paizo.com Favorited Posts by JCABpaizo.com Favorited Posts by JCAB2022-08-25T23:24:41Z2022-08-25T23:24:41ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: If you could cast one spell per level in real life what would you pick?JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2utfw&page=2?If-you-could-cast-one-spell-per-level-in-real#532018-01-20T22:00:34Z2018-01-10T20:19:44Z<p>0 - Prestidigitation (Great utility spell with lots of different useful effects. I specially like the ability to alter the flavor of food - suddenly it becomes much easier to stick to your diet.)
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1 – Unseen Servant (You basically get a slave, but without any of the moral implications. You never have to clean, do the dishes or mow the lawn again.)
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2 – Make Whole (Repair everything from torn clothes, to a broken down car. Depending on your reading of the spell, it might even be used to restored damaged antiquities or works of art. Imagine how much bank you could make, by touring various museums and restoring damaged paintings, without any risk for the artwork.)
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3 – Heroism (Good, long lasting bonus to nearly any check you would actually have to make.)
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4 – Imbue with Flight (You may not be able to fly yourself, but your car can.)
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5 – Teleport (Instant travel. Nuff said.)
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6 – Age Resistance (Seems like an obvious long-term investment.)
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7 – Mage’s Magnificent Mansion (Magical, extra dimensional mansion, fully staffed and without the property taxes.)
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8 – Polymorph Any Object (Self-explanatory.)
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9 – Shapechange (Want to fly? Become a dragon. Want to kill your enemies? Become a dragon. Want to pick up hot chicks? become a dragon. Want to run for prisident? Why not do that, as a dragon.)</p>0 - Prestidigitation (Great utility spell with lots of different useful effects. I specially like the ability to alter the flavor of food - suddenly it becomes much easier to stick to your diet.)
1 – Unseen Servant (You basically get a slave, but without any of the moral implications. You never have to clean, do the dishes or mow the lawn again.)
2 – Make Whole (Repair everything from torn clothes, to a broken down car. Depending on your reading of the spell, it might even be used to restored...JCAB2018-01-10T20:19:44ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Religion in IrrisenJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2usj2?Religion-in-Irrisen#12018-04-07T06:12:58Z2017-12-22T09:54:05Z<p>I am going to be GM'ing a game set in Irrisen and one of my players asked if I had any more details on religion in Irrisen, besides what little is written in Inner Sea Campaign Setting book, which only list Lamashtu and Zon-Kuthon as the primary deities. </p>
<p>I couldn't really find much, so I wrote up this small primer, but I am interrested if anyone else have some suggestions.</p>
<p><b>Folk Religion in Irrisen</b>
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The rural people of Irrisen, the Ulfen and Kellid underclass of serfs who populate the villages and hamlets scattered throughout the Land of Eternal Winter, largely worship according to ancient and bloody traditions, related to the rites of the Shadow-Druids of Uskwood.</p>
<p>They worship at ancient rough-hewn stone alters, within circles of standing stones, deep in forests or at the top of forsaken hills. Here they offer bloody sacrifices to the two primary deities od Irrisen: Lamashtu the Dark Mother and Zon-Kuthon the Lord of Scars.</p>
<p>In most cases, the altar is a plain stone block, worked as little as possible by human hands and stained with the frozen blood of previous sacrifices. The standing stones surrounding the altar is however frequently richly decorated. Some villages carve them into the likeness of the gods, ancient heroes or terrible monsters, while other drape them with garlands of colored rope, from which the hang gifts and offerings. In some areas the villagers tie condemned criminals to the stones, with rope or chains, and leave them out to die of exposure, while in other villages carve small alcoves into the stone, which are used to store the skulls or ashes of honored ancestors. </p>
<p>Irriseni folk religion assumes that gods are fickle, hungry and dangerous and must be appeased with bloody sacrifices. The small-folk of Irrisen almost never pray to their gods for good fortune or guidance, instead prayers and sacrifices are intended to appease their dark gods and bribe them to stay their wrath and leave the worshipper to his own devices.</p>
