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Paizo Employee Creative Director

Oncoming_Storm wrote:
Speaking of, is the Kusari Gama composed entirely of monks? Or are there other martial classes and magic users...

Mostly monks, but not exclusively so.

Liberty's Edge RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16

James Jacobs wrote:
YttriumDervish wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

You're talking about Vecna, yes? (We can talk about D&D characters here, no fears!)

In any event, Vecna didn't really inspire Asmodeus at all. The inspiration we've used for our Asmodeus is one part D&D's Asmodeus, one part real-world mythologies about the devil, one part pop-culture lore about the devil, and one part our own spin.

We do have our own homage to Vecna in the game: Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant.

Not trying to avoid D&D names would have made that post half as long!

Yes, I did mean Vecna, and I did draw the clear parallels between the two liches. I am a fan of T-B, too, but his story doesn't go back 40 years.

And I figured it was just a flight of fancy on my part, but it was a fun bit of theorizing! The "Serpent" giving Vecna power was Asmodeus all along; his "secret" was knowing this. Looking at Golarion as the newest edition of the multiverse puts Vecna as finally successful, until Asmodeus goes "Nah man, I never promised to take you with me" as he poofs creation into existence.

Thanks!

Vecna's didn't go back 40 years 30 years ago either. Give Tar-Baphon time. He'll get there! ;-)

So, Tar-Baphon adventure path coming up? :)

Paizo Employee Creative Director

JoelF847 wrote:
So, Tar-Baphon adventure path coming up? :)

Already done. Check out Carrion Crown.

Grand Lodge

Hey James I have a number of questions if you would willing to indulge me.

1. Does the inner sea region have Germ Theory (our current theory to explain disease), miasma theory (the old theory that said there were bad gases that you could inhale to explain sickness), or something else to explain where disease comes from?

2. Generally speaking, how clean would you say the streets of cities in the inner sea might be?

3. Do you need gold to make magic items, or do you use it to buy materials to make magic items?

4. If evolution exists, then is the reason why dinosaurs have scales instead of feathers because they evolved since prehistoric times and lost them?

5. Would their have been any fantastical creatures that went extinct during prehistoric times? (I don't expect you to name any if there are.)

6. I don't know if you're the best person to ask this question but, would you ever consider making the first pathfinder chronicle as a pathfinder tale?

7. Are there any monsters from dungeons and dragons that you wish you could have brought over that you couldn't? And if so what might they be?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Therrux wrote:

Hey James I have a number of questions if you would willing to indulge me.

1. Does the inner sea region have Germ Theory (our current theory to explain disease), miasma theory (the old theory that said there were bad gases that you could inhale to explain sickness), or something else to explain where disease comes from?

2. Generally speaking, how clean would you say the streets of cities in the inner sea might be?

3. Do you need gold to make magic items, or do you use it to buy materials to make magic items?

4. If evolution exists, then is the reason why dinosaurs have scales instead of feathers because they evolved since prehistoric times and lost them?

5. Would their have been any fantastical creatures that went extinct during prehistoric times? (I don't expect you to name any if there are.)

6. I don't know if you're the best person to ask this question but, would you ever consider making the first pathfinder chronicle as a pathfinder tale?

7. Are there any monsters from dungeons and dragons that you wish you could have brought over that you couldn't? And if so what might they be?

1) Depends on the region/person, but there's lots of theories out there including the germ theroy and miasma theory. BUT If you were to take the "average" theory that's most likely to be in place overall, it's the germ theory.

2) Clean enough that walking on them won't make you sick, but dirty enough that you wouldn't want to keep eating your ice cream cone if you dropped it on the ground.

3) You need "magical components" and reagents and stuff, but what exactly those are is not described. As a result, most games just shorthand it to gold pieces, assuming that when a spellcaster creates an item, that the 50,000 gp she spent on it was actually 50,000 gp of elixirs, components, reagents, powders, eye of newt, toe of frog, harpy tongue, gall bladders, chunks of obsidian, bags of gem dust and so on.

4) Whether or not dinosaurs in Golarion have scales or feathers is a regional thing (in large part due to the fact that artists often have their own interpretation and/or aren't always great at following directions or getting the assignments in on time for us to request changes if they mess something up).

