ZachM's page

I think you're mistaking the term blind in this situation to mean something it does not.

When someone has a blackout emotional/rage event they aren't actually unaware of their surroundings or senses while they're in the midst of it, if anything those senses are actually heightened. What is actually going on in these situations is that their emotive state they lose awareness of their OWN actions and their mind fails to recall what they did during such an event, during it they are fully able to handle, move, and sense their environment and they are functionally just unable/unwilling to analyze on a critical level the meaning or consequences of their actions. Somebody having a blackout rage episode who acts out isn't unable to see, hear, or react to their environment and wouldn't walk into a pole or wall because of their state, it's just that they won't have a clear picture of events AFTER it happens or be able really to explain/justify them.

That's a really good point. They have perfectly good perception, just not self-perception. And I guess it makes sense to contest that against PC perception since they'd still be anticipating the NPC's actions before he makes them, or failing to do so.

Info in the link below. In brief, you have just returned home to family and friends after going off on your first adventure, but the homecoming will lead to mind shattering revelations and horror. It's experimental because while cosmic, folk, and gothic horror all are very well represented in Pathfinder and the wider TTRPG space this is attempting a kind of uncanny horror that I haven't been able to find elsewhere in the RPG space. I'm not sure if I'm charting bold new ground or just making an ill advised mess, so if you are down to help me find out let me know!

Note: I put the listing for Sunday August 1st at 6pm, but if this happens to spark your interest and you are unavailable let me know, and I am happy to try to schedule it at a different time that is more convenient.

Thanks for your interest, and I am happy to answer any questions or take feedback on the description from the full listing.

https://startplaying.games/adventure/clyhyfrrr001d12ttm8fg7who

I like the idea of using saving throws for the occasional initiative, but in this case I'd probably use Reflex, as the NPC is basically lashing out on reflex.

Yeah that makes the most sense to me. With the power bestowed upon me as OP I declare you the winner of this conversation.

You could possibly use Will save bonus. It is on the same scale and guaranteed to be at least trained.

If you decide that you do want to stick with a skill, you could use Society for how long it took for the character to process what was said.

Dang, two more decent possibilities.

If there is a situation where a player character say, insults an NPC in an extremely personal way, intentionally or not, and a fight commences without the NPC necessarily even consciously deciding to attack. What would the NPC initiative skill be? Perception for blindly striking out in anger seems obviously incorrect, he's not aware of himself much less his surroundings, but that's not slowing him down, just the opposite. They are face to face, obviously not stealth. The NPC might very well be surprised by their own reaction, so deception doesn't make sense, it's not like a sucker punch when the PC is distracted. Would raw adrenaline make it athletics? Or would a sudden violent outburst be a kind of intimidation? Heck, could it be survival? Fight or flight instincts are pretty key to that.
I'm being a little facetious, I'm guessing athletics would be the consensus but thought I'd ask the community in case I'm surprised.

Funny to think that there is a little ambiguity on what skill is used to start a fight in the situation that probably resembles how the majority of real world fights start.