On page 236-7 of the SCAP hardcover, under the tactics for running Thifirane's party in the ballroom (R29) it states that Thifirane will cast a number of defensive spells 'before entering combat', if time allows. All of these, except the first (stoneskin) are 3rd level or lower. Most of the rest (except mage armor and see invisibilty) have durations of minutes or rounds per level and so are unlikely to be active prior to her speech to the other villains.
It also states that she uses a contingency to trigger a lesser globe of invulnerability 'on her first initiative action'. The globe blocks any 3rd level of lower spell from being cast, though it allows any previously functioning spell.
What is the intent here? Should I assume that Thifirane does indeed have all 8 defensive spells already active when combat starts? Or that 'her first initiative action' is the first one after she decides to finish casting defensive spells?
Creative Director
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Thif casts her defensive spells before initiative is rolled. By the time she triggers her lesser globe, she should have all the defensive spells she needs up and running. She triggers the globe on round one of combat so that she's got a safe zone if the PCs come at her with a lot of lower level spells. If she needs to cast spells of her own or needs the effects of any of the pre-cast spells on herself, she can simply movie out of the globe's area of effect.
Thif casts her defensive spells before initiative is rolled. By the time she triggers her lesser globe, she should have all the defensive spells she needs up and running. She triggers the globe on round one of combat so that she's got a safe zone if the PCs come at her with a lot of lower level spells.
In other words, Thifirane has pre-cast all the spells listed before her speech? Even haste, which has a duration of 1 round/level?
If so why does the text state that she casts them all 'if time allows'? When can the PCs interrupt her?If she needs to cast spells of her own or needs the effects of any of the pre-cast spells on herself, she can simply movie out of the globe's area of effect.
In any case, the globe specifically does not exclude the effects of any pre-cast spells, and states "any type of spell can be cast through or out of the magical globe" so she can stay in the area of effect to cast all her spells at the PCs.