The Friendly Lich's page

I know this will sound like an awfully specific niche request, but I‘ll say it anyway:

Planet Earth World Guide.

Based on what has been established in Rasputin Must Die (2013 publishing date = 1918 on Pathfinder universe Earth), now would be the perfect window of opportunity to publish Pathfinder material set in the golden 20s, before Pathfinder universe Earth will enter WW2.

I would love to have a book containing locations, creatures, and plot hooks based on real-world mythology (and based on 1E-Bestiaries I know that Paizo has an interest in these too) and also modern weapons and equipment rules for 2E.

Plus a matching Pawn set, containing 1920s era humans and mythological creatures.

Can we have EU-friendly shipping options for this campaign, please? (i.e. an option for European customers to have physical products shipped from within the European Union)

Oh, and one thing would really love to have as an addon or stretch goal is a Vincent Dutrait artbook.

Will there still be an option to download character sheets for free and without a watermark for second edition?

The Friendly Lich wrote:

Would it be possible to give each bestiary an explicit theme, after the first one?

Bestiary 1 will be „bread and butter fantasy monsters“ anyway. But beyond that, I would prefer if I could take for example only the „desert bestiary“ (if I am running a desert themed adventure) along with the „core bestiary“ - and have all momsters relevant to me, rather than having to bring Bestiaries 1 through 9 and only needing a few monsters from each.

To that end, I would be happy to have a bigger core bestiary and much thinner thematic bestiaries. I also wouldn’t mind if some monsters were reprinted across different thematic bestiaries.

Problem then is that, if you do a niche bestiary, less people may overall buy it, as they don't game in deserts, or seldom use fey, or never make it to high level. I would prefer a variety of monsters of different types, niches, and CR.

If there is a theme, I would prefer it to be vague enough to allow lots of types of monsters. Kind of like how the current bestiaries have subtle themes going through them.

From a commercial point of view you are probably right.

Personally, I would still prefer explicitly themed bestiaries (similar to the „... revisited“ series) to the subtly themed bestiaries of today, because I feel it would reduce the number of books I have to carry for a given adventure.

Would it be possible to give each bestiary an explicit theme, after the first one?
Bestiary 1 will be „bread and butter fantasy monsters“ anyway. But beyond that, I would prefer if I could take for example only the „desert bestiary“ (if I am running a desert themed adventure) along with the „core bestiary“ - and have all momsters relevant to me, rather than having to bring Bestiaries 1 through 9 and only needing a few monsters from each.

To that end, I would be happy to have a bigger core bestiary and much thinner thematic bestiaries. I also wouldn’t mind if some monsters were reprinted across different thematic bestiaries.

Let‘s talk about stat blocks and character sheets.

Here is my personal wish list for PF 2E:

I hope that PF 2E stat blocks will follow the same basic layout as PF 2E character sheets. This would make it much easier for novice players to figure out what is where when they are handed a stat block for the first time (e.g. a summoned creature).

I want to see at first glance which feats on a stat block provide an active ability (e.g. a special kind of attack that is not repeated anywhere else on the stat block) rather than just a passive bonus to something (which is already factored in in other parts of the stat block). Something to help novice (or lazy) game masters to prepare encounters, and make sure they are aware of all the special capabilities that a creature has.

Related to the above, I would like both character sheets and stat blocks to show both the innate statistics (based on class, levels, feats, etc) and the current statistics (including temporary effects from gear, spells, raging, etc.). Today, Paizo tends to give some plain text notes as part of the stat block (something like „the statistics above assume such and such spell has been cast. If not use the alternative statistics below...“). This is already very helpful to figure out if an effect has already been incorporated, but I am hoping for a more elegant and less verbose solution. Also I noticed at my own games that players often forget where a certain bonus came from and whether it is still active or not.

Starfinder Pawns!

The Lexx (Lexx)
The Equinox (Start Trek Voyager)
That cruise ship from The 5th Element

Can we get a pawn set for this book, please?

The Friendly Lich wrote:

Not to mention Aucturn, countdown clocks, and the dominion of the black.

My ideas, you stole them!

Do your ideas also involve mummified mi-go and neh-thalggu?

Two additional interesting facts I stumbled upon during my research:

1. While there is indeed no rule that prohibits dead characters from taking actions, there is a rule that prohibits the players of dead characters to do so:

This isn't in the PRD, but if you have the actual CRB, it says this:

When a PC dies, his player no longer has any input into the game [...]. That player has to sit at the table quietly, watching and waiting while everyone else continues to have fun with the game.

So, by RAW, players must sit still and are not even allowed to have fun while their charecters are dead (I need to start enforcing that rule at my table). Note that this doesn't apply to NPCs (so the GM could still make them act normally after they died) and that it isn't tied to the dead condition, but to the act of dying (so a player whose character gaining the dead condition via that family domain ability instead of by dying is still allowed to act and have fun - while the other player whose character doesn't have the dead condition anymore still hast to sit quietly without having fun. At least thats how I would rule it).

