Pathfinder Lost Omens: World Guide

It took Aroden a few centuries to stop directly interfering. Even after that, the last thing we need is an enormously more powerful Whispering Way.

Indeed. Furthermore and unless I am mistaken, the gods don't interfere because of a pact they collectively made, something to which a newly minted god would not be a party by default.

The gods don't interfere because they know that doing so starts up a divine arms race, and because their direct intervention tends to remove the purpose of free will. There isn't really a "written down divine pact" that they have to follow. It's largely a self-imposed ban on direct interaction; page 70 of Planar Adventures covers the topic in more detail.

Another way to look at it... if the gods intervened to both cause and solve every problem in the setting... there'd be nothing for player characters to do.

A setting where the gods meddle with mortals all the time can make for a fun story—Clash of the Titans (and going back to its inspiration, Greek Mythology and the like) comes to mind. But it's not that fun to play a game where the GM gets to decide everything that happens by just having the gods show up to make those things happen.

And so we try to limit the "Gods meddling with the story" to things in the distant past when we can, which places their direct influence out of the way of invalidating player agency in the game itself.

So Tar Baphon becoming a god is feared even by Paizo ;-P

So we know that the four northwestern realms of the Land of the Linnorm Kings, Irissen, the Realm of the Mammoth Lords & Varisia (with an added "New Thassilon" now encompassing most of the Ironbound Archipelago in the Steaming Sea) are now called the "SAGA LANDS" and are one of ten regions in the book.

What could the other regions be?

-The "RUINED LANDS":
The Worldwound, Mendev, Belkzen, Ustalav & Lastwall.

-The "RIVER LANDS":
Numeria, Brevoy, Razmiran & the River Kingdom.

-The "OCEAN LANDS":
Ruins of Azlant, Hermea, Mediogalti Island & The Shackles.

-The "DESERT LANDS":
Rahadoum, Thuvia, Osirion & Qadira.

And so on.

Will there be a yearly hardcover detailing one of these regions?

I think its less terrain thing and more geopolitical thing. Like inner sea region could be one. Lake encarthan another, that sort of stuff.

My roommate suggested that "the Empires of Humanity" made a lot of sense to cover Taldor, Cheliax, and the various splinter nations that have spun off from those two.

Will there be a yearly hardcover detailing one of these regions?

While we are certainly more likely to do a book on an entire region than a single nation within one, we don't have plans for any yearly books at this time, mostly because our schedule doesn't go past 2020, so it's unclear what's going to become a recurring thing and what's just on the schedule. A lot of that will likely depend on how well the format and existing books are received which we won't know until later this year.

On a side note, currently all books in this product line are going to be hardcovers, so unless that changes, a hardcover release won't be anything out of the ordinary after August.

Marco Massoudi wrote:

Will there be a yearly hardcover detailing one of these regions?

While we are certainly more likely to do a book on an entire region than a single nation within one, we don't have plans for any yearly books at this time, mostly because our schedule doesn't go past 2020, so it's unclear what's going to become a recurring thing and what's just on the schedule. A lot of that will likely depend on how well the format and existing books are received which we won't know until later this year.

On a side note, currently all books in this product line are going to be hardcovers, so unless that changes, a hardcover release won't be anything out of the ordinary after August.

Thanks, Mark.

I was under the impression, that you plan to publish about 3 hardcovers a year, like Starfinder does.
One Bestiary, one regional book and one rulebook with new class options.

In addition to the Adventure Paths of course (#150 in january 2020) & the flip-mats and accessories.

Will there still be a map folio for the "Age of Ashes" AP? Because there are none for Starfinder.
I know that i want a map of Isger! ;-)
I imagine that pawn sets are still forthcoming, as they are for Starfinder?

Thanks, Mark.

I was under the impression, that you plan to publish about 3 hardcovers a year, like Starfinder does.
One Bestiary, one regional book and one rulebook with new class options.

PF2, unlike Starfinder, has two hardcover lines. I'd be surprised not to see a lot more releases than that. 2-3 a year in the Pathfinder Rulebook line, and at least that many in the Pathfinder World Guide line.

