Creative Director
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Eh, probably as good an explanation as any, but based on both mythos and the fact that he only grants 4 domains, I'm not completely buying that he's actually an Outer God.I've got a couple questions: What was the decision behind making Cthulhu a higher CR than Hastur? I understand the difference between 29 and 30 isn't much, and an adventuring party won't survive either, but I always felt Hastur to be more powerful than Cthulhu, from what I know of the mythos. I understand it may not have been your decision, but I assume you might know the process that lead to it.They do note that that avatar, the King in Yellow, may actually be an avatar of an Outer God named Hastur, or something to that effect...
The AVATAR only grants 4 domains, if you want to look at it that way.
Just sayin'.
And going to the mythos sources... he very much IS on par with an outer god until August Derleth got ahold of him. IN fact, the story in which he was invented by Ambrose Bierce explicitly calls him a god of the shepherds, I believe.
5) Yes, but she rebuffed that attack and Hell decided to cut its losses. They didn't want barghests anyway.
6) None so public or notorious. Yet. (Emphasis added)
1) Huh. I hadn't though about it, but that means barghests are lawful evil outsiders that hail from the Abyss, correct? They hailed from Hell prior to Lamashtu transplanting that realm?
2) That "Yet" is interesting. Is that more in terms of past crimes by Lamashtu that are yet to be revealed, or terrible deeds that Lamashtu has yet to commit?
3) Has Nocticula had any attempted kills where she had to let the intended demon lord victim get away?
4) Does Nocticula have any attempted kills where she deliberately let the intended demon lord victim get away?
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Creative Director
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5) Yes, but she rebuffed that attack and Hell decided to cut its losses. They didn't want barghests anyway.
6) None so public or notorious. Yet. (Emphasis added)
1) Huh. I hadn't though about it, but that means barghests are lawful evil outsiders that hail from the Abyss, correct? They hailed from Hell prior to Lamashtu transplanting that realm?
2) That "Yet" is interesting. Is that more in terms of past crimes by Lamashtu that are yet to be revealed, or terrible deeds that Lamashtu has yet to commit?
3) Has Nocticula had any attempted kills where she had to let the intended demon lord victim get away?
4) Does Nocticula have any attempted kills where she deliberately let the intended demon lord victim get away?
1) They live on the Abyss, but they're not FROM the Abyss. Their realm of Basylfeyst is a pretty unusual Abyssal realm in that regard.
2) That "yet" is just me leaving some doors open for the future is all.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.
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Hey james! Will we see more being done with Dragons? We have seen them in AP's & a bit of lore, but i'm curious if Dragons will play a bigger part of Golarion in the future. Would like to see/ know more about the dragon gods, followers or cults, & see them affect more areas or history. Pathfinder is a human-centric campaign I know. I just miss seeing dragons being bigger players in a campaign setting i guess. Thanks!
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Then the answer is obvious. Just play one of those two words. But frankly, I don't see how the practice of mashing 2 words togetehr to make a character concept could be thought of as rut... unless you're saying you ONLY play religious warriors or archeologist wizards... in which case, try some of these (some of which have more than 2 words, I admit):
Roll 1d12!
1 Introspective know-it-all barbarian
2 half-mad oracle
3 snake-charming bard
4 druid with a heart of gold
5 merecenary trapbreaker
6 haunted scout
7 unusually short human sorcerer
8 fire witch
9 undead apologist/redeemer
10 big-game-hunting monk
11 exiled small-town-guard
12 beautiful and flirty wizard
1d12, ROLL OUT!
Hmmm...big-game-hunting monk, eh? That'll be interesting. Thanks for the ideas, James! Mind if I keep the list for future use?
Sure... if that's what their creator wants? I feel like I'm missing some sort of pop culture reference here though...
I'm not sure either, I'm asking on behalf of someone who's not on these boards.
What is the biggest single thing regarding either the setting or the rules you've changed your mind about since the Pathfinder RPG first came out?That today I'm more interested in building new content for Golarion than building on the content of intellectual properties of other companies. I'd rather write about Cyth-V'sug than I would about Orcus, for example.
Thank you, thank you, thank you James! I'm SO happy to hear this! I love watching Golarion live and grow. I love experiencing new ideas and imagery. It's what drew me to the setting to begin with and that I feel has been lost over time to recycling old ideas and imagery from past settings.I don't know if that's what you intended with your answer, but anything new is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Hi James,
Just read your response where you indicated you had your gallbladder removed. Just wanted to wish you a swift and non complicated recovery.
