|
LOL! How about a goblin with a green hat and tabard and a small dagger? Or maybe a size Large yellow bird reminscent of a chicken;pNow you're just being obvious. Although I totally need to have an NPC blackguard named Garland show up...
With Improved Trip, obviously. He'll knock you down. ;)
I'm personally waiting for the Summoner class so I can play this guy.
|
|
I also don't understand all the worrying about Alchemists carrying ingredients and lab equipment around when arcane spellcasters carry all manner of weird stuff in their spell component pouches, only having to buy said components once in their entire career and never having to restock said pouch once they've bought it.
I also don't understand all the worrying about Alchemists carrying ingredients and lab equipment around when arcane spellcasters carry all manner of weird stuff in their spell component pouches, only having to buy said components once in their entire career and never having to restock said pouch once they've bought it.
Maybe a new piece of equipment will be the Alchemist's Kit. Similar to the healer's kit, it would have 10 uses, and some elixirs the alchemist makes could cost multiple uses. Single uses might allow the alchemist to Craft a single dose of alchemist fire, acid, thunderstone, or tindertwig.
My players and I really enjoy varied races too. But I think you'll find the races you're looking for in the Pathfinder Bestiary. Check out the Goblin, Tengu and Tiefling in the free Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary Free Preview PDF as examples.
Yup ... saw that they were included :) I'd like to see some others as well. Much as people may have complained about the bloat in WotC's 3.X books, they did give some fun options :)
As far as classes, mark me as another that would love a State Alchemist class ;)
All of that being said, don't expect all humans. We've already talked to Wayne a bit about these and he's got some very cool ideas as far as race-class combos work out. There will doubtlessly be a new human or two, but expect to see some other demihuman genders aside from those we've presented so far.
YES! It just doesn't seem like a proper paizo iconic to me without a waye reynolds illustration! Hopefully they get blog entries like the others did, that was some of the the most excited times I've had on the boards, waiting for the new iconic blog entry!
|
With so amny disliking "Oracle", might I suggest "Prophet"? This is a title that is not synonomous (SP?) with divination. As a matter of fact the Prophets of the Old Testament (I am treading dangerous territory now) were men and women of God that (for the most part) were not ordanined clergy. The same could be said for the word "Apostle" due to the fact that they (the Apsotles) "spread the gospel" but were never (in my reading of the New Testament) ordained clergy, either. If my use of terms caused offense, then I apologize!
|
With so amny disliking "Oracle", might I suggest "Prophet"? This is a title that is not synonomous (SP?) with divination. As a matter of fact the Prophets of the Old Testament (I am treading dangerous territory now) were men and women of God that (for the most part) were not ordanined clergy. The same could be said for the word "Apostle" due to the fact that they (the Apsotles) "spread the gospel" but were never (in my reading of the New Testament) ordained clergy, either. If my use of terms caused offense, then I apologize!
Oracle isn't bad in my book. I can certainly see Joan of Arc, or someone who is held to the domain of healing wandering around the realm spontaneously casting divine spells referred to as an oracle.
However, if you are looking for other ideas, there is Avatar, Demagogue, Disciple, Seer, Haruspex, Apostle, Harbinger, Envoy, or Channeller?
With so amny disliking "Oracle", might I suggest "Prophet"? This is a title that is not synonomous (SP?) with divination. As a matter of fact the Prophets of the Old Testament (I am treading dangerous territory now) were men and women of God that (for the most part) were not ordanined clergy. The same could be said for the word "Apostle" due to the fact that they (the Apsotles) "spread the gospel" but were never (in my reading of the New Testament) ordained clergy, either. If my use of terms caused offense, then I apologize!
Don't apologize for religious beliefs.
Oracle isn't bad in my book. I can certainly see Joan of Arc, or someone who is held to the domain of healing wandering around the realm spontaneously casting divine spells referred to as an oracle.
However, if you are looking for other ideas, there is Avatar, Demagogue, Disciple, Seer, Haruspex, Apostle, Harbinger, Envoy, or Channeller?
I like Harbinger.
