Unfortunately, no B3 love for catfolk art in this book. Still a great book though, for many other reasons!
I really like this book as it gave me a great deal of info and ideas for several character concepts I have thinking up.
I do wish there had been a section on Daikitsu, as I would like to have had more info on her and her followers since I have a character who worships Daikitsu (although he also worships Shelyn but since kitsune also worship Shelyn, I don't see there being a problem with that).
That does bring up the question on the relation between Shelyn and Daikitsu: are they friends? And how do their followers treat each other?
If we ever get Dragon Empires Faiths, I'm sure you'll get your wish. ^_^
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and I'm still hoping that they come out with one soon!
One thing I did notice that I was sad to see that the book lacked was any rules or new stuff for martial kitsune characters (i.e. Samurai, fighters, etc.). Well it did have some swashbuckler stuff and new favored class options but nothing in regards to kitsune samurai. Yeah I know that a lot of people prefer to do Ranged fighters when it comes to races with a bonus to dexterity and a penalty to strength but I've always been the one to enjoy playing unique characters that defy what people usually play (I'm actually playing an elven barbarian, and boy does she mop the floor with the bad guys!).
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There is also a note in the text stating that they can vary greatly in appearance. Seems like they are leaning towards making all the different catfolk art 'correct'... for different individuals.
Yeah, that stance was first noted in Inner Sea Races. Personally, I never saw it as a surrender--I think it's a neat feature for the catfolk race to have such extreme dimorphism. As a result, I made it a point to call it out in the intro prose.
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I really like this book as it gave me a great deal of info and ideas for several character concepts I have thinking up.
I do wish there had been a section on Daikitsu, as I would like to have had more info on her and her followers since I have a character who worships Daikitsu (although he also worships Shelyn but since kitsune also worship Shelyn, I don't see there being a problem with that).
That does bring up the question on the relation between Shelyn and Daikitsu: are they friends? And how do their followers treat each other?
Nothing I say is canon, so take my thoughts for what they're worth.
I picture Daikitsu as a, "Business in the front, party in the back," goddess. She is genuinely okay with most things provided work gets done and the community thrives. She judges silently, content in the idea that different people do things differently, and such differences aren't her business as long as her livelihood and that of her family and community is left well enough alone. For the kitsune, she represents their way of life living privately amongst humans rather than her race's penchant for gregariousness and trickery. (Though I am fond of the idea that she has multiple aspects like Norgerber, one of which specifically references her role as a matron of the kitsune.)
As for Shelyn, kitsune are common worshippers of the Eternal Rose, so I think Daikitsu would generally be alright with her. She probably recognizes that while hard work and togetherness makes for the heart of all communities, art and music represent its soul and are integral to its health. For that reason, I dare say that she's rather fond of Shelyn, and could imagine stories involving her courting her in the same way that stories exist about Daikitsu and the nagaji goddess being lovers.
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There's place for Khaijit, there's place for Neko Neko Chan, and there's place for Josie and the Pussycats.
Yup, and all of those places are in Golarion. ;-)
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If we ever get Dragon Empires Faiths, I'm sure you'll get your wish. ^_^I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and I'm still hoping that they come out with one soon!
One thing I did notice that I was sad to see that the book lacked was any rules or new stuff for martial kitsune characters (i.e. Samurai, fighters, etc.). Well it did have some swashbuckler stuff and new favored class options but nothing in regards to kitsune samurai. Yeah I know that a lot of people prefer to do Ranged fighters when it comes to races with a bonus to dexterity and a penalty to strength but I've always been the one to enjoy playing unique characters that defy what people usually play (I'm actually playing an elven barbarian, and boy does she mop the floor with the bad guys!).
As part of my ongoing goal to play a kitsune of every Pathfinder class (because why not?), one of my most effective PFS characters has been a kitsune bloodrager. Turns out that having a Strength penalty matters very little when you haste yourself every time you rage and you wield a +1 Adamantine impact greatsword. ;-)
There's place for Khaijit, there's place for Neko Neko Chan, and there's place for Josie and the Pussycats.
Not all of them are above ground though... :)
*ow ow ow stop throwing hariballs ow ow ow...*
*Still* waiting for this to be delivered from the local post office.
My post office had my AP subscription for about a week, with one update at the beginning. Still hasn't updated as delivered I believe. :-)
My post office had my AP subscription for about a week, with one update at the beginning. Still hasn't updated as delivered I believe. :-)
I'd like to hold out hope but our Post Office has been becoming more and more like an urban one the past few weeks
There's place for Khaijit, there's place for Neko Neko Chan, and there's place for Josie and the Pussycats.Yup, and all of those places are in Golarion. ;-)
Something about Catfolk still confuses me. If Catfolk are so varied, why haven't they gotten any variant heritages, especially since Kitsune effectively get one now? It's hard to believe that a race that's supposed to have such variety has so comparatively few options for racial abilities. I don't suppose there are any plans for them in the near future, since this book just came out recently?
Ravener's design still bugs me, but I harped on that already.
