Contributor
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Reading today's blog, I was struck by a similarity between the description of fleshcrafting/fleshwarping and the arts practiced by the creatures in one of my favorite series' of novels: Brian Lumley's Necroscope
In Lumley's novels, vampires (or properly wamphyri) are beings infested by a half-parasitic/half-symbiotic creature, granting them psychic powers, incredible strength, near-immortality, and limited shape-shifting abilities.
These beings thrive on a homeworld far removed from earth, and in their domain, practice an art by which they infuse creatures with their own vampiric essence in great fleshwarping vats. (In fact, I think they're even called "fleshwarping vats.")
Anyway, the imagery stuck with me. I'm glad to see the Paizo-fied drow engaged in a craft that looks so much like something done by one of my favorite literary villains. (Check out his Vampire World Trilogy for specifics on Wamphyri fleshwarping.)
As a side note, I hadn't done much research on him before, but I recently learned that Lumley actually started off writing as an emulator of H. P. Lovecraft and has several novels and short story collections in that genre. (I knew there was a reason I loved his work so much!)
Anyway, thanks for that teaser, James! I can't wait!
Oh man... that's some great art and a great concept. I wonder if there are going to be fleshwarped feats in the Darklands book?
Creative Director
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Lumley's vampires in the Necroscope series is certainly one of many inspirations for fleshwarping. Another is Jeff Long's "Descent." And yet another is from the Fallout video game series, which has big dipping vats to make super mutants.
In related news: Anyone who's within a few hours of Portland, Oregon, and who's a Lumley fan should know that the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival that takes place on the first week of October has Brian Lumley as a guest of honor!
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Contributor
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That's really cool, James. I guess I do need to check out Jeff Long's work.
I must admit that I'm excited about the possibility (though it is unquantifiable, at the moment) that I will be stationed in Everett, WA, within the coming year. It'd be nice to be able to "easily" make it to PaizoCon and meet you guys.
Cheers!
Paris
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Creative Director
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I was trying to figure out some kind of link between the fleshwarping magic of that drow house and the sinspawn creation process of the Thassilonians because of the similar jaw structure(on the male drow at least) until I realized "Oh right, spider mandibles."
So, no link at all, right?
Actually... it's a very similar process. The runelords had the same access to demon lords that the drow did. We haven't out and said it... but I'm 99% sure that Haagenti, the Demon Lord of Change and Alchemy, is as behind Alaznist's invention of the sinspawn as he is behind House Parastric.
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Actually... it's a very similar process. The runelords had the same access to demon lords that the drow did. We haven't out and said it... but I'm 99% sure that Haagenti, the Demon Lord of Change and Alchemy, is as behind Alaznist's invention of the sinspawn as he is behind House Parastric.I was trying to figure out some kind of link between the fleshwarping magic of that drow house and the sinspawn creation process of the Thassilonians because of the similar jaw structure(on the male drow at least) until I realized "Oh right, spider mandibles."
So, no link at all, right?
Awesome, the plot thickens. Thanks for the info!
I have another question too, but that can wait until #16 arrives, since the answer is likely to be in there.
Actually... it's a very similar process. The runelords had the same access to demon lords that the drow did. We haven't out and said it... but I'm 99% sure that Haagenti, the Demon Lord of Change and Alchemy, is as behind Alaznist's invention of the sinspawn as he is behind House Parastric.I was trying to figure out some kind of link between the fleshwarping magic of that drow house and the sinspawn creation process of the Thassilonians because of the similar jaw structure(on the male drow at least) until I realized "Oh right, spider mandibles."
So, no link at all, right?
Sooo...does that mean we can expect a sort of "Fiendonomicon" type article by James Jacobs with Haagenti as the first offering?
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Creative Director
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Sooo...does that mean we can expect a sort of "Fiendonomicon" type article by James Jacobs with Haagenti as the first offering?Actually... it's a very similar process. The runelords had the same access to demon lords that the drow did. We haven't out and said it... but I'm 99% sure that Haagenti, the Demon Lord of Change and Alchemy, is as behind Alaznist's invention of the sinspawn as he is behind House Parastric.I was trying to figure out some kind of link between the fleshwarping magic of that drow house and the sinspawn creation process of the Thassilonians because of the similar jaw structure(on the male drow at least) until I realized "Oh right, spider mandibles."
So, no link at all, right?
Nope.
As in, Haagenti won't be the first offering.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I keep thinking of the Tzimisce Vicissitude discipline from Vampire The Masquerade. Especially with all the aristocracy aspects of the Drow.
Tzim-tzimitiy Tzim-tzimitiy Tzim Tzim Tziree...
The Tzimisce (my faourite clan) owe a lot of their flavour to Necroscope.
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Creative Director
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Ahh, you never can have enough Demons ever!
So James, bring on the "Demons of Golarion" 256page Hardcover.
Or, less satisfying but still cool, the pathfinder companion "Demons of Golarion".
First things first.
Pathfinder #18's gonna have an 8-page article about the demon lords of Golarion. Beyond that... we'll see what happens.
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Lumley's vampires in the Necroscope series is certainly one of many inspirations for fleshwarping. Another is Jeff Long's "Descent." And yet another is from the Fallout video game series, which has big dipping vats to make super mutants.
In related news: Anyone who's within a few hours of Portland, Oregon, and who's a Lumley fan should know that the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival that takes place on the first week of October has Brian Lumley as a guest of honor!
Awe man, I'm a big Lumley fan...but Dallas is more than a few hours away.