Erik Mona said (on the twitch, I think) that it wasn't set in stone but that this line was likely to be around quarterly.

We WILL finally have a detailed global map though, which I'm very excited and relieved about! :P

Will you guys be releasing a separately purchasable copy of the double-sided map for those of us who want to display both sides on our walls? I expect the answer is yes, but wasn't sure, as possible lack of sales of the previous PF1E world map might preclude a new PF2E one.

We don't announce unannounced products on the boards here—keep an eye on our front page, our twitch/youtube videos, and convention appearances for product announcements.

Alternately, let us know on the boards what sorts of products you're interested in—that not only lets us see what folks are eager for, but if an idea gains a lot of traction with a lot of other folks asking for it or excited for it, that's good to know too.

Shivok wrote:

Of all the new books this is the one I am most excited about. I am curious to see what AP's have made it to canon ...

I can answer that now: All of them. :P

Not that all of them will have resolutions wide-ranging or notable enough to be mentioned in this book though... some APs are pretty low key from a historical point if the PCs win (which is going to be the assumption for all of them, I suspect... I'm not too fond of hard-coding into the campaign something that says YOUR PLAYER CHARCTERS ARE FAILURES by assuming one of the Adventure Paths is a canonically regarded a failure...).

But the book's still being worked on so I can't give full details yet.

Never subscribed before, but I'm thinking about it for 2e. Which one would I use to start with this book?

Never subscribed before, but I'm thinking about it for 2e. Which one would I use to start with this book?

After "Druma: Profit and Prophecy" ships in June, the options for starting the Campaign Setting subscription should be that book and the Lost Omens World Guide. I am not sure when they will be renaming that subscription, but it shouldn't affect what you get when you subscribe.

Never subscribed before, but I'm thinking about it for 2e. Which one would I use to start with this book?

This one (it’s the best!)

Lost Omens?

I like it! Long live Lost Omens!

Please include the varisian bladed scarf (weapon) and the Bladed Scarf Dancer and have it be viable. (I loved all the options for the weapon including the Ashavic dancer) It is one of my favorites and I would love to travel around Varisia whipping a flaming bladed scarf in Pathfinder 2!

(Tried to ask this during the PF Friday stream today, but mobile keyboard made it seem like I was having a stroke instead.)

The Inner Sea World Guide was the first place where guns were introduced in PF1, which was followed shortly after by Ultimate Combat where the rules were reprinted and expanded upon.

Since Alkenstar is still a thing (one assumes), is there any chance we might see some kind of first-approximation gun rules in the Lost Omens World Guide for PF2?

(Tried to ask this during the PF Friday stream today, but mobile keyboard made it seem like I was having a stroke instead.)

The Inner Sea World Guide was the first place where guns were introduced in PF1, which was followed shortly after by Ultimate Combat where the rules were reprinted and expanded upon.

Since Alkenstar is still a thing (one assumes), is there any chance we might see some kind of first-approximation gun rules in the Lost Omens World Guide for PF2?

We'll get to guns eventually for 2nd edition, but that's not something that'll be given rules for in the Lost Omens book. They're still certainly a part of Golarion though.

Does it come with a section dedicated to the core deities? At least half a page for each?

I don't know if it's time to make this question, but, are we sticking with the same number of core deities in the setting? I mean, 20 core deities.

Does it come with a section dedicated to the core deities? At least half a page for each?

I don't know if it's time to make this question, but, are we sticking with the same number of core deities in the setting? I mean, 20 core deities.

We're sticking to the same core 20 deities. This book won't have more info about them, but the Core Rulebook will have a little, and it would certainly make sense to do more info about the deities in the near future, wouldn't it?

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

Does it come with a section dedicated to the core deities? At least half a page for each?

I don't know if it's time to make this question, but, are we sticking with the same number of core deities in the setting? I mean, 20 core deities.

We're sticking to the same core 20 deities. This book won't have more info about them, but the Core Rulebook will have a little, and it would certainly make sense to do more info about the deities in the near future, wouldn't it?

