A few questions:
Command words:
For the mentioned items, can I have the same activation word for each or utter the different words in the same breath? How long do they take to activate?
Folding Plate:
Can I use this on an animal companion serving as a Mount and activate the item?
How long does it take the broach to turn into full plate? Is it a free action? A standard or full round action?
Glamoured Armor:
Does the activation word work both ways? It doesn't say.
Again, what kind of action is it to transform?
The desired effect: A cavalier in plainclothes riding an unarmored mount says a quick prayer and SUDDENLY *pwoah!* fully armored Knight of Awesomeness!
References: Folding Plate and Glamoured or "Glamered"
For the folded plate, it would be ready and "worn" as part of the standard action activation, "putting it away" as a second standard action (command word).
The glamoured/glamered would be the same, command word activation to change the visual appearance, another to switch it again (or back to looking like armor).
The main issues you will have is that it would take 2 standard actions to get the effect you are aiming for for both you and the mount. Second and third, folding plate is a specific named armor, that means no "glamered" or full plate barding as you aren't techinically able to alter those types of armor from a few posts by the designers I've seen (celestial armor is usually the one that comes up in question). If your GM is okay with it, you just need to spend 2 actions/rounds to get it to work.
Talking is a free action, I don't think it matters what words you use like "hi-yo, silver away" ...
Talking is a free action, command words aren't, you should be able to look it up (probably the magic item section) on the prd. It kinda helps to look at the rules when you are trying to answer questions about them ;)
I was hoping for something like a Batmobile (a la Tim Burton's Batman) effect for the steed and some shimmering glisten for the Cavalier's armor.
What about getting the full-plate barding and the rider's full plate crafted at once and set to the same command word? I could make the glamour look like I was riding a pantomime horse that suddenly becomes a majestic steed. (A little silly, but at least it wouldn't take a two full turns in order to be really cool!)
I will run it by my GM. I would prefer the former, for sheer coolness factor.
Edit: Complete aside, if I tacticianed the Shield Wall feat, could I apply it to my mount? IE, am I considered to be "adjacent" to it while riding upon it? (I suspect this is shenanigans, but as I'm prolly going to take it anyway to stay on Order of the Shield theme, I'd like to know my limits.)
RAW:
Command words for each singular item and effect need to be spoken seperately, even if the are the same identical word. No skimping on the action economy restrictions, think of it as more than just a word, more like focusing your will on the item while speaking the word. Otherwise other people could activate/deactivate your items with just a word (aka free action at any time, even your turn).
Folding plate won't/cannot do what you want it to for the horse, it makes generic +1 full plate, end of story. Horse can't wear plate, blah blah, I'm sure you see where that line of reasoning goes.
Home game -wise:
Talk to your GM, level with them, say here are the rules and this is what I'm trying to do. Most reasonable GMs will work with you in some way, but that ends up leaving the realm of actual play rules and enters into advice/homebrew "stuff."
Honestly you still have a move and swift action in your first round, and would have the same in the second round. So other than you not being able to attack (the mount could however) there are very few restrictions on what you could be doing while preparing to get into combat. Other than "gaming the system" there are very few reasons why you shouldn't be spending the action on such a powerful effect.
If allowed, use the mounts armor first, fluff it as starting at the hooves moving up armoring the mount moving in towards the saddle (first round), then armoring your character once the saddle is reached (second round, second activation). Your idea concept is kept, the rules of magic item activation are upheld. You're happy and the GM is happy as RAW is maintained.
As for your edit my gut wants to say yes but I'd have to look into riding and the cavalier more before I could come back with a more definite answer.
If allowed, use the mounts armor first, fluff it as starting at the hooves moving up armoring the mount moving in towards the saddle (first round), then armoring your character once the saddle is reached (second round, second activation). Your idea concept is kept, the rules of magic item activation are upheld. You're happy and the GM is happy as RAW is maintained.
SOOO cool!
Thanks for your help.
I couldn't play this without having the transformer sound effect at the ready. >.>
Folding Plate, everytime I come across that Item Entry, the first thing that comes to mind is this. At the 26 second mark.
Without clicking on the link, I'm guessing the Lost in Space remake?
Nope. But thanks for reminding me of one of only three redeeming features of that remake.
His armor was awesome...lol
So I just found Equestrian plate armor in Ultimate Equipment. This looks like just the ticket! Accomplishes most of what I want to do.
It also mentions it could have additional enhancements. What would happen if I added the Hosteling quality to it? Or the aforementioned Glamered quality?