Hot Damn! Just got my shipment message!
I am going to download this very second and check out my babies!
It's a great book, but I fear that with it not being added to the PRD it will see limited use in Paizo adventures, with having to reprint every statblock in full. Which makes me a bit sad, because I really want Annihilator Robots chain-gunning Sandpoint apart some day.
Respectfully Gorbacz, I think your fears are unfounded. As a freelancer, I can attest they will see use.
Yes, we'll have to reprint the whole stat block if they don't put them in the PRD.
But we have to do that now, every time we use a Tome of Horrors Complete creature too.
I think what you're going to see over time with additional Bestiaries is that we need to rely on 3PP creatures less and less (not because they're not good!), but turn to our large and healthy library of in-house creatures to fill the bill. And when we need/want to use creatures from the I.S.B. we'll just print the whole block.
It's just a matter of juggling priorities and making careful design choices.
Has anyone else gotten there email/pdf yet?
Is there anything you can tells us Mr Groves about this book(particularly the racial mods of the 5 0HD races) or because your a contributer there is a company policy against it?
Jim should tell us through interpretative dance! Ever since his leg got better, I'm sure he's just dying to do so!
Do we know these guys won't be on the PRD? The D20PFPRD website has creatures and NPC's from adventure paths. My understanding is that that monsters stat blocks might be released, but of course Pathfinder owns the right to the fluff. So a 3PP could use Lashunta, but they would have to create there own backstory.
Has anyone else gotten there email/pdf yet?
Is there anything you can tells us Mr Groves about this book(particularly the racial mods of the 5 0HD races) or because your a contributer there is a company policy against it?
Since I have it handy...
Android: +2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Cha
Ghoran: +2 Con, +2 Cha, -2 Int
Monkey Goblin: +4 Dex, -2 Wis, -2 Cha
Lashunta: +2 Int (male, +2 Str, -2 Wis; female, +2 Cha, -2 Con)
Syrinx: +2 Wis, -2 Dex
Contributors can't divulge information on unreleased products because of NDAs, but since this product has been released, Mr. Groves can talk about it (as can other contributors). (But I beat him to the punch. >.> )
Thanks Liz!
I can tell you:
The cayhound is the mega-awesome!
Thanks for the info Liz and Jim.
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The syrinx is really cool. It's a great juxtaposition.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
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Thanks Liz!
I can tell you:
** spoiler omitted **
Glad you enjoyed. Boomer was in town visiting last spring, and when we met up for dinner I surprised him with a copy of my draft version of the monster as I had written it up for him. He was truly touched and tickled that his deranged love child was hitting the big time and that I was the guy to write it up. :)
I want a cayhound familiar, that art rocks!
What is the Syrinx?
Winged owl faced humanoid. Awesome art, again
I also fancy playing the monkey goblin, just 'cos of the art. With it's low RP cost I'd allow players to add their own extras in ;)
I recall some posters really wanting examples of "dark isn't always evil" and "light is not always good". I really like the syrinx because it plays up that trope.
Also, listing who worked on what. That's amazing and I hope it becomes a mainstay for future products!
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The syrinx is really cool. It's a great juxtaposition.
Yes I thought the alignment in the stat block was a typo then i read it and thought "I have to use one of these".
Now weird question did anyone else have this weird thought of a Ghoran sacred prostitute of calistra or something like that built around the idea of the delicious thing? It makes me wonder if they have a slang term for attraction to them in Nex like the slant eye thing in kaer maga.
Sorry weird train of thought but it made me think of some of the amazing interplay in perdido street station between the main character and his significant other.
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Also yes the art in here was insane better then anything I was expecting, and the write ups I've read so far and they are awesome, the night tripper and the monkey goblin are works of art and I am so ready to use the gatling scorpion it hurts. I cannot believe there is this much concentrated awesome in this tiny little book that it boggles my mind at the thought of how I want to implement all of this.
Zelishkar's stats and writeup pleases me greatly. I owe someone a drink at GenCon. :D
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It's interesting how Paizo's products serve not only as a means of entertainment but also as a source of education. When I first saw the name of the termagant kyton, my first thought was that Paizo might be getting a "nice" letter from Games Workshop in the not too distant future. Then I googled the term and several interesting hits later, I now know that the term "termagant" is actually a Real Life term, something I didn't know previously. So thanks Paizo for the day's lesson. :)
What are the racial traits for the Lashunta(male and female)?
