Grandmother’s Story, Part 5: The Howl of the Wild

Friday, May 12th, 2023

"For one epoch and one day, the Wardens of the Wild reigned. Where animals and beasts disputed or doubted, the wardens quelled their infighting and fortified their hearts. Where the wild grew threatened by disaster or development, the wardens repelled intruders and restored the world with their vast power. Yet nothing of the wild lasts forever—such is not the way of nature.

"When their time drew close, the four wardens felt the call. And as they were the stewards of the natural world, so too did every animal in their care: those upon the land, those within the earth, those under the sea, and those above the sky. The wardens converged from their disparate realms upon a single location, tucked away in the furthest expanses of the wilds, along with every beast that could make the trip. The flocks and schools and herds all came together in a grand convergence known as the Migration—every animal, even those so rare they’re thought extinct.

"Can you imagine it, Charikleia?" The naturalist, now much older than a boy, put the stone tiles back in their velvet-lined box, the one his grandmother had left him. "Every animal on the planet, all in one place?" He gazed out over the deck of the Zoetrope. Below, the water was so clear you could see the eels and fish and rays darting through the coral as the ship neared the coast.

"Professor, you're getting off track again," Charikleia said with as much tact as she could muster, even as her eye caught a majestic lightning turtle through the waves. Instantly, her brush was in her hand, capturing the turtle’s likeness in her sketchbook for the expedition’s records.

"Ah, apologies, got away from myself for a moment." Baranthet smiled at his research assistant. Though he’d explained their mission as soon as funding was secured—long before he’d finished constructing the ship or assembling the crew—he wasn’t sure he’d ever properly told her the story that inspired it all, as he’d originally heard it each year in his youth: Grandmother's story, which he now told in her stead.

"When the Migration was complete and the animals were gathered, the Wardens of the Wild would select their successors. Some might rely on their judgment, while others might hold contests of strength or wit or heart, but in some manner, they would choose four new wardens to inherit the mantle.

"And so it was that the little elephant, the rattling snake, the angry fish, and the kind butterfly became the four new Wardens of the Wild, growing to great size as they were filled with the primal magic of their respective realms, over which they reigned for one epoch and one day. And when the Migration came yet again, as it must, they in turn selected their four successors before passing from the wilds.

"So it was again in the next epoch, and again, and again, the great wheel of life turning. And though many consider it a myth, some say that out there, somewhere in the last expanses of the world, the four Wardens of the Wild yet reign."

Baranthet’s wistful sigh was drowned out by the thrumming wings of the Zoetrope as the ship crossed the water’s edge and began soaring over sand dunes. "We’re going to find them, Charikleia."

"We have a similar myth back home, though it’s very obscure," Charikleia said, adding some notes to her sketch as she scratched the base of one of her horns. "Though it’s more common in Earthsong minotaur art to carve our stories in stone, rather than tell them in words. All the same, I remember seeing a petroglyph depicting four great beasts in the corners of Kortos, though the specific creatures differed."

"That makes sense, the wardens would have changed many times over the ages. Who knows what forms they—AAAAACK!!!!" Baranthet dropped his tea over the side of the railing as a small airskiff buzzed past overhead, much too close to the deck, a young centaur man at the helm.

"Professor! You should’ve seen the look on your face!"

"Telero, that’s my favorite teacup!"

Telero rolled his eyes and gave a half-hearted salute before he kicked a pedal with a hoof, sending the airskiff down toward the dunes (far more quickly than necessary) to retrieve said teacup. "Way’s clear up ahead—we should be able to get to the mountains by nightfall! It’s a little close to roc territory, though, so if you see a red dye marker, that’s too far!" His voice faded as the airskiff plummeted.

Baranthet shook his head. "That boy will be the death of me."

"He’s an excellent scout, though."

"Indeed." Baranthet turned to pick up his book. "Why don’t you get the rest of the crew together in the galley—we can make a plan for surveying the area when Telero’s back."

Charikleia closed her sketchbook and stowed her brush with her usual quietness, ducking inside carefully to avoid scratching the Zoetrope’s doorframe with her horns. Baranthet stayed on the deck a little longer, though. The naturalist took in the sights as he reached out a hand, feeling the warm wind rush through his claws. Below him, the land stretched out, far from Droon, far from Absalom, far from anywhere he knew, rolling outward until it blended into the horizon.

While he and the crew had already seen amazing beasts and breathtaking views on their journey, the Wardens of the Wild were yet to be found. But Baranthet had a good feeling. For though he wasn’t quite as adept at hearing the stars as his grandmother, he had a bit of her ear, and for the shortest of seconds, he thought that he heard it resound across the land, somehow clear over the Zoetrope’s wings—

The howl of the wild.


To read Grandmother’s story from the start, click here.



Howl of the Wild, Coming Spring 2024!

 A humanoid with lizard-like featured dressed in natural colored layered clothing, holding a book open

Baranthet, accomplished naturalist and expedition leader. Art by Gunship Revolution.


