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I should have thought about Falcon's Hollow long before I did- thanks Towns of the Inner Sea! But I've also read the chapter of Diobel; I admit that I don't really spend much time around Absalom, but this might change my mind- particularly the rest of the Isle!
To potentially knock off the obvious/tell you what I've already looked at- Sandpoint, Otari and Ravengro already have places of pride on the map. I've also gotten the Towns of the Inner Sea but haven't gotten in to it yet. EDIT: This was meant for the Lost Omens Setting General Discussion! Whoever can move it please help!
I'm about to start a frontier campaign and want some villages/small towns to scatter around the map. What are the best villages and why? Note: I'm using the term "village", but loosely. Small towns welcome.
I was mostly using Belkzen as an example of the far end of the "monster region" scale, as it seems fair most people in the Inner Sea would think of it as Monster Ruled. I would include Oprak as well. Maybe I should have made this explicit but I don't see the idea of "monster ruled" as a bad thing. I really like the little insight we've gotten into Belkzen and the changes to how Orcs see their roles. I love hobgoblins and really liked Oprak's origins. I also suspected that Hermea went that way, but I didn't know for sure.
I'm looking to crowd source a list of "regions" (pretty loosely defined) that are ruled by "monsters" (also loose) I'd prefer to go broad with what is included, seeing places like The Gravelands and Belkzen as equally "monster ruled", alongside Hermea and Wanshou. No settlement too small. If a settlement gets liberated from the monsters then I'm interested in it- if it is only briefly conqured then less so. Thanks in advanced!
I had a question that I didn't think warranted a thread of its own, so this seems to be the place... What do Runelords call themselves? For example, does Karzoug call himself The Runelord of Greed? Or does he call himself the Runelord of Charity? The Runelord of Shalast?
I feel like there is enough even in just the two images we have seen to imply that this is going to be different from a minotaur. It seems like they are going to be connected to the moon, possibly more mystical, celestial ideas. (I am very excited to hear that that frog-folk are sticking around!)
Oh wow- I missed this announcement but I am very excited. I assume this is in the Tian Xia book? I am not fillipino, but I have friends who are. One I've consulted on monster stuff before says that in a way it is quite similar to the minotaur in that there is really only one "official" myth, but popular culture has taken it an ran with it. The One Unique Thing is there jeweled earrings, which it seems like feature in the art. I haven't read that much, but given that they are described as "Full Moon" and "New Moon" I would assume that looking into myths regarding the cycle of the moon would give you some inspiration. My friend is unaware of any particular connection between traditional sarangay and a moon myth, but they are pretty prevalent throughout that part of the world.
I'm also think about ways the River Kingdoms can change- who are the new people who can't quite fit in anywhere else and would seek to claim a little kingdom? My first thought was Mortics. I'm probably going to get some of the specifics wrong, but they're a relatively new kind of creature, born out of the Radiant Fire. They are technically living but have strange compunctions and twisted outlooks/abilities based on the ancestry they were before the "died". A community that would give them somewhere to call home, probably with the understanding that it is rude to ear your neighbours, would be super interesting! I also feel like there must be some old-money Taldanes (Taldorans?) who are upset with how the War for the Crown shook out and want to playact the halcyon days of Armies of Exploration. Coming to the frontier with the best of the best and immediately being overwhelmed. I also can't shake the image of them brining a caged or drugged Grisantian Lion to prove their... whatever. Then it keeps getting loose. I have also heard a few people talk about The Night of the Grey Death changing the state of Galt. How will Gralton's displaced nobles fit into these changes?
If your greatest weakness is too much of your greatest strength then The River Kingdoms feel like they brought in a bunch of different designers and got them to each write a town. This is why it appealed to me, but it is also why I think some of the connections between the kingdoms feel a little weak. I'm re-reading Guide to the River Kingdoms now- it's definitely dated, but also the sourcebooks have become so good lately. So many great moments in the book- Outsea keeps talking about taking its utopia to the Inner Sea, but is stymied by practicalities. Two friends must witness a duel or it is murder. Silkoyles.
Any love for the river kingdoms going forward? I specifically mean the "other" river kingdoms, specifically not the ones from Kingmaker. I am a big fan (there's a reason the adventures I introduce people with are Revolution on the Riverside and Mosquito Witch) but the region doesn't seem to have really changed that much recently. River Pirates smuggling Technic League agents? Tymon gladiators vs collapsing (or strengthening) Razmiran? An influx of the desperate from the gravelands, purposeless crusaders from Mendev and the old guard of Taldor? With a newly spawned Hobgoblin Fort just to add some spice... I'm not so naive to think we'll get a "Lost Omens: River Kingdoms", but I am interested if anyone else is interested in exploring more of this little slice of the setting??