Which spawn of Rovagug were used?
What does the art look like for the Ghoran and the Android?
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What are the racial traits for the Lashunta(male and female)?
Which spawn of Rovagug were used?
What does the art look like for the Ghoran and the Android?
Lashuntas with a certain Int (11 or higher) gain a few spell-like abilities (daze, mage hand, and detect thoughts). Lashuntas gain a +2 bonus to Knowledge checks. They also gain a limited form of telepathy.
Chemnosit the Monarch Worm and Volnagur the End-Singer are the two spawn of Rovagug.
The android is a pale redhead wearing leather armor, carrying rapier and shield. Circuitry can be seen on her neck and arm, appearing much like tattoos.
The ghoran is basically a human-shaped plant wearing a dress. Very interesting concept.
So other then racial mods, the Lashunta have the same abilities, correct?
What are the racial traits of the other 0HD races?
So do Lashunta gain a +2 bonus on all knowledge skills or a select few?
What is the new familiar(improved) option?
What is your favorite creature(s)?
Respectfully Gorbacz, I think your fears are unfounded.
Based on comments over a long period of time from the developer(s) themselves about how space is at a premium and what has been cut in the past (and why), I'm more inclined to believe Gorbacz.
I think his fears are indeed well founded.
hopefully my shipping confirmation will come today...will make a nice treat after turning in this postdoc application I have been slaving over for a couple of weeks
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Respectfully Gorbacz, I think your fears are unfounded.Based on comments over a long period of time from the developer(s) themselves about how space is at a premium and what has been cut in the past (and why), I'm more inclined to believe Gorbacz.
I think his fears are indeed well founded.
Don't get me wrong, the book is pure quality, and I'm kinda torn because it has what "setting agnostic" Bestiaries don't: sweet Golarion background info instead of generic fluff.
Let's hope we do get to see Androids in an AP soon :)
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So do Lashunta gain a +2 bonus on all knowledge skills or a select few?
To any one Knowledge skill.
What is your favorite creature(s)?
That's a tough question. The book is packed to the rim with coolness. That said, Nightripper is probably my favorite. If I had to pick a non-unique monster (Nightripper is a nascent demon lord), I'd have to go with either the syrinx, the thin man, or one of the psychopomps.
What is your favorite creature(s)?That's a tough question. The book is packed to the rim with coolness. That said, Nightripper is probably my favorite. If I had to pick a non-unique monster (Nightripper is a nascent demon lord), I'd have to go with either the syrinx, the thin man, or one of the psychopomps.
Ooh, the Nightripper is in here? I ever dared think that we'd get stats on him!
And what's this I've been seeing here about 'playable Adlets' in this book? I figured that would be impossible given just how powerful a race they are.
So what are the Andriod's, Ghoran's and Syrinx's racial traits?
Based on comments over a long period of time from the developer(s) themselves about how space is at a premium and what has been cut in the past (and why), I'm more inclined to believe Gorbacz.
I think his fears are indeed well founded.
:)
The Freelancer sweats about the space long before the Developer does. But those two roles are on the same side. Freelancer and Developer are very much a team. I just find the remark amusing—and not in a patronizing way.
I'm not going to argue with you two.
:D
I'll just do my best to actually use the creatures instead.
Edit: Arnwyn, just to put it in perspective, I recently turned over a project where I used two creatures that are Golarion specific and not in the PRD. I did it with Developer approval, and we reprinted the stat blocks. So I am speaking from experience and not just making noise. YOU ARE RIGHT! It is a challenge. I don't dispute that at all. But where there's a will, there is a way—and we'll get around those challenges when the creature is a perfect fit and there's a compelling reason.
Indeed, and good news (unique creatures when warranted is always good). But, a quick reminder: the original comment did say "limited use" - not no use at all.
Any chance of posting a list of the creatures in the book?
Much appreciated!
Indeed, and good news (unique creatures when warranted is always good). But, a quick reminder: the original comment did say "limited use" - not no use at all.