Paizo is proud to announce our newest project, Pathfinder Howl of the Wild! This latest creature-focused rulebook dives into the beasts and animals of the wilderness. Catalogue them all alongside an old naturalist and his eclectic crew as they sail their fantastic airship to Golarion’s furthest reaches, studying its lushest biomes in search of the elusive Wardens of the Wild.

Exterior sketch of an airship Interior view of airship concept art

Concept art of the Zoetrope airship by Kent Hamilton.


This book provides deep dives and regional variants of classic beasts of legend, as well as a whole menagerie of never-before-seen wildlife to study, tame, cooperate with, or confront. In addition, you’ll find unique gear for dealing with beasts (as well as magical items drawing upon their power), archetypes, feats, and more that allow you to evoke the power of nature. Howl of the Wild also brings six new playable ancestries for you to create a character who’s a bit more on the wild side, including the two revealed in the story above: the swift centaur and the powerful minotaur! Each ancestry is represented in the ship’s crew. Meet the ship’s scout, Telero, and the expedition’s scribe, Charikleia:

A centaur scout, dressed in and red, looking through a magnifying glass A minotaur scribe, dressed in blues and purples with gold jewelry holding a notebook with a brush

Telero, the ship’s centaur scout, and Charikleia, the expedition’s minotaur scribe. Art by Gunship Revolution.


Lastly, though we don’t have an airship of our own (...yet), we do have an excellent crew, without whom this book wouldn’t be possible! The ferocity and wonder of the wild is brought to you by Kate Baker, Rigby Bendele, Chris Bissette, Jeremy Blum, Logan Bonner, Dan Cascone, James Case, Jessica Catalan, Brite Cheney, Rue Dickey, Caryn DiMarco, Matthew Fu, Leo Glass, Steven Hammond, Patrick Hurley, Michelle Y. Kim, Dustin Knight, Kendra Leigh Speedling, Christiana Lewis, Jessie "Aki" Lo, Luis Loza, Letterio Mammoliti, Jonathan "Ryomasa" Mendoza, Quinn Murphy, Dave Nelson, Mikhail Rekun, Kai Revius, Ember Rose, Simone D. Sallé, Shay Snow, Levi Steadman, Kyle Tam, Ruvaid Virk, and Andrew White.

If you’re eager to learn a bit more about these ancestries and a few of the monsters in the book, check out this exclusive sneak peek from Wargamer for more information! Otherwise, be sure to tune in to PaizoCon Online 2023, where we’ll talk about Howl of the Wild in our Primal Previews panel!

But that, explorers, is a story for another day,

James Case
Senior Designer

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Tags: Howl of the Wild Pathfinder Pathfinder Second Edition Web Fiction
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Jacob Jett wrote:


More on topic: What are folks most hoping the new source book delivers?

Well, I would like a few more golarion-unique animals, more animalistic ancestries (In design atleast), and maybe tools meant to be used to run wilderness-focused games? Also some nature leaning subclasses to add theme to things (Not many, like a nature sorcerer or witch).


Syntax_error wrote:
Jacob Jett wrote:


More on topic: What are folks most hoping the new source book delivers?
Well, I would like a few more golarion-unique animals, more animalistic ancestries (In design atleast), and maybe tools meant to be used to run wilderness-focused games? Also some nature leaning subclasses to add theme to things (Not many, like a nature sorcerer or witch).

Aren't those already overed by bloodlines or entities?


Terevalis Unctio of House Mysti wrote:
Syntax_error wrote:
Jacob Jett wrote:


More on topic: What are folks most hoping the new source book delivers?
Well, I would like a few more golarion-unique animals, more animalistic ancestries (In design atleast), and maybe tools meant to be used to run wilderness-focused games? Also some nature leaning subclasses to add theme to things (Not many, like a nature sorcerer or witch).
Aren't those already overed by bloodlines or entities?

Are they? I'm gonna be honest, I haven't looked at either class in a good while.


5 people marked this as a favorite.

I'm really excited to get more unique flora and fauna. I really like picking flower names for my characters.


8 people marked this as a favorite.

I am hoping that there is plenty of dinosaur content.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Syntax_error wrote:
Terevalis Unctio of House Mysti wrote:
Syntax_error wrote:
Jacob Jett wrote:


More on topic: What are folks most hoping the new source book delivers?
Well, I would like a few more golarion-unique animals, more animalistic ancestries (In design atleast), and maybe tools meant to be used to run wilderness-focused games? Also some nature leaning subclasses to add theme to things (Not many, like a nature sorcerer or witch).
Aren't those already overed by bloodlines or entities?
Are they? I'm gonna be honest, I haven't looked at either class in a good while.

The Archives of Neyths has the class information if you wanted to look at them.


7 people marked this as a favorite.