<p>Most villages gather at least once per season to offer sacrifice. In most cases this will take the form of an animal sacrifice. Tradition dictates that black animals are the most effective for appeasing the gods. Lamashtu is said to prefer the blood of roosters, crows and goats, while Zon-Kuthon favors the blood of wolves. In times of great need, the community may instead opt for a human sacrifice. Such a sacrifice will usually be acquired by kidnapping a traveler or a person of a neighboring village, but in truly dire situations the village may instead gang up on their own priest and sacrifice her or him to the gods, under the assumption that the priest has failed in his duties and is the cause of the god’s wrath.</p>
<p><b>Grand Offerings</b>
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Almost all rural people in Irrisen practice a variant of the two rituals known as “The Grand Offerings”. </p>
<p>On the shortest day of the year the people of the village gather at their alter to sacrifice at least a dozen animal to the Dark Mother. By tradition the first and last sacrifice must be one of her favored animals (or a human), but the rest of the offerings are usually domestic animals. Once all the blood has been spilled, the meat of the animals is brought back to the village and cooked and the villager then feast and drink until dawn. Children conceived on this night are said to carry the Dark Mother’s favor – especially girls, who are believed to born with the gift witchcraft.</p>
<p>At dusk of the summer solstice the men of the villages gather to honor the Lord of Scars and prove their bravery and endurance. This is usually done by engaging in ritual combat. The men are stripped naked to the wrist and then fight each other, armed with knives and whips, until one party is disabled from pain and blood loss or dies, the latter actually being a fairly rare occurrence. Once the duels have concluded and all the participants wounds have been dressed, the local priest gather all the bloodies bandages and burn them on a ritual pyre lit within the stone circle, offering up the blood and pain of the men to Zon-Kuthon.</p>I am going to be GM'ing a game set in Irrisen and one of my players asked if I had any more details on religion in Irrisen, besides what little is written in Inner Sea Campaign Setting book, which only list Lamashtu and Zon-Kuthon as the primary deities.
I couldn't really find much, so I wrote up this small primer, but I am interrested if anyone else have some suggestions.
Folk Religion in Irrisen
The rural people of Irrisen, the Ulfen and Kellid underclass of serfs who populate the...JCAB2017-12-22T09:54:05ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Stat Yourself!JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tla7&page=3?Stat-Yourself#1262016-04-13T18:48:51Z2016-04-13T16:49:18Z<p>Neutral Good; Human Male; Aristocrat 2</p>
<p>STR 14: I lift weights every other day and do so with fairly high loads.
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DEX 8: I think I am a bit clumsy. I regularly drop my phone or bang into things.
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CON 14: In can run a half marathon (21 km) in 2 hours.
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INT 16: I clicked in at 136 IQ, when I was tested professionally. I speak 4 languages (Native: Danish; Learned: English, German, French)
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WIS 10: Average I guess? I can’t think of anything that would indicate my Wisdom being especially high or low.
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CHA 12: I have a lot of friends and acquaintances and really enjoy meeting and talking to new people.</p>
<p>SKILLS: Appraise 2 Ranks, Craft (Food) 2 Ranks, Diplomacy 2 Ranks, Knowledge (Geography) 2 Ranks, Knowledge (History) 2 Ranks, Profession (Administrator) 2 Ranks, Profession (Merchant) 2 Ranks, Swim 2 Ranks
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FEATS: Fast Learner, Improvisation</p>
<p>GEAR: Courtier’s Outfit (Suit), Jewelry (Watch, Tie Pin)</p>Neutral Good; Human Male; Aristocrat 2
STR 14: I lift weights every other day and do so with fairly high loads.
DEX 8: I think I am a bit clumsy. I regularly drop my phone or bang into things.
CON 14: In can run a half marathon (21 km) in 2 hours.
INT 16: I clicked in at 136 IQ, when I was tested professionally. I speak 4 languages (Native: Danish; Learned: English, German, French)
WIS 10: Average I guess? I can’t think of anything that would indicate my Wisdom being especially high or low....JCAB2016-04-13T16:49:18ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: New Class: Warlock (Feedback and Criticism requested)JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t3v0?New-Class-Warlock#42016-01-13T00:55:45Z2015-11-07T18:48:35Z<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5OoMjPfXNtaRTNYam9mMy1wekU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Google Docs PDF </a></p>
<p>Updated:
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Class skills changed.
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Familiar removed as a class feature and added as an option through a special hex.
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Limited access to magus arcana added through a special hex.
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Bastard Sword removed as a weapon proficiency.</p>Google Docs PDF
Updated:
Class skills changed.