From Wikipedia: A harbinger is a sign of things to come. Throughout history and literature, harbingers and omens figure prominently, and are responsible for major decisions which have altered the course of both.
|
|
With so amny disliking "Oracle", might I suggest "Prophet"? This is a title that is not synonomous (SP?) with divination. As a matter of fact the Prophets of the Old Testament (I am treading dangerous territory now) were men and women of God that (for the most part) were not ordanined clergy. The same could be said for the word "Apostle" due to the fact that they (the Apsotles) "spread the gospel" but were never (in my reading of the New Testament) ordained clergy, either. If my use of terms caused offense, then I apologize!Oracle isn't bad in my book. I can certainly see Joan of Arc, or someone who is held to the domain of healing wandering around the realm spontaneously casting divine spells referred to as an oracle.
However, if you are looking for other ideas, there is Avatar, Demagogue, Disciple, Seer, Haruspex, Apostle, Harbinger, Envoy, or Channeller?
Oh I had no problem with "Oracle" as a title! I was just suggesting something else as so many individuals having problems with it.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but I also don't like the oracle name. I can't find a single definition or even synonym that doesn't relate to prophecy, divination, or channeling a specific deity's words and will. Unless the class deals heavily with those abilities, I'd prefer the name was saved for a class that does, since it IS an awesome name. Otherwise, I'll houserule a name-change...
Still, not a bad concept, though I'd like to hear some more about it.
Does anyone think the alchemist will be an elementalist? Alchemy deals with the 4 classical elements and transformations....maybe it will have powers that transform the elements? For example, Air to Fire might be like a fireball, and Fire to Air might be like Quench.
Combinations of elements might be used to make other materials or energies:
Air + Fire = Electricity?
Air + Earth = Force?
Air + Water = Sonic?
Earth + Fire = Metal?
Earth + Water = Cold?
Fire + Water = Acid?
I was also thinking that Alchemists might be able to learn 1 "Alchemical Formula" per rank in Craft alchemy. These "formulas" might be used to transform items and/or creatures. Formulas would be very similar to Artificer infusions, making items magical, or making a steel sword cold iron, silver, or adamantine. Maybe even change its damage type from slashing to piercing or bludgeoning. Maybe alter its critical threat range and/or multiplier. Higher level formulas might require in mastery of two or more lower level formulas, kind of how shadowcasting works for the shadowcaster.
Hmmm....maybe 4 "tiers" of elemental-based formulas:
Single elemental: Air, Earth, Fire, Water.
Dual elemental: Air/Earth, Air/Fire, Air/Water, Earth/Fire, Earth/Water, Fire/Water.
Triple elemental: Air/Earth/Fire, Air/Earth/Water, Air/Fire/Water, Earth/Fire/Water.
Omni-elemental: Air/Earth/Fire/Water. (Living Creatures)
EDIT:
Maybe somehow introduce "Catalyst Words" to the alchemy, like Grow, Shrink, Transform into, Combine with, Shape, Animate, Still, Purify, Contaminate, Beckon, Dismiss, etc. etc.
HOPEFULLY, these elemental powers won't be too overpowering, so the concept of the alchemical elementalist can be combined in the same class as the alchemical experiment-on-yourself concept (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, the Invisible Man, etc. etc.)
Has anyone else noticed that the Alchemist and Summoner seem ideal for a lower magic Victorian Age Era Campaign--Frankenstein and his Monster (summoner), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Invisible Man (alchemists). I guess the Phantom of the Opera would be an evil bard...or the Oracle of Music???? :-P
With so amny disliking "Oracle", might I suggest "Prophet"? This is a title that is not synonomous (SP?) with divination. As a matter of fact the Prophets of the Old Testament (I am treading dangerous territory now) were men and women of God that (for the most part) were not ordanined clergy. The same could be said for the word "Apostle" due to the fact that they (the Apsotles) "spread the gospel" but were never (in my reading of the New Testament) ordained clergy, either. If my use of terms caused offense, then I apologize!
I'm not a religious scholar either, and this is a terminal sidetrack besides, but the whole concept of being ordained deals directly with the authority of (a) god. For instance, to say that the apostles weren't ordained clergy is to misunderstand what (from a Christian pov) "ordained" and "clergy" actually mean. Catholics believe that an ordained cleric has the right- passed down to him across thousands of hands over hundreds of years- to spread Jesus' message; but the only reason they have that right is because they speak in the Pope's name, and the Pope is in turn the successor of one of the Apostles. The original Apostles had that same permission, and they got it right from the horse's mouth, as it were.
The same goes for other Prophets and great holy men. Once their word comes on, they basically (if retroactively) become more ordained than anyone else.
To pull back towards topic, "prophet" in religion does mean what you're saying, but "prophet" in fantasy means (to me) a manufacturer of prophecy. It has a much stronger association with divination than the word "oracle" does.