Forgive me if thus has been asked- has anything been said about the future of Harrow Decks Post OGL? With the concept of alignments gone, it seems like the Harrow cards has lost one of their major features. That said, the actual concepts the cards represent are usually quite separate from the alignments themselves (though the positioning of the symbols still alludes to that specific layout) I'm mostly interested encase I've just started Stolen Fate, which of course heavily uses it.
New pitch: the darkland cities aren't xenophobic for any reason other than that Ayindilar are obnoxious tourists...
Now this is a pull. Reading up on Darkland locations, I noticed this phrase in the wiki's entry on Hagegraf: "The [Akrizoth Horologe] is acclaimed as one of the wonders of the Darklands, and is a major tourist destination" This leads to an important question: what does Darkland tourism look like? Do we have any other mentions of it? And since I can't imagine ashen dwarves really partaking, do we have to assume it is only drow nobles who tour?
I'm kinda okay with several unrelated entities becoming Hero Gods, as the idea of mortals ascending to divinity feels very apt, although perhaps a holdover from the more out-and-out pulpy 1e. That said- being the most goblin so you end up one of the gods of goblins... That is lore we can all get behind! I can see the real potential in Myth-speaking in particular, as I am a big fan of the conflict between destiny and freewill (Conjures Theletos ) Theros got name checked a little before- and I do have a soft spot for it, even as I wish there was a little more depth (we keep getting glimpses of cool part of the lore...) One thing I am a particular fan of, even though they haven't really done anything with it- is that within Theros there's a clear distinction between fate and destiny, and everyone is expected to respect both.
So this might be a big question but y'all seem to be the people to ask- what actually are Hero Gods? Mechanically, as far as I can tell, they're people (and a sword) with mythic powers. But what is their relationship with the cyclops? Do the cyclops "make" them, or just reveal their origins? Can anyone become one?
Drawing on your wizard school idea- I'm always going to pitch the Runelords as near-endless mcguffin generators. They are pretty quickly understandable (good for new players/GMs) but have a deep lore and are pretty tied to Golarion specifically (good for enfranchised players). Perhaps seven scolls have been unearthed, promising a deeper understanding of magic to those willing to do whatever needs to be done... I admit I'm not fully up on the New Thassilion lore, but I do know that the concept of Rune Magic is becoming less inherently sinister- a potential complication/salvation for those corrupted by old knowledge.
The god is already dead. They've stopped answering prayers to their followers and granting spells to their clerics. It may even have happened years ago, but their church is still trying to figure out what to do about it, and how to break the news - the last time a god died on Golarion, it was heralded by earthquakes and tidal waves that devastated the coastlines of the Inner Sea, the Eye of Abendego destroyed Lirgen, and the Worldwound opened up. What catastrophe might they be anticipating this time? Taking this to it's logical conclusion... The God is dead, replaced by Xanderghul's illusion...
I've used the Runelords (under different names) in my home campaign, but because they've changed so much in my cannon I always find actual stories involving them difficult to get in to. However! Eurythnia sounds really interesting! I can imagine so many campaigns based around "hive of scum and villainy but nice" I also can't explain why, but the idea of "bard city" not having any official bards, just a bunch of storytellers and revelers, feels apt.
If we're being good conspiracy theorists (and I think we are) should we consider what event some of us have already played through? Might that inform the shape the story takes?
I've long longed for more information on the Dukes of Hell (as opposed to the archdevils who are pretty fleshed out) and a rush to claim parts of Cheliax in the wake of Asmodeus' Fall (again) could lead to some of them becoming a bigger part of the setting!
As someone who grew up in a city with rival theatre schools, and students that had some of the most excellently campy fights imaginable, Oppara just became a lot more interesting to me... That said, I feel like Oppara has the same problem as Absalom and Clerics. It might have the most bards, but is it the bardyist city?
I'd like to be a little tricksy and pitch Verduran Forest as the "City" of Druids. I'm also clinically incapable of not mentioning rebel-loving, opera house-having Kintargo as a City of Bards. I keep coming back to Clerics- there must be a City with a particularly strong connection to the deities (or a few at least). Absalom has the starstone, and all the churchs that surround it, but it would seem reductive to pitch Absalom as "City of Clerics"
I'll say that I am also a fan of your Swan Madiens, although I wouldn't want them classified as Lycanthropes. They're their own thing, and are more special and mysterious for it. That's why, though I like the idea of aquatic lycanthropes, I'd push back on calling them Selkies. Let those beautiful maidens shed their own skin!