Ouch! Been there/done that with the gallbladder. But the stomach pain will be gone and you will feel better once you heal up from the surgery. Heal and be well.
Just catching up this morning and read about your surgery. Speedy recovery and +1 on less abdominal pain!
Did you play the DLCs for Dragon Age 2, Legacy and Mark of the Assassin?
What are your feelings on paid DLC?
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Creative Director
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Hey james! Will we see more being done with Dragons? We have seen them in AP's & a bit of lore, but i'm curious if Dragons will play a bigger part of Golarion in the future. Would like to see/ know more about the dragon gods, followers or cults, & see them affect more areas or history. Pathfinder is a human-centric campaign I know. I just miss seeing dragons being bigger players in a campaign setting i guess. Thanks!
Did you pick up "Dragons Unleashed"?
Or "The Dragon's Demand"?
We'll continue doing things with dragons in the future in any case.
Dear James,
Do multiple castings of Resist Energy work well together when applied towards different energy types?
Or does that fall under the "Same Spell with Different Effects" rule?
Hmmm...big-game-hunting monk, eh? That'll be interesting. Thanks for the ideas, James! Mind if I keep the list for future use?Not at all... they're all yours!
Enjoy the big game hunting monk! Remember: Pith helmets aren't armor! :-)
They are a controversial new magic item in Magical Marketplace. however!
I've got a couple questions: What was the decision behind making Cthulhu a higher CR than Hastur? I understand the difference between 29 and 30 isn't much, and an adventuring party won't survive either, but I always felt Hastur to be more powerful than Cthulhu, from what I know of the mythos. I understand it may not have been your decision, but I assume you might know the process that lead to it.
Secondly, is there any location in Golarion that you want to set an AP, but for one reason or the other haven't been able to yet?
The decision was twofold:
1) Popularity: Cthulhu is better-known, and is on the cover of the book, so setting him at 30 made sense.
2) Misdirection: Re-read Hastur's entry, and you'll see that the stats presented are in fact for the King in Yellow, and that we hedge our bets a bit there by implying that the actual Hastur is even MORE powerful. I see Hastur as a sort of "bridge" between the categories of Great Old One and Outer God. The power of Hastur has always been the mystery behind the name, and by statting him up as the King in Yellow but saying in print something to the effect of "He's probably not even this; this is probably just his avatar" leaves the door wide open.
Secondly? Yes indeed. We'll get to them all eventually though.
You used Hastur's name three times in that post...
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Hmmm...big-game-hunting monk, eh? That'll be interesting.
This monk must be named Jim Fowler.
Marlon Perkins - "While Jim is wrestling with the mighty anaconda, I'm safe back here in the van..."
That aside, a Monk who studies the fighting techniques of animals to develop their abilities would be neat. Runs with the cheetah, strikes with the speed and deadly strength of the lion, leaps like the gazelle, paralyzes you with a strike like the cobra...
1) Will we ever see a powerful Azlanti who isn't a Wizard?
2) Will we ever see a non-caster BBEG that doesn't need a big army to assist him/her/it in the final fight?
1a) +2a) 25 PB Azlanti Monk, when?
3) Cooking/Food based Spells/Items/Class (kinda like the Alchemist, but with food)?
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So, how do you feel about tortoiseshells?
I meant this tortoiseshell.
Would a kobold with his tail cut off be mechanically different from a kobold who still had it? Beyond the Prehensile Tail trait and the Tail Terror stuff.
In addition, is there a way for kobolds/dragons/other reptilian beasties to visibly scar? A character I had in mind had acid poured over him before being whipped.
Yeah, my kobold monk doesn't have a particularly pleasant background.
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You used Hastur's name three times in that post...I've got a couple questions: What was the decision behind making Cthulhu a higher CR than Hastur? I understand the difference between 29 and 30 isn't much, and an adventuring party won't survive either, but I always felt Hastur to be more powerful than Cthulhu, from what I know of the mythos. I understand it may not have been your decision, but I assume you might know the process that lead to it.
Secondly, is there any location in Golarion that you want to set an AP, but for one reason or the other haven't been able to yet?
The decision was twofold:
1) Popularity: Cthulhu is better-known, and is on the cover of the book, so setting him at 30 made sense.