5) Yes. There's plenty of fantastical creatures that have gone extinct, and not even in prehistoric times. One random example is the hallowed lynx, a magical large cat that existed in Thassilon but went extinct after Earthfall.

6) That's more of a James Sutter question, but the logistics of doing that are weird..

7) There were plenty back in the day when we launched Pathfinder, but today I don't really miss them, since we've got plenty of just as interesting monsters with their own ten-years-plus of development behind them now.

Lantern Lodge

Question.
Why is the end fight at the end of Book 1 of Serpents Skull an effort in futility? I am sitting her watching a group of 6 level 4's get wrecked like a bus being hit by a freight train.

Also, props to you and everyone at Paizo because I do really enjoy Pathfinder.


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber

1.Earlier you talked about Vecna, as a former "inside guy" who do you think was more powerful (before Vecna attained godhood of course- which was pretty late in the scheme of things)Vecna or Acerak?
2. What level Thassilonian Wizard would someone have to be to be considered a Runelord, I suspect it would also be based on dispatching the previous Runelord like a Grand Druid?
3. At what level would someone "earn" the title of Aldori Swordlord (when they took the Aldori dueling feat, at 1st level if they take the fighter achetype, or when/if they qualify for the prestige class)?
4. Have you ever read the Incarnations of Immortality book series, and if so what were your thoughts? (if you haven't I'd highly recommend them)

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Kuabatake_Sanjuro wrote:

Question.

Why is the end fight at the end of Book 1 of Serpents Skull an effort in futility? I am sitting her watching a group of 6 level 4's get wrecked like a bus being hit by a freight train.

Also, props to you and everyone at Paizo because I do really enjoy Pathfinder.

I've actually not heard a lot of feedback about that last fight in the first adventure being that particularly futile, but sometimes, the dice or the tactics or the mix of PCs simply conspires to make a fight harder than anticipated. Without knowing the details of your group or how the GM may have changed the last encounter, I can't really say much more.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Jareth Elirae wrote:

1.Earlier you talked about Vecna, as a former "inside guy" who do you think was more powerful (before Vecna attained godhood of course- which was pretty late in the scheme of things)Vecna or Acerak?

2. What level Thassilonian Wizard would someone have to be to be considered a Runelord, I suspect it would also be based on dispatching the previous Runelord like a Grand Druid?
3. At what level would someone "earn" the title of Aldori Swordlord (when they took the Aldori dueling feat, at 1st level if they take the fighter achetype, or when/if they qualify for the prestige class)?
4. Have you ever read the Incarnations of Immortality book series, and if so what were your thoughts? (if you haven't I'd highly recommend them)

1) Vecna.

2) Becoming a runelord doesn't have a minimum level, but there was never one who was lower than 15th level. Most of them would be maxed out at 20th, and many would have had mythic tiers or templates or other things to boost their power even higher. The methods of becoming a runelord varied, but the "kill the previous one and take his/her place" was pretty common.

3) When you perform enough missions/accomplishments to convince your Aldori Swordlord master/mistress to grant you the title. It would vary from person to person, but would require you to take at least a few of the feats/prestige classes/archetypes first to even be considered.

4) Nope; haven't read them.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

So

Spoilers on Magnimar & Lost Cities pdf:
Tiluatchek the lens master has statblock as level 12 sorcer intellect devourer in older pdf and it is stated that his favorite body is ulfen barbarian. In Mangnimar pdf he is stated to be level 9 wizard and his current body being Kaleb Valdermar
which is more accurate?


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Is Classic Horrors Revisited still a good source for info?

I know some of it is out of date, such as the flesh golem section concerning the Beast of Lepidstaht or the hag ecology describing changelings back before changelings were a distinct race.

But can it be considering to be "reliable" where more recent products have not contradicted it?

(I'm thinking in part of how Dragons Revisited appears to no longer be "good" info, and I wonder what other books in the Revisited line shouldn't be relied upon.)


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

1) I don't think I've seen this answered (though I admit I haven't checked Inner Sea Monster Codex), but on average, about how tall are charau-ka? They're Small, so I presume something like two to four feet, but not sure beyond that...if they're usually shorter or taller than, say, halflings and such.