Off topic: SmiloDan, have you designed warlock pacts yet? I have several players in pbp here who play your warlocks and one hexblade.
Not yet....but I'm off work today. What kind of pacts do you need? Cthuluesque? Demonic? Diabolical? Fey? Angelic? Elemental? Something really cool I haven't thought of yet?
Also, how are those classes working out, balance-wise?
|
|
Off topic: SmiloDan, have you designed warlock pacts yet? I have several players in pbp here who play your warlocks and one hexblade.Not yet....but I'm off work today. What kind of pacts do you need? Cthuluesque? Demonic? Diabolical? Fey? Angelic? Elemental? Something really cool I haven't thought of yet?
Also, how are those classes working out, balance-wise?
Please check out Nightflier's Cemetery of Empires pbp here on Paizo, and appropriate discussion and recruitment threads.
I for one really like the name oracle, and cavalier, and alchemist!
And frankly summoner is growing on me!
"Oracle" makes an odd sort of sense. An oracle is literally a speaker, or more accurately a mouthpiece; the only closer fit I can think of to the concept of the class is "Scion," but everyone would confuse that with "Psion" so it's no good. ;)
|
|
"Oracle" makes an odd sort of sense. An oracle is literally a speaker, or more accurately a mouthpiece; the only closer fit I can think of to the concept of the class is "Scion," but everyone would confuse that with "Psion" so it's no good. ;)I like Scion and Paragon instead of Oracle...
So would I. Unfortunately, Scion is a game published by White Wolf and Paragon is used by 4E, so some confusions may occur (and I really don't want another Pathfinder/wrong Step incident to wake up the Edition Warriors).
|
So would I. Unfortunately, Scion is a game published by White Wolf and Paragon is used by 4E, so some confusions may occur (and I really don't want another Pathfinder/wrong Step incident to wake up the Edition Warriors)."Oracle" makes an odd sort of sense. An oracle is literally a speaker, or more accurately a mouthpiece; the only closer fit I can think of to the concept of the class is "Scion," but everyone would confuse that with "Psion" so it's no good. ;)I like Scion and Paragon instead of Oracle...
But, both were words before they were used in those games, and it describes the class better than Oracle, who is a DC character...What isn't allowed it taking a name like Artificer, then copying the exact class, with all of it's powers...
OK, how about an Exalt. That would work, describing an Exalted.
Sun Exalt? Glory Exalt?
Prodigy!!! There we go, an Elemental Prodigy, or a Strength Prodigy...
Edit: I'm liking Exalt a lot now..
exalt
–verb (used with object)
1. to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate: He was exalted to the position of president.
2. to praise; extol: to exalt someone to the skies.
3. to stimulate, as the imagination: The lyrics of Shakespeare exalted the audience.
4. to intensify, as a color: complementary colors exalt each other.
5. Obsolete. to elate, as with pride or joy.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME exalten < L exaltāre to lift up, equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + alt(us) high + -āre inf. ending
Related forms:
ex⋅alt⋅er, noun
Synonyms:
1. promote, dignify, raise, ennoble. See elevate. 2. glorify.
Antonyms:
1. humble. 2. depreciate.
|
|
Dragonlance for D&D 3.0 used the term "Mystic" for their spontaneous divine spell caster class. That is if anyone was interested in knowing that. I still can't get over so many people getting ladders in their tights about the name "Oracle". I don't mean to sound like a jerk (anyone who knows me knows that I am far from) but here is an idea. Let Paizo call it "Oracle" and then you can call it whatever you want in your campaign if the term "Oracle" bothers you so much.
OK, how about an Exalt. That would work, describing an Exalted.
Well, that falls into the same problem as Scion, given that there's a major RPG also by White Wolf called Exalted. What can I say, the good adjectives are already taken.
I'm mainly concerned with not repeating within D&D lexicon. I think most of us could care less if a word is used in a completely different game, even if that game is part of the same genre/hobby.
As for summoner, if the class will depend on a single creature or companion that improves as the class does, how about "Binder" or some synonym thereof?
Because Binder is the name of a class from the Tome of Magic.
I'm waiting to learn more about the "Oracle," but as it stands, it definitely strikes me as odd, and I'm not surprised at the commentary it has gotten. And yes, if I feel the same way when the final version rolls out, I'll come up with my own name.
