks.

I'd just not allow the Coup d'grace statement of 'critical' to be used in combination with the magus described power. Not even a paralyzed or unconcious person (also eligable ways to do a coup d'grace)

It's just something the developer of the magus power didn't think of at the time of writing and should be errated.

And in the case of the fireball example... it allows a reflex save... for half damage... or no damage if you have evasion.

You either get to coup d'grace the helpless critter/person... or you do something else to deal with the immediate threat... just not both at the same time (as it allows no save or nothing).

If you want to do both... roll that critical hit on an attack as it was intended.

Just bring along one or two charged powerbanks and you'll be fine. Those aren't that expensive either.

Never had the problem of it dying on me.

And nothing wrong with investing in hardcover. Just gets tedious to haul around and bring to the gaming table from time to time. :-)

Rime spell would be better. Entanglement would be automatic while shadow grasp allows a save. For the polar midnight that is.

Okay, reading back, by RAW you might be right. But the coup d'grace was never meant to be used in this combination and I for sure wouldn't let it fly at my table. Sacrificing helpless bound rodents specifically for this purpose to strike and then hit enemies with it that happen to stand nearby. Not in the spirit of how that magus ability was intended for sure.

Just cause you found a loophole the developers didn't think of doesn't mean it should work like that.

Bonus points for cheeze though.

Nice suggestion. Anyone else want to take a shot at it?

Hi everyone,

just for an idea on what might be possible...

what'd be the nastiest spell combination to make with metamagic added to them?

Like say:

A magic missile with the toppling spell metamagic feat to hit multiple creatures and have a great chance of knocking them prone with just a +1 on spell level. (the trip attempt is not based on the spell DC but on caster level + casting statistic modifier!)

or a cone of cold with the rime metamagic feat.

Post your most debilitating, deadliest combo's here please.

Cheers

@Incendiaeternus>> I don't know if they'd allow it but at our gaming table, we only keep a few rulebooks around and most of the players, including myself as the DM, we use our tablets (android or iPad) for gaming. I suppose if you have a cellphone you could tether your data connection to your tablet and just use an online websheet? (I run mine on my own NAS for example at my charactersheet profiler (it supports alot of different gaming systems, including Pathfinder); sheets created on there are printer friendly, so if you want a hardcopy as a backup just print it out.

If you don't have data on your cell phone you could still use it but then save it on your tablet as an editable pdf file prior to going there, and work accordingly.

I find using a tablet, especially as a DM, with my browser open to all the monsters I'm going to use on the PRD or d20pfsrd site on each tab to be a blessing. Need that statblock, click and you're there. No need to keep tabs in all sorts of Bestiary books etc.

Suppose it would solve your stack of charactersheet problem too.

Me: "Hi, we don't have that problem where we're at."
You: "Where are you at then?"
Me: "The 21st century."

Technology can be a great thing. :-) ; hope they'll allow it. A good tip for anyone, go digital. (just make sure you don't forget to put it on the charger before you go to bed the night before or it won't last the whole day)

Cheers

No it would not arc to other creatures. Well the pool strike would, but coup de grace damage wouldn't unless those within 15 feet would all have the 'helpless' condition on them too. (Which is a requirement for coup d'grace to apply)

If they're all helpless, then yes. If not, only the helpless creature gets it, apply normal damage to those within 15 feet. Damage from coup d'grace do not apply to them as they do not fulfill the requirement.

Also a coup d'grace being a full round action is not the same as a ranged touch attack, so it would not qualify for the arcing to work come to think of it. (by RAW)

I'd just rule that a more powerful monster would get to grapple you anyway but would need to overcome both the first grapplers CMD as well as the targets with its CMB roll. Especially if the creature is larger. Would a gargantuan monster care if two flies (medium creatures) are grappling eachother?. The answer is no... No it would not.

Sometimes just cause the rules don't specify clearly on a given hypothetical situation, doesn't mean the rest of the campaign world would care to give a dang... Nor should you allow it as a DM.

My 2 cents.

Lunias>> as to Enervation... they're walking around with a Lords Banner of Crusades which contains a hallow effect in which is placed a Death Ward spell effect (40 foot radius per the banner's aura) ; so enervation isn't going to be very efficient unless the item is dispelled/deactivated first. ; The monk is wearing it on his back as a banner carrier, so it is in plain sight. But it gets a bit cheezy to target it specifically. (in a previous encounter with a Nightshade Nightcrawler + Nightskitter) ; the nightskitter had webbed the area which acts as an unhallow aura and as such their death ward got nullified in the warded area accordingly.
But don't want to make a habbit out of letting the baddies know the parties tactics in advance all the time. (Already had one of them use a Legend lore spell on them once) ; the party doesn't do their research, doesn't mean it's not a tool the bad guys can't use of course.