Familiar removed as a class feature and added as an option through a special hex.
Limited access to magus arcana added through a special hex.
Bastard Sword removed as a weapon proficiency.JCAB2015-11-07T18:48:35ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: What does it take to ruleJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rvdl?What-does-it-take-to-rule#62015-01-12T08:30:00Z2015-01-11T19:04:59Z<p>I don't really think it is particularly useful to talk about these sort of thing in the abstract. That is, what it takes to be recognized as a “sovereign state” is going to vary wildly across space and time. Moreover some power may very well recognize you as a sovereign state, while other at the same time staunchly refuse to treat you as anything but a warlord, criminal or terrorist (for a modern day example see: Transdniester, Somaliland, the Pakistani FATA regions).</p>
<p>In real terms I think what is important is that at least one, preferably several established powers see an advantage in recognizing the new sovereign as partner in the game of international politics. This may come about in one of several ways. Some states may wish to support the new nation on pure ideological grounds (Andoran supporting a newly formed democratic state). Others may do so out of a feeling of ethnic solidarity (The Land of the Linnorm Kings giving support to an Ulfen-lead breakaway region of Irrisen). In some cases the head of state of a major power may be personally bribed to use his influence to legitimize the newly created sovereign (Grand Prince of Taldor seems like a great candidate). Finally a number of states might be eager to support any power able to stabilize otherwise troublesome regions. If a human warlord was able to claim and hold large swaths of the Holf of Belkzen or the Stoval Plateau several counties might throw their support behind him, hoping to create a viable buffer state to shield themselves from the barbarians of the wilderness.</p>I don't really think it is particularly useful to talk about these sort of thing in the abstract. That is, what it takes to be recognized as a “sovereign state” is going to vary wildly across space and time. Moreover some power may very well recognize you as a sovereign state, while other at the same time staunchly refuse to treat you as anything but a warlord, criminal or terrorist (for a modern day example see: Transdniester, Somaliland, the Pakistani FATA regions).
In real terms I think...JCAB2015-01-11T19:04:59ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Poll: What part of iPathfinder/i do you want to know more about?JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2hcsu&page=12?Poll-What-part-of-Pathfinder-do-you-want-to#5542014-12-28T14:26:11Z2014-09-23T18:14:28Z<p>1) Thuvia, especially the intercity politics of the nations and something on the Water Lords.
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2) More on the lost civilizations and empires of Golarion. Something describing the architectual styles evident in their ruins and the esthetics of their artifacts, as well as what is known or suspected about their culture and religious practices.
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3) Trade and commerce. What products are produced where and what is exported and imported and by whom and by what means (caravan, ship, magic ect.).
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4) The Padisha Empire of Kelesh
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5) How (or even if) magic influence the daily lives of regular people and is utilized by states and other large orginizations to affect change on the larger world.</p>1) Thuvia, especially the intercity politics of the nations and something on the Water Lords.
2) More on the lost civilizations and empires of Golarion. Something describing the architectual styles evident in their ruins and the esthetics of their artifacts, as well as what is known or suspected about their culture and religious practices.
3) Trade and commerce. What products are produced where and what is exported and imported and by whom and by what means (caravan, ship, magic ect.).
4) The...JCAB2014-09-23T18:14:28ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Jar of Endless Pickles, and other Magic Mundane ItemsJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rihw?Jar-of-Endless-Pickles-and-other-Magic#182014-09-25T20:27:54Z2014-09-21T18:14:08Z<p>Pathfinder’s Outfit
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Aura faint transmutation; CL 1nd
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Slot body; Price 250 gp; Weight 8 lb.
