Pathfinder Adventure Path #166: Despair on Danger Island (Fists of the Ruby Phoenix 1 of 3)

GM Moonknight wrote:

Has anyone gotten the PDF’s yet?

I do. Whats up.

I was just wondering. My shipment has been pending since Thursday. Just wondering if anyone’s subscriptions have started shipping yet.

It’s hard to be patient. :)

GM Moonknight wrote:

Has anyone gotten the PDF’s yet?

I do. Whats up.

Standard questions: what's in the toolbox? Specifically, what are the CR and names of the new creatures?

Anything stand out about the setting?

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

xNellynelx wrote:

GM Moonknight wrote:

Has anyone gotten the PDF’s yet?

I do. Whats up.

Standard questions: what's in the toolbox? Specifically, what are the CR and names of the new creatures?

Adventure Toolbox starts with Campaign Advise for Ruby Phoenix , as well as the Campaign Overview that normally shows up at the end of the book.

3 new Witch feats that are follow ups to the Living Hair feat (They each build off of Living Hair separately, not as a 4 feat feat chain)

2 new Monk feats that are Ki related. One altering the damage type of Ki Blast, while one is a new Ki Spell.

3 New Magic Items, including 2 Rare lvl 20 Artifacts.

6 New weapons and an advise section for Adapting Western Weapons.

3 New spells (One of which is the earlier mentioned Monk Focus Spell).

2 new Archetypes. The Ghost Eater which we go a tease for in an earlier blog, and the Butterfly Blade Archetype, which has a prereq of being trained in Butterfly Swords.

As for creatures:
Anugobu Apprentice - Lvl 3 (Anugobu/Humanoid)
Anugobu Wondercrafter - Lvl 7 (Anugobu/Humanoid)
Berberoka - Lvl 15 (Giant/Humanoid)
Dromornis - Lvl 10 (Animal)
Hantu Denai- LVl 9 (Beast/Hantu/Incorporeal/Spirit)
Hantu Belian - Lvl 11 (Beast/Hantu/Incorporeal/Spirit)
Caustic Monitor - Lvl 13 (Animal)
Manananggal - Lvl 8 (Aberration/Tanggal)
Muckish Creep - Lvl 8 (Aberration)
Sigbin - Lvl 5 (Beast)

Anything stand out about the setting?

I haven't had much chance to read through it yet, but a few things that did stand out on a quick skim. I will spoiler tab this as I reference certain fights or enemies:

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

Archetypes mentioned in my above post. But the Hook swords are an Advanced D6 weapon with the Disarm, Monk, Parry, Trip, and Twin trait (Heck yeah for the Monk trait!).

6 new weapons total, 2 of which are martial, the other 4 are Advanced.

Martial
Kusarigama
Leiomano

Advanced
Butterfly Sword
Hook Sword
Karambit
Wind and Fire Wheel

Huh. I wonder if the advanced ones interact with Monastic Weaponry in any way. The actual text is "You gain access to uncommon weapons that have the monk trait and become trained in simple and martial monk weapons. " So it seems like advanced weapons wouldn't be included?

Huh. I wonder if the advanced ones interact with Monastic Weaponry in any way. The actual text is "You gain access to uncommon weapons that have the monk trait and become trained in simple and martial monk weapons. " So it seems like advanced weapons wouldn't be included?

Yeah, it's a bit unclear IMO. 3 of the 4 Advanced weapons have the Monk trait, so it would be weird if it didn't include these?

It's hard to tell if "When your proficiency rank for these weapons" is talking about "weapons with the monk trait" or "simple and martial monk weapons".

Well, for simplicity, do either of the martial weapons get the monk trait?

Well, for simplicity, do either of the martial weapons get the monk trait?

Kusarigama does. The Leiomano does not.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Martial
Kusarigama
Leiomano

Advanced
Butterfly Sword
Hook Sword
Karambit
Wind and Fire Wheel

I'm gonna assume all of these have the Uncommon trait.