I guess Catfolk are like Humans in that regard -- major variations in appearance and minor differences in trait and feat access, but not much in the way of other mechanical differences.
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Something about Catfolk still confuses me. If Catfolk are so varied, why haven't they gotten any variant heritages, especially since Kitsune effectively get one now? It's hard to believe that a race that's supposed to have such variety has so comparatively few options for racial abilities. I don't suppose there are any plans for them in the near future, since this book just came out recently?
Ravener's design still bugs me, but I harped on that already.
Kitsune —don't— have variant heritages. Changing your ability score bonuses around isn't the same as having a variant heritage. (Case in point—changelings have a similar racial trait in Inner Sea Races, and humans have variant bonuses built right into the grace.) I actually think that too many variant heritages is bad for the game because it dilutes what makes the races that do have it special. For instance, aasimar and tieflings have different heritages because there are tons of different outsiders. Skinwalkers have different heritage because there are tons of different strains of lycanthropy. (Assuming the "We're all descended from lycanthropes," assumption that people from the Inner Sea make about them is true.) But even going as far as samsarans having "variants," awakened samsarans are almost treated as a separate race from standard samsarans in the rules. The fact that catfolk can look so different and still be catfolk is important, and in my opinion its a good indication regarding why they might not need variant heritages.
Remember—just because an idea works for one race doesn't mean that it should be applied to all races. The differences are what keep races from being, "Human with orc paint," or "Human with fox paint."
I can't speak on what Paizo plans to do with catfolk after this book, if anything, since my involvement with catfolk content basically ends at this project unless I'm asked to do more stuff. I'd imagine that if you want more, talk more about catfolk and make sure every player you know buys a copy of Blood of the Beast. Dollars speak louder than wishlists.
A Kitsune Summoner with an Ancestor Eidolon pretending to be their Human-form Eidolon's familiar sounded really cool... until I realized theres no way to cast spells while in Fox Shape. :(
At least not without Silent Spell, Still Spell, and Eschew Materials, which really isn't practical.
There's also a trait that gets you Eschew Materials for a single school of magic. Picking either conjuration or transmutation will set you up pretty well. Then you're only dealing with somatic components- much more manageable on their own. But yeah, switching to bipedal for combat isn't a bad idea.
Now we can make the Thundercat nobles :)
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Now we can make the Thundercat nobles :)
Snarf! What about me? Snarf,snarf!
I really like this book as it gave me a great deal of info and ideas for several character concepts I have thinking up.
I do wish there had been a section on Daikitsu, as I would like to have had more info on her and her followers since I have a character who worships Daikitsu (although he also worships Shelyn but since kitsune also worship Shelyn, I don't see there being a problem with that).
That does bring up the question on the relation between Shelyn and Daikitsu: are they friends? And how do their followers treat each other?
Nothing I say is canon, so take my thoughts for what they're worth.
I picture Daikitsu as a, "Business in the front, party in the back," goddess. She is genuinely okay with most things provided work gets done and the community thrives. She judges silently, content in the idea that different people do things differently, and such differences aren't her business as long as her livelihood and that of her family and community is left well enough alone. For the kitsune, she represents their way of life living privately amongst humans rather than her race's penchant for gregariousness and trickery. (Though I am fond of the idea that she has multiple aspects like Norgerber, one of which specifically references her role as a matron of the kitsune.)
As for Shelyn, kitsune are common worshippers of the Eternal Rose, so I think Daikitsu would generally be alright with her. She probably recognizes that while hard work and togetherness makes for the heart of all communities, art and music represent its soul and are integral to its health. For that reason, I dare say that she's rather fond of Shelyn, and could imagine stories involving her courting her in the same way that stories exist about Daikitsu and the nagaji goddess being lovers.
I will say that I just read your Kitsune Compendium. Excellent work. It gives me some excellent ideas about my kitsune samurai. Although, I'm still unsure on how to develop him, but I'll figure out something. Although I have also read your build guides too on your blog. They've given me some cool ideas for several of my characters!
Just curious here, but when I read your Kitsune Compendium, I couldn't find anything about what kitsune think about kitsune who were raised by humans and thus are taught to not use their shapeshifting abilities and therefore walk around town in their true forms.
I do hope you do a build of a kitsune samurai (I'm playing a samurai of the Order of the Shield).
I will say that I just read your Kitsune Compendium. Excellent work. It gives me some excellent ideas about my kitsune samurai. Although, I'm still unsure on how to develop him, but I'll figure out something. Although I have also read your build guides too on your blog. They've given me some cool ideas for several of my characters!Just curious here, but when I read your Kitsune Compendium, I couldn't find anything about what kitsune think about kitsune who were raised by humans and thus are taught to not use their shapeshifting abilities and therefore walk around town in their true forms.
I do hope you do a build of a kitsune samurai (I'm playing a samurai of the Order of the Shield).
This isn't the thread to talk about my Third-Party work (though I'm happy to do so in that product's thread).
Now, to address your question about, "kitsune who were raised by humans and taught not to use their shapeshifting abilities." Personally, that doesn't sound like humanity to me, but I am admittedly pessimistic.