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DESCRIPTION
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This rugged and worn, but high quality, explorer’s outfit carries a subtle enchantment which keeps it tolerably clean and slowly repairs it as it suffers from daily wear and tear.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, mending; Cost 125 gp</p>
<p>Winter Jar
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Aura faint evocation; CL 1st
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Slot -; Price 500 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
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DESCRIPTION
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This jar is made from blue-glazed ceramics and is decorated with cloud and ice motifs. Its outside is noticeably cold to the touch. Any liquid poured into the jar is chilled to 40° over a couple of minutes, depending on the initial temperature of the liquid.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, ray of frost; Cost 250 gp</p>Pathfinder’s Outfit
Aura faint transmutation; CL 1nd
Slot body; Price 250 gp; Weight 8 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This rugged and worn, but high quality, explorer’s outfit carries a subtle enchantment which keeps it tolerably clean and slowly repairs it as it suffers from daily wear and tear.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, mending; Cost 125 gp
Winter Jar
Aura faint evocation; CL 1st
Slot -; Price 500 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
This jar is made from blue-glazed ceramics and is...JCAB2014-09-21T18:14:08ZRe: Forums: Advice: The Sometimes There Player (GM Advice)JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rf7r?The-Sometimes-There-Player#72014-08-26T11:22:05Z2014-08-25T17:30:48Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">thegreenteagamer wrote:</div><blockquote> Maybe I'm just a jerk, but I would say no. If you can't commit to make the same time as everyone else, it's not fair to those players who can. </blockquote><p>Why not? Seriously, why not? Real life is a thing and living in another town/state country seems like a resonable reason for not showing up every time. Moreover, speaking from experience, if my GF only was in town one weekend out of four and she couldn't play in my weekly D&D game if she wanted, that game would quickly become 3/4th weekly for my partthegreenteagamer wrote:Maybe I'm just a jerk, but I would say no. If you can't commit to make the same time as everyone else, it's not fair to those players who can.
Why not? Seriously, why not? Real life is a thing and living in another town/state country seems like a resonable reason for not showing up every time. Moreover, speaking from experience, if my GF only was in town one weekend out of four and she couldn't play in my weekly D&D game if she wanted, that game would quickly become...JCAB2014-08-25T17:30:48ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1432014-08-22T18:21:07Z2014-08-22T18:11:45Z<p>Okay, getting back to Nearyn’s original post, how could you make a set up where the final battle is against a minion of the actual mastermind and not the mastermind himself. As I have already mentioned I think this component requires two components:</p>
<p>1: The mastermind needs some sort of effective defense against Scry-N-Fry/Tele-Fragging.
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2: The mastermind needs a way to control a much more powerful “minion” or “henchman”.</p>
<p>Guards. As for the first issue, again as I have already mentioned I think competent bodyguards are a good way to solve it. The same bodyguards (or bodyguard, singular) could actually serve as the end boss, in which case an important component of the AP would be to acquire weapons capable of hurting the guard/guards. </p>
<p>Magical Barriers. The mastermind is blessed by a deity, who has made it so that all summoning and teleportation fails with close proximity. The same effect could be produced by an artifact or be linked to a specific location (i.e. his lair).</p>
<p>The Doomsday Curse. The mastermind has arranged for an impossibly potent curse to be linked to his death. Where he to die or even just suffer considerable bodily or mental harm, thousands of innocent people would die and the land would be ravaged and scourged of all life.</p>
<p>The Lex Luther Option. Nobody but the PC believes that the mastermind is evil. If the PCs move against him directly they would be declared enemies of the state and hunted down by lawmen and mercenaries. Their lands and property would be seized and their family and friend detained and (roughly) questioned.</p>
<p>Secret Identity. The identity and location of the mastermind remains a secret. Nondetection and similar magicis used to prevent scrying.</p>
<p>Contingency. The mastermind is affected by a unique type of Contingency spell. Whenever he is targeted by an attack, he is immediately teleported to a safe haven on another plane.</p>
<p>As for how he could control a potential BBEG:</p>
<p>The Pokemon Solution. The mastermind control a powerful artifact which allow him to force a mighty being to fight on his behalf. </p>
<p>Blood is thicker. The mastermind is the parent, sibling or lover of the actual threat. </p>
<p>Divine Mandate. The mastermind is a high-ranking priest or servant of a deity, who has commanded the guardian to protect him at all costs. Alternatively the mastermind is a guru, philosopher or prophet and the guardian it somehow convinced that he speak for the god/gods. </p>
<p>Ancient Pact. Long ago the guardian vowed to defend whoever wears the crown of the realm. The mastermind does currently. While the guardian does not agree with the mastermind’s actions, he is more concerned about breaking his word, than he is with human life.</p>
<p>Life Debt. Somehow, against all odds the mastermind once saved the guardian’s life. Now he will do anything to pay back that debt.</p>
<p>Release the Kraken! The mastermind does not actually control the monster, he has mere released it and fled the scene.</p>Okay, getting back to Nearyn’s original post, how could you make a set up where the final battle is against a minion of the actual mastermind and not the mastermind himself. As I have already mentioned I think this component requires two components:
1: The mastermind needs some sort of effective defense against Scry-N-Fry/Tele-Fragging.