So, no Jiàn sword? What is the character on the cover wielding?

xNellynelx wrote:

Martial
Kusarigama
Leiomano

Advanced
Butterfly Sword
Hook Sword
Karambit
Wind and Fire Wheel

I'm gonna assume all of these have the Uncommon trait.

So, no Jiàn sword? What is the character on the cover wielding?

The weapons themselves don't have the uncommon trait, but the weapon section itself states "If the player characters come from a region in Tian Xia, the weapons featured below are common. If they come from another region, the weapons are uncommon."

The character on the cover is using a Jian. However it's mechanically just a Shortsword. The weapons section has a section for "Adapting Western Weapons", where it gives advise for making your own western weapons. The easiest method being a re-skin of a similar weapon that already exists, or use a weapon that already exists and swap a trait (I'm over simplifying). But it looks like thats what they did for the character on the cover. It's a "Jian (As shortsword)"

Cyder wrote:

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

Archetypes mentioned in my above post. But the Hook swords are an Advanced D6 weapon with the Disarm, Monk, Parry, Trip, and Twin trait (Heck yeah for the Monk trait!).

Holy heck! D6, Twin, and Parry!?

(Well, I mean for everyone but Swashbuckler cuz it doesn't have finesse but still.)

Cyder wrote:

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

Archetypes mentioned in my above post. But the Hook swords are an Advanced D6 weapon with the Disarm, Monk, Parry, Trip, and Twin trait (Heck yeah for the Monk trait!).

6 new weapons total, 2 of which are martial, the other 4 are Advanced.

Martial
Kusarigama
Leiomano

Advanced
Butterfly Sword
Hook Sword
Karambit
Wind and Fire Wheel

Ohh and Kusarigama another of my favourites! Awesome thank you! Now the long wait until my shipping notice, so many goodies coming in this month.

OMG, can't wait for my shipping notice.

Any info you could share on the Leiomano? Like, is it two-handed?

SoulknifeFan420 wrote:

Huh. I wonder if the advanced ones interact with Monastic Weaponry in any way. The actual text is "You gain access to uncommon weapons that have the monk trait and become trained in simple and martial monk weapons. " So it seems like advanced weapons wouldn't be included?

Yeah, it's a bit unclear IMO. 3 of the 4 Advanced weapons have the Monk trait, so it would be weird if it didn't include these?

It's hard to tell if "When your proficiency rank for these weapons" is talking about "weapons with the monk trait" or "simple and martial monk weapons".

I presume one still needs the weapon proficiency feat. That is: monastic weaponry plus weapon proficiency is what it takes to be proficient in butterfly sword. (Though fighters could get butterfly and hook swords without feats.)

Only the kusarigama is 2 handed. The leiomano is a club, but has versatile S and deadly d10.

xNellynelx wrote:

Cyder wrote:

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

Archetypes mentioned in my above post. But the Hook swords are an Advanced D6 weapon with the Disarm, Monk, Parry, Trip, and Twin trait (Heck yeah for the Monk trait!).

Holy heck! D6, Twin, and Parry!?

Move over Fire poi there's a new top TWF weapon now.

(Well, I mean for everyone but Swashbuckler cuz it doesn't have finesse but still.)

Hook sword is a very cool weapon that I think will be very popular.

Note that (while it hasn't come up yet) there is a bit of an error with the wind and fire wheel where we accidentally inputted the wrong set of changes to it that wound up duping in all the traits of the butterfly sword while keeping its other higher specs, it's very noticeable when you compare it to the butterfly sword. It's on our radar and flagged in our internal system

OMG, can't wait for my shipping notice.

Any info you could share on the Leiomano? Like, is it two-handed?

It is not two-handed. It's a one handed club with sharp teeth along the edges. D6 of damage, Deadly D10 and Versatile S

I may be mistaken, but I believe "jian" means "sword" in at least one Chinese dialect.

The Ghost Eater

Mmm tasty ghosts

So while I'm waiting for me to get my pdfs...