2) I believe you've said that elves can't grow facial hair, but how about body hair? Do you envision them generally not growing hair below the neck (though perhaps below the eyes would be more accurate), or no?

3) Do you think races such as goblins and orcs would have a longer lifespan if they lived a less barbaric lifestyle with better healthcare and such, or is their forty-one to sixty year old lifespan just intrinsic and unrelated to their lifestyle?


How is the second season of Fargo.

Was it as good, or better than the first.

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CorvusMask wrote:

So

Spoiler:
Tiluatchek the lens master has statblock as level 12 sorcer intellect devourer in older pdf and it is stated that his favorite body is ulfen barbarian. In Mangnimar pdf he is stated to be level 9 wizard and his current body being Kaleb Valdermar

which is more accurate?

My preference is Magnimar. That is more in line with my original plans for the character and the local metaplot, and in fact, the idea of him preferring an Ulfen and being higher level kinda ruins the character for my long-term plans for the Lost Coast region as it involves that particular character.

But that said, I lost that argument (grrrr) and so now, the "OFFICIAL" version of Tiluatchek is the 12th level one who wears an ulfen. The lower level intellect devourer who's riding around in Kaleb Valdemar will need to have his name changed when and if I do more with that story, since he's NOT the same as the intellect devourer who runs the dream lens.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Zhangar wrote:

Is Classic Horrors Revisited still a good source for info?

I know some of it is out of date, such as the flesh golem section concerning the Beast of Lepidstaht or the hag ecology describing changelings back before changelings were a distinct race.

But can it be considering to be "reliable" where more recent products have not contradicted it?

(I'm thinking in part of how Dragons Revisited appears to no longer be "good" info, and I wonder what other books in the Revisited line shouldn't be relied upon.)

It's still good, although the bit you notice as out of date is out of date. It also incorrectly identifies Arazni as a mummy; she's a lich. AND I'm frustrated that the derros illustrated ended up looking more green than blue.

Otherwise it's reliable.

Dragons Revisited is one that's from WAY early in the Pathfinder line, and it didn't have much oversight from anyone but the author who wrote it. That was a practice that we soon abandoned when it became apparent that not everyone had the same vision for Golarion, and that if we were going to have a world that made sense internally and didn't constantly contradict itself, we needed to tighten things up with how we built our campaign setting books. Classic Horrors came out well after we tightened.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

captain yesterday wrote:

How is the second season of Fargo.

Was it as good, or better than the first.

It was great. I liked it better than the first, which was also great.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Luthorne wrote:

1) I don't think I've seen this answered (though I admit I haven't checked Inner Sea Monster Codex), but on average, about how tall are charau-ka? They're Small, so I presume something like two to four feet, but not sure beyond that...if they're usually shorter or taller than, say, halflings and such.

2) I believe you've said that elves can't grow facial hair, but how about body hair? Do you envision them generally not growing hair below the neck (though perhaps below the eyes would be more accurate), or no?

3) Do you think races such as goblins and orcs would have a longer lifespan if they lived a less barbaric lifestyle with better healthcare and such, or is their forty-one to sixty year old lifespan just intrinsic and unrelated to their lifestyle?

1) Charau-ka are about the same size as baboons. About 3 feet tall on average.

2) No body hair on elves either.

3) Nope. Their lifespan is what it is. The fact that they're violent means that most die far younger than that. If they had a safer lifestyle and better healthcare they'd live more regularly to the listed old ages.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:
CorvusMask wrote:
So ** spoiler omitted ** which is more accurate?

My preference is Magnimar. That is more in line with my original plans for the character and the local metaplot, and in fact, the idea of him preferring an Ulfen and being higher level kinda ruins the character for my long-term plans for the Lost Coast region as it involves that particular character.

But that said, I lost that argument (grrrr) and so now, the "OFFICIAL" version of Tiluatchek is the 12th level one who wears an ulfen. The lower level intellect devourer who's riding around in Kaleb Valdemar will need to have his name changed when and if I do more with that story, since he's NOT the same as the intellect devourer who runs the dream lens.

