The glories of Stalwart Planar Ally

[Rebel7284]

The question to ask you is can I run it natively, or is this worthless until I download and install MySQL, and download and install the PHP packages, and download & install Apache, and sit there debugging Apache to load those PHP files, and then finally copy/paste your code?

Well you only need MySQL to be able to create a database from those SQL files.  If you want to interact with the data without learning SQL though, yeah you need to set up the environment.  I'd like to point out that since this is an EXTREMELY common setup, it's pretty easy to set up under any OS.

Since I'm bored, here is a quick example.

Code: [Select]

Size (string)
Type (string)
Subtypes (string)
Hit_Dice (int[], use as: amount of dice = length/2+i, die size = length/2+i+1 and problem solved)
Hit_Points (int, used only for none-HD/Con changes, also algorithm used can check construct/undead so skip that too)
Initiative (int, used only for none dex based changes)
Land_Speed (int)
Swim_Speed (int)
Burrow_Speed (int)
Fly_Speed (int)
Armor_Armor (int)
Armor_Shield (int)
Armor_Natural (int)
Armor_Deflection (int)
BAB (int)
Attack_Bonuses (int, besides bab/str, like weapon focus's +1)
Damage_Bonus (int, besides str)
Attack_Entry (string; example: "2 Slams {0/1/2} melee 1d6+{3}")
Space_Reach (string)
Special_Attacks (string[], just add them all together)
Special_Qualities ...
Saves_Fort (int, minus Con bonuns)
Saves_Reflex ...
Saves_Will ...
Abilities_Str (int, just parse out bonus)
Abilities_Con ...
Abilities_Dex ...
Abilities_Int ...
Abilities_Wis ...
Abilities_Cha ...
Skills (table<string, int>, again minus ability bonuses)
Feats (string[], would be nice if hyperlinks to a google site search using D&D tools)
Environment (string)
Organization (string)
Challenge_Rating (int)
Treasure (string)
Alignment (string)
Advancement (string)
Level Adjustment (int)Of course, being XML the (string)/(int) stuff it just a reminder.

To the layman, you want to write in the creature's land speed? Look above, it's "Land_Speed". Make it into a tag like you use on the forums but use carrots (or not, hell notepad has replace): Example: <Land_Speed>60</Land_Speed>. Notice the total lack of "ft." there? Yeah it it's marked (int) only put numbers in the tag, thanks.

Hit_Dice confuses me!
Say your creature has 5d6+1d8, that's <Hit_Dice>5, 6, 1, 8<Hit_Dice>, in this case you're allowed to use commas as we'll expect you to. Anyway, see the pattern? Yeah, super simple eh.

I don't understand Attack_Entry's {#} things.
{#} is a C thing that even Java copied. It's just a marker for replacement. Use {0} if you want the value to be treated as a weapon (ie +17/+12+7), {1} if it's a Primary Natural Weapon (and thus only listed as +X) and {2} if it's Secondary (will be listed as +X-5). {3} will be replaced by the Str_Mod+Bonuses for damage calculations. That way no matter how many times Str changes, we can always recalculate out the new values.

What if it's Incorporeal and uses Charisma instead of Strength?
Welcome to XML, just write the exception in like this
<Attack_Entry Exceptions="Cha_To_Attack, Cha_To_Damage">Incorporeal Touch {1} melee 1d6+{3} negative energy</Attack_Entry>
A program can be set up to read it.

But, what about this exception?
See above, just make sure they all follow suit. Like if you find six monsters with Con to attack and Int to damage, make sure ALL the text used is exactly alike. The program can then be updated to look for and handle the exceptions via GetAttribute and text found.

***

Any needed tweaks? Suggest them, and encourage people to start writing stuff.

Several issues with that.  <Hit_Dice>5, 6, 1, 8</Hit_Dice> is a bit confusing to me.  If you are using XML ALREADY, why not
 <Hit_Dice>
     <d6>5</d6>
     <d8>1</d8>
</Hit_Dice>

While I am sure that some exceptions will eventually come up, it is best to try to avoid exceptions for common abilities as much as possible.  I want the client to be able to render the data in a consistent way as opposed to having a constantly growing list of exceptions to worry about.

[SorO_Lost]

The question to ask you is can I run it natively, or is this worthless until I download and install MySQL, and download and install the PHP packages, and download & install Apache, and sit there debugging Apache to load those PHP files, and then finally copy/paste your code?

Well you only need MySQL to be able to create a database from those SQL files.  If you want to interact with the data without learning SQL though, yeah you need to set up the environment.  I'd like to point out that since this is an EXTREMELY common setup, it's pretty easy to set up under any OS.

Common? When I hear common I tend to think of the underused Javascript (which btw can read XML) that everything under the sun can use. I tend to think of .NET which nearly every single device from your Macs to your phones can run out of box. I think of earlier installs of Java which many desktop/laptop packages already have installed. Heck, I even think of DirectX and I have no damn clue what it does other than render my video games.

And when I ask a laymen to help me. I don't think download this list of web site hosting applications you'll never use again, oh and learn a language too.

But that's why I am more than anything else am wanting people to jump in and the super easy XML based database. Anything, and by extension anyone, can work with it and it's so simple that all it takes is an application of your forum posting skills.

Several issues with that.  <Hit_Dice>5, 6, 1, 8</Hit_Dice> is a bit confusing to me.  If you are using XML ALREADY, why not
 <Hit_Dice>
     <d6>5</d6>
     <d8>1</d8>
</Hit_Dice>

While I am sure that some exceptions will eventually come up, it is best to try to avoid exceptions for common abilities as much as possible.  I want the client to be able to render the data in a consistent way as opposed to having a constantly growing list of exceptions to worry about.

Because I blanked on it and thought array instead of XML.

Actually something like Cha_To_Attack would probably be coded in to begin with, through a Uses attribute would be handy.
<Saves_Fort></Saves_Fort> // Factor Con as normal.
<Saves_Fort Uses="Con, Cha"></Saves_Fort> // Factor Con & Cha.
<Saves_Fort Uses=""></Saves_Fort> // Do not factor Con.

[Amechra]

OK, I just found pretty much the best feat to combo with Stalwart Planar Ally if you're a Paladin.

Namely, Despana School; it's prereqs are stuff you probably won't mind picking up anyway, and it gives the following two benefits:

1. If you and any creatures that you summoned are threatening the same creature, you are all treated as if you are flanking that creature.
2. 1/round, you can declare that your attack leaves your opponent open; if you successfully land the attack, your summoned creatures get a +2 to attack and damage on their attacks for the remainder of the round.

Hell, be a Kenku Paladin, and laugh. Really. Damn. Hard.

"So, your mount gets what kind of bonuses?"
"Oh, it just has +4 AC, +4 to Saves, +4 to hit, and my first attack each round gives it +2 to attack and damage rolls. Nothing big."

[Garryl]

Paladin special mounts are called, not summoned. Does Despana School work with called creatures, or just summoned?

[Amechra]

Just summoned.

But damn, you're right about Paladin mounts being called. That means neither of the feats work with them.

Damn it.

[Unbeliever]

I always really wanted to like Despana School.  But, like many things in D&D the bonuses just seemed either too small or too situational.  I don't really see myself summoning a horde of creatures anytime soon due to the practical issues it entails, so the benefits won't really matter too often.