Forgive me, but what does USP stand for in this context? Unique Selling Point Ie, what makes this class special and interesting and why isn't it jut [other class] with different terms. Pathfinder's been pretty good with this in this edition!
Personally I'd like to see were-creatures keep a focus on their curse. Not necessarily making them irredeemable, but there should be a difference between "someone who turns into an animal" and "someone who is forced to by moon madness" That said- I'm all here for unexpectedly dangerous were creatures. Yes, I'm talking about werehippos and weredragonflies.
Forgive me if thus has been talked about, but what classes do we want to see? I ask because I've fallen back in love with Dtang Ma, aforementioned (I think in this thread) nation of Thai sorcerers. It is ruled by a council of sorcerer who draw their magic from storms, music, stars and fey- so I hope we get some new bloodlines! Shaman got mentioned- I'm not super familiar with them, what is their USP?
Took a moment to Google both Dtang Ma (capital city Ramparassad), and the difference between 'alludes' and 'eludes'...
Creating a list because I'm loving the corners this has sent me to. Swashbuckler is presumably going to be in the Shackles? Investegator and Thaumaturgist both feel pretty Ustalav to me. These also a kingdom in Tian Xia that is ruled by Sorcerers, but it's name alludes me...
Alchemist- Oenopion, Merab
Which Golarion city would they be, and why? Yes- I'm aware that there's not going to be one right answer, but I'm interested in seeing people's thoughts. The city doesn't have to be exclusively the class- everyone in town doesn't have to be an alchemist- but there should be something about it that means when you see it you think "ah yes- Oenopion, the city of alchemists. (As a note: I'm using the word "city" pretty broadly, both in the sense that if something is a town, fine, and that some classes- barbarian, druid, ranger, don't lend themselves to traditional cities)
I couldn't remember the name, but Furcas was the Duke who kept me coming back. And yes- the art was a big reason why. Drawing inspiration from real world sources like the weird and evocative designs in the ars goetia is always going to earn you points from me!
I expect this to cost us a friendly deity, not kill off a villainous one, even as much as I like the thought of promoting Arazni.They did say "at least one" so they could kill off one friendly deity and one villainous deity and call it a wash. This does seem like more evidence for Zon/Shelyn in some capacity. This'll lead to some interesting stories and shake up enough of the status quo without burning it to the ground. What is interesting... how do we think the deity dies during this all-encompassing war? Are they the inciting incident (Aroden 2.0)? Or do they try to save the day and fail? (Also- even though I don't think it's likely I am getting excited picturing Xanderghul brining the world to war, destroying the sun and declaring himself the new greatest god...)
If I'm understanding it right, there are three prophesy scenes at the end of Stolen Fate: dying sun, big war, peacock phoenix. If what has been said above is right, and the big war is specifically the event where one of the core deities dies, and the dying sun is meant to signal it will be the Dawnflower herself, it seems odd to have 2/3 scenes refer to one story. Perhaps all three scenes are referring to one story- killing a god and seizing control of her church would certainly a dramatic way to reintroduce the Peacock Spirit... But personally I think three scenes means three storylines being hinted at- so I think Sarenrae is safe.
Lorcan and Luithvein are both infernal dukes operating from the same realm and compete for the souls of infernal vampires. Oh this is the good stuff!
Yeah- although I think they're not as big a thing as I want them to be. I really like that all the "outsiders" have their "boss level", something powerful enough to be scary but weak enough to be defeatable. Demagogues, immortals, tormentors- even when they're not given specific stats there is some beautifully terrible lore about what they've done to earn themselves a reputation (to be a bit more fuzzy and blunt with it- I really like that they are basically fiendish heroes) I think archdevils are the equivalent, but I saw a list of Dukes of Hell and thought "yep- these guys!" I know a few of them have some interesting portfolios, and some of the art I have seen is gorgeous. Has anyone used any of the Dukes of Hell? Or their cults? Offered their boons to players?
I am a big fan of Demon Lords- they are evocative, unique, and (mostly) have super interesting layers of Hell you'll need to navigate to actually deal with them. For whatever reason, I just don't have the same passion for the Dukes of Hell. What are people's favourite dukes, and why?
I am looking for some inspiration: dungeons that are mostly natural rather than constructed. Caves rather than castle. I'm okay with a little modification, like camps or structures built in it, but the foundation should be something naturally occurring (or something that could pass for natural, even if it was created by magic or gods or what have you) Candlestone Caverns is a prime example of the sort of thing I'm looking for. Please and thank you!