Ah, that explains the contradictions ._. I mean, both sources do refer to him using that poet alchemist's corpse in past, but I was confused by how it felt like Lost Cities pdf made me feel like Lens Keeper is still supposed to be in Ilvarin somehow. Plus his specialty needs bodies(umbral dragon, succubus assasin, storm giant) don't sound like he could bring them with him to Magnimar. Unless Intellect Devourers can travel back to Ilvarin somehow? I might have missed something important about how Dream Lens works :'D

So regardless that wizard Tiluatchek is different from sorcerer one, will Midnight Dawn/Milk conspiracy thing get explored further in Darklands Revisited?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

CorvusMask wrote:
So regardless that wizard Tiluatchek is different from sorcerer one, will Midnight Dawn/Milk conspiracy thing get explored further in Darklands Revisited?

Not really. That whole thing is very much a part of a story/adventure/whatever I want to tell, but until I get the chance to do so, it's staying where it is. I wish I'd had the chance to be the one to write the Ilvarandin article to keep control of that story line... but it wasn't to be.


I am about to begin work on a tactical map for the interior of the Sandpoint Cathedral. James could you describe for me any details of how you envision it? Marble or Granite floors, and what color? Friezes? Tile-work? Murals? Stained Glass? Statues? Lots of open space? Any wood work? Any detail would be appreciated. I will be working off of layout done by Cinchbug and Cynge in the community created thread over on the Runelords forum. If you think something should be adjusted, please say so. Have a pleasant day and thanks for all that you do.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Digital Mystic wrote:
I am about to begin work on a tactical map for the interior of the Sandpoint Cathedral. James could you describe for me any details of how you envision it? Marble or Granite floors, and what color? Friezes? Tile-work? Murals? Stained Glass? Statues? Lots of open space? Any wood work? Any detail would be appreciated. I will be working off of layout done by Cinchbug and Cynge in the community created thread over on the Runelords forum. If you think something should be adjusted, please say so. Have a pleasant day and thanks for all that you do.

I've got a LOT of ideas about the Sandpoint Cathedral, more than I've currently got the time or energy to type out here.

The basic part is that the south part is brand new and made of stone, while the north part is still part of the old building and made of wood; the portion that burnt down was mostly the southern part that's been rebuilt in stone. THere are stained glass windows therein, built by the Sandpoint Glassworks that depict the various deities of the cathedral, and there is a relatively extensive catacomb below that connects to the smuggler's tunnels and to vaults below the graveyard.


James Jacobs wrote:

I've got a LOT of ideas about the Sandpoint Cathedral, more than I've currently got the time or energy to type out here.

I totally understand. You are a busy dude and this is a minor question. If, however, you find more time and / or energy perhaps you could answer some of these rather superficial questions.

1. Is the Cathedral common stone like Granite... or more rare like Marble... or a mixture?

2. What color is the stone that primarily makes up the building? Grey? White?

3. Are the different shrines customized structurally, or just with decorations? I mean... Would the floors and walls be colored appropriately for the god with symbols inlaid into the floor, or would the whole building be uniform in design, with decorations like stained glass windows and wall hangings being the primary way that each shrine is customized to its god.

Thank you for the answers you have already given. I eagerly await the day that you are able to return to Sandpoint and flesh out the area even more. I am sure there are some great adventures waiting to be had there.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Digital Mystic wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

I've got a LOT of ideas about the Sandpoint Cathedral, more than I've currently got the time or energy to type out here.

I totally understand. You are a busy dude and this is a minor question. If, however, you find more time and / or energy perhaps you could answer some of these rather superficial questions.

1. Is the Cathedral common stone like Granite... or more rare like Marble... or a mixture?

2. What color is the stone that primarily makes up the building? Grey? White?

3. Are the different shrines customized structurally, or just with decorations? I mean... Would the floors and walls be colored appropriately for the god with symbols inlaid into the floor, or would the whole building be uniform in design, with decorations like stained glass windows and wall hangings being the primary way that each shrine is customized to its god.

Thank you for the answers you have already given. I eagerly await the day that you are able to return to Sandpoint and flesh out the area even more. I am sure there are some great adventures waiting to be had there.

1) The stone portion of the cathedral is built from limestone.

2) The stone is light gray.

