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From my initial look-through, my Top 10 monsters (in the order they appeared in the book) are:
Lipika Aeon
Anunnaki
Apkallu
Kabandha Cyclops
Gristly Demodand
Egregore
Hundun
Solar Pitri Manasaputra (Agnishvatta)
Kimenhul Sakhil
Danava Titan
Other things I'm pleased to see:
I like that we have Aether Elementals. Works well for Kineticists and helps fill a hole I didn't realize was there until they filled it.
I like that there are new Gremlins.
I like that there are multiple 0-HD PC-Race-capable creatures.
I like that there's a good assortment of High-CR Creatures.
I like the Tsukumogami and Tulpa Templates; they let me add things to the game that I've wanted to.
I like that there's a decent share of Good Outsiders (and Outsiders for some of the more-unusual groups like Aeons and Demodands).
I like the Vilderavn's Art.
I like that there's a new Robot; it just *barely* didn't make my top-10.
I like the Sakhils and the Manasaputras and their overall roles in things (and their contrasting horror-squick / awe-inspiring art). I look forward to potentially seeing more of both of them, and I look forward to future outsider type-groups.
Immediate after-lookthrough reactions as to what I'd like to see in the next Bestiary:
The Oitos Kyton (and Kytons in general, but particularly the missing Oitos)
More Inevitables (though having a powerful Lawful Outsider in the form of the Apkallu in this one was nice)
Overall, I find the book looks to likely be excellent and look forward to reading into it more in-depth.
I love the Heikegani! It is so adorable and sad. The mutant template seems really usable in a lot of settings. The 0-HD races are all pretty nifty, but dunno if I'll be able to use all of them. The reptoids were kinda disappointing. I see why they were used, but meh. Not for me.
Lord Gadigan, would you mind describing the Apkallu? That one's been on my list for about forever, and I'm really curious about it. So it's powerful and Lawful? That's pretty cool. What does it look like?
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It looks like a falcon-man in ornate robes with a spear. The robes are made of fish-scales, but that isn't readily obvious in the art piece itself.
They're potent oracular Outsiders from Utopia that guide mortals towards advancement, protect civilization, record mortal discoveries/histories in personal extraplanar libraries (which later get copied into Utopia's), and inspire people toward better futures through dreams, visions, and portents.
CR 23/MR9
Terraformer Robots!!!
What are they?
Do they have a CR?
Should I take everyone's silence to mean there is a vast conspiracy that goes all the way to the top that is bent on making sure no APs are set in Galt?
I was hping someone could answer my questions from earlier.
I would like to know more about the Sakhils. Namely,
*Why did they become evil?
*What are their goals?
*What is their policy towards undead?
*What has been Pharasma/Psychopomp's reaction to them?
I love the Heikegani! It is so adorable and sad. The mutant template seems really usable in a lot of settings. The 0-HD races are all pretty nifty, but dunno if I'll be able to use all of them. The reptoids were kinda disappointed. I see why they were used, but meh. Not for me.
Is the mutant template the same as the "Mana Wastes Mutant Template?"
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Terraformer robots are what it says on the can. They're robots that terraform planets. They've got nanite clouds that perform nonmagical versions of earth-shaping effects. They can form flying grids over worlds when in large groups, performing wide-scale terrain alteration / plant life alteration / temperature alteration / water alteration when linked up for a couple weeks. Individually they're CR 7.
Sakhils learned of the eventual demise of the current iteration of the multiverse and decided that they wanted no part in serving a system that was eventually going to just give in, give up, and shut down. They decided that instead, they'd make the most of their time while reality is running and take over as much of it as possible. They took 'mortals fear us as Psychopomps as agents of death' as a root point and became tormenters and conquerors who reshaped their forms to be as warped and terrifying as possible (and the art delivers).
They seek to become nightmare warlords, rulers of a nightmare reality distanced instead of servants to a universe that will eventually fail.
Sakhils love undead! They take pleasure in pulling souls free from the faulty cycle that they're caught in and making them into servants.
The Psychopomps oppose a lot of what they do, but don't actually hate them or oppose them as a general category of being. Pharasma gets no mention (presumably because this is in the core RPG line).
For those bothered by the lack of Daemons in this, I'll note that I have now spotted one (Acrididaemon, a servant of Famine formed of many insects) in Feast of Dust.
My guess is its the one from the Numeria book.
Terraformer robots are what it says on the can. They're robots that terraform planets. They've got nanite clouds that perform nonmagical versions of earth-shaping effects. They can form flying grids over worlds when in large groups, performing wide-scale terrain alteration / plant life alteration / temperature alteration / water alteration when linked up for a couple weeks. Individually they're CR 7.
