Whatcha Want, Fiction Fans?

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Pathfinder Tales has been going strong for a couple of years now, and I'm happy to say that I'm still just as excited about it as when it first launched. We've gone from werewolves in Ustalav to the Outer Planes, an evil magical academy in Nidal to the high seas. In the months to come, we've got vikings and barbarians, bardic super-spies, soul-stealing in Kaer Maga, and more.

Yet we're still just scratching the surface. Which is why I want to know: What do you want to see from Pathfinder Tales? Is there a certain class or race you want to read about? Do you have a favorite nation we haven't been to yet—or one you can't wait to visit again? Are there certain types of stories you're pining for? Here at Paizo Fiction Headquarters, we're always trying to figure out what people will be most interested in—which means that our jobs are way easier if you tell us.

So sound off, fiction-lovers: What do you want to see more of from the Pathfinder Tales line?

James L. Sutter
Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

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Tags: Pathfinder Tales
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Sovereign Court

4 people marked this as a favorite.

More timely and regular epub versions of the short fiction? I love the short stories, but find reading them on the screen more than annoying. I'm FINE paying the $1 for a nice epub. I just hope to get them in a more timely fashion and not in a large dump at the end of the year.... unless you guys plan to package them as single volume. :)

As for the Tales line in general? Maybe a novel or two that covers a point in Golarion History. Bring the world's PAST alive.

Grand Lodge

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I would like some fiction about Taldan political intrigue/swashbuckling elaborating on the Rondalero Duelist.

Or alternatively expanding on the legend of the Aldori Swordlords! ^_^

I guess I am seeing a pattern...

EDIT: Oop, looks like Taldan intrigue is on the way! Woo hoo! ^_^


3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

I'd be really interested in seeing stories that focus on more of the non-conventional races. I pre-ordered "Skinwalkers" simply because it will feature the new race from "Blood Of The Moon" (and since reading that, I'm even more excited for it) and "Nightglass" is high on my "must buy and read" for no other reason that it involves the strix.

Elves and dwarves and halflings are all fine, but we've seen them before. Let's see something that we won't see in "Lord Of The Rings" or "Dragonlance." Or at the very least, let's put a new spin on the classic races. Like a dwarf who's going through the fantasy equivalent of AA. :D

PS: Any novel featuring changelings and/or androids will be another instant pre-order from me. ;)


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I will second the idea of some classic tales. They could be actually about the item... or tangentially related. As an example some stories about the war between Nex and Geb could be anything from commanders planning and battles to a story of a refuge fleeing the area. Or maybe the story of a nex soldier who died in the battle and then was raised as undead to fight against his former companions by a Geb necromancer.

Along those lines tales of people taking the test of the starstone who may or may not have succeeded. Stories of the people of Thassalonian or Azlanti eras.

Another way to go could be stories based upon the AP's but things that happen AFTER the AP has ended. What's going on in Kelmarane now? What are the goblins in the fens or thistletop up to today?


1 person marked this as a favorite.

If it can be done, I'd love to see Iobaria or other parts of Casmaron explored in fiction, but that steps away from established canon to give authors a pretty blank slate to work with and may be difficult.

Ideally, I'd like Tim Pratt to write it. :)

Other authors I think you should investigate/approach if you have time, and if you think they might fit. I've read Sword & Sorcery from some of them before, and others I would love to hear their take on it. In no particular order:

Ken Liu
Saladin Ahmed
Rajan Khanna
Greg van Eekhout
Robert Jeschonek
N.K. Jemisin
Holly Black
Garth Nix Garth Nix Garth Nix Garth Nix GARTH NIX!!

Ahem. Sorry about that. I appear to feel strongly about Garth Nix.

Silver Crusade

4 people marked this as a favorite.

Pathfinder Tales Superstar - a compilation of the best short stories submitted by amateurs, judged by the fans and a board of Pathfinder Tales authors.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

I'd like to see some fiction highlighting more of the planets seen in Distant Worlds.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Dark Lands


5 people marked this as a favorite.

More elves that aren't Forlorn! (Storylines centering around Kyonin, the Mierani Forest, the Mordant Spire, etc.)

Sovereign Court

I like Aeshuura's proposal. I even know of a prolific Taldan spy, who's been in several adventures worth reading ;)

http://www.pathfinderchronicler.com/?p=265

Grand Lodge

With the release of Bestiary 4 I'd like to see some stories based around the Old Ones and their secret cults or even some sort of excursion to the Valashmai Jungle or other place long since forsaken by humanoids. The character(s) of our story accidentally stumble into the "bedroom" of a sleeping kaiju and in turn waking the beast up to only have this threat aim its anger at their (the main character(s)) home.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Taldan political intrigue sounds awesome.