All good ideas, like your build Claxon, thanks

Vatras... Great advice and pointers. Thanks.

Just found this as a great resource for summoning:

Summoners Guide

@Tim: good feedback thanks

Question, one of the well known debuff spells is of course Enervation. Particularly cause it allows no save.

What happens when someone with Death Ward on them gets hit with an enervation spell?
Just wouldn't work or?

Hi all,

In 3.5 you had the Malconvoker Prestige Class
Malconvoker

If I wanted to accomplish something similar in Pathfinder (Paizo only no 3rd party publishers)? What would be the best build route to take?

Wizard or Sorcerer?

Feats:
Spell focus:Conjuration (pre-requirement for Augment Summoning)
Augment Summoning
Superior Summoning
Evolved Summoned Monster

Traits? Spell suggestions? (Aside from all the summon monster spells I take it)

How would the rod of giant summoning work? It states it gains the giant subtype and as such adds racial hitdice apparently but how many for which creature? Or am I reading this wrong?

Marcella>> A hag coven with mook follower-cult wannabes in the style of Tuckers Kobolds but then with Ill Omen wands... Hrrrmmm.

Nasty. Anything else on the suggestions of spells with saving throw none and still partial conditions or effects if a save is made?

Also could go Summoner but Barbarian has Spell Sunder (although not improved Sunder feat so trying it in combat would yield an AoO against him and any damage is brought along on the CMB roll as a subsequent penalty. Might just work as well.

Food for thought.

Lemeres: good suggestion thanks.

Well another way I've been going about it is instead of debuffing the party I let the baddies buff their own numbers instead

If Slow won't work, just cast haste instead. Casting Displacement or Mirror Image helps too.

I suppose I just shouldn't have let them use point buy Epic 2 years back when the campaign started.

Party loot isn't monty haul but some just have very optimised builds that synergise well with eachother.

And its nice to be able to have them worry again once in a while. It should be challenging, not be another stroll through the park.

Well lets say enemy combatant spells they no longer feel bothered with.

So spells that still have a partial effect even if they make a save... Instead of baddies just wasting round after round doing nothing effectively.

Like Tar Pool or Icy Prison

Stuff like that. Also done a Horrid Wilting alteady (cause its a Fortitude save so Evasion doesn't work against it)

Not out to flatout hoze them, just keep it interesting instead of a roll over.

That Witch betrayal ia a nasty one but would be hard to pull off. The monk has snake style and as such has her sense motive maxed out.

Level of the party is 14, soon to be 15

Hi,

What are efficient ways to either debuff a party with particular high set of saving throws, how to circumvent those in a way that keeps it interesting?

Think of spells that allow no saving throw, like waves of fatigue/exhaustion.

But debuff spells that make it harder to save (like a witch) tactics or feats or items that help in debuffing also help

Thoughts, suggestions?

Valandil>> Thanks, already knew of that one :) ; also a Lamia does it... any others though?

Hey everyone,

anyone happen to know any creatures that do either Wisdom damage or drain?

Found another critter that might fit the bill.

Gnarly.

@ArchAngelAzrael>> Well, sure vampires have some specific weaknesses but... they've got great strengths and synergy bonuses as well with the anti-paladin class.
Thwarting your good guys plans? --> employ Dominate Person by gaze attack. ; do your adventuring at night, if you're raiding a dungeon for loot, it doesn't really matter what time it is when you're underground. ; depends on the leeway your DM gives on the amount of time a vampire needs to rest in the campaign setting world.

Also, down to 0 hitpoints? no problem... you're not destroyed, just gaseous form until you've rested. Want to travel long distances... take your coffin along with you in a wagon with some npc mercenaries that guard it during the daytime.

Need more flunkies... spawn some vampire spawn minions... ; preferably tapping NPC's that can do things for you.

Defend your haven/stronghold? Have lead or steel pipes go through all sorts of rooms with holes drilled in them --> easy gaseous form escape route... where the goody two shoes can't follow.

I suppose the pro's would outweigh the con's/weaknesses in this case.

Graveknight would also fit well.

Vampire? (high Charisma) ; perfect choice for anti-paladin?

@Frosty Ace>> Some solid tips and pointers in there... for an idea of the bigger picture... it's in regards to this encounter design I'm working on.

Epic encounter work-in-progress

The bodyguard type is primarily concerned in defending it's master.

Anyone else something to add on this NPC's build/optimization?

@SmiloDan>>