Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)

Announced! Cover image is a mockup, and will change prior to publication.

WANT!

Interesting...

You guys might want to change that title. Over here, the word "bastard" is usually understood as "son of a beach" first and "half-blood" second. Also, regardless it implies some sort of pejorative tingle.

That ship has sailed.

Will this finally explain what the deal is with the Orc bloodline for sorcerers? :P

Yeah, but back then it actually did refer to somebody who was a "bastard" in both meanings....

This sounds interesting...as is most things. I am wondering though will it touch on changlings at all? What other Bastard races will it touch on...I mean Teiflings, Aasimars a dhampires have already been covered...mmmm

Technically, Tiefs/Aas are not "bastards", they're not half-blood.

Really really looking forward to an expansion of half-orc origins beyond the usual tragedy* and some cultural roots for them to pull from. :)

*Like support for characters born from consenting human/orc couplings.

Uhh...

From the best-known mixed-blood races, like half-elves and half-orcs, to beings with just a touch of another race’s blood in their veins

Enough with the "bastard" fixation, already... ;-)

I would say all the elemental-touched races, including suli, would be the prime candidates here.

And the Orc Bloodline Gnomish Sorcerors ;-)

I don't want the orc sorcerer bloodline explained I just want bloodlines for the other races like elf, dwarf, gnome, catfolk, lashunta, etc.

Well at least this book as some interest but I hope that it covers all the half human races.

WOOO! Took long enough

*reaches into pocket, pulls out money, cash on table*

Ready to lose it paizo just show me the awesome. And for the love of all things holy give me a replace option for multitalented that more classes can make use of.

Oooooh.....

You guys might want to change that title. Over here, the word "bastard" is usually understood as "son of a beach" first and "half-blood" second. Also, regardless it implies some sort of pejorative tingle.

I hope they keep the title. It'll make up for changing Brothels to Dance Halls in UCamp ;)

Given they were shut out of Blood of the Night, I'd like it if some dhampire love could be slipped into this book.

But this books is a good idea, as half-elves and half-orcs couldn't entirely rely on the elf and Orc books for flavour and advice (or crunch).

You guys might want to change that title. Over here, the word "bastard" is usually understood as "son of a beach" first and "half-blood" second. Also, regardless it implies some sort of pejorative tingle.

Agreed - it seems odd to imply that all people of mixed race are bastards, given the pejorative use of that term (in either meaning). It doesn't even correctly define one of mixed blood, simply of blood that was 'mixed' outside of wedlock.

Now, the Bastards of Erebus were proper bastards, but I don't think that their parentage was ever actually specified.

So, is the intention with the title to say that all mixed race characters are disreputable and verging on evil, or that the only way that a mixed-race character would arise is if someone couldn't keep it in their pants - not from a monogamous relationship?

Can't wait for this one! :)

I don't want the orc sorcerer bloodline explained I just want bloodlines for the other races like elf, dwarf, gnome, catfolk, lashunta, etc.

Well at least this book as some interest but I hope that it covers all the half human races.

I suspect that it is largely due to many of the other Core Rules (and even several from the ARG) races already have a bloodline that captures the 'feel' of the race in question, both the stereotyped Tolkienesque version and the Golarion version. Orcs didn't seem to, at least to me. Catfolk and Dwarves still are left out IMO.

Of course, I'd also like weapon feats as awesome as Dervish Dance for the 'not-a-scimitar', but that is for a different book.

Good idea, good title

Half-fey! Archetypes!

Been wanting this fo 5+ years now.

I'll admit, I agree with a name change. Not because it's offensive, but because when I think of Bastards of Golarion, I think of a book of villains, con-men, bounders, and ne'er-do-wells. I don't think of a book of half-breeds.

Also still wondering how Brothel got changed, but this title somehow made it through.

EEEEE! This sounds great!

I like the name though "blood of the bastards" would be interesting as well.

I did think at first the book was for evil players/NPCs but I am happy that is not the case.

shutupandtakemymoney.jpg :)

Looking forward to this ... :)

If this was a UK forum then 'bastard' would be censored in the same way that 't*%%', 's~**' and 'wanker' would be.

If this was a UK forum then 'bastard' would be censored in the same way that 't+$!', 's!$&' and 'wanker' would be.

I've been turning it over in my head all evening, and the only place where I've heard the word used to represent a 'mixture' would be in 'bastardise', and even then it implies corruption and pollution.

Apparently Wankers of Golarion would also be possible.

GeraintElberion wrote:

If this was a UK forum then 'bastard' would be censored in the same way that 't+$!', 's!$&' and 'wanker' would be.

I've been turning it over in my head all evening, and the only place where I've heard the word used to represent a 'mixture' would be in 'bastardise', and even then it implies corruption and pollution.

To be fair, it's used often in faux mediaeval literature to denote illegitimate - I'd be astonished if it hasn't appeared in Game of Thrones, for instance. Of course it still carries a pejorative tone, hence the corruption of the original word into one of abuse.

