Meet the Iconics: Navasi

I recommend you take this talk to the Comrades. That said, I have friends and family members who strongly believe in this political philosophy, and they are far from stupid or immoral. You are insulting them, and I don't appreciate that. They believe in a philosophy you disagree with. That doesn't make them stupid, any more than it makes you stupid to disbelieve it. There are many arguments for and against communism, and this isn't the thread for you to derail complaining about it.

I guess it's just a weird coincidence that all communist societies have required secret police, political prisons, mass murders of the preceding political class, a certain degree of ongoing murders of dissidents, and sharp limits on emigration to even minimally function.

If you actually tried to name a communist nation that has done this, a dozen communists would emerge with arguments on where those nations went wrong, or how they weren't really communist, or the underlying factors (famine, war, US interference) that caused them to derail. Kinda like how when I point out that the USA did pretty much all of those things you name, you can argue that the USA simply fell short of the capitalist egalitarian dream. ;)

I point this out not to encourage argument, but to simply balance out the skew in perspectives (as you're taking quite a few potshots in here). If you really wanna hash it out, arrange a cage fight with Doodlebug Anklebiter. I'm just the milquetoast centrist scab. ;D

This has really gone far from talking about Navasi, the spacefaring envoy or really Starfinder at all. I don't think Navasi is an economist. Let's maybe try discussing the backstory we've been given. There's still plenty of cool stuff shown. We now know hovercycles exist in the starfinder universe. Holograms also seem to have some presence in the setting. If the Diaspora is frequented by space pirates, what might have become of the sarcesians who live/lived there?

I'll go explain to my grandpa that he was wrong his whole life, he didn't run for his life with only the clothes in his body from communism - You see grandpa, they weren't REALLY communists. Maybe he should've run from the fascists instead, then no one would try to justify his suffering.

EDIT: Y'know, I'm actually done derailing this thread. The further this goes, the more likely it is that the mods will have to scrub it. Suffice to say I disagree with your interpretations.

My question is how soon till the cloning vats can start shipping out copies to the local SFS chapter? Our current patch of fodder is rather outdated, and they don't seem to function well off planet (although to be fair some of them seemed to be pretty incompetent on planet as well).

I seem to remember purple and orange are complimentary colours - probably not a coincidence that all the decoration in her outfit seems to have that
I wonder if transhumanism will be represented in starfinder - human augmentation is represented in the technology guide, I wonder if any of the iconics will be cyborgs?

I really liked this backstory...sure it is a little cliche...but what story is Not?

I liked it because of the little glimpses it gives to the world of Starfinder. Really great example of world building.

I seem to remember purple and orange are complimentary colours - probably not a coincidence that all the decoration in her outfit seems to have that

I wonder if transhumanism will be represented in starfinder - human augmentation is represented in the technology guide, I wonder if any of the iconics will be cyborgs?

I would love to explore something like that but there havent been too many hints so far... we do have machines with souls and true AIs though so there is some possible link between organic and non organic life.

Cybernetics in some form have been confirmed, but accessibility, price, level of augmentation available, etc., all remain unknown.

I actually think the backstory is interesting. I have no issues with it all. I would applaud the diversity it represents, and it makes people feel included so much the better. If Paizo uses the Iconics for that then I would applaud them. I strictly though they were marketing tool. Never really gave them much thought. So, I guess was wrong about them if they make people feel included great, so much the better!

I have to be Dave2 though, Pretty please could we get preview of Personnel Combat in Blog like you did Starship Combat, I am Leaf in the Wind?

Dave2

Wei Ji the Learner wrote:

tries to sound out Weydan, and it keeps sounding 'Whedon' to him. Does FreeholdDM know?

...

sounds it out

...Hey...

Freehold DM, do you know what that means?

If you want to discuss the communism tangent, please take it to another thread.

A bit tropey, but hey, Starfinder is aiming for the pop scifi crowd, and what's tropier than Star Wars or Star Trek? I do like that although she lost her idealism a bit, she found it again - good change from most versions of that arc.

I did sigh a little bit that the girlfriend died, though. I get why you did it, but I tend to come to Pathfinder to ESCAPE stuff like the dead lesbians trope.