2: The mastermind needs a way to control a much more powerful “minion” or “henchman”.
Guards. As for the first issue, again as I have already mentioned I...JCAB2014-08-22T18:11:45ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1382014-08-22T16:53:22Z2014-08-22T16:49:44Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Chris Kenney wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">JCAB wrote:</div><blockquote>Especially when they are not actually indented to be BBEG in Aps.</blockquote>So you completely missed my point. <i>Anybody</i> in a secondary supplement who gets more than a few lines is potentially going to be one of these down the line. To use your example, just because the head of the Acadame <i>has not yet</i> been featured in an AP doesn't mean he <i>will not be.</i> In fact, given the background on the Acadamae, he's a very good candidate for such at some point in the future. Just because that AP hasn't been written yet doesn't make it good practice to make him unsuitable for it. </blockquote><p>I don’t think I missed your point, but I do disagree with it. By the same logic, the aforementioned baker in Sandpoint (Alma Avertin; expert 7) should also have her level increased to the high double digits and be given adventuring class levels, as she is given as much description as Toff Ornelos.
<p>Personally, and you are of course free to disagree, I think that it improves the setting’s verisimilitude if the writers make an effort to not over-populate it with high-level casters, mainly because they can change the setting much, with so little effort that you as a GM has to jump through hoops to explain why they don’t.</p>Chris Kenney wrote:JCAB wrote:Especially when they are not actually indented to be BBEG in Aps.
So you completely missed my point. Anybody in a secondary supplement who gets more than a few lines is potentially going to be one of these down the line. To use your example, just because the head of the Acadame has not yet been featured in an AP doesn't mean he will not be. In fact, given the background on the Acadamae, he's a very good candidate for such at some point in the future. Just...JCAB2014-08-22T16:49:44ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1352014-08-22T16:39:05Z2014-08-22T16:30:23Z<p>@Deadmanwalking
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It seems to me as if you are saying that the number of high-level casters who are willing to sell spell casting services, is somehow proportionally related to the number of casters who are willing to engage in regicide. If that is the case I disagree. I will tend to think that even marginally competent rulers will tend to try and recruit high level characters in their domains into the existing power-structure and give them a stake in the status quo. Once a cavalier, fighter or paladin reaches the double-digit levels he is almost certainly going to be summoned to court to be knighted or the equivalent and given honors, title and land; all in attempt to make such a powerful individuals interests align with the monarch’s. Unless such he is obviously gunning for the throne of course. Likewise casters of all stripes are invited to become honorary professors at a local university, with a fat yearly stipend for next to no actual work and plenty of opportunity to recruit the best (or most attractive) apprentices </p>
<p>As I understand the issue being debated, the question is if a low-level (4th - 8th) character could hold on to a throne, in any but the smallest and most insignificant countries in Golarion. My stand is yes they could, but such rulers are rare and most of them would either be puppets, purely ceremonial or rely on the goodwill of allies or strong popular support. The moment they are abandoned by their secret backers or allies or public support falters (say in face of harvest failure or an epidemic), competent (high-level) nobles and other elites will begin to conspire against them. As such, low-level rulers who can act truly as sovereigns are all but unheard of.</p>
<p>However, I also think that some of the writers tend to go overboard when they stat NPC in supplements. Especially when they are not actually indented to be BBEG in APs. For example, I personally don’t see the point in Headmaster Toff Ornelos of the Acadamae being 17th level. He is not the end boss in an AP. He is just a powerful evil-Dumbledore mentioned in a setting book. If I had written the Guide to Korvosa, I think I would have kept him at maybe level 12 or 14. </p>
<p>Also as I understand Naeryn’s OP, what he is reacting against is the tendency to make the king/ emperor /grand pubah the BBRG. I agree with his point that a ruler could be sufficiently effective at his job, at say 6th or 8th level that his domain would not collapse due to incompetence. If you want to set an AP in an area ruled by such a character I really don’t see why it should be impossible for the writers to construct a set-up where a low-level ruler is in effect immune to Scry-N-Fry and the BBEG in the AP is the ruler's brother, epic pet, bound demon or whatever.</p>@Deadmanwalking