Would it make a good castle builder as a simulacrum ?
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So anyone willing to share info on the Caligni player race ?I don't have my copy yet, but a friend who does has shared a few tidbits.
** spoiler omitted **
Any mention of where they fit in the hierarchy of the society ?
Happy Dance that their medium.....What is the physical description like ?
And THANK YOU for posting info on them ;)
Captain: Which Numeria book? I very well may be forgetting an existing one and am up for looking and comparing after I get back from dinner.
Numeria, Land of Fallen Stars, it's in the campaign setting line.
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Dinner got delayed. Popping by again for some more questions first.
Mutant is confirmed as the one from the Numeria book.
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The Terraformer robot (due to per-day limits) would be worse at castles than a simulacrum caster with the right array of spells unless you were building one in the Mana Wastes or some other region with iffy magic. That said, it can (when in groups of ten or more) perform permanent, nonmagical temperature alteration, which is something I can't come up with a good way for simulacrums to match.
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Nothing 26+ directly, but 11 that are 20+ (several with Mythic Ranks). Probably should have clarified what I meant by high-CR. There's also notes about variants of some of the creatures that are higher power levels, such as Danava Pillars (CR 25-30), Empyreal Paragon Angels (CR 23-30), and Elder Cardinal Wind Anemoi (no listed CR, but I'd ballpark 'em at 23-28).
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Going ahead and posting this. Going to see if I can get any more responses in before dinner finishes cooking.
A frog father is basically nothing more than a Huge frog.
The Deep One Hybrid is rather complex, so I will let somebody else answer that one.
Hmm, given the way he was described in the story 'Frogfather' by Wellman, I would have seen Froggy as more of a supernatural being/monstrous humanoid or even an outsider. But hey, even this is more than I ever expected! Thank you, Paizo.
I guess the Flat, Behinder, Skim, and Tripodero will all have to wait for the next book. ;)
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Caligni Darkfolk are seen as as positive omens / individuals with the potential for a great destiny by other Darkfolk, who see them as having aspects of their ancient past before the Owbs took control. The Owbs tend to dislike them for much the same reasons, leading to Darkfolk society ultimately being hostile towards them and tending towards their deaths before adulthood.
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Manasaputras dwell within the life-giving fires of the Positive Energy Plane (and are, themselves, formed of Cosmic Fire). They seek the path of perfection and oneness with the universe, guiding it, seeking discoveries of new aspects of its nature, and attempting to master its principle forces. This path leads them to also guide mortals along similar paths (with the mortals eventually being able to reincarnate as Manasaputras). Notably, the greatest of their kind come from earlier iterations of the multiverse, reincarnating into its successive versions and growing in power and wisdom over time as they do so. They tend to work alongside Aeons and Inevitables, and they are sworn enemies of Sakhils. Despite both being LG, they tend to see Archons as somewhat stuffy and over-zealous.
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I am disappointed that the Lashunta didn't make it into psychic/alien/occult themed bestiary.
To be fair, they were included in PFCS: Inner Sea Races, though - stats and all.
I am so excited to have this book get here soon, so I can continue the mad scheming that will surely ensue. I'm sure it was hard to keep a lid on this material, because I know I would have been bursting at the seams with the urge to share and talk about it.
Paizo: Very, very, very nice work. So much applause, plus a standing ovation. Wow. You delighted every single one of my curiosities, save for ha-nagas, and Valashmaians. Between this, and Occult Realms, I just watched my future work load get cut in half (or more) to keep developing my adventure path ideas. Awesome, overflowing.
-will
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What do the Manasaputras do?
And what are the names of the new angels and other good outsiders?
Manasaputras are lawful good outsiders who were once mortals. They achieved self-perfection and were reborn on the Positive Energy Plane. The artwork for them is definitely Indian in style. Their leaders (of whom seven are named but not statted out) are called Kumaras. This book has Manus, Maharishi Manus, Rishi Manus, Solar Pitris, and Twilight Pitris.
Agathions are Cervinal and Reptial.
Angels are Balisse, Choral, and Empyrean (with Empyrean Paragon variant).
Archons are Exscinder and Gate.
Azatas are Gancanagh and Raelis.
On an unrelated note, the Apallie is the most interesting ooze creature I have seen in quite a while. They can assume the form of small humanoids, but only at night.
Chickens are the lowest CR creature in this book.
Did the Kere Psychopomp make it into the book ?
Nice to see the Raelis Azata made it, is it the same as the one presented in Shattered Star 4 ?