I don't know why people think she's carrying grenades. Those might just be a couple cans of soda.

Great job on the story! Really excited to read more about the iconics.

Pepsi cans are proven weapons in the diplomatic arsenal.

I don't know why people think she's carrying grenades. Those might just be a couple cans of soda.

Great job on the story! Really excited to read more about the iconics.

Ha!

Maybe Mountain Dew?

Ashanderai wrote:

Archmage Variel wrote:

Swashbuckles wrote:

Did anyone else notice Weydan kind of rhymes with Cayden? Just sayin'.

While not a core deity of Starfinder, according to James Sutter, Cayden is still alive. Although he did say that he might have passed out. You'd think a god would find a way around getting black out drunk. I can only assume this means that alcohol is more powerful than the gods. All hail beer, the greatest of the gods.

So, if we include Weydan, we now know that the Starfinder core 20 are:

1. Pharasma
2. Abadar
3. Iomedae
4. Sarenrae
5. Desna
6. Urgathoa
7. Zon-Kuthon
8. AI God (has the name been revealed yet?)
9. Weydan
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

So, we still don't know who 11 of the gods are yet, huh? But, we do know about Xenowardens (space druids), so I wonder what "nature god" they might worship since we know Gozreh didn't make it?

The A.I. god's name has, at least for now, been revealed as triune (although I haven't seen it spelled out and am only doing it as I would guess it would read in the english language). There also seemed to be some hinting that triune was comprised of multiple a.i., and that multiple races worked in conjunction in order to create it. It is also the reason we have access to the Drift.

Seeing at least one of the eponymous Iron Gods would be amazing; it could even potentially provide a link to Golarion's past.

On another note, how bardy are envoys? Is Navasi secretly an actress or yodeler or something?

Said it before, I'll say it again- I LOVE how all of her gear looks personalized.

Are all the LGBT iconics female so far? I haven't read that closely, but I know about the rogue, cleric, and shaman...

Archmage Variel wrote:

Ashanderai wrote:

Archmage Variel wrote:

Swashbuckles wrote:

Did anyone else notice Weydan kind of rhymes with Cayden? Just sayin'.

While not a core deity of Starfinder, according to James Sutter, Cayden is still alive. Although he did say that he might have passed out. You'd think a god would find a way around getting black out drunk. I can only assume this means that alcohol is more powerful than the gods. All hail beer, the greatest of the gods.

So, if we include Weydan, we now know that the Starfinder core 20 are:

1. Pharasma
2. Abadar
3. Iomedae
4. Sarenrae
5. Desna
6. Urgathoa
7. Zon-Kuthon
8. AI God (has the name been revealed yet?)
9. Weydan
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

So, we still don't know who 11 of the gods are yet, huh? But, we do know about Xenowardens (space druids), so I wonder what "nature god" they might worship since we know Gozreh didn't make it?

The A.I. god's name has, at least for now, been revealed as triune (although I haven't seen it spelled out and am only doing it as I would guess it would read in the english language). There also seemed to be some hinting that triune was comprised of multiple a.i., and that multiple races worked in conjunction in order to create it. It is also the reason we have access to the Drift.

Seeing at least one of the eponymous Iron Gods would be amazing; it could even potentially provide a link to Golarion's past.

On another note, how bardy are envoys? Is Navasi secretly an actress or yodeler or something?

I don't think Envoys will be Bard-like in flavor, but I do think their game mechanics will be. I am hoping they are more like the Mesmerist class, though, with de-buffs to whammy the enemy while you buff your allies. I am hoping their flavor is more political intrigue, diplomacy, and military commander than song and dance entertainer.

One thing of note: it seems like every sci-fi setting has the "Diaspora". I'm wondering what that looks like in Starfinder's setting?

Likewise, Navasi seems awesome and I really hope that's a divine gun. That would be sweet.

Are all the LGBT iconics female so far? I haven't read that closely, but I know about the rogue, cleric, and shaman...

Hi, have you met Seltyiel, the iconic magus?

Ah, yes, Seltyiel, the best representation money can buy. ;P

Settings offering a diaspora tend to have some hope and a lot of potential for exploring different areas. That plus space is big. Seems like a very appropriate choice for StarFinder.