I don't know if it was literally a step in making him divine, but Earthfall is a pretty important part of Aroden's legacy. Either way, the Starstone and Aroden were big influences in the rise of The Whispering Tyrant, and his army of undead. The Age of Darkness also allowed Zon-Kuthon to do some sinister shenanigans, right? They also created the art of fleshwarping, right? I'm not sure if this is meant to be the same information the Drow/Serpentfolk rediscovered. You could also say they were responsible for any monsters who's origins are Azlanti or Thassilion, right?
I know this was something of a joke from 1e, but how many monsters are the Aboleth responsible for? We know that they created the skum and the faceless stalkers, since they're all in the same family. They also created, then mostly abandoned, the mimics and cloakers. I can't remember the exact lore, but it's certainly suggested they had something to do with chuuls and their artic brethern the umolee. But getting more broad with it- the Aboleth obviously called down the starstone and caused Earthfall. This basically created the morlocks from stranded humans, and the drow who stayed behind (although they are not so around anymore). But Earthfall also woke up the dwarves, who pushed out the orcs and brought them into conflict with the surface world. Aboleth like vast, reality spanning conspiracies... how many monsters can you trace back to them?
Also not to sound too pedantic, but the dreaming isn't a different plane- by it's very nature it is crucial a part of our world. If you needed a mechanical comparison it's closer to some of the magic presented in Secrets of Magic. Terror Australis has some good depth on it as a phenomenon, and good information on creating a game experience based on it.
The trouble is that your original question has a boring answer. Where would I put an Australia Analogue? Saurusan. You're looking for a large area of land, surrounded by water, far from other places. It let's you explain why certain bits of magic behave differently here. Put some mountains along the north coast, say everything above that is verdant forest and bountiful prairie, everything below it is constantly-on-fire badlands. To answer what I think is the implied question, where will the devs put an Australian analogue, I think it's more likely that they'll scatter influence across their globe. An ancient society of people who defend key moments from change. The Monad becomes more proactive, and takes the form of an opalescent serpent. A hunter is doomed to forever chase the memory of their lover across increasingly inhospitable terrains.
The thread seems to have gone from a real specific question to a general "could paizo do an aboriginal setting?" which- yes, I assume so. They have a great eye for what works and, more importantly, the connections to bring in people. (Also the Tiddalik will never get enough fanfare) If you are interested in including some Aborignal influence in your setting I would do some reading on the Dreamtime, specifically thinking about it as a philosophy rather than a collection of stories. I'm painting with a really broad brush here, but it's a lot about how when you tell a story you can literally affect the events described. The past, present and future are malleable, and it is your most important duty to be respectful of that. Because if you're not- you'll turn into a mountain. Or an ant. And people will keep telling your story, and forcing you to relive it. Also giants ride falling stars.
With the Okaiyo Ocean acting as our Pacific, I'd be quite content seeing some Australian stuff in southern Arcadia. As an Australian married to an American I am (un)qualified to say- our history and culture is far more similar than people want to realise.
Jumping back to a previous idea: I really vibe with the idea that the "core" successor states are at war. It's been a minute since I last looked at them, but I remember thinking they make excellent places for characters to be from, realise how messy they are, and head off into the wider world. We get a lot of "war brewing" in the Inner Sea (which makes sense since that's when adventurers and non-government actors are so useful) but a full on "It's War!" crawl? Yes please!
Real annoyed I didn't double check this. I do stand behind a lack of evidence for a chaotic outlook, but I am on weaker footing now.
Since this has been bumped up I have a question- why is Yog-Sothoth described as CE? I understand their (its?) followers do chaotic and evil things, but their depiction here and in a few other places seem to suggest more Neutrality. So neutral it drives you to madness !
I haven't read Impossible Lands so I don't know if there is an official answer to this, but how does Nex (the country) view Necromancy? Is it considered a lesser form of magic because it was Geb's speciality? Do they want to advance it using their own, superior (as far as they are concerned) better arcane approach? Do they have the general squimishness about its immorality? As a related follow up question- are there any examples of specific Nexian Necromancers?
I'd love some Numerian robots, annd in a similar vein, I really miss the PF1 Outer (Solar, Lunar, Time, Void, and Vortex) Dragons. Oh I adore them! I feel like Lost Omens has been incredible, even more than first edition, at grounding its spacey stuff in a pulpy world (probably because Starfinder handles all the truly sci fi stuff). But I am greedy and I want more, more, more. If every AP has a chapter taking us to a different planet? Yes please!
I'm pretty sure every official source has said that they never intend to give any official answer, or even really offer any clues to what happened to Aroden, so if you're after anything with sources to back it up, especially from the Lost Omen era than I think you're out of luck. That said- I needed an answer for a particularly curious and persistent player a few campaigns ago. My answer was this. He lives amongst the stars with the other Azlanti who fled Golarion and will eventually become the Azlanti Star Empire from Starfinder.
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