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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jelmore" data-source="post: 5874915" data-attributes="member: 56412">The real problem is that the Pixie Music Box is clearly not intended for use in combat; I think it's supposed to be a magical version of those ultrasonic  devices that keep insects away from your picnic table. It's a poorly-worded item that happens to break this particular encounter pretty badly. For example, what kind of action does it take to activate? I could argue that "While the music is sounding, natural beasts won’t approach or attack  anyone in the sound’s area" means they can't even walk towards a PC—or other NPCs, even.Here's how I would handle Pixie Music Boxes if I don't ban them from the challenge (and barring any errata from WotC):* An active PMB must be carried in one hand or set down in order to have any effect. A PMB that is tucked back into a pouch or into clothing is muffled and has no effect.* Any active PMB carried by a PC who dies while in tar automatically  ends its effect, as does one carried by a PC who dies from falling or  being dropped. (It's a hollow acorn, for crying out loud!)* If any PMB is active, the orcs are smart enough to recognize what they  are. If a PC carrying one dies or gets knocked unconscious, any  adjacent orc can take a standard action to search their body and destroy  any PMBs, active or not, that the  PC carries.* A PMB has low enough stats (Tiny object; AC 10; Fort 10; Reflex 5; Will —; 1 hp) that any NPC targetting an unattended one destroys it with one shot.* Dinosaurs leaving the area of effect can still attack objects such as crates. That includes an unattended PMB.Keep in mind, too, that players who rely on the PMB to beat the challenge will not get any awards that require the dinosaurs to be able to attack. If they have one going from the first round, any dinosaurs are likely to turn around and leave the encounter immediately; that will keep them from getting Mass Extinction, too. And every round they delay using the PMB—to farm awards, for example—is  one that the DM can use the dinosaurs to their full effect.</blockquote>

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