Ascension, Limitless, Minority Report and Inception weren't really diasporas. I'm sure that I could come up with more examples given time.

I think Navasi's story is pretty good. As others have stated, it gives a good glimpse into the worlds she came from -- plural because she was significantly shaped by more than a single local. I look forward to seeing how the mechanics fits into the story background and vice versa.

Loving her history, especially everything we've learned about the world around her. Dying to know if the Sixth Finger is a Princess Bride reference, and can't wait to read the rules of hovercycles. Ooo, maybe racing could be a thing in Starfinder.

Big question is, which iconic will we see next?

Ah, yes, Seltyiel, the best representation money can buy. ;P

okay first of all

"The Diaspora" actually is the name of the asteroid belt in Golarion's solar system.

all I will say is that while I like the piece of art, the character doesnt do anything for me ....... but then again... neither have a good deal of other characters either...

I really liked this backstory...sure it is a little cliche...but what story is Not?

I kind of think it was intentionally genre-appropriate, instead of something so gonzo and out-there that it wouldn't really be 'representative' of any sci-fi character trope, and therefore be kind of useless as an 'iconic' anything.

I liked it because of the little glimpses it gives to the world of Starfinder. Really great example of world building.

Indeed! I hope all or most of the backstories drop some tantalizing hints as to the lore of the setting.

Actually, looking over the art again, She might have three regular pisotls, that or the artists at work on her have changed some details around between pieces.

As seen here she is maining a wood handled space-revolver. Maybe some some kind of super long holo-sight up top, an exposed accelerator coil and super long flash supresor on the barrel and then a... umm, extension/barrel shroud and bayonet piece underneath? all of that on a hammerless revolver. It must be freakishly heavy and unbalanced.... well, until you factor in some super tech piece to shift weapon mass and recoil impulses into a pocket dimension at least. She has this pistol in this piece which is used in three or so places but its all the same art added to different backgrounds, and this pistol also looks to be on the Core Rulebook where she has her archaic looking sword.

On the cover of First Contact and Incident at Absalom Station however she instead has a pistol that looks to be based off a semi-automatic design without the earth toned grips and with an overall more purpose built look than the garage-custom look seen here. Her secondary pistol seems to be consistent across art however which just makes it all the more interesting as it doesnt seem to fit the design of anything else we've seen.

Still curious to know what is up with Navasi's sword and how well it would parry a blow from that Vesk Lightsaber-Tonfa... (also, lots of Vesk with evergy based melee weapons now, at least three different ones i think, whats up with that?)

One thing of note: it seems like every sci-fi setting has the "Diaspora". I'm wondering what that looks like in Starfinder's setting?

Likewise, Navasi seems awesome and I really hope that's a divine gun. That would be sweet.

PannicAtack wrote:

Are all the LGBT iconics female so far? I haven't read that closely, but I know about the rogue, cleric, and shaman...

Hi, have you met Seltyiel, the iconic magus?

Also, Quinn, the iconic investigator, is homosexual.

all I will say is that while I like the piece of art, the character doesnt do anything for me ....... but then again... neither have a good deal of other characters either...

Well, unless people go back through the blog archives, the art in the books is pretty much all they interact with. So the art is what really has to sell the setting.

too true , too true

I like her. I didn't want to like her, but I do. She's human, the one race I am unlikely to play, and an Envoy, the class that interested me the least, but her story got me. Not all the tropes that have already been mentioned (reminds me of the Thief Lord), but all the little details in it. I want to know more about Absalom Station now, first of all how freaking big is it? Weydan, a god of Exploration; is he depicted as a young idealist, a dreamer looking to the horizon, or is he the Old Man of the Void, who claims spacers who die aboard a ship as his own? Looking at the guns, one is definitely a personal flamer / heat gun (Northwest Smith-style, thank you Leigh Bracket for the image :) ), but the one on her hip looks like it might be some form of projectile weapon and not a beam gun of any description. Did it come from her late friend / lover? who knows? If the other Iconics do this well at making me want to know more about the setting, I'll probably need a straight-jacket before the release date of the book. :)

it's possible she either has different guns to use in different missions or that they're of different lvls where she has different guns with better abilities at higher lvls

it's possible she either has different guns to use in different missions or that they're of different lvls where she has different guns with better abilities at higher lvls

That is kind of what i was thinking, she has clearly different melee weapons in different art and aparently different main pistols which both match up well to the idea of a level based tier system, except for that one, far more interesting, big iron on her hip.

