Ghaele's protective aura

[jasin]

Protective Aura (Su): Against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures, this ability provides a +4 deflection bonus to AC and a +4 resistance bonus on saving throws to anyone within 20 feet of the ghaele. Otherwise, it functions as a magic circle against evil effect and a lesser globe of invulnerability, both with a radius of 20 feet (caster level equals ghaele’s HD). (The defensive benefits from the circle are not included in a ghaele’s statistics block.)

An immobile, faintly shimmering magical sphere surrounds you and excludes all spell effects of 3rd level or lower. The area or effect of any such spells does not include the area of the lesser globe of invulnerability. Such spells fail to affect any target located within the globe. Excluded effects include spell-like abilities and spells or spell-like effects from items. However, any type of spell can be cast through or out of the magical globe. Spells of 4th level and higher are not affected by the globe, nor are spells already in effect when the globe is cast.

Being Su, it doesn't seem the ghaele's aura can be taken down by something like a dispel not even for one round. It also doesn't seem that the ghaele can turn it off.

Is that really how it's supposed to work? No spells of 3rd-level or lower ever work within 20 ft. of a ghaele?

Not even her own?

Interesting that the sample ghaele in MM bothered to prepare cure minor wounds, detect magic, guidance, light, resistance, virtue; divine favor, obscuring mist, sanctuary, shield of faith; aid, align weapon, bear ’s endurance, lesser restoration; gaseous form, remove curse, water breathing; since these are all touch or self spells of 3rd level or lower, which means she'll never be able to cast them.

Her ability to use aid, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, cure light wounds, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self and see invisibility, all at will, is also unsuable.

Has this ever come up for anyone else? We only realized this at the end of yesterday's session and we quickly ruled that a ghaele can turn the aura on or off as a free action, but I wonder how the designers intended this to work...

 

[frankthedm]

I noticed it a while back, though never paid it too much mind.

I'd say dropping the aura is a standard action, resuming it is a swift action {previously free].

 

[jasin]

I noticed it a while back, though never paid it too much mind.

I didn't even notice it, since hey, how often do the PCs actually fight ghaeles?

However, last session, we had a ghaele on both sides of the fight: one called by planar binding fighting for us, and an twisted, evil one fighting against us.

I'd say dropping the aura is a standard action, resuming it is a swift action {previously free].

I've now noticed that all angels have the same protective aura as the ghaele, and that ability's entry says it can be dispelled, but also brought back up as a free action, so I think it makes sense that that's how the ghaele's aura works too.

That still leaves the question of turning it off willingly. Should it be possible, and what sort of action it should be? I think it should definitely be possible, so the ghaele can actually cast low level spells on herself and her allies. I also think standard action is too much, but then, I'm biased, since I'm the guy with the bound ghaele, so you might be right. I'd also be intereted in hearing other people's opinions.

 

[frankthedm]

That still leaves the question of turning it off willingly.

As I said, dropping it [willful suppression] should be a standard action.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I say that requiring it stay on is a good compensation for the stupid ability in the first place. ghaeles are broken.

 

[lukelightning]

My evil mage has been considering calling a gheale with planar binding, but this aura is making me think twice. It seems like it would be more annoying than useful.

 

[jasin]

ghaeles are broken.

Any outsiders that aren't?

 

[blargney the second]

Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[blargney the second]

Scratch that. I just re-read the spell.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I've now noticed that all angels have the same protective aura as the ghaele, and that ability's entry says it can be dispelled, but also brought back up as a free action, so I think it makes sense that that's how the ghaele's aura works too.

The free action to [establish and] reestablish the aura is also included in the Ghaele monster class in Savage Species. I would say it is simply an error that it was left out.

That still leaves the question of turning it off willingly. Should it be possible, and what sort of action it should be? I think it should definitely be possible, so the ghaele can actually cast low level spells on herself and her allies. I also think standard action is too much, but then, I'm biased, since I'm the guy with the bound ghaele, so you might be right. I'd also be intereted in hearing other people's opinions.

Definitly possible, since aside from the "wanting to use her abilities once in a while" aspect, the ghaele gains disguise self at will, indicating a willingness to hide her celestial nature sometimes - kinda hard to do when you are a divine light source.

My first inclination is to say same action to end it as a dismissable spell. Unfortunately I just discovered that's a standard action. I had always assumed it to be Free, personally. Standard to dismiss does seem harsh for something you can put up for free...

To look for clues, a gaze attack, which the ghaele also has, explicitly says in the Special Abilities section that it can be turned off, but not what kind of action that is either. Spell resistance can be dropped for the cost of a standard action every round you want it down. (but it at least explicitly doesn't interfere with your own items spells or abilites.) I can't find other examples of expliticly mute-able abilities on a quick check (even the succubus level drain which I have seen refered to as voluntary) so the abilities which can be turned off and list an action seem Standard so far....