My bad! I concede that point! You are a gentleperson and a scholar!
I would just like to mention two points.
1. The Cayhound is freaking cool and I will find a way to make one a cohort somehow.
2. Whoever came up with the background and art on the Gohran congrats in the fact that I find them creepy as all heck....any race who has is Delicious as a drawback.....
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1. The Cayhound is freaking cool and I will find a way to make one a cohort somehow.
Thank you!
Credit also goes to James Jacobs who wisely counseled me, "Make sure the HD is low enough they can summon one with lesser planar ally."
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Here's a complete list, with CRs to boot (thanks, inside front page!)
CR 1/3: syrinx (Adept 1)
CR 1/2: android (Rogue 1), ghoran (Bard 1), lashunta (Wizard 1), monkey goblin (Barbarian 1)
CR 1: mockingfey
CR 2: ceru, stalk beetle, water wraith
CR 3: khaei
CR 4: gearsman robot, Mana Wastes mutant gnoll, thin man, viduus
CR 5: cayhound, oronci, umbral shepherd
CR 6: apostasy wraith, blighted fey satyr, petrified maiden, scarab beetle, vetala
CR 7: Spellscar fext
CR 8: marrowstone golem, whirlmaw
CR 9: fungus queen, shoki, star monarch
CR 10: korir-kokembe
CR 11: deadly mantis, myrmidon robot
CR 12: vespergaunt
CR 13: shadow giant
CR 14: kakuen-taka, veiled master
CR 15: memitim, woundwyrm
CR 16: annihilator robot
CR 17: termagant
CR 18: noqual golem
CR 19: charnel colossus
CR 20: Quantium golem, Moxix
CR 21: Zelishkar
CR 22: Volnagur
CR 23: Chemnosit
CR 24: Nightripper
CR 25: Lorthact
What is the veiled master like?
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What is the veiled master like?
veiled master|aboleth||ulitharid|illithid
Basically, a super-aboleth... though I'm not a fan of the art. I pictured a lot weirder, and it's basically just a big angler fish with three orange eyes on each side of its head. Six in a row in the middle of its head, or three in a row like other aboleth, just on each side of its hide would have been better.
What is the veiled master like?veiled master|aboleth||ulitharid|illithid
Basically, a super-aboleth... though I'm not a fan of the art. I pictured a lot weirder, and it's basically just a big angler fish with three orange eyes on each side of its head. Six in a row in the middle of its head, or three in a row like other aboleth, just on each side of its hide would have been better.
That sounds fantastic. Good analogy with the ulitharid, too.
I'm not getting how the android's RP totals up to 16. I'm getting 10, using the RP values given for its unique traits:
Standard Array: 0 RP
Darkvision 60 ft: 2 RP
Low-light vision: 1 RP
Skilled (Perception): 2 RP
Linguist: 1 RP
Constructed: 2 RP
Emotionless: -1 RP
Nanite Surge: 3 RP
Granted, constructed should probably be worth more, but...
Mana wastes mutant gnoll. Gearsman robot. Thank you. That will be all. Anything else is just extra. :)
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Mana Wastes mutant is just a template. Turns the creature into a twisted, diseased mutant with acid-related powers. The gnoll's artwork has half of its body turned into a deformed tentacle thing, and one of its legs twisted around so it bends backwards, apparently.
The Gearsmen robots are actually intelligent constructs (Int 10, 4 + Int mod skill points/HD) with a limited self-repair capacity. They can even heal another robot for 4d6 once per day. Also any metal melee weapon they wield is automatically Shocking.
Incredible book! Absolutely love this!
My only disappointment: the Gearsmen. Honestly, I expected more difficulty out of these and not something that 2nd level characters could destroy with moderate difficulty. At least a CR 8 or 9 . . .something to instill a little fear and not just yawning. I do appreciate some of the abilities of the Gearsmen, such as the self-repair capability and charge weapon ability. Also, while the artwork is fantastic, it's not what I expected the Gearsmen to look like . . . I guess I just thought there'd be less definition . . . something more alien-appearing. Don't know why I saw them to be more featureless than shown, but oh well!
In the end, this book is pretty much complete win, regardless!