Humanity is individualistic, true, but always with the caveat that you must fit into their preconceived notions of "acceptable individuality." I see a kitsune who was adopted by humans as a character who was basically repressed for their whole life. "Don't be yourself, be human. They won't understand you. Do you really have to do that? Why can't you just be more human?" Basically, Mr. and Mrs. Kent before Clark decided to become Superman. Life in a predominantly human society is easier if you are human, and if you have the choice humanity is going to pressure you to do things the way that they find "normal."
I imagine that kitsune parents teach more balance, "Learn to be like them, but always be yourself when you're around people who make you feel safe," so in some capacity human-raised kitsune are forlorn just as elves are. Except where elves are forlorn because their human friends grow, wither, and die in a blink of an eye from their perspective, kitsune are forlorn because they're constantly forced to repress themselves so their human friends and family find them acceptable, and never learn how to balance themselves between these two extremes.
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Now we can make the Thundercat nobles :)Snarf! What about me? Snarf,snarf!
early morning read through having finally gotten a copy...
Absolutely loving the Courser swashbuckler archtype. FINALLY! A mobile swashbuckler!
Is it tengu only or just tengu themed?
I will say that I just read your Kitsune Compendium. Excellent work. It gives me some excellent ideas about my kitsune samurai. Although, I'm still unsure on how to develop him, but I'll figure out something. Although I have also read your build guides too on your blog. They've given me some cool ideas for several of my characters!Just curious here, but when I read your Kitsune Compendium, I couldn't find anything about what kitsune think about kitsune who were raised by humans and thus are taught to not use their shapeshifting abilities and therefore walk around town in their true forms.
I do hope you do a build of a kitsune samurai (I'm playing a samurai of the Order of the Shield).
This isn't the thread to talk about my Third-Party work (though I'm happy to do so in that product's thread).
Now, to address your question about, "kitsune who were raised by humans and taught not to use their shapeshifting abilities." Personally, that doesn't sound like humanity to me, but I am admittedly pessimistic.Humanity is individualistic, true, but always with the caveat that you must fit into their preconceived notions of "acceptable individuality." I see a kitsune who was adopted by humans as a character who was basically repressed for their whole life. "Don't be yourself, be human. They won't understand you. Do you really have to do that? Why can't you just be more human?" Basically, Mr. and Mrs. Kent before Clark decided to become Superman. Life in a predominantly human society is easier if you are human, and if you have the choice humanity is going to pressure you to do things the way that they find "normal."
I imagine that kitsune parents teach more balance, "Learn to be like them, but always be yourself when you're around people who make you feel safe," so in some capacity human-raised kitsune are forlorn just as elves are. Except where elves are forlorn because their human friends grow, wither, and die in a blink of an eye...
Ah that makes sense. And I hopefully will see more of your work in the future!
Just bought my copy today.
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Catfolk also get nine favored class bonuses, two other archetypes (in addition to Prowler mentioned by Rysky), three feats, a new 'natural course' for the Vigilante Wildsoul archetype, three spells, one trait, and various things developed by other races which can actually be used by any.
Indeed, other than the traits, FCBs, and alternate racial traits the only thing in the book which is specifically restricted to a single race is one Kitsune archetype.
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And most of these archetypes are not race specific, just racially inspired! Fantastic difference! Love this book.
Sorry if this has been brought up, but I did a search and couldn't find anything about it and
Shapechanging Savage
You catch foes off guard when changing your shape.
Prerequisites: Improved Feint or canny feint vigilante talent, change shape ability, shapechanger subtype.
I can't find anything about "Canny feint." Is this supposed to be "Cunning Feint?"
Sorry if this has been brought up, but I did a search and couldn't find anything about it and
I can't find anything about "Canny feint." Is this supposed to be "Cunning Feint?"Shapechanging Savage
You catch foes off guard when changing your shape.
Prerequisites: Improved Feint or canny feint vigilante talent, change shape ability, shapechanger subtype.
Yes, that was a mistake on my part that slipped through. (Hopefully it'll get added to the list of Campaign Clarifications.)
Is there a lot of Ratfolk material in this book or was it a Kitsune book primarily?
Is there a lot of Ratfolk material in this book or was it a Kitsune book primarily?Each race gets an equal amount of content - four pages' worth. ^_^
It is interestingly 'fluff' AND 'crunch' dense four pages, as well.
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It is interestingly 'fluff' AND 'crunch' dense four pages, as well.Is there a lot of Ratfolk material in this book or was it a Kitsune book primarily?Each race gets an equal amount of content - four pages' worth. ^_^
We prefer "flavor" to "fluff." Fluff implies that there is nothing substantial in what we wrote, whereas flavor implies that it's the aspect that gives the crunch meaning. ;-)
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We prefer "flavor" to "fluff." Fluff implies that there is nothing substantial in what we wrote, whereas flavor implies that it's the aspect that gives the crunch meaning. ;-)
just something wrong with a kitsune being against fluff...