Vildravn is amazing! Can't believe it's only CR 16
Why doesn't the Empyrean Angel have any way listed to teleport or plane shift? Is that intentional? Is there a list of assumed abilities all angels have?
It's a good sign I'm already getting plot hook ideas from these creatures, and I don't even have the pdf yet.
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I don't really understand why there aren't any new Proteans, a LOT of people asked for them?
To be fair, there were two new proteans introduced in books #2 and #3 of Hell's Rebels AP. And they have the ability to shapechange via polymorph, etc., so it's not like you are going to see them in a group in the wild Maelstrom, flying around in unison like a flock of birds or a school of fish of a single species.
I really hope they stop making new groups of Outsiders in the future Bestiaries and add to the Div and Proteans (and others cept for Aeons, that need some love)
Also don't understand why there aren't some cool Daemons in this book, and there will be devils and demons again. Some cool Daemons from the Daemon book would be cool, such as Phasmadaemon and Sangudaemon.
The new outsiders in this book are both meaningful and incredibly diverse in their application to the game world. Many new neutral beings that could easily fall both ways in the plot foils/hooks. Tons of ways to look at the spiritual activity of the mortal worlds in a new way - sometimes even a terrifying new way.
You're correct about no new daemons, but we have already been given a ton of them in one bestiary, and the original material from Tome of Horrors is always applicable, even from outside a bestiary revision. But, we do have new demodands, the grim reaper (and lesser reapers), plus new stuff related to the titans, and even more on weird alien beings from beyond the realms of comprehension. Honestly, I think any pain you may feel from perceived losses is made up for by the fact that are a ton of new critters are more than willing, ready, and capable of using that pain to feed upon - or worse.....
Oh, and one more thing: new familiar, Penguin. Thank you, Paizo. SLIDE!
So I noticed the Reptoids are shapeshifters... That makes a lot of thematic sense
Can someone put up their PC stats?
Anyone mind putting up the names of the neutral and evil Outsiders as individuals?
Anyone mind telling me what a Rope Dragon is? Is is something serpentine or something far more bizarre?
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Reptoid
+2Str +2Cha -2Dex
Medium
Speed 30ft
Low-light Vision
+1 Natural Armor
Bite 1d3 2claws 1d3
Cold Blooded(+2 vs mind-affecting and poison)
Change Shape(1 humanoid form)
Mental Potency
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Rope Dragon
Small CN Asian style dragon that can change into rope, use animate rope at will, and it's breath weapon is abrasive filaments.
Wow. I wonder what the inspiration for that one was.
Reptoid
** spoiler omitted **
Thank you very much Dragon
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Rope Dragon isn't an Improved Familiar option.
Familiars:
Chicken
Flying Fox
Penguin
Red Panda
Seal
Trilobite
Improved Familiars:
Brain Mole
Chuspiki
Clockwork Familiar
Liminal Sprite
Esipil Sakhil
Aether Wysp
Air Wysp
Earth Wysp
Fire Wysp
Water Wysp
Xiao
For clarity's sake since it might seem like it just got missed on my list: There is not a Manasaputra option.
Did the Kere Psychopomp make it into the book ?
Nice to see the Raelis Azata made it, is it the same as the one presented in Shattered Star 4 ?
There are no Psychopomps in this book.
For the Raelis Azata, if the version at d20pfsrd.com is from that adventure path, the Bestiary 5 is very similar but differs in a few details.
So what's a Chuspiki and a Liminal Sprite?
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Anyone mind putting up the names of the neutral and evil Outsiders as individuals?
Demodands are Gristly and Stringy (yes, those are the actual names).
Demons are Abrikandilu, Cambion, and Seraptis.
Devils are Apostate, Heresy, and Warmonger.
Aeons are Lipika and Othaos.
What did I leave out?
Wanna give a basic rundown of what the different sahkil types look like and do?
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Chuspiki is a large-eared rodent with a tail like a huge fan on the end that looks kinda like a webbed foot. It flides around on the giant fan, has some aerokinesis, can briefly turn to wind, and is just generally psychic and wind-powered. Kinda cute if you don't mind rodents. Chaotic.
Liminal Sprite looks like a woman in a dress with butterfly wings and a sword. They can only sleep in the external portions of buildings (under eaves / porches / stairs / etc). They like art, philosophy, and social intrigue. Good at assisting with Charisma-based tasks (+2d4 aid bonus). Chaotic.
Liminal Sprite
CN tiny fey
DR5/cold iron immune:sleep SR13
Repartee(aid another with cha skills gains a +2d4 bonus instead of +2)
Versatile Performance(use Perform-comedy for bluff and intimate)
Chuspiki
CN Tiny magical beast(air)
Looks like a mouse with a tail fan.