3) The shrines are all customized with their own decor built into the structure and the windows. The building's facade is pretty uniform and non-denominational (apart from the stained glass windows) but within, each specific shrine is pretty obviously devoted to a specifci deity.


Mr. Jacobs,

If you would make a PC whose powers were to emulate a vampire's powers, what race & class would that be?

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The Fiend Fantastic wrote:

Mr. Jacobs,

If you would make a PC whose powers were to emulate a vampire's powers, what race & class would that be?

A dhampir enchanter or mesmerist. Maybe a sorcerer with the undead bloodline who focuses on enchantment magic.


Awhile back you said that kitsune and humans can have children together. If the father is a kitsune and the mother a human, will the children be kitsune as well?

Also, I noticed that in Bestiary 3, I noticed that on the picture of the kitsune, she has tattoos on her legs and she has hair. I thought I read somewhere on the messageboards here that kitsune didn't have humanlike hair in their true forms and is it even possible for a kitsune to have tattoos since they're covered in fur?

Just curious here.

And what is Ameiko's height and weight (I can ask you her weight since it would be rude to ask her myself ;) )?

Since most oni are vulnerable to acid, why isn't Sushien a holy corrosive katana?

Is it true that Daikitsu and Nalinivati are lovers (from time to time I'm guessing)?

How is Shelyn worship in the Dragon Empires?

Where's the temple of Daikitsu in Kasi, the capital of Minaki?

What's your favorite type of off the wall question?


James Jacobs wrote:

:

Mr. Jacobs,

If you would make a PC whose powers were to emulate a vampire's powers, what race & class would that be?

A dhampir enchanter or mesmerist. Maybe a sorcerer with the undead bloodline who focuses on enchantment magic.

If it were to be a non dhampir race, which would you use?


What do you think of Peter Parker's change from underpaid photographer to CEO of Parker Industries... owner of the former HQ of the Fantastic Four... the Baxter Building?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Drahliana Moonrunner wrote:
What do you think of Peter Parker's change from underpaid photographer to CEO of Parker Industries... owner of the former HQ of the Fantastic Four... the Baxter Building?

Don't really think of it at all. I'm not super into Spiderman, really.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

The Fiend Fantastic wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

:

Mr. Jacobs,

If you would make a PC whose powers were to emulate a vampire's powers, what race & class would that be?

A dhampir enchanter or mesmerist. Maybe a sorcerer with the undead bloodline who focuses on enchantment magic.

If it were to be a non dhampir race, which would you use?

Ummm... I guess human? Not really sure what the point of "not a dhampir" is at all, at that point I might not even make the character. Shrug.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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SCKnightHero1 wrote:

Awhile back you said that kitsune and humans can have children together. If the father is a kitsune and the mother a human, will the children be kitsune as well?

Also, I noticed that in Bestiary 3, I noticed that on the picture of the kitsune, she has tattoos on her legs and she has hair. I thought I read somewhere on the messageboards here that kitsune didn't have humanlike hair in their true forms and is it even possible for a kitsune to have tattoos since they're covered in fur?

Just curious here.

And what is Ameiko's height and weight (I can ask you her weight since it would be rude to ask her myself ;) )?

Since most oni are vulnerable to acid, why isn't Sushien a holy corrosive katana?

Is it true that Daikitsu and Nalinivati are lovers (from time to time I'm guessing)?

How is Shelyn worship in the Dragon Empires?

Where's the temple of Daikitsu in Kasi, the capital of Minaki?

What's your favorite type of off the wall question?

The child would likely be a kitsune, yes. But it could go either way, depending on the story you prefer to tell.

Kitsune are in Bestiary 4, but in any event, it's possible to have tattoos under your fur. Whether or not the kitsune in that illustration is wearing pants with a design or has a dyed mark on her leg fur is unclear by the art to me though, but it's one of those two, not a "tattoo on fur."

I"ve never really bothered to nail down Ameiko's exact height and weight. She's probably about 5' 8" I guess, and whatever sort of weight makes sense for a limber young adult to weigh at that height.

Oni aren't "vulnerable" to acid; it just turns off their regeneration. I didn't make Suishen a corrosive weapon because my design philosophy is to not overcomplicate, and while the concept of a corrosive weapon is not that outlandish, it's not a concept in the core rules, and so by not including something like that in the new weapon's stats I keep folks from having to open one more book just to run the weapon in play. And I feel Suishen is plenty powerful as-is.