Yes, a name change would probably be in better tastes as well as actually convey what the book is intended to be. Bastards of Golarion implies either 1.) a book that will focus on NPC's born out of wedlock or B.) a book about truly vile NPC's. I fail to see the connection between "bastards" and either Half-Orcs or Half-Elves, nor any of the other half-blooded races that may also be included.

I say leave the name. I like it.

I say leave the name. I like it.

Why?

Mead Gregorisson wrote:

I say leave the name. I like it.

Why?

Because I am not one of the people that complains just to complain. I know what the word 'bastard' means, and it fits.

Seriously, would 'Halfbreeds of Golarion' be better? To me... no.

The name is fine. Spot on. People just need to get over what they think is being said or implied and focus on what the word means.

A bastard is someone of irregular or dubious (also inferior, but doesn't have to be) origin.

When I saw the title, I knew it was going to be about the mixed-blood races.

Take half-orcs... very dubious origins indeed. All of them are certainly irregular. All of them are also inferior to Kobolds.

Apparently Wankers of Golarion would also be possible.

Alain doesn't need to be on any more covers.

The word "bastard" is used in the Core Rulebook to describe how humans and elves generally view half-elves. Being labeled "bastard" is likely a part of life for many, if not most, half-elves and half-orcs in Golarion and as such, the title seems fitting enough to me. It's not a terribly flattering word, perhaps, but it's something both half-breeds have to deal with, I reckon. It's a large part of what the two races have to offer roleplayingwise.

Also, I'd really hate to see a repeat of the Dance Hall incident.

Half-bloods of Golarion? Bonus points for being close to Half-Blooded Prince from Harry Potter.

Also, OMG, me and Beckett agree on something. Somebody mark that day in the calendar.

It's happened a few times. :)

The word "bastard" is used in the Core Rulebook to describe how humans and elves generally view half-elves. Being labeled "bastard" is likely a part of life for many, if not most, half-elves and half-orcs in Golarion and as such, the title seems fitting enough to me. It's not a terribly flattering word, perhaps, but it's something both half-breeds have to deal with, I reckon. It's a large part of what the two races have to offer roleplayingwise.

Also, I'd really hate to see a repeat of the Dance Hall incident.

I agree about not changing it for censor reasons (don't get me started on censorship). But, I'd want to see a title change because I'd actually rather see the title for a book about villains. I don't really think of half-bloods when I think bastards and I think Bastards of Golarion just fits better with a book about ne'er-do'wells and cads.

In reference to Half-Elves, only Tanis comes to mind, and it's a lot less that he was a Half-Elf than it was that he was an actual bastard. He mother was raped and he was not raised with the father. I can honestly see it much more as a Tiefling thing, where most Tieflings are disowned.

Now, on there other hand, I would guess that most Half-Elves and many Half-Orcs these days are probably the products of two Half-Elf (or half-Orc) parents rather than the alternatives.

Half-Breeds of Golarion?

Now, on there other hand, I would guess that most Half-Elves and many Half-Orcs these days are probably the products of two Half-Elf (or half-Orc) parents rather than the alternatives.

Do the specifics of a half-elf/orc's parentage (elf/human or half-elf/half-elf) really matter in social situations where merely being a half-elf means that person is somehow inferior socially? Something that, according to the Core Rulebook at least, seems to be relatively widespread among human and elven societies. It's still a half-breed or, in the eyes of those for whom its mixed blood is an issue, a bastard.

This, of course, is largely a matter of how we perceive the role and social status of half-breeds in our campaigns. For me, the word "bastard" makes sense because being a half-breed in Golarion does come with a lot of social baggage.

Half-breeds sounds icky as well. Half-bloods doesn't have any negative vibes unless you despise Harry Potter.

Admittedly, I secret have an agenda to rename this so that Paizo will release Inglorious Bastards of Golarion, an RPG centered around guerrilla fighters and partisan warriors of Golarion that fight Chelaxians.

Wolverines!!!

Swirlies of Golarion?

Anyway, I think people are taking the term bastard far more negatively than this particular usage is. Using bastard for irregular origin is not nearly as negative as using it for other reasons.

Especially considering the description of the book is positively positive.

NOT AS A PAIZO REPRESENTATIVE

I like the existing title because:

1.) It sounds like a cool title to me.

2.) Half-breeds and half-bloods of Golarion sounds awkward in my opinion.

3.) Now that I know it is not about about evil-doers, con men, or other ne'er-do-wells. I will not ever be confused about it again.

Swirlies of Golarion?

Anyway, I think people are taking the term bastard far more negatively than this particular usage is. Using bastard for irregular origin is not nearly as negative as using it for other reasons.

Especially considering the description of the book is positively positive.

Aggreed especialy considering that what people want Bastards of Golarion to be book of evil kinda haves the negative meaning that people borned out of wedlock are evil....my two sweet and kind nieces would disagree with that.

...being a half-breed in Golarion does come with a lot of social baggage.

This.