Announcing Bestiary 4!

Does Cthulhu eat 1d4 player characters per round?

Kinda, yeah. You'll see.

Does this mean you've fixed the grapple rules, so that grapplers with multiple large tentacles aren't limited to to using their standard action every turn, to hold one opponent?

There might be some monsters that grapple more effectively than that in the book. Depending on what the developers like :)

James Jacobs wrote:

Axial wrote:

Does Cthulhu eat 1d4 player characters per round?

Kinda, yeah. You'll see.

Uh oh...

In terms of general gameplay mechanics, how much worse is is he compared to the CR 20 Star-Spawn from Wake of the Watcher? If a non-mythic party tries to go up against him, do they end up like PCs from Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu?

Worse enough that a 20th level party will get crushed, driven insane, ruined, and killed. Not necessarily in that order.

So, is a license from Chaosium required to use Cthulhu and the Mythos creatures, since they own the trademarks for names and likeness? (Not to be confused with copyright of the HPL works themselves and the public domain.) This question has been popping up ever since this started making the rounds? Just curious.

I can't wait for this book.

Body snatchers, I thought these were copy righted?

Like...
Outer Dragons, Kaiju, Leanen Sidhe, Drakes, Gremlins, Grendel, Formians, Great Old Ones, Guardian Dragon, Nosferatu, Almiraj, Argus, Einherjar, Nightguants, Body Snatchers, Clockworks, Tooth Fairies, Mummified, and Divine Guardian

Dislikes...
Demon Lords, and Psychopomps

Every Bestiary has included a small percentage of monsters that debuted in Adventure Paths; this one is no exception.

This explains why my AP Bestiary binder continues to grow despite my culling of monsters that graduated into the Bestiary hardcovers.

What exactly are Outer Dragons?

I'm not sure if this will push people over the edge in excitement, but Frog God Games mentioned a few weeks ago that volume 4 of "The Tome of Horrors" is being published late this summer.

I'm looking forward to all the new TPK options this year!

More then likely the new 5 "true dragons" like chromatics, metalics, primals, and imperials.

So, is a license from Chaosium required to use Cthulhu and the Mythos creatures, since they own the trademarks for names and likeness? (Not to be confused with copyright of the HPL works themselves and the public domain.) This question has been popping up ever since this started making the rounds? Just curious.

We've worked with Chaosium on a few similarly Lovecraftian projects in the past. Creatures they invented or hold the copyright on we've used with permission. Those that they don't own creative rights to, we're free to use. I'm not going to get into what deals we might or might not have worked out (as that's a bit of a give away when it comes to content) but rest assured we have no interest in infringing on any other company's copyrights--especially such a group of swell guys like our friends at Chaosium!

What exactly are Outer Dragons?

Something you've never seen before. ;)

We'll definitely be previewing these guys in advance of the book's release, so stay turned!

Ya know, it's weird. I actually use very few "monsters" in my games, preferring the BBEGs to be characters with levels. But I love collecting monster books! I'm very excited about this one!

would be new celestials in this bestiary?

*does Snoopy dance* Are you saying that I get 3 new bestiaries this year?
One from you, one from Alluria Publishing for their Cerulean Seas campaign setting (shameless plug), and if Brutal Ben is correct another Tome of Horrors? I need a sedative!

would be new celestials in this bestiary?

I second that question! Agathions and Azatas mayhap? They are somewhat under represented.

Ooh, pickled punks! :)

1. Will there be race creation costs for the abilities of the new pc races?

2. Will we be able to redeem Cthulhu from the dark side?

3. Will there be mythic muskrats?

Your use of words such as redeem and dark side imply a moral and ethical axis, as well as a basic understanding of the other sides logic and reasoning. Great Old Ones don't swing that way. In the slightest :3

Ooh, pickled punks! :)

Me thinks you might know a thing or two about those Mr. Mangrum.

You just yell if a past life of yours ever wants to do some writing. ;)

Nicos wrote:

would be new celestials in this bestiary?

I second that question! Agathions and Azatas mayhap? They are somewhat under represented.

Can't say! But I do know there's a bunch about them in Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Chronicle of the Righteous. Do with that info what you will. ;)

1. Will there be race creation costs for the abilities of the new pc races?

2. Will we be able to redeem Cthulhu from the dark side?

3. Will there be mythic muskrats?

A definite maybe to all three.