2) Misdirection: Re-read Hastur's entry, and you'll see that the stats presented are in fact for the King in Yellow, and that we hedge our bets a bit there by implying that the actual Hastur is even MORE powerful. I see Hastur as a sort of "bridge" between the categories of Great Old One and Outer God. The power of Hastur has always been the mystery behind the name, and by statting him up as the King in Yellow but saying in print something to the effect of "He's probably not even this; this is probably just his avatar" leaves the door wide open.
Secondly? Yes indeed. We'll get to them all eventually though.
Yeeks! Is there a bed nearby I can hide under?
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Hey James,
If you get lonely for your gallbladder this is a cuddly replacement.
Are Dispater, Nocticula, and Charon holders of portions of the separated Book of the Damned like the covers in the Book of the Damned series seem to indicate?
Damn, y'know, I never actually noticed that until now. Good catch.
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Creative Director
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Thanks for the well-wishes for my gallbladder surgery recovery. It's coming along... slowly but surely! At least I'm gonna get more caught upon my Netflix viewing!
AND: Doing my best to avoid reading gallbladder surgery horror stories on the internet late at night!
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Creative Director
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Dear James,
Do multiple castings of Resist Energy work well together when applied towards different energy types?
Or does that fall under the "Same Spell with Different Effects" rule?
Resist energy works fine together as long as each casting provides resistance to a different energy. They don't stack, but fire resistance isn't the same as cold resistance and so on.
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Creative Director
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They are a controversial new magic item in Magical Marketplace. however!Hmmm...big-game-hunting monk, eh? That'll be interesting. Thanks for the ideas, James! Mind if I keep the list for future use?Not at all... they're all yours!
Enjoy the big game hunting monk! Remember: Pith helmets aren't armor! :-)
Not seeing a question in there...
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Creative Director
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You used Hastur's name three times in that post...I've got a couple questions: What was the decision behind making Cthulhu a higher CR than Hastur? I understand the difference between 29 and 30 isn't much, and an adventuring party won't survive either, but I always felt Hastur to be more powerful than Cthulhu, from what I know of the mythos. I understand it may not have been your decision, but I assume you might know the process that lead to it.
Secondly, is there any location in Golarion that you want to set an AP, but for one reason or the other haven't been able to yet?
The decision was twofold:
1) Popularity: Cthulhu is better-known, and is on the cover of the book, so setting him at 30 made sense.
2) Misdirection: Re-read Hastur's entry, and you'll see that the stats presented are in fact for the King in Yellow, and that we hedge our bets a bit there by implying that the actual Hastur is even MORE powerful. I see Hastur as a sort of "bridge" between the categories of Great Old One and Outer God. The power of Hastur has always been the mystery behind the name, and by statting him up as the King in Yellow but saying in print something to the effect of "He's probably not even this; this is probably just his avatar" leaves the door wide open.
Secondly? Yes indeed. We'll get to them all eventually though.
I sure did!
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Creative Director
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1) Will we ever see a powerful Azlanti who isn't a Wizard?
2) Will we ever see a non-caster BBEG that doesn't need a big army to assist him/her/it in the final fight?
1a) +2a) 25 PB Azlanti Monk, when?
3) Cooking/Food based Spells/Items/Class (kinda like the Alchemist, but with food)?
1) Yes.
2)
1a) + 2a) Dunno
3) We do those now and then, but not often. This type of item is more appropriate for MMORPGs really.
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Creative Director
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So, how do you feel about tortoiseshells?I meant this tortoiseshell.
CUTE!
Had a tortoiseshell cat back in High School. Her name was Newt. I went to college and left her at home, and she went the way of most rural cats... vanished one day and never came back. I like to think a mountain lion got her, since that's kinda extreme. She was a good cat! Super soft and cuddly.
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Creative Director
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Would a kobold with his tail cut off be mechanically different from a kobold who still had it? Beyond the Prehensile Tail trait and the Tail Terror stuff.
In addition, is there a way for kobolds/dragons/other reptilian beasties to visibly scar? A character I had in mind had acid poured over him before being whipped.
Yeah, my kobold monk doesn't have a particularly pleasant background.
Nope; kobolds gain no mechanical benefit from their tails, and thus wouldn't change, stats wise, if they lose a tail, apart from no longer qualifying for tail-based feats or tail-based jewelry.
Yes, they can scar the same way anyone else can scar if you want them to. Particularly since I don't believe we've established kobolds as skin shedders like snakes or lizards...
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Creative Director
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Hey James,
If you get lonely for your gallbladder this is a cuddly replacement.