Two things: In all three fist of the ruby phoenix books, what monsters are in bestiaries? I'm wondering how many of them will be useful in my 2e jade regent conversion

Second thing I want to ask if there is faet or archetype or something that would help with simulating ninja from 1e or otherwise give classes profiency to tian xia martial weapons?

I may be mistaken, but I believe "jian" means "sword" in at least one Chinese dialect.

Mandarin word for a specific style of sword. Also known as the taijijian. Used by jiànkè in Wuxia fantasy. Popular in the martial art of taijiquan and other Chinese arts.

The character on the cover is using a Jian. However it's mechanically just a Shortsword. The weapons section has a section for "Adapting Western Weapons", where it gives advise for making your own western weapons. The easiest method being a re-skin of a similar weapon that already exists, or use a weapon that already exists and swap a trait (I'm over simplifying). But it looks like thats what they did for the character on the cover. It's a "Jian (As shortsword)"

Okay cool, is there a way to use a shortsword with the monk Peafowl Stance?

So while I'm waiting for me to get my pdfs...

Two things: In all three fist of the ruby phoenix books, what monsters are in bestiaries? I'm wondering how many of them will be useful in my 2e jade regent conversion

Second thing I want to ask if there is faet or archetype or something that would help with simulating ninja from 1e or otherwise give classes profiency to tian xia martial weapons?

Will spoiler tag the bestiary just so I don't create another massive wall of text (And because I'm mentioning creatures from beyond book one).

As for the ninja question, nothing is sticking out to me as ninjaish. Sorry.

Ed Reppert wrote:

I may be mistaken, but I believe "jian" means "sword" in at least one Chinese dialect.

Mandarin word for a specific style of sword. Also known as the taijijian. Used by jiànkè in Wuxia fantasy. Popular in the martial art of taijiquan and other Chinese arts.

xNellynelx wrote:

The character on the cover is using a Jian. However it's mechanically just a Shortsword. The weapons section has a section for "Adapting Western Weapons", where it gives advise for making your own western weapons. The easiest method being a re-skin of a similar weapon that already exists, or use a weapon that already exists and swap a trait (I'm over simplifying). But it looks like thats what they did for the character on the cover. It's a "Jian (As shortsword)"

Okay cool, is there a way to use a shortsword with the monk Peafowl Stance?

Unfortunately no. Though if you follow the guidelines for Adapting Western Weapons (and the GM is okay with it), you could swap in the monk trait.

Any more info on the Living Hair feats? What sort of bonuses do they grant to your hair? What are the level ranges?

These books all sound great, looking forward to seeing more.

Any more info on the Living Hair feats? What sort of bonuses do they grant to your hair? What are the level ranges?

These books all sound great, looking forward to seeing more.

4, 6, and 8.

(4) Skillful Tresses lets your hair perform various tasks like simple interact actions.

(6) Deadly Hair boosts the damage to D6 and gives it the Grapple trait.

(8) Hexed Locks gives your hair the reach trait and lets you deliver hexes through your hair. (Requires a successful hair Strike to deliver the hex)

...Second thing I want to ask if there is faet or archetype or something that would help with simulating ninja from 1e or otherwise give classes profiency to tian xia martial weapons?

PF1 ninjas, not so much. There is an archetype and an opponent in the team roster IMHO that mimic 80s ninja-movie ninjas. (More magical than skill based mechanically speaking.) Also kusarigama shouts 'ninja' to me.

Xethik wrote:

Any more info on the Living Hair feats? What sort of bonuses do they grant to your hair? What are the level ranges?

These books all sound great, looking forward to seeing more.

4, 6, and 8.

(4) Skillful Tresses lets your hair perform various tasks like simple interact actions.

(6) Deadly Hair boosts the damage to D6 and gives it the Grapple trait.

