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Ostrich companions!
swiss family robinson: enabled.
Ostrich companions!
+1
LOL, they can be like the birds they used to ride in the old Flash Gordon cartoon.
Okay folks...What monsters/generic NPCs do we get in this book?
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Okay folks...What monsters/generic NPCs do we get in this book?
We get:
Animals - Living natural multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Includes:
Crocodile, Hetkoshu - GIGANTIC crocodiles, the apex predators of the River Sphinx
Jackals - Actually portrayed pretty fairly. Could be useful for coyote reskins.
Ostrich - Also available as an animal companion
Snake, Asp - WARNING: Do not hold these to your breast.
Colossus, Sphinx - Imagine the Sphinx of Egypt coming to life and wrecking the guys that were using it for target practice.
Desert Hermits - Druids attuned to the harsh environs of Osirion's deserts who seek to avoid civilization's troubles and complications.
Living Mirage - A gaseous ooze that preys upon those lost in the desert
Osirionologist - Scholarly bards dedicated to the study of Osirion's history.
Pharaonic Guardian - A constructed undead guardian crafted from the souls and sufferings of countless slaves.
Risen Guard - Champions of the Pharaoh who have all died and been raised at some point.
River Clerics - Priests of the serpent river-goddess Wadjet. Cool hats.
Uraeus - Lawful Good two-headed black-winged cobra servants of Wadjet!
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There's some neat stuff about the compromises and reforms modern Osirion has made regarding slavery, as well as the notes about how slavery has been abolished and reinstated before in its ancient past.
One has to wonder just how they're getting so many slaves if the practice is restricted to criminals, but then there are plenty of ways that system can be calibrated to keep their work force stocked. Or perhaps those restrictions only apply to how enslavement happens in Osirion's borders, allowing slaves to be imported easily and only gaining the new protections once inside the border, applying from that point forward rather than retroactively. They still get contrasted favorably against Cheliax and Katapesh, even as the harshness is still portrayed. Nice deliberate values dissonance at play there.
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Glad you like that section, Mikaze :) It's true, the Laws of Equitable Use abolished hereditary slavery within the country, but that doesn't mean Osirians can't buy their slaves from Katapesh, Thuvia, or wherever else they want. They just can't turn their slaves' children into their slaves (unless they brought in both the parent and child from abroad).
At least that's how I read it.
Hmmm too bad, mostly humans and humanoid undead monsters...
The Sphinx Colossus and Living Mirage sound awesome tho.
Anything about the countdown clocks or the dominion of the black in the book?
Anything about the countdown clocks or the dominion of the black in the book?
Yes, there is brief mention of them in relation to the Slave Trenches of Hakotep.
River Clerics - Priests of the serpent river-goddess Wadjet. Cool hats.
What is the story on these folk? I'd guess Domains/Subdomains at least are given also...
Does it go into the other minor deities of Osirion, namely Khepri and Wadjet's "twin" Apep?Those Desert Druids sound like they could be interesting... (Are the above Deities presented as having Druids as well as Cleric followers?)
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River Clerics - Priests of the serpent river-goddess Wadjet. Cool hats.What is the story on these folk? I'd guess Domains/Subdomains at least are given also...
Does it go into the other minor deities of Osirion, namely Khepri and Wadjet's "twin" Apep?
Ooh, hope so!
Ages ago, I came up with some notions on them, but it would be neat to see the official take.
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River Clerics - Priests of the serpent river-goddess Wadjet. Cool hats.What is the story on these folk? I'd guess Domains/Subdomains at least are given also...
Does it go into the other minor deities of Osirion, namely Khepri and Wadjet's "twin" Apep?Ooh, hope so!
Ages ago, I came up with some notions on them, but it would be neat to see the official take.
Unfortunately all the mentions of Wadjet are confined to the River Cleric and Uraeus entries, which have notes pointing to the upcoming Empty Graves(Mummy's Mask book 2) for more info on her. She's most likely LG, given what's seen here.
Apep himself doesn't actually get mentioned, though it turns out some folks are using it as a family name. Hmm......
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Also, the truth behind the Pyramid of Doom is awesome. And the explanation for the name makes so much sense when you see it. That's a great villain and one hell of an adventure seed right there. :)
Heck, the means to finally defeat him actually play nicely with what's going on in modern Osirion, what with the focus on reclaiming their lost history and heritage, remembering that which was forgotten...
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Unfortunately all the mentions of Wadjet are confined to the River Cleric and Uraeus entries, which have notes pointing to the upcoming Empty Graves(Mummy's Mask book 2) for more info on her. She's most likely LG, given what's seen here.
Eh. LG just means she has one less interesting domain than if she was NG. So boring that any god that is Lawful automatically has to be a 'god of law,' even if law, order, obedience, etc. have nothing to do with their 'portfolio.'
Then again, almost all of the Egyptian gods could be seen as 'gods of law,' with the heavy focus on ma'at, with only perhaps Set, Isis and Osiris being non-lawful, since they broke various divine laws inventing deicide and necromancy and necrophilia and whatever.