It seems to me as if you are saying that the number of high-level casters who are willing to sell spell casting services, is somehow proportionally related to the number of casters who are willing to engage in regicide. If that is the case I disagree. I will tend to think that even marginally competent rulers will tend to try and recruit high level characters in their domains into the existing power-structure and give them a stake in the status quo. Once a cavalier, fighter or...JCAB2014-08-22T16:30:23ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1312014-08-22T16:36:03Z2014-08-22T16:06:11Z<p>Well I think the point Nearyn was trying to raise was that every BBEG don’t have to be a local ruler. Sometimes the end boss could be a powerful entity bound to serve the ruler by ancient pacts and once the guardian was defeated in the final climatic battle the ruler could/would surrender, commit suicide or whatever. You still have your CR20 encounter, but the king don’t personally have to be anything more challenging than a 6th level aristocrat.</p>Well I think the point Nearyn was trying to raise was that every BBEG don’t have to be a local ruler. Sometimes the end boss could be a powerful entity bound to serve the ruler by ancient pacts and once the guardian was defeated in the final climatic battle the ruler could/would surrender, commit suicide or whatever. You still have your CR20 encounter, but the king don’t personally have to be anything more challenging than a 6th level aristocrat.JCAB2014-08-22T16:06:11ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1172014-08-22T14:35:02Z2014-08-22T13:39:50Z<p>This again speaks to the true measure of power being what class you are, not your level. The really powerful classes (full casters especially) are very rare. Even “high level” characters do not really seem to have reliable access to “high level” spells. In many circumstances, an 8th level wizard is going to be much rarer and much more individually dangerous than the aristocrat 6/expert 6 king. However the king still has sufficient “inherent skill” to have a chance to hold off the wizard, until his kingsguards (aristocrat 2/warrior 8) can subdue the interloper.</p>
<p>In Game of Thrones terms, a character like Ser Merrin Trent (the guy who kills Arya’s “dancing master”) is maybe, like I suggested above an aristocrat 2/ warrior 8. If faced by a random thug (commoner 2) he can dispatch him with contemptible ease, but if forced to fight an inexperienced hero, let say Jon Snow (fighter 3/ ranger 3) he would be in serious trouble, even though he out-levels Jon. </p>
<p>So my point is that “high level” characters may be fairly unexceptional, but level is not the only measure of power; you also need to consider degree of optimization, classes (adventuring vs NPC; full caster vs low-tier martial), Attributes and gear. A fairly low-level leader (say 7th level), 25 points of Attributes, all paladin levels and gear like a 15th level PC, is surely more personally dangerous than a 14th level aristocrat, with 10s across the board in Attributes and only clad in masterwork breastplate and wielding a +2 short sword. </p>
<p>Moreover, said 7th level paladin could easily throw around skill like Diplomacy +12, Knowledge (Nobility) +10, Profession (Military Officer) +10, Sense Motive +10, which quite conceivably would be enough to effectively run his kingdom. And if I was the GM I could easily consider granting him circumstance bonuses to these skill rolls in the +4 to +8 range, if his rule was considered exceptionally virtuous and legitimate.</p>This again speaks to the true measure of power being what class you are, not your level. The really powerful classes (full casters especially) are very rare. Even “high level” characters do not really seem to have reliable access to “high level” spells. In many circumstances, an 8th level wizard is going to be much rarer and much more individually dangerous than the aristocrat 6/expert 6 king. However the king still has sufficient “inherent skill” to have a chance to hold off the wizard,...JCAB2014-08-22T13:39:50ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Leaders of Golarion and the misunderstanding of challenge - a rantJCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rdoo&page=3?Leaders-of-Golarion-and-the-misunderstanding#1122014-08-22T13:07:17Z2014-08-22T11:36:30Z<p>I think there is a really important aspect to this discussion you have to address, if you are meaningfully going to handle the issue of how high level leaders in Golarion are/should be; namely just how common are characters of various level?</p>