"Oracle" makes an odd sort of sense. An oracle is literally a speaker, or more accurately a mouthpiece; the only closer fit I can think of to the concept of the class is "Scion," but everyone would confuse that with "Psion" so it's no good. ;)
Scion? Some sort of psychic subcompact?
Ok, I don't care what they name them. Call them "Pretty Princess" or "Chump." I am foaming for a look at some mechanics, though. I love the Jekyl/Hyde Alchemist concept, something along the lines of rage or wild-shape but with alchemy backup sounds great! The Summoner is going to be awesome, and it will span so many different character concepts that I can see myself replaying this class multiple times. I am luke-warm about the other two, but that's only because I don't care for divine characters or buffers personally. Do we have any idea on a time frame for the playtest yet?
|
|
Does anyone think the alchemist will be an elementalist? Alchemy deals with the 4 classical elements and transformations....maybe it will have powers that transform the elements?
(snip)
Has anyone else noticed that the Alchemist and Summoner seem ideal for a lower magic Victorian Age Era Campaign--Frankenstein and his Monster (summoner), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,...
At the GenCon seminar, Jekyll and Hyde were specifically referenced, as were the Invisible Man and the Incredible Hulk.
Also, I think it would be neat if the alchemist also had abilities like the Taoist "internal alchemists". That is, if they had the ability to affect their bodies with meditation and drugs, and gradually needed less drugs. The phoenix faction from White Wolf's Hunter: The Vigil is a good example of what I'm talking about.
Jeremy Puckett
I'm wondering if the Alchemist is going to take the Tome of Magic and stick it in a blender: Elixirs that target the alchemist will be similar mechanically to vestiges (a different suite of powers depending on which elixir is imbibed, possibly with Craft Alchemy skill checks used to see if it has any "Negative Side Effects"), Alchemical Formulas mechanically similar to truenamer utterances (using Craft alchemy skill checks instead of Truespeaking skill checks to cast them, and having them be reversible), and having the Alchemical Formulas organized like shadowcaster mysteries (Air, Earth, Fire, Water for lower-level Alchemical Formulas; requiring knowledge of 2 or more formulas from 2 different elements to cast Air/Earth, Air/Fire, Air/Water, Earth/Fire, Earth/Water, Fire/Water; etc. etc.).
The alchemist would have to choose between being focused in a certain element and having high-powered single-element formulas, or versatile but lower level multi-elemental formulas.
The problem is that when I hear "summoner", I think of "specialist wizard focussing on conjuration. Sure, that's a conjurer, but it's close enough if you ask me.
Without knowing how exactly the class is supposed to work, it's a bit hard to come up with something else, but here's some ideas:
Invitor. The words are related, at least in some of their meanings, so this could work Enticer, Beckoner. Yeah, variations on the theme, but maybe one of them will have the right ring to it....
Using Final Fantasy as an example (since it's one of the most famous videogame RPG series), we can use:
From Wikipedia:
"In Theosophy, an eidolon (image, idol, double, apparition, phantom, ghost) is the astral double of a living being; a phantom-double of the human form; a shade or perispirit; the kamarupa after death, before its disintegration. The phantom can appear under certain conditions to survivors of the deceased."
And yes, I too would prefer another name for Oracle - Exemplar or Paragon are among my favorites, at the moment.
I think I'll call my first Summoner "Rydia" or maybe even "Yuna". At last!
You can even go for "Garnet" or "Eiko" !
Note: FFIX is not one of my favorite FF games (FFVII is), but some characters were very good (go, Amarant, go !).
I'm hoping the Oracle will work well to fill the Mystic role in our Dragonlance game ;)
|
My thoughts...
Cavalier - Despite the name coming from horse rider, I like the name of this class for nostalgia reasons. I loved the Cavalier in 1st Edition and have fond memories of cavalier characters from those days. If I remember correctly, the Paladin was a subclass of the Cavalier after Unearthed Arcana came out. As long as the mechanics/powers are unique for the class, I will be happy to see its return.
Summoner - I know the summoner seems like it would be a conjurer specialist but I think it goes beyond that. A summoner would be more of a Specialist Conjurer Specialist. Where a conjurer conjures many things beyond just creatures. A summoner would be focused on the conjuring/summoning of creature(s). The video game references are many and I have tried my own variations of this idea before but never especially successful. Rydia ftw!
Oracle - Like the idea, not the name. I also feel Avatar would be cool.
Alchemist - Concept sounds interesting. I am curious how it will work.