After the first story I've been hoping for giant ground sloths to make it in as an animal companion, highlighting some lesser known extinct animals would be really fun


1 person marked this as a favorite.
CynDuck wrote:
After the first story I've been hoping for giant ground sloths to make it in as an animal companion, highlighting some lesser known extinct animals would be really fun

Doesn't Quest for the Flame cover megafauna as animal companions?


5 people marked this as a favorite.

What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus


6 people marked this as a favorite.

I like the anklyosaurus, but apparently not enough to not misspell it for twenty years. I think I like the velociraptor. They're just little chickens with teeths!


2 people marked this as a favorite.

I was always partial to the Styracosaurus.


4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I've always been a triceratops guy myself.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Evan Tarlton wrote:
I've always been a triceratops guy myself.

Triceratops gang!


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Twiggies wrote:
Evan Tarlton wrote:
I've always been a triceratops guy myself.
Triceratops gang!

Ceratopsids represent!


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Jacob Jett wrote:
Twiggies wrote:
Evan Tarlton wrote:
I've always been a triceratops guy myself.
Triceratops gang!
Ceratopsids represent!

Misread as "cordyceps", and that makes for some terrifying dinosaurs.

Grand Lodge

6 people marked this as a favorite.

Gotta love the stegosaurus and the Thagomizer.


4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber

Making me pick just one dinosaur is impossible. If I had to pick right now I would say Velociraptors, and i've always wanted to play a kobold hunter from like a society of kobolds that like hunt in pack with velociraptors( I understand that there is some debate about them being pack hunters but like it could still work)

but I also love Sauropods, and Ankylosarus, and um Pachycephalosaurus ( im both happy and sad that the common depiction of them always bapping their heads with each other is likely to be untrue)

I alwaus like how the name Iguanodon sound and their little spike finger and the history of that is fun to.

Hadrosauridae are also really great and Idk why but I think of them as Big duck-cows.

I can go on and on. Dinosaurs love <3


5 people marked this as a favorite.
Kobold Catgirl wrote:
I like the anklyosaurus, but apparently not enough to not misspell it for twenty years. I think I like the velociraptor. They're just little chickens with teeths!

Just remember that it is also Adam Driver's favorite dinosaur. The An-Kylo-saurus

Paizo Employee Creative Director

14 people marked this as a favorite.
GM OfAnything wrote:
What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus

<------------


12 people marked this as a favorite.

Ah, yes, the Dire Kobold. Excellent choice!


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Kobold Catgirl wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
*Points at his T-Rex avatar in response to GM OfAnything's "What's your favorite dinosuar" question.*
Ah, yes, the Dire Kobold. Excellent choice!

LOL XD

GM OfAnything wrote:
What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus

Yes! Me too!


5 people marked this as a favorite.

Tenontosaurus has a special place in my heart, I spent many hours prepping the skull of one.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Winkie_Phace wrote:
Tenontosaurus has a special place in my heart, I spent many hours prepping the skull of one.

There aren't many powerful bonding activities likes skull prepping anymore. :(

Community and Social Media Specialist

4 people marked this as a favorite.

Removed posts that varied between harassing and off topic. Let's keep it civil and on the reason for the thread please. Ancillary conversations can get their own threads elsewhere.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

While not a dinosaur, anyone who watches this season of Prehistoric Planet will definitely want a Simosuchus animal companion/familiar

Maybe followed by a devil toad.


Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber
MMCJawa wrote:

While not a dinosaur, anyone who watches this season of Prehistoric Planet will definitely want a Simosuchus animal companion/familiar

Maybe followed by a devil toad.

Just saw some paleoart of them omg they are sooooo cute.


5 people marked this as a favorite.

I would like to join the ankylosaurus-appreciators-club.

I have always liked the idea of being largely invulnerable.


I do really like Dreadnoughtus. Those big dinosaurs are wild. Something about a creature so burdened by its own existence that performing even the most simple of day-to-day tasks was nearly insurmountable for it feels very relatable lately.

Grand Lodge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
GM OfAnything wrote:
What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus

Ornitholestes!


6 people marked this as a favorite.
GM OfAnything wrote:
What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus

Probably the raven.

<hides>


There's one in every thread...


1 person marked this as a favorite.
thejeff wrote:
GM OfAnything wrote:
What's everyone's favorite dinosaur? I'm partial to the ankylosaurus

Probably the raven.

<hides>

Chicken chicken chicken. Chicken chicken. Chicken chicken chicken chicken chicken. Chicken.

(Note this is doing double duty as a +1 for raven, since we know dinosaurs became birds and as an in-joke for academics interested in hoax papers.)


Kobold Catgirl wrote:
I do really like Dreadnoughtus. Those big dinosaurs are wild. Something about a creature so burdened by its own existence that performing even the most simple of day-to-day tasks was nearly insurmountable for it feels very relatable lately.

Not sure what you mean? Dreadnoughtus was big but I don't think it had any trouble doing big sauropod stuff.

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