Man I do hope to see some more Asuras in this. I've been digging them alot in my home game.

Are there more Tane in this book?

I'm wondering if the Divine Guardian is going to be an update of the Advanced Bestiary version or something entirely different.

Among many other things I'm wondering about regarding this book now. :)

What coudl those new player races be...

I'm wondering if the Divine Guardian is going to be an update of the Advanced Bestiary version or something entirely different.

Among many other things I'm wondering about regarding this book now. :)

What coudl those new player races be...

A long ago outcast tribe of orcs who turned to ways of peace and nature so that it flows through them and their descendants inseparable, becoming a race all together an avatar to nature, altogether something else :3

Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to answer that question. Really looking forward to the new material. :)

IronHelixx wrote:

So, is a license from Chaosium required to use Cthulhu and the Mythos creatures, since they own the trademarks for names and likeness? (Not to be confused with copyright of the HPL works themselves and the public domain.) This question has been popping up ever since this started making the rounds? Just curious.

We've worked with Chaosium on a few similarly Lovecraftian projects in the past. Creatures they invented or hold the copyright on we've used with permission. Those that they don't own creative rights to, we're free to use. I'm not going to get into what deals we might or might not have worked out (as that's a bit of a give away when it comes to content) but rest assured we have no interest in infringing on any other company's copyrights--especially such a group of swell guys like our friends at Chaosium!

Odraude wrote:

What exactly are Outer Dragons?

Something you've never seen before. ;)

We'll definitely be previewing these guys in advance of the book's release, so stay turned!

Hmm... why am I thinking dragons with tentacly bits?

F. Wesley Schneider wrote:

Odraude wrote:

What exactly are Outer Dragons?

Something you've never seen before. ;)

We'll definitely be previewing these guys in advance of the book's release, so stay turned!

Hmm... why am I thinking dragons with tentacly bits?

That's a somewhat disconcerting thought.

I see that the elohim are mentioned as a race. Am I correct in presuming that they may be inspired/connected to the Elohim race in the Chonicles of Thomas Covenant as opposed to a more religious approach?

I see that the elohim are mentioned as a race. Am I correct in presuming that they may be inspired/connected to the Elohim race in the Chonicles of Thomas Covenant as opposed to a more religious approach?

To the contrary. Though now Mr. Covenant is on my reading list. ;)

Again! Bestiaries are Educational!

IronHelixx wrote:

So, is a license from Chaosium required to use Cthulhu and the Mythos creatures, since they own the trademarks for names and likeness? (Not to be confused with copyright of the HPL works themselves and the public domain.) This question has been popping up ever since this started making the rounds? Just curious.

We've worked with Chaosium on a few similarly Lovecraftian projects in the past. Creatures they invented or hold the copyright on we've used with permission. Those that they don't own creative rights to, we're free to use. I'm not going to get into what deals we might or might not have worked out (as that's a bit of a give away when it comes to content) but rest assured we have no interest in infringing on any other company's copyrights--especially such a group of swell guys like our friends at Chaosium!

And beyond that... the Great Old Ones we're using in this book are all in the public domain anyway. But still... staying good buddies with Chaosium is worth it!

1. Will there be race creation costs for the abilities of the new pc races?

2. Will we be able to redeem Cthulhu from the dark side?

3. Will there be mythic muskrats?

Maybe

No

Nope.

Mead Gregorisson wrote:

1. Will there be race creation costs for the abilities of the new pc races?

2. Will we be able to redeem Cthulhu from the dark side?

3. Will there be mythic muskrats?

A definite maybe to all three.

NO to 2! Cthulhu's too bad to be good!

I think everyone is also skipping over the invasion of the bodysnatchers.... that right there is quite interesting.

Mead Gregorisson wrote:

1. Will there be race creation costs for the abilities of the new pc races?

2. Will we be able to redeem Cthulhu from the dark side?

3. Will there be mythic muskrats?

Maybe

No

Nope.

Heh, thanks... #1 was the only serious one anyway. But, assuming Cthulhu can Summon Good Monsters, I say it should be possible. ;)

Pickled punks? really? D: You guys are deranged and I love it.

I'm specifically excited about:

Pickled punks, fleshwarps, gallowdead, psychopomps, bodysnatchers, Grendel, nightgaunts, and the shadow template.