2. The Additional Rules chapter lists a few more "conditions":

"Hold portal" and "Arcane lock" are conditions that can be applied to objects (Just like with "broken", I assume objects unfortunately don't count as allies for the purpose that family domain ability)

"Favorable conditions" can double the weight one can push or drag (no examples given - by RAW I would have to assume that "favorable conditions" means invisible or incorporeal - and maybe prone while people are shooting at you).

Difficult terrain, obstacles, poor visibility, and impassable are conditions that hamper movement (probably conditions of the terrain, not of the character).

A module about shutting down the Chapel of Rent Flesh.

It could be the adventure about Kytons we've all been waiting for - and it would be the perfect tie-in module for Iron Gods.

All that said. Do you guys and girls realize how many classic masterpieces of fantasy art would have never existed if political correctness had had its way back then ? Censorship is not conducive to creation.

Art direction is hardly censorship.

I can't help but notice one small detail on the final cover: it doesn't just say "Iron Gods", but "Iron Gods TM".

Wouldn't that make it the first trademarked AP title ever? Almost as if Paizo wants to make more with the phrase "Iron Gods" than just a single AP. Like a whole spin-off game where Androids and AIs are fighting the Dominion of the Black in space...

(Note to Paizo: even if that hadn't been your plan all along, I absolutely wouldn't mind at all if you stole that idea from me now.)

Remember the child-goddess from Ankar-Te in Kaer Maga?

What were your inspirations when creating her?

Did you ever reveal any more details on her, beyond what we can find in City of Strangers?

Would you like to reveal more about her one day, or do you prefer for her to remain a mystery?

Did you recently get a promotion? (I.e. has your messageboard title always been "Managing Editor"? It looks weirdly unfamiliar.)

Am I the only one who came here hoping for info on a book actually called "Blood of Books", which describes a new half-human-half-book race?

Ana gives Thorvald a curious look when he speaks about 'womens' many words'.
Womens' many words? I've yet to meet any woman who rattles on as much as you Ulfen men do.

"Certainly." she says curtly as she leads him towards the door.

Gate to the East
Taldor wants to find a back route into the Empire of Kelesh - and the fabled lands that lie beyond. For sure it will be much easier to negotiate and trade with the emperor directly, instead of through his vassal state Qaidra. The adventurers are going to find this back route and establish a Taldan representation in Kelesh, Marco Polo style.

1: A bold plan
The adventurers have to obtain a detailed map of Casmaron, while keeping their plan secret from Qaidran and Taldan agents. (A city adventure)

2: To the horizon
With the map secured, the expedition can finally start: first sneaking through Galt undetected, then going east through Iobaria. (First part sneaking and subterfuge, second part wilderness survival)

3: Lords of the steppe
The adventurers have to earn the respect of the nomadic centaur tribes, in order to be allowed to proceed through their territory. To do this they investigate strange events that have happened recently.

4: The lotus eaters
While crossing the Castrovin Sea, the adventurers are stranded on the shores of Iblydos. (Roughly re-telling parts of Homer's Odyssey)

5: The fabled kingdom
Finally, our group reaches one of the northern satrapies of Kelesh. (Some fighting, some diplomacy, essentially a sandbox)

6: What lies so far behind
Their actions in part 5 have earned our heroes the emperor's attention. They meet him and he is quite impressed by their stories and open to everything they might offer. During conversation he passingly mentions that the satrapy of Qaidra is about to annihilate its northern neighbor country. When the heroes explain that this is their home country, he gives them a royal symbol and the authority to stop this war. The heroes teleport back to Taldor and, from there, infiltrate the enemy headquarters, find the Satrap, and order him to stop the attack.

Ana embraces Thorvald, kisses him and whispers in his ear: "Patience, my love."
Turning to Julian and Zethyris she adds: "Patience, everybody. Give the man time to think."

Then she turns to the remaining bandit and explains, in a matter of fact tone of voice:
"To put it more bluntly: someone who looks just like you will bring us to your leader. Now, that could either be you - or one of us wearing your skin like a mask. The choice is yours."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

"Here, this oversized box contains Trade Agreement. Disregard the scraping sounds and Kobold smell. And please promise us not to open it until you are alone."

Hey Julian, want to join the "Jediah is a mean bully" club?

(First topic on the club agenda: isn't it curious how protective of Rutilux Jediah is?)

Picard never left the nexus. The end of Generations, and all subsequent Star Trek movies, are just a product of Picard's imagination.

An interactive map that linked you to corresponding products by region, city, etc. would be a blast :) I'll go check out the Wiki.

An interactive map like this?

I'm a little bit confused after reading about Arazni (former demigod turned into a Lich by the necromancer Geb). Which of the following statements are true?

A. Gods have souls.
B. A powerful necromancer can turn someone else into a lich...
C. ... even if that person knows nothing about necromancy herself.
D. ... even against her will.
E. ... even if she is already dead.