But that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the Osirioni gods, who might have no concept of ma'at at all, and seem mostly un-lawful. (Abadar and Irori being very lawful, but Lamashtu, Nethys, Norgorber, Pharasma, Rovagug and Sarenrae, not so much, with Nethys being the number one 'Osirioni' god, most likely being Osirioni in life, with Pharasma, Rovagug and Sarenrae seeming like the other 'most popular' gods, from what I've read.)
Ah, the churches of Nethys, Norgorber and Sarenrae, the usual suspects who caused all that trouble in Rahadoum, not so long ago... I wonder how they get along in Osirion?
According to the Osirioni companion (p 16) the high temple to Nethys was destroyed by Qadirans during the occupation, but then rebuilt *by the high priest of Pharasma,* which suggests that those two churches get along pretty well, in Sothis, at least.
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Also, the truth behind the Pyramid of Doom is awesome. And the explanation for the name makes so much sense when you see it.Mind spoiling it for me?
Rumors get passed around this place and adventurers get there and it's just a dinky small pyramid, hardly fitting the rather boastful name. Doesn't even look fit to be a pharaoh's tomb. Looks like it would be some third-rate vizier.
So people go inside and they get swarmed and slammed by allips and poison traps that sap the will of their targets, leaving them vulnerable to possession by the ghost of a largely forgotten pharaoh, Heptar-Un. He possesses one, preferably a wizard, kills any surviving companions, and runs full-tilt out of his tomb screaming towards civilization where her lives it up, simultaneously engaging in debauchery and continuing his research until his stolen body keels over. The whole time he keeps spreading vague rumors about the Pyramid of Doom, to ensure that he won't be forgotten.
He can only be defeated permanently by giving him an official and properly done Ancient Osironi pharaonic burial ritual and his name, rule, death, and burial must be known and ingrained into the consciousness of the people of Osirion so that he no longer has to snatch bodies in order to be remembered.
He's a meme that can only be defeated with a counter-meme. A perpetuated lie that can only be put to rest by spreading truth.
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Unfortunately all the mentions of Wadjet are confined to the River Cleric and Uraeus entries, which have notes pointing to the upcoming Empty Graves(Mummy's Mask book 2) for more info on her. She's most likely LG, given what's seen here.Eh. LG just means she has one less interesting domain than if she was NG. So boring that any god that is Lawful automatically has to be a 'god of law,' even if law, order, obedience, etc. have nothing to do with their 'portfolio.'
Then again, almost all of the Egyptian gods could be seen as 'gods of law,' with the heavy focus on ma'at, with only perhaps Set, Isis and Osiris being non-lawful, since they broke various divine laws inventing deicide and necromancy and necrophilia and whatever.
But that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the Osirioni gods, who might have no concept of ma'at at all, and seem mostly un-lawful. (Abadar and Irori being very lawful, but Lamashtu, Nethys, Norgorber, Pharasma, Rovagug and Sarenrae, not so much, with Nethys being the number one 'Osirioni' god, most likely being Osirioni in life, with Pharasma, Rovagug and Sarenrae seeming like the other 'most popular' gods, from what I've read.)
Ah, the churches of Nethys, Norgorber and Sarenrae, the usual suspects who caused all that trouble in Rahadoum, not so long ago... I wonder how they get along in Osirion?
According to the Osirioni companion (p 16) the high temple to Nethys was destroyed by Qadirans during the occupation, but then rebuilt *by the high priest of Pharasma,* which suggests that those two churches get along pretty well, in Sothis, at least.
So far in the readthrough, Sarenrae's worship is still going strong in the revitalized Osirion culture, so it looks like she's been absorbed entirely. Nethys, Pharasma, and Abadar are still embedded too. The one that surprised me was Irori, who seems to have fit into Osirian culture quite nicely.
On Pharasma, we get a pretty chilling example of her worship being horribly perverted in the Dead Villages. It takes a cultural obsession to a grim conclusion...
Oh, and Lamashtu's Flower is still open for business! D:
I'm keeping my eyes open for a ma'at analogue. Haven't seen it yet, but maybe that would be in People of the Sands? Hoping!
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There is some long and bloody history covered in the timeline.
One really has to wonder what Gebessek IX was like to be known as The Healer right after inheriting rule from a mother like Kamaria the Brazen. That must have been one hell of a childhood.
Kinda get the feeling Ahabaris I, Pharaoh of Long Shadows, was a Kuthonite. Certainly went out like one...
I really want to learn more about the Song Pharaoh.
No Kahotep sightings in this timeline. Dang.
After seeing how things turned out for the Naga Pharaoh, I can see why folks might be skittish about another of his worshippers ever taking the throne again. :O
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Oh, and Lamashtu's Flower is still open for business! D:
>:)
I was quite pleased to see that location retained, and even a picture of Alashra.