I'm also excited about Lord Dead Cthulhu, Sleeping In His House at R'lyeh, Waiting, Dreaming, but that goes without saying :D

Does this mean that we will not get an NPC Codex 2? Or is it likely that it will just come out in 2014?

Patience, my friend :)

Oh goody!

I now have a use for that Cthulhu model I got from the Horror Clix line from Wiz Kids! Thank you James Jacobs for tipping me off about that monstrosity. My players will be cursing your name and mine of course.

"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!"

-Strange Doc

As Kaiju is a Japanese word the plural would be kaiju. Just like the plural of ninja is ninja, or samurai is samurai.

So far I like: Nightgaunt, Leanan Sidhe, Grendel, Argus, Formian, Tooth Fairy, Almiraj (I do hope it isn't the Tome of Horror version but more based on the real blood hungry monster), Blood Golem (rather saw a blood ooze, but blood golems are good too, as long as they aren't like the D&D one with iron on it...), Karkinoi (which are probably some crab-folk) Einherjar and Bodysnatchers.

Finally Argus and Formian can be scraped from my wish list.

Now if only some of my other big favorites can be scrapped away.

Questions, Questions:

- Is the Almiraj a 100% copy of the Tome of Horrors version? I do not hope so because the real-world legend is much more feral and bloodthirsty.

- Are Outer Dragons constructs or real dragons? Meteor Dragon please!

- I do hope the same artist that drew Girtablilu ends up drawing the artwork for Formians!

- Is this book holding most creatures from Carrion Crown AP? Cuz many creatures in the list remind me of those (Psychopomp and all the undead templates)

- Are asian creatures banned from this book because they got so many in bestiary 3? (Hope not! The best asian creatures are yet to be statted like Sickle Weasel, Nekomata and Namazu)

- Are Grendel and Argus unique creatures or are they just like Minotaurs and Medusa's?

- Are there dinosaurs and Megafauna in this book?

- What reason do you guys have to put in Almiraj and Tooth Fairies? What made you change your mind about those funny-creatures? Cuz I thought they were banned?

- Of all real world mythologies, why the rather unknown and strange-named Pickled Punks?

- James favorite not-yet-paizonized greek mythology monsters in this book? Echidna?

- Cherufe! Cherufe! Cherufe! Cherufe! The most famous left-out monsters as off yet.

This is a pickled punk, and after reading that, I can't wait to see what they do with it.

But that is not a mythological creature, its real.

I do think i'm gonna like it tho, think it will be pretty much like the Atropal, I only think of all not-paizonized-mythological creatures why name that thing :p

Also what is Slag? Does that mean some Jack-in-Irons like giant?

Well not everything in the bestiary is a mythological creature. Totenmaske is a good example of taking something in real life and using it to inspire a cool monster. Same thing with the Ecorche in the Bestiary 3 and the term écorché in artwork. You can make a lot of cool monsters with interesting concepts like that inspiring you.

Also read about the The Stone-Child of Sens. That'll send some shivers down your spine. It's rightfully creepy.

Also what is Slag? Does that mean some Jack-in-Irons like giant?

Slag is castoff metal, usually considered useless.

- What reason do you guys have to put in Almiraj and Tooth Fairies? What made you change your mind about those funny-creatures? Cuz I thought they were banned?

I wouldn't discount tooth faeries as "funny-creatures" D:

Sincubus wrote:

- What reason do you guys have to put in Almiraj and Tooth Fairies? What made you change your mind about those funny-creatures? Cuz I thought they were banned?

I wouldn't discount tooth faeries as "funny-creatures" D:

Tooth Fairy

I hope the tooth faeries end up like this ones.

IronHelixx wrote:

So, is a license from Chaosium required to use Cthulhu and the Mythos creatures, since they own the trademarks for names and likeness? (Not to be confused with copyright of the HPL works themselves and the public domain.) This question has been popping up ever since this started making the rounds? Just curious.

We've worked with Chaosium on a few similarly Lovecraftian projects in the past. Creatures they invented or hold the copyright on we've used with permission. Those that they don't own creative rights to, we're free to use. I'm not going to get into what deals we might or might not have worked out (as that's a bit of a give away when it comes to content) but rest assured we have no interest in infringing on any other company's copyrights--especially such a group of swell guys like our friends at Chaosium!

lol...any chance I'll ever see Maidenstone Archers again? ;)

All of it looks good to me! :)

Now if it had Coerul and Deep CRows... That would be awesome :-)