DON'T TRUST IT! IT JUST WANTS TO HURT YOU!!!!
Are Dispater, Nocticula, and Charon holders of portions of the separated Book of the Damned like the covers in the Book of the Damned series seem to indicate?Nope. They're just the favorite cover folks for each of their races for us at Paizo.
Aww man, you had an awesome chance there to fuel a crazy cool conspiracy amongst outsiders ;)
I'm still rolling with this idea in my home game :D
Also, a real question. Would you consider an avatar of a god as CR 30?
Hi James!
Since you designed the bard and the alchemist I thought I might ask you if Inspire Courage add to the alchemist’s bomb damage.
Edited twice for clarity:
One FAQ says you can take Weapon Specialization and Improved Critical for Bomb (or Ray).
Another FAQ (on Rays) says Rays count as weapons for the purpose of spells and effects like inspire Courage, but no information on inspire Courage and Bombs.
My gut feeling says inspire Courage should affect Bomb damage, but not the Splash damage. How do you play it?
BTW, I hope you diet works fine. Me and my girlfriend's diet starts within two weeks.
What kind of diet are you on?
So what movies have you seen recently?
1) Will we ever see a powerful Azlanti who isn't a Wizard?I don't think Savith was a wizard, was she?
(Also, stats for Savith when? Anybody badass and mythic enough to decapitate a god like she did deserves a statblock somewhere.)
I know it's not a democracy, but...+1 to seeing Savith's stat block :)
Hope you're feeling ok after your surgery, James! And to not neglect the purpose of this thread:
1) Do you think artificial intelligence will ever be able to create programs/robots with true consciousness or is that solely a human quality to you?
Sorry if that's a heavy question to answer while you're sick! Hope you feel better soon :)
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Creative Director
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1) Will we ever see a powerful Azlanti who isn't a Wizard?I don't think Savith was a wizard, was she?
(Also, stats for Savith when? Anybody badass and mythic enough to decapitate a god like she did deserves a statblock somewhere.)
Savith was a fighter, I believe. And there are no plans to stat her up since she's been dead for over ten thousand years.
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Creative Director
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Hi James!
Since you designed the bard and the alchemist I thought I might ask you if Inspire Courage add to the alchemist’s bomb damage.Edited twice for clarity:
One FAQ says you can take Weapon Specialization and Improved Critical for Bomb (or Ray).
Another FAQ (on Rays) says Rays count as weapons for the purpose of spells and effects like inspire Courage, but no information on inspire Courage and Bombs.
My gut feeling says inspire Courage should affect Bomb damage, but not the Splash damage. How do you play it?
BTW, I hope you diet works fine. Me and my girlfriend's diet starts within two weeks.
What kind of diet are you on?
I provided the first build of the alchemist but what ended up in print was the end result of playtesting and many rounds of re-design. Same with the gunslinger. For the bard, I only provided a LOT of requests and feedback to the design team on how to revise it—I didn't design that one at all.
In any event, the FAQ is where you need to go for these answers (or posts to the rules boards if the FAQ isn't yet up for them).
In my games, Inspire courage gives you a bonus to hit with all attacks, be they weapons or rays or bombs or whatever, but ONLY gives a bonus to weapon damage. Not to rays or bombs. Bombs do plenty of damage already. They don't need help.
The diet I'm (not currently on until I fully recover from having my gallbladder out) is the Ideal Protein diet.
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Creative Director
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1) How long do genies generally live? Indefinitely until killed, or is there a finite lifespan, whether human length or much longer? And given jann are native outsiders, do they differ in this regard?
2) Out of curiosity, was there a particular demon lord (or demon?) who was the first to create retrievers and warmonger wasps? It's kind of interesting to imagine some sort of would-be counterpoint to Lamashtu, trying to create new abyssal constructs in the same way she seeks to birth forth more horrible monsters...but I'm probably putting too much thought into that.
3) Do drakainias have any particular relationship with Lamashtu, now that I think of it? They seem pretty much right up her ally, given whole mother of monsters thing...
1) They live forever, unless killed by violence or sickness or misadventure or whatever.
2) Haagenti, I believe, created the first retrievers, but I could be wrong. I'm pretty sure I say who the first there was in Lords of Chaos. Deskari created the first warmongers.
3) They probably do... ESPECIALLY if they're chaotic evil... but they're pretty new and pretty powerful and as such no one has yet done much work to contextualize them in Golarion.