The book does a really top notch job taking the material from the 3.5 Osirion book and both updating material into PF rules, introducing snazzy new content (details on the Pyramid of Doom are awesome!), and expanding on some of the open mysteries from the original book (more details on Sokar's Boil, additional material on An-Hepsu XI, and much much more).
Really nice book :)
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Anything about the countdown clocks or the dominion of the black in the book?
At the risk of a dirty look from the Developers, what you're looking for is the "Aucturn Enigma".
Information is coming. You have to wait a little bit longer though.
Huh. In which case, the upcoming Mummy's Mask adventure that takes the players there will probably involve the Dominion and the countdown clocks.
I see how one might come to that conclusion but it might be premature.
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Really loving the Ouat and how different they are from standard dwarves. If I ever play a dwarf, it's going to be one of these for sure.
Can't wait to get my hands on this.
For now, my favorite dwarves rare the Taralu, in the Mwangi Expanse.
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Can't wait to get my hands on this.
For now, my favorite dwarves rare the Taralu, in the Mwangi Expanse.
Expectations management, just in case: There's not a whole lot of material about the Ouat, but it does firmly establish that they're still around, what they're about, how they've broken away from mainstream dwarven culture, and a good idea of how they look via artwork. It honestly leaves one hungry for more. :)
How did I miss these folks?!
edit-Oh, I like these guys too. :D
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Can't wait to get my hands on this.
For now, my favorite dwarves rare the Taralu, in the Mwangi Expanse.
Expectations management, just in case: There's not a whole lot of material about the Ouat, but it does firmly establish that they're still around, what they're about, how they've broken away from mainstream dwarven culture, and a good idea of how they look via artwork. It honestly leaves one hungry for more. :)
How did I miss these folks?!
edit-Oh, I like these guys too. :D
Hey have you read about the Pahmet dwarves in people of the sands? I think they'll help scratch a lot of the itch you're looking for in new takes on dwarves and think they are meant to be an extension of the Ouat from the original works.
Now other question, what can you tell me about the bestiary in this book particularly the super crocs?
Also do they make any reference to Nyarlathotep's alias the black pharaoh?
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Now other question, what can you tell me about the bestiary in this book particularly the super crocs?
The hetkoshu from a stat standpoint are basically just crocodiles advanced to gargantuan (yikes!) size. What makes them special is that they have strong cultural ties to Osirion. For instance, when Khemet I stepped off the boat to assume the throne, he was flanked by a number of these creatures.
Also do they make any reference to Nyarlathotep's alias the Black Pharaoh?
Nope, but there will hopefully be more material on the Dominion of the Black in the upcoming AP.
Does Osirion have their version of Anubis?
Senior Developer
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Does this book explain why Khemet III does not use the title of "Pharaoh"?
He actually does uses the title pharaoh. "Ruby Prince" is an epithet, so he is Pharaoh Khemet III, the Ruby Prince, in the same way that Pharaoh An-Hepsu VII is called the Pharaoh of Blades. (Khemet just used prince in his epithet instead of pharaoh.)
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Senior Developer
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Does Osirion have their version of Anubis?
You'll need to wait for Pathfinder #80: Empty Graves for the answer to that!
Does Osirion have their version of Anubis?You'll need to wait for Pathfinder #80: Empty Graves for the answer to that!
The tension mounts, oh what a feeling!
What is the relationship between Ouat and Pahmet? Are Ouat basically a subset of Pahmet, or what?
What is the relationship between Ouat and Pahmet? Are Ouat basically a subset of Pahmet, or what?
The Ouat are an order of monks dedicated to Irori and Nethys. Their members are predominantly Pahmet dwarves, but include other races as well. Pahmet is the name of northern Garund's dwarven culture.
I'll work more on those PFWiki articles soon :)
How did I miss these folks?!
edit-Oh, I like these guys too. :D
Yeah, there's a ton of neat stuff to be found by following links.
:D
I'm kinda feeling the love inexplicably on a thread where I didn't contribute to the book. Rastel was fun, and their alluded parent culture too. ;)
No - but they will in one of the Mummy's Mask volumes. (I think it's #80, i.e. the second one, but I won't swear to it.)
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Do the Gods of Osirion (ie the ones mentioned in the first Osirion book) get clear descriptions in this one? Ie domains. I remember there being 2 of them.
As Kajahase mentions, we believe that it will be in Adventure Path #80: "Empty Graves" (Mummy’s Mask 2 of 6). It's product description mentions, "a double-length gazetteer presenting the gods of Ancient Osirion".
Also, Rob McCreary (one of the authors, and Senior Developer) had this to say when someone asked about the ancient gods:... So when did the "old gods" stop being worshipped in Osirion? And why?You'll need to wait for Pathfinder #80: Empty Graves for the answer to that question. Although their worship hasn't stopped, really - it's just not as popular as once it was.
Did the Osiriontologist feat get a PF update in this book? My antiquities dealer turned white necromancer is quite interested. :3
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I had to chuckle a little as I read about Kemusar I's "grizzly" death of being eaten by crocodiles. Apparently someone mistook "grizzly" for "grisly".