I'd also like to see a half-orc gunslinger traveling around Alkenstar, a la Louis L'Amour's work.

Grand Lodge Contributor

4 people marked this as a favorite.

I'm supporting the classic tales idea too. Tales set in Golarion's past that tell the story of important events, or 'modern' day stories which explore important historic events.

Also: Mordant Spire, Rahadoum, Numeria, Casmaron, Mythic themes, the nature of divinity, the Dark Tapestry, Dominion of the Black, Great Old Ones, the Green Faith...

Liberty's Edge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

I'd like to see mortals through the eyes of a native outsider. An aasimar, or tiefling, or both.


I would like to see the adventures of an elf battling Treerazer and his minions that take him to very place that the nascent demon lord originates.

On the other side I would to sea a story of Dwarf, may be the plot is that that digs deep in to the underground looking for treasure and finds a terrible ancient secret of his society.


8 people marked this as a favorite.

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Off the top of my head, I have, as yet, most enjoyed the more classic tales:

What's left that I still want to see? Probably a lot that I won't for a while, but we waited a long time for fiction, we can wait for these too:

  • Iconic fiction - the Comics are really great, but I want more
  • Series/-logy fiction - I'd like to see Tales take on some bigger fish stories, ala Dragonlance
  • Osirion fiction - I'm sure we'll get some in the next AP, and we've had a bit of Sothis in City of the Fallen Sky and Pirate's Honor, but want a real full-on one
  • *Good* Vudran fiction - Make sure to get this right the first time - too much potential to waste

Also +1 to historical fiction, with the same caveat as Vudran.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

6 people marked this as a favorite.

I want to see Azra (from Prince of Wolves) come back.
Because Radovan deserves it, for one. And because she was a mute oracle before there was such a thing as an oracle. Edit: Okay, at the same time as an oracle. Still.

More spellcaster protagonists, because I love seeing their take on how their magic works.

Dark Archive

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

On the point of Radovan & Jeggare, I'd like them to actualy get home - It'd be really good to see them returning to Cheliaxian society. Plus I'd love a full novel Urban investigation story from them at their original point of Fantasy Sherlokc & Holmes...


4 people marked this as a favorite.

How about stories from the "bad guy's" point of view? Surely many a BBEG have miles of yarn that they can crochet themselves a few novels.

I mean wouldn't you get upset when strangers (they call themselves "adventurers") trespass on your fortified/refurbished/newly built estate and then to proceed to "find" your stuff to "keep" and, with extreme prejudice, scare/kill off your paid employees???

I figure that all the BBEGs are tired of "adventurers" taking everything EXCEPT the pile of copper pieces (because, you know, they can't carry it all). Really. I'm being serious here. Everyone on these forums KNOW HOW HARD IT IS to get magical weapons/armor/treasure and it TAKES FOREEEEEVAH to amass wealth via "downtime". That's why they "go on adventures"....

<Rolls eyes and throws hands in the air in frustration>

Since it's all they left me in my base of operations...

that'll be 2 cps,

Rom001

EDIT: I BLAME COSMO for "adventurers" taking my stuff and branding me as "evil".

Rom001


3 people marked this as a favorite.
Troy Taylor wrote:

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D


What caster classes have we not touched on much? We've seen wizards, clerics, sorcerers, druids, bards, oracles, paladins, rangers, summoners, and possibly magi.... Have we seen any inquisitors or witches? I think those are the only ones we're missing.

Dark Archive Contributor

15 people marked this as a favorite.
Lilith wrote:
Troy Taylor wrote:

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D

Me, too. Their names are Azra and Malena, and they've been waiting patiently in my idea folder since I turned in Prince of Wolves. I would love to revisit them one day, but the stars have not yet aligned.

One day...

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

Blood of the City had an inquisitor. Of Torag, IIRC.

The Worldwound Gambit had some witches, but in a way I'd have to call NPCs.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

Dave Gross wrote:
Lilith wrote:
Troy Taylor wrote:

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D

Me, too. Their names are Azra and Malena, and they've been waiting patiently in my idea folder since I turned in Prince of Wolves. I would love to revisit them one day, but the stars have not yet aligned.

One day...

I thought the two of them don't get along.

