Grease spell (saving throw ?'s)

[buchw001]

A wizard casts the grease spell under the feet of a monk enemy.

According to the spell the monk immediately makes a reflex saving throw against the wizards 1st level spell DC. If he fails, he immediately falls prone. If he succeeds, nothing further happens at this time.

O.K. here is the first question...
1 - When it is the monks time to act, does he need to make another reflex save before taking any actions?

In other words, let's assume the monk decides to ONLY move in this round. Does he have to make the initial reflex save to start his round BEFORE he makes the Balance check?

Question number two...
2 - If the answer to question #1 is YES, would this mean the monk must then make another reflex save if he fails his Balance check by less than 5?

Here is the spell from the SRD:

Grease
Conjuration (Creation)
Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target or Area: One object or a 10-ft. square
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: No
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. This save is repeated on your turn each round that the creature remains within the area. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Balance check. Failure means it can’t move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Balance skill for details).
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature receives a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and on grapple checks made to resist or escape a grapple or to escape a pin.
Material Component: A bit of pork rind or butter.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

A wizard casts the grease spell under the feet of a monk enemy.

According to the spell the monk immediately makes a reflex saving throw against the wizards 1st level spell DC. If he fails, he immediately falls prone. If he succeeds, nothing further happens at this time.

O.K. here is the first question...
1 - When it is the monks time to act, does he need to make another reflex save before taking any actions?

In other words, let's assume the monk decides to ONLY move in this round. Does he have to make the initial reflex save to start his round BEFORE he makes the Balance check?

Question number two...
2 - If the answer to question #1 is YES, would this mean the monk must then make another reflex save if he fails his Balance check by less than 5?

Boy, this is really parsing words, but here's how I read it:

First things first, the save is required only if the creature/character "remains within the area" on its turn. That's the key point as I read the spell.

The Balance check only comes into play if someone attempts to move through the area. Failure by 5 or more means he falls, thus no save is needed (in effect, he already blew it). Failure by less than 5 keeps him from leaving the area, hence he "remains within the area" and must make a new save. Alternately, the character could choose not to attempt the Balance check and stay where he is (he "remains in the area"). Either way, I'd only require the save at the end of the turn, since the save is required only if the creature "remains within the area", not if it starts in the area.

BTW - I'm interpreting "remains within the area" to mean any creature that ends its turn (for any reason) within the area of the grease spell. Thus a character that begins his turn outside the area, but attempts to move through it could be required to make the Reflex save - the determining factor is if the character ends his turn in the area.

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

The answer to the first question seems to be a definitive "no." The spell says that the Reflex save is repeated on your turn (you being the caster) on each round that someone is in the affected area.

The monk isn't going to have to make another Reflex save if, on his turn, he makes the necessary Balance check and successfully moves out of the Greased area. If he fails but remains standing, then he'll have to make another Reflex save when the caster's turn comes up.

--
curse those tricky little pronouns
ryan

 

[buchw001]

The answer to the first question seems to be a definitive "no." The spell says that the Reflex save is repeated on your turn (you being the caster) on each round that someone is in the affected area.

The monk isn't going to have to make another Reflex save if, on his turn, he makes the necessary Balance check and successfully moves out of the Greased area. If he fails but remains standing, then he'll have to make another Reflex save when the caster's turn comes up.

--
curse those tricky little pronouns
ryan

That sounds good to me. I read that 20 times and still missed it. Thanks!