(8) Hexed Locks gives your hair the reach trait and lets you deliver hexes through your hair. (Requires a successful hair Strike to deliver the hex)

I figured something like "Skillfull Tresses" would be coming eventually, seems like a copy of the Skillfull Tail feats from Ancestries/Heritages? I really wish the base Living Hair feat was like this instead of needing to sink two feats to get this, or even better, I would have loved if you could use your hair for more stuff, perhaps like pulling out potions and scrolls, almost using it like an extra hand. Think Entrapta from She-ra. Might just rule it that way in my games if anyone wants the ability.

Any standout characters from the other teams?

Any standout characters from the other teams?

Many opponents are interesting in that they're not evil. Specifically...

Any standout characters from the other teams?

I don't know about individuals, but I really like the team themes & how the individuals fit into them. There is one team I particularly like because they are from the next AP. A nice tie-in and some foreshadowing.

Anybody able to spoil Kusurigama?

Anybody able to spoil Kusurigama?

It's a D8, 2 handed Knife. Traits are Disarm, Monk, Reach, Trip, Versatile B.

A kusarigama is a kama (a knife with a short handle and a blade perpendicular to the handle, something like a sickle, with much the same original purpose - threshing grain) attached to a long chain with a weight on the other end. A kama is a one handed weapon. Interestingly the kama is 1d6 damage; the sickle is 1d4. I wonder why the difference?

Cyder wrote:

Anybody able to spoil Kusurigama?

It's a D8, 2 handed Knife. Traits are Disarm, Monk, Reach, Trip, Versatile B.

Thank you! Sounds awesome.

Each monthly full-color softcover Pathfinder Adventure Path volume contains an in-depth adventure scenario, stats for several new monsters, and support articles meant to give Game Masters additional material to expand their campaign. Pathfinder Adventure Path volumes use the Open Game License and work with both the Pathfinder RPG and the world's oldest fantasy RPG.

This reads as if written for Pathfinder 1E, where I agree it would be reasonable to claim adventures are compatible with That Other Game.

But these APs are for Pathfinder 2E. Please don't claim TOG compatibility.

They are incompatible because ?

They are incompatible because ?

Because 2e is pretty distinct mechanically from every edition of D&D? You can’t slap a PF2 statblock or piece of gear into 5e, or even 3.5.

Why would you need to? Pull a 5E statblock or wing it. The story works just fine.

Why would you need to? Pull a 5E statblock or wing it. The story works just fine.

That's like saying a Call of Cthulhu adventure is "compatible." If I'm making the statblocks myself, then the product isn't doing the work.

Doesn't mean it isn't compatible.

Doesn't mean it isn't compatible.

By that logic, every book ever written is "compatible."

I guess you'll need to find a definition of compatible that Paizo agrees with you on.

Why is this being brought up now? The same descriptor has been copy-pasted into the product summary since Part 3 of Age of Ashes.

Just seems odd to make it into an issue now.

This is the internet. Timing of posts doesn't have to make sense - and often doesn't.

Sagiam wrote:

xNellynelx wrote:

Cyder wrote:

Any archetypes or details on weapons (hook swords?)

Archetypes mentioned in my above post. But the Hook swords are an Advanced D6 weapon with the Disarm, Monk, Parry, Trip, and Twin trait (Heck yeah for the Monk trait!).

Holy heck! D6, Twin, and Parry!?

Move over Fire poi there's a new top TWF weapon now.

(Well, I mean for everyone but Swashbuckler cuz it doesn't have finesse but still.)

Hook sword is a very cool weapon that I think will be very popular.

Note that (while it hasn't come up yet) there is a bit of an error with the wind and fire wheel where we accidentally inputted the wrong set of changes to it that wound up duping in all the traits of the butterfly sword while keeping its other higher specs, it's very noticeable when you compare it to the butterfly sword. It's on our radar and flagged in our internal system

Any word on what the errata is(asking for a swashbuckler friend)? ;)

Any word on when the Sanctioning sheet will be posted

Any word on when the Sanctioning sheet will be posted

The Organized Play team has been working hard to get sanctioning out on or near release day for some time now--it just went up!