Just a heads-up that Amanda and I have belatedly edited this blog for clarity, as there were some miscommunications during the original editing process, and then I was incommunicado for a week on vacation. Navasi's relationship with her partner was intended to be read as romantic, and that should hopefully be clearer now.

Also, can I just say how happy I am with both the art and backstory for this character? From the beginning, I've been saying that we needed our human iconic to have Malcolm Reynolds' heart and Lando Calrissian's fashion sense, and Amanda and Sarah delivered 200%. :D

This is seriously beautiful stuff. I keep hearing the soundtrack to Treasure Planet reading this story over again. Come to think of it, I might use Captain Amelia as a character reference in case Navasi pops up in one of my campaigns someday. Capital character ya'll have made. If you ever decide to give Navasi's backstory the comic book treatment, I will buy that thing in a heartbeat - and I doubt I'm alone in this sentiment. Thanks so much for making such an inspiring game.

Malcolm Reynolds' heart and Lando Calrissian's fashion sense...

This is possibly the best combination of a thing ever. And I agree that this was most definitely delivered!

Also, YAY FOR GAY!

I know I'd love to see a comic one of of all their origins. Would be a fun way too test waters on interest in a comic for them

I know I'd love to see a comic one of of all their origins. Would be a fun way too test waters on interest in a comic for them

Ohh, yeah! i have really been digging the setting details, i want to see a comic take a turn through a massive nation sized space station, run out to a pirate infested asteroid field and then even further through the drift! ... err, i guess i want more Saga then? still, i'd subscribe to a Starfinder book :)

Freehold is concerned that whedon may have changed his name and seduced paizo staff to become some kind of diety.

Just a heads-up that Amanda and I have belatedly edited this blog for clarity, as there were some miscommunications during the original editing process, and then I was incommunicado for a week on vacation. Navasi's relationship with her partner was intended to be read as romantic, and that should hopefully be clearer now.

Also, can I just say how happy I am with both the art and backstory for this character? From the beginning, I've been saying that we needed our human iconic to have Malcolm Reynolds' heart and Lando Calrissian's fashion sense, and Amanda and Sarah delivered 200%. :D

*hugs*

*hugs Amanda by proxy*

Freehold is concerned that whedon may have changed his name and seduced paizo staff to become some kind of diety.

You're practically a living incarnation of Winter, and you're worried about Whedon apotheosizing before you?! I can't tell if this is Stargate or American Gods bleeding into our reality.

I'll bet it was probably pesky adventures using some artifact like a "Berenstein Key" to unlock the walls between unrealized realities. And here I am without a Farscape-1 module.

MORE GAY SPACE LADIES

Freehold is concerned that whedon may have changed his name and seduced paizo staff to become some kind of diety.

In Whedon we a trust,

Hallow be his name,

Though we walk through a valley of TV Shadows,

The Great Whedon guide and protects us,

;)

Cap'n Navasi, what'd you say would be the "theme" to your professional background? I've heard tale of a legendary Lashunta Technomancer named Raia what called herself a Xenoseeker for her love to discover new cultures and alien life. Any hints as to what manner of thematic career made you the swashbuckling heroine ya're today? This is an important life lesson we all need to know!

Cap'n Navasi, what'd you say would be the "theme" for your professional background? I've heard tale of a legendary Lashunta Technomancer named Raia what called herself a Xenoseeker for her love to discover new cultures and alien life. Any hints as to what manner of thematic career made you the swashbuckling heroine ya're today? This is an important life lesson we all need to know!

She sounds a bit like she fits the outlaw background, but I'd like to know for sure too.

Yep, outlaw.

Julie Navasi Mao

Julie Navasi Mao

NOOOOOOO! I like Navasi!