Unrevealed, but that's certainly one rumor!

Dunno off the top of my head.

Questions about my interests outside of gaming, I guess?


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

So, aside from Bone Tomahawk (which I evangelize for, but which exactly two other people I know of, counting you, have actually watched and enjoyed) are there any other "horror westerns" you particularly like? Things like The Burrowers, Dead Birds, arguably Ravenous...

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Cole Deschain wrote:
So, aside from Bone Tomahawk (which I evangelize for, but which exactly two other people I know of, counting you, have actually watched and enjoyed) are there any other "horror westerns" you particularly like? Things like The Burrowers, Dead Birds, arguably Ravenous...

Bone Tomahawk has been making the rounds at Paizo. More and more folks are seeing it around these parts.

The ones you mention are great examples of horror westerns. I suppose "Near Dark" might qualify, although it's modern. I actually can't think of any others, but wish I could!


Where can I find this Bone Tomahawk?

Btw, James, spot on with the assessment that season two of Fargo is better than the first, only seen the first couple episodes, but man, is it spectacular!


I have seen Bone Tomahawk and agree it a good movie.

Have you seen the movies Night Watch and the second part Day Watch? If so what did you think of them?

Read any good books lately?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

captain yesterday wrote:

Where can I find this Bone Tomahawk?

Btw, James, spot on with the assessment that season two of Fargo is better than the first, only seen the first couple episodes, but man, is it spectacular!

I watched it via physical disk from Netflix, and then bought a physical copy from Amazon soon as I was done with the former. But now it's also available from Amazon instant video, and it's free if you're an Amazon Prime member I believe.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

John Kretzer wrote:

I have seen Bone Tomahawk and agree it a good movie.

Have you seen the movies Night Watch and the second part Day Watch? If so what did you think of them?

Read any good books lately?

I've seen both of those movies. Night Watch was okay but disjointed and awkward. Day Watch was just bad. Overall didn't really like either one.

I'm almost to the 3rd book in the Southern Reach trilogy and they're VERY excellent. The Expanse is probably going to be the next series I try out.


The Southern Reach trilogy is great.

What's your favorite moment so far?

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Zhangar wrote:

The Southern Reach trilogy is great.

What's your favorite moment so far?

The transition between the 1st and 2nd books was pretty cool. Also quite liked how ...

Spoiler:
the author handled Control's viewing of the video for the first expedition. VERY creepy!

Contributor

What kind of sports do kids play on Golarion? My telekineticist is 14 and I feel like he'd be into sportsy stuff.

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Alexander Augunas wrote:
What kind of sports do kids play on Golarion? My telekineticist is 14 and I feel like he'd be into sportsy stuff.

That depends entirely on the nation and region in question. Five sports that are relatively common throughout most of the Inner Sea Region though would be:

Races (be they foot races or horseback or parkour or whatever)

Fighting (be it boxing or jousting or archery or wrestling gladiatorial stuff or exhibition battles or whatever)

Field Ball games (highly regionalized rules but generally team-based on a field, and not always with balls—see blood pig from "Escape from Old Korvosa")

Small-scale Ball Games (things like olde-tyme golf like games or bowling that doesn't require a large field and don't involve being on a team; these are also highly regionalized)

Gymnastics or dancing or other forms of grace-themed social displays of agility and skill


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James Jacobs wrote:
I decided on Barzillai Thrune as the main bad guy because I wanted a character who was equal parts Thrune (government) and worshiper of Asmodeus (church), then took a lot of inspiration for certain elements of his character from a lot of current events. Also... I'm really tired of a certain video game character look, and wanted to see one who fits into that appearance be cast not as a hero of a game but as the irredeemable villain.

Why is that look popular among video game protagonists?


Why aren't you a fan of the sideways ears for elves?

Will we get articles on the Dragon Empires deities like the Inner Sea deities? I.e. The article in Night of Frozen Shadows on Shelyn

I've heard from several people that Pathfinder is designed to punish players for multiclassing. Is this true?

What's your opinion on optimizing characters? Do you think it can get out of hand?