<p>As a data point let us use Sandpoint, the most iconic town in the setting and ground zero for the setting as a whole. Sandpoint is a town of 1.240 (according to RotRL: BO) and it is ruled by 7th level character (Kendra Deverin; aristocrat 4/expert 3). Among the named individuals in the section describing the town he have 30 characters who are 4th level or higher and of them roughly ¼ are 6th or higher.</p>
<p>The number of named 1st level characters is small, and most of them are called out as children or at least young and explicitly inexperienced. In fact the single most common character level for a named townsperson is 3rd. Now let us assume that the characters named in the book are the mostly prominent and/or skilled citizens, so that your run of the mill servant, shopkeeper or serf is slightly less capable, this still leaves us with the average adult most likely being 2nd level.</p>
<p>If we assume some fairly simplistic - but nor unrealistic giving healing magic – demographics. Roughly 1/3 of the citizens (413) of Sandpoint are children, who by default are going to be 1st level. Of the remaining roughly 800 people who are adults let us say that half are too young, incompetent, unambitious or boring to have advanced to the 2nd level, that gives us an additional roughly 400 1st level characters. However, that still leaves us with nearly 400 adults who are 2nd level or above and some indication that of these maybe 1/10 are 4th level or higher. </p>
<p>I think that is fairly convincing evidence that Golarion from the get go was designed to be a relatively high level campaign setting. Unlike many previous D&D setting which assumed than maybe less than 10% of all adulated ever advanced beyond the 1st level, Pathfinder mostly like takes place in a world were as much as half of all adults have gained at least one level. Moreover, even marginally competent or experienced individuals are likely to have advanced to the 3rd level. The following people in Sandpoint are all 3rd level: Naffer Tosk (Grave-Digger, Gardner at the Bone Yard), Maver Kesk (Town Jeweler), Gorvi (Garbage Man), Vachedi (Jailer), Savah Bevaniky (Armsdealer), Larz Rovenky (Tanner), Nisk Tander /Alchemist), Jesk Cracktooth Berinni (Innkeeper), Banny Harker (Sawmill Foreman), Bilivar Wheen (Wheelwright), Chod Bevuk (Butcher) and Gressel Tenniwar (Innkeeper). </p>
<p>In fact not level, but whether or not a character has NPC class levels, seem to be the dividing line between exceptional and ordinary individuals. Case in point, the town baker Alma Avertin is 7th level (expert), while notorious local ex-adventurer Ameiko Kaijitsu only is 5th level (aristocrat/bard/rogue).</p>
<p>So with these things in mind I must say that I find it quite plausible that most leaders of nations or major city-states/tribal confederacies/international organizations are going to clock in at, at least 8th level (as to be more competent than a random frontier town baker) and maybe are going to cluster around the 12th to 14th level. However, unless they seized power by might or trickery (and thus are likely to have adventuring class levels), they are mostly going to be “high level” aristocrats and experts. Having levels in the double digits ensure that they are not total pushovers, as they can muster reasonably okay Saving Throw bonuses and HP, and the same time enforce them as being well above average in pure competence, without making them into personally unstoppable swordsmen or mages.</p>
<p>That is not the same as that you are not going to see the occasional “low-level” ruler (i.e. level 4-8). However they are going to be comparatively rare and are mostly going to be newly appointed or ascended rulers. They are exactly going to be the kind of rulers who will quickly develop a reputation of being if not controlled, then at least heavily influenced by their advisors and political “allies”; or they are figurehead rulers whose role tend to be mostly ceremonial. </p>
<p>However, I also think it is worth pointing out that from an “in-setting” perspective it may be difficult to distinguish between a 6th and an 12th level aristocrat, unless you have sustained and close interaction with the character. The important point here is that we really do not have any guidelines to set the DCs for “ruling a country” skill checks. If we assume that a rich low-corruption country, with strong central institutions and broad popular legitimacy is “easy” to run, the DCs faced by the ruler may be so low that it is effectively impossible to figure out if he (or she) is throwing a +8 or a +18 modifier at the problem. Seen from inside setting it is just possible to know that the country is at peace, the taxes are being paid, the army is strong and the nobles seem to accept the status quo.</p>I think there is a really important aspect to this discussion you have to address, if you are meaningfully going to handle the issue of how high level leaders in Golarion are/should be; namely just how common are characters of various level?