Dark Archive Contributor

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Ross Byers wrote:
Dave Gross wrote:
Lilith wrote:
Troy Taylor wrote:

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D

Me, too. Their names are Azra and Malena, and they've been waiting patiently in my idea folder since I turned in Prince of Wolves. I would love to revisit them one day, but the stars have not yet aligned.

One day...

I thought the two of them don't get along.

Exactly.


I am a slow reader, so I apologize if these have been covered recently. Hermea, Search for Sky, Sakoris, Koloran are places I would like to see more on. I also like the idea of exploring more common places such as Absalom, Cassomir, Egorain through some Golarian-unique folks such as the strix or gillman.

FWIW I have enjoyed Jones, Sutter, and Gross so much that it doesn't matter what areas they explore. :)


Dave Gross wrote:
Lilith wrote:
Troy Taylor wrote:

Korvosa seems like an ideal locale for a sweeping swashbuckling tale.

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D

Me, too. Their names are Azra and Malena, and they've been waiting patiently in my idea folder since I turned in Prince of Wolves. I would love to revisit them one day, but the stars have not yet aligned.

One day...

Huzzah!

Verdant Wheel

1 person marked this as a favorite.

More about Half-Orcs and Belkzen. Each new races makes de Half-orc seems less monster and it is in need of a bit of oomph.

Dark Archive Contributor

Curaigh wrote:
I am a slow reader, so I apologize if these have been covered recently. Hermea, Search for Sky, Sakoris...

King of Chaos might scratch your Sarkoris itch. I'm not sure about the others, but I'm several books behind these days.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

3 people marked this as a favorite.

MOAR TALDOR!

Ahem...

I'd like to see more political fiction, both churchiness and mortal politics.

Sorcerer theory vs wizardly theory (with the wtich screwing things up)

A dueling sword wielding arcane duelist.

An aasimar protagonist.

Lantern Lodge RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4

Distant worlds fiction. Send us to Aballon!

RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32

6 people marked this as a favorite.

I really enjoyed the Inheritance web fiction, as it delves into a few elements I'd like to see more of:
1. Female adventuring pair, huzzah!
2. Non-human narrators. It really helps give a perspective as to what humans are like compared with other races, rather essential for properly portraying a human-centric world like Golarion.
3. Non-heroic narrator. It's not that Zae isn't a capable cleric of Brigh, but she's not a demon-slaying, holy sword-wielding champion of justice and badassery. It takes the average to emphasise the exceptional.

But really, all Pathfinder Tales needs is variance, and it's been doing an excellent job of it thus far (though I think there's enough stories with rogues in them for the present time). Ensure that all races, classes, and locations get their chance to shine, and I'll be a happy reader.

Also, don't let Dave Gross away from his keyboard. I need more Radovan and Varian. Although this Azra and Malena adventuring duo sounds promising...


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Dave Gross wrote:
Lilith wrote:
Troy Taylor wrote:

I think we need a female adventuring pair as a counterweight to Rad and Varian.

I love this idea. :D
Me, too. Their names are Azra and Malena...

And here I thought their names were Keren and Zae.

But I suppose a back-stabbing pair works well (much like Rodrick and Hrym).


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I LOVED Liar's Blade and the story behind it, personally. More stories like this that simply explore the idiosyncrasy and rumors of the world is awesome. Nightglass was a hit with both the hubby and I - loved the exploration of Nidal. I must also second the "Don't let Dave Gross away from his keyboard" sentiment. Love you books and look forward to possibly seeing the ladies come to print.

What I'd love to see more of:
More stories like Lair's Blade. Makes for awesome campaign ideas.
Historical stuff - like Cailean before the test of the Starstone? Or any of the other two mortals-turned-Gods?
Also, a fiction superstar idea that was thrown out up there? AWESOME. +1

Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

Ansha wrote:
More elves that aren't Forlorn! (Storylines centering around Kyonin, the Mierani Forest, the Mordant Spire, etc.)

Did you get a chance to check out Queen of Thorns? That's all Kyonin, all the time!

Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

Ryan. Costello wrote:
I'd like to see mortals through the eyes of a native outsider. An aasimar, or tiefling, or both.

You're aware of Radovan from the Dave Gross books, right? He's kind of our iconic tiefling, in my mind...


1 person marked this as a favorite.

While I'd most like to see a story about a group of Knights of Ozem on a quest to find some artifact that will let them put Arazni to rest, I'd settle for something about dwarves.

PF has got to be the least dwarf-centric fantasy RPG I've played. Which is a shame because the Dwarves of Golarion and the Golarion history have some fantastic stuff.

Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

Orthos wrote:
What caster classes have we not touched on much? We've seen wizards, clerics, sorcerers, druids, bards, oracles, paladins, rangers, summoners, and possibly magi.... Have we seen any inquisitors or witches? I think those are the only ones we're missing.

Salim (the main character from Death's Heretic) is an inquisitor of Pharasma. Among other things. :)


James Sutter wrote:
Orthos wrote:
What caster classes have we not touched on much? We've seen wizards, clerics, sorcerers, druids, bards, oracles, paladins, rangers, summoners, and possibly magi.... Have we seen any inquisitors or witches? I think those are the only ones we're missing.
Salim (the main character from Death's Heretic) is an inquisitor of Pharasma. Among other things. :)

Pile on the reasons to get this one and Redemption Engine, why don't ya. Inquisitors have become one of my favorite classes recently.


Geb. Lots and lots of Geb.


5 people marked this as a favorite.
Bad Sintax wrote:
Pathfinder Tales Superstar - a compilation of the best short stories submitted by amateurs, judged by the fans and a board of Pathfinder Tales authors.

This. Would. Be. Awesome.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Blue_Hill wrote:
Bad Sintax wrote:
Pathfinder Tales Superstar - a compilation of the best short stories submitted by amateurs, judged by the fans and a board of Pathfinder Tales authors.
This. Would. Be. Awesome.

+1


Let's hear more about the Mwangi ape culture. Eating humans, worshipping giant gorillas...

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

Also I'm pretty sure Kemeili is an inquisitor of Calistra. She seemed to skilled (no, not that way!)* for a cleric.

Ooooh. more Irrisen fiction. The fiction in Reign of Winter really influnced my "creepy and keeps saying the wrong things, but doesn't understand why they're wrong" winter witch.

*

Spoiler:
Well, yes that way too.

Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

Thanks so much for all the feedback, everyone, and keep it coming!

One thing I'd like to point out is that listing elements like nations/classes/races/types of adventure is *way* more useful to my idea-harvesting than plots or distinct combinations (i.e. "I want to see a tengu join the Knights of Ozem and go fight the Whispering Tyrant!"). After all, while I might see certain things pop up repeatedly and then recommend those elements to authors looking for somewhere to start, which elements they pick and how they combine them are really up to them! It's part of my philosophy of trying to give the authors as much creative control as possible, from the ground up.

Dark Archive Contributor

Matthew Morris wrote:
Also I'm pretty sure Kemeili is an inquisitor of Calistra.

You are correct, sir.

Grand Lodge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber


  • Gnomes and first world. I'd love to see a real gnomecentric story. A gnomecentric story would also be opportune for animal point of view characters.
  • Darklands like I mentioned above but LOTs of darklands and no drow or minor drow. Dwarf main characters exploring Nar-Voth, Sekamina, and Orv with lots of reveals about the vaults.
  • Some deep diving into the non-human population. I'd love to see the perspective of Tengu, POV of an Orc, how giants view the world, there are a lot of options here and many stories to be had
  • A cheliax political drama digging up info and background on the church, hellknights, the Thrunes, etc This could be good for Varian and Radovan or a new character. It would be a real treat to see a novel from the perspective of Abrogail Thrune II, in fact a story from the perspective of any many major character from the world of Golarion would be AWESOME!
  • I'd like to see a story where the protagonists are evil. An Antipaladin would be amazing, or character from Nidal who just accept Evil as the best you can be. A story Kuthite devout priest who tries to be a good person in his own way would be amazing. I don't know if Pathfinder Tales could go this dark but I still want to throw this idea out there.
  • A story about the gods. I would love to see what they are like, this could be from their perspective or from the perspective of a mortal brought into their realm. Other points of view I would like to see following this them would be heralds and empyrial lords.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Dave Gross wrote:

Their names are Azra and Malena, and they've been waiting patiently in my idea folder since I turned in Prince of Wolves. I would love to revisit them one day, but the stars have not yet aligned.

One day...

Yes please.

Also, I would like to read a story with really high level characters. It would be interesting to see an author's take on really powerful magic, advanced rogue abilities, upper level combat feats, etc... as a counterpoint, what goes on inside the head of a really powerful character? What keeps them humble? Uncorrupted? In line with the law when they could just conquer a town on their own? How would they interact with leaders of nations? That sort of thing...

Senior Editor/Fiction Editor

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Also, it makes me really happy to see that basically every upcoming book I've ordered (but haven't announced yet) for the line is some combination of the requests on this thread. Glad to see we like the same things. :)

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