Has a lot of wind abilities including some kineticist stuff.
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Sakhil descriptions:
Esipil looks like an overmuscled dog-front-half with clawed hands connected to a slimy, bruise-colored worm-tail. It has no lower jaw, instead having sharp-ish-tentacle-growths surrounding a tounge made of strips of semiconnected red flesh. It serves as a fawning servant to those around it, but builds up into frenzies of aggression until ordered down by its master (should it have one). Feeds off of the fear of domesticated animals reverting towards wildness.
Kimenhul is a truly a grotesque majesty of an abomination. It has three giant partial-heads that are bloated and eyeless at the top of its 'body', each of with has overgrown, sharp teeth that come out unevenly. Below that is an amalgam of body-segments of half-present 'things' in a main trunk, which branches out into hand-like appendages that are kind of like split tree-branches with thorns of bone and meat jutting from them. That's perched on top of a tripod-configuration of quasi-legs that end in uneven,twisted meat-bone-claws. The whole thing is kind of draped in sticky slime-webbing. It's really a site to see. It's the big one and rules over Sakhil legions. They like screwing with people with illusions and mind-manipulation. It can perma-implant fear effects into targets and communicate with them remotely after it does that; they can temporarily go into recession but resurge later (requiring Wish or Miracle to fix).
Pakalchi is our contestant in the monster contest. She's an emaciated figure wrapped in and trailing thorny vines. See the Blog for her silhouette. They feed on fear and insecurity from shattered social relationships.
Qolok looks like a bloated torso with a massive mouth in the middle with a giant tongue, mouths on its arms, and a giant toothed gash in the top where the head would be that sprouts additional slender, warped arms. It promotes overindulgence and feeds off of fear of running out of resources / not having enough. Its swallow attack inflicts phobias.
Wihsaak looks like an insect-man whose head is a full insect atop the insect-humanoid body, with four wings on the back and arms that each split into two sub-arms. Fear of insects and creepy-crawlies for this one. Wing-beat causes confusion.
They've all got fear gazes.
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Aw. No piasa. Maybe next time.
Still looking forward to the book!
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Sakhil descriptions:
Esipil looks like an overmuscled dog-front-half with clawed hands connected to a slimy, bruise-colored worm-tail. It has no lower jaw, instead having sharp-ish-tentacle-growths surrounding a tounge made of strips of semiconnected red flesh. It serves as a fawning servant to those around it, but builds up into frenzies of aggression until ordered down by its master (should it have one). Feeds off of the fear of domesticated animals reverting towards wildness.
Kimenhul is a truly a grotesque majesty of an abomination. It has three giant partial-heads that are bloated and eyeless at the top of its 'body', each of with has overgrown, sharp teeth that come out unevenly. Below that is an amalgam of body-segments of half-present 'things' in a main trunk, which branches out into hand-like appendages that are kind of like split tree-branches with thorns of bone and meat jutting from them. That's perched on top of a tripod-configuration of quasi-legs that end in uneven,twisted meat-bone-claws. The whole thing is kind of draped in sticky slime-webbing. It's really a site to see. It's the big one and rules over Sakhil legions. They like screwing with people with illusions and mind-manipulation. It can perma-implant fear effects into targets and communicate with them remotely after it does that; they can temporarily go into recession but resurge later (requiring Wish or Miracle to fix).
Pakalchi is our contestant in the monster contest. She's an emaciated figure wrapped in and trailing thorny vines. See the Blog for her silhouette. They feed on fear and insecurity from shattered social relationships.
Qolok looks like a bloated torso with a massive mouth in the middle with a giant tongue, mouths on its arms, and a giant toothed gash in the top where the head would be that sprouts additional slender, warped arms. It promotes overindulgence and feeds off of fear of running out of resources / not having enough. Its swallow attack inflicts phobias.
Wihsaak looks like an insect-man whose head...
Wow. They sound cool as hell. Your descriptions make me think of the necromorphs from Dead Space. Which is awesome
The Sakhil sound awesome.
Anyone mind giving some details about the Cherufe, like it's appearance and stuff?
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The Cherufe looks like a muscular lizardman with a frilled head that's made of obsidian that barely contains a core of molten magma that shines through cracks in the skin and drips from the jaws. It gets healed by fire, can fling burning rocks, and can cause a monthly earthquake.
Awesome. That's almost exactly how I envisioned the beast.
Alright, one more question for tonight, then I'll leave everyone alone. Could someone describe the Papinijuwari for us?