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AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
I decided on Barzillai Thrune as the main bad guy because I wanted a character who was equal parts Thrune (government) and worshiper of Asmodeus (church), then took a lot of inspiration for certain elements of his character from a lot of current events. Also... I'm really tired of a certain video game character look, and wanted to see one who fits into that appearance be cast not as a hero of a game but as the irredeemable villain.
Why is that look popular among video game protagonists?

One element, if I had to guess, was laziness; it's easier to animate a bald or very short haircut than it is long hair. Another element, if I had to guess further, is a timidity and fear among many video game studios to risk something other than the same old look on the same old character.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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SCKnightHero1 wrote:

Why aren't you a fan of the sideways ears for elves?

Will we get articles on the Dragon Empires deities like the Inner Sea deities? I.e. The article in Night of Frozen Shadows on Shelyn

I've heard from several people that Pathfinder is designed to punish players for multiclassing. Is this true?

What's your opinion on optimizing characters? Do you think it can get out of hand?

I actually am a fan of sideways ears; I love that look. But it's not the look we decided on for Pathfinder elves. Mostly because at the time it was, for me, to identifiable as a Warcraft elf trait, but also because the sideways ears is something that folks tend to make fun of and I didn't want to give the internet the ammuntion.

No plans to do any articles on Dragon Empires deities anytime soon, but perhaps some day.

One of the design goals of Pathfinder was to make sticking with a single class to 20th level more attractive than it was in 3.5, and to limit the "level dip" stunt where you simply take 1 level in a class because you get most of the good things at that 1st level. Those were not intended to "punish multiclassing" but I suppose I can see how reactionary folks might take it that way.

I think character optimization almost ALWAYS gets out of hand. I much prefer organic growth of characters through actual game play. I'm okay with optimizing NPCs for encounters, but PCs? Not as big a fan, because it turns the game into an arms race between players, and that's not the game I like playing.


AlgaeNymph wrote:
Why is that look popular among video game protagonists?

Subtle brainwashing. ;)

How's your weekend so far, mr Jacobs?


Dear JJ.

Fast Healing evolution and syntesist. a ruling on which if any effect it will have.

1. Both get fast healing and can benefit from it.
2. Both get fast healing and only one can benefit at a time.
3. Both get fast healing but only summoner can benefit as eidolons hp are temporary.
4. no effect.

Thanks.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

The Fiend Fantastic wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
Why is that look popular among video game protagonists?

Subtle brainwashing. ;)

How's your weekend so far, mr Jacobs?

Good so far. Had the last personal trainer session at the gym this morning, got freelance for Pathfinder #111 done, watched the Golden State Warriors keep their home game streak just barely, played some Dark Souls II and some Until Dawn and some Bloodborne, and now thinking about heading to bed soon. Tomorrow we'll be going to see "Hail Caesar" at the fancy theater so that's gonna be fun!

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Jecht wrote:

Dear JJ.

Fast Healing evolution and syntesist. a ruling on which if any effect it will have.

1. Both get fast healing and can benefit from it.
2. Both get fast healing and only one can benefit at a time.
3. Both get fast healing but only summoner can benefit as eidolons hp are temporary.
4. no effect.

Thanks.

I don't do rulings here.

You'll need to either ask this question in the rules forum (so folks can FAQ it and so the designers will see it) or in the PFS forum if you're asking about PFS stuff.

Although I still think your GM should be the first go-to for rulings.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:
The Fiend Fantastic wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
Why is that look popular among video game protagonists?

Subtle brainwashing. ;)

How's your weekend so far, mr Jacobs?

Good so far. Had the last personal trainer session at the gym this morning, got freelance for Pathfinder #111 done, watched the Golden State Warriors keep their home game streak just barely, played some Dark Souls II and some Until Dawn and some Bloodborne, and now thinking about heading to bed soon. Tomorrow we'll be going to see "Hail Caesar" at the fancy theater so that's gonna be fun!

Ooo, have you played any of the Lost Crowns Trilogy for Dark Souls II?

What do you think of Until Dawn?

What's your progress in Bloodborne now?

How do you feel about Miyazki changing his statement on Dark Souls III from it being a turning point in the series, to being the series finale?

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