As a data point let us use Sandpoint, the most iconic town in the setting and ground zero for the setting as a whole. Sandpoint is a town of 1.240 (according to RotRL: BO) and it is ruled by 7th level character (Kendra Deverin; aristocrat 4/expert 3)....JCAB2014-08-22T11:36:30ZForums: Homebrew and House Rules: New Oracle Archtype - The Feywild Knight (Feedback appreciated)JCABhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qicu?New-Oracle-Archtype-The-Feywild-Knight#12013-12-30T19:00:47Z2013-12-30T14:58:34Z<p><b>Oracle Archtype – The Feywild Knight</b></p>
<p>Feywild Knights are the favored agents and captains of the Lords of the First World. Often recruited from among the mortal races of the Material Plane, Feywild Knights often guard the portals to their liege’s realm or act as his envoys or ambassadors to the world of mortals.</p>
<p>While the title ‘Feywild Knight’ do carry certain martial connotations, the title is really intended to reflect the feudal relationship between subject and lord and many Feywild Knights serve their masters in non-combat roles. Many of the seneschals, heralds and envoys of the Feywild Lords are Feywild Knights, while other Feywild Knights aid their lieges in mystical or artistic pursuits. Feywild Knights of a distinctly martial bent may serve as gate-wardens, captains of the guards, bailiffs or as their Lord’s executioner or bodyguard.</p>
<p>Like the Paladins of the Holy Orders, Feywild Knights are sworn to uphold code of conduct, but theirs is usually much less strict and demanding. Feywild Lords only require their Knights to never disobey a direct order from themselves and to never break the letter of their sworn word, as doing so would reflect poorly on the liege. In fact most Feywild Lords prefer Knights of a certain Neutral moral flexibility, as they believe such agents to be more effective in discharging their duties. </p>
<p><b>Sworn Knight of the Feywild:</b> This Ability replaces the Oracle Mystery and Oracle’s Curse class features. The Feywild Knight is sworn to never disobey a direct order from his liege or to break the letter of his word. If he does so he loses access to his Revelations and spell-casting abilities until he is subject to an Atonement spell. Moreover, weapons made from cold iron deal an additional point of damage to a Feywild Knight.</p>
<p>The Feywild Knight treat the following Skills as Class Skills: Bluff, Handle Animals, Linguistics, Knowledge (Nature), Knowledge (Nobility), Ride and Survival.</p>
<p>The Feywild Knight may also cast the following spells at will, as a Spell-Like ability, with a Caster Level equal to his Class Level and saves being Charisma based: Daze, Ghost Sound and Prestidigitation. </p>
<p><b>Feywild Knight Spells: </b>The Feywild Knight uses the Druid spell list, instead of the Cleric spell list.</p>
<p><b>Feywild Knight Bonus Spells:</b> Disguise Self; Mirror Image; Heroism; Confusion; Break Enchantment; Find the Path; Form of the Dragon II; Irresistible Dance; Weird.</p>
<p><b>Feywild Knight Revelations: </b>Bonded Mount (Chose between Horse and Stag), Maneuver Mastery, Nature’s Whispers, Speak with Wood, Skill at Arms, Woodland Stride</p>
<p><b>Favored Terrain:</b> As the Ranger ability. Can be taken multiple times, each pick granting one additional type of favored terrain and increasing the bonus of one type of favored terrain by +2.</p>
<p><b>Feywild Courtier: </b>Grants a +2 morale bonus to all saves versus spells and spell-like abilities of the Enchantment and Illusion schools. The character also adds half class level (minimum 1) as a competence bonus to all Bluff and Diplomacy skill checks. </p>
<p><b>Smite Defiler:</b> 1/day, as the Paladin ability, but it affects only Aberrations, Constructs and Undead creatures. Can be taken multiple times, each pick increasing the number of times per day the Revelation can be used by one.</p>
<p><b>Wild Empathy:</b> As the Druid ability.</p>
<p><b>Final Revelation:</b> As the Soul of the Fey, Sorcerer Fey Bloodline ability.</p>Oracle Archtype – The Feywild Knight
Feywild Knights are the favored agents and captains of the Lords of the First World. Often recruited from among the mortal races of the Material Plane, Feywild Knights often guard the portals to their liege’s realm or act as his envoys or ambassadors to the world of mortals.
While the title ‘Feywild Knight’ do carry certain martial connotations, the title is really intended to reflect the feudal relationship between subject and lord and many Feywild...JCAB2013-12-30T14:58:34Z