Mark Seifter wrote:

The second book is particularly rules-heavy, but it has some rules I think people are going to adore, and that's really all I can say, I can't give you any hints.

Beyond those you mean ?

My bet : Deities book with rules for Non-Good Champions.

1) Non-Good Champions is something many people have been clamoring for since the beginning of the playtest.

2) It is something Mark himself wishes to see come true.

3) I just realized that it would fit nicely with the fact that Mark used the specific word "adore" and used italics to set it subtly apart from the others.

Also, anathema for all would be perfect content for such a book of deities :-D

Especially since James goes from talking about the 20 core deities, who will already have their anathemas in the CRB, to "doing more info about the deities" (ie, maybe more than the 20 core).

Mark was talking about the second World Guide book BTW.

The Gold Sovereign wrote:

Does it come with a section dedicated to the core deities? At least half a page for each?

I don't know if it's time to make this question, but, are we sticking with the same number of core deities in the setting? I mean, 20 core deities.

We're sticking to the same core 20 deities. This book won't have more info about them, but the Core Rulebook will have a little, and it would certainly make sense to do more info about the deities in the near future, wouldn't it?

I would certainly appreciate it! Especially if we go beyond the Core 20.

Maybe a treatment akin to that given to the deities in the Book of the Damned, two pages for each one, covering all the prominent deities in the inner sea, from the core gods to those mentioned in inner sea faith, Nacticula, Casandalee, and as many as possible.

will there be a new kingmaker path for 2.0 with the pc game ?

What i don't like about this product is that it's only 126 pages (the Inner Sea World Guide has 320 pages, Starfinder Pact Worlds has 216).

A standard Pathfinder AP has 96 pages.
Even if i assume that the "Races", "Religion", "Life", "Factions", "Adventuring" & "Monsters" chapters have been moved into the CRB & Bestiary (as Golarion is now the standard setting), the previous "The Inner Sea" chapter had 180 pages.
If i only count the old 41 regions, 4 pages each, i come up to 164 pages.

Now that we have 10 regions we only need one map for four regions, which clears up some more space.

But if i take into account that we get backgrounds & archetypes, i can't shake the feeling that something will be left on the cutting room floor.

I was rereading the whole discussion and by now I suppose it got clear that we shouldn't be counting "pages per nation" but "pages per region". So even if we get five spreads per region we are still left with 36 pages.

This format was used to successfully cover 14 planets in the Starfinder Pact Worlds, so I'm sure we should expect something close to that.

Wait wait wait...this doesnt have the whole Inner Sea Region? No Land of the Linnorm Kings?

Wait wait wait...this doesnt have the whole Inner Sea Region? No Land of the Linnorm Kings?

Land of the Linnorm kings is part of "Saga Lands" region. Region can be multiple nations.

I just noticed on the artwork that each of those space between the pillars are actually portals of some sort! You can see vines from the plant one reaching through!

I just noticed on the artwork that each of those space between the pillars are actually portals of some sort! You can see vines from the plant one reaching through!

Nice catch.

Doctor Strange did it already though

I just noticed on the artwork that each of those space between the pillars are actually portals of some sort! You can see vines from the plant one reaching through!

The most intriguing part of this cover to me was indeed the portals, as the art ties better with the plot of the first AP (Age of Ashes) in which portals seems to be really important.

I'm not so sure if it's the final cover art... Is it? Was it confirmed to be the final one?

That is indeed the final cover art.

I want to know who the guy with the longbow on his back is and why Seelah isn't afraid of him.

Also nice graveknight.

I want to know who the guy with the longbow on his back is and why Seelah isn't afraid of him.

Also nice graveknight.

That's Valeros and there's little reason for her to be afraid of him.

That is indeed the final cover art.

An awesome cover!

And just realized Seelah and Fumbus are not among the iconic in Age of Ashes.

It doesn't look like Valeros to me, talking bag that eats people...But okay.

I'm with the talking bag, it definitely looks like Val to me

It very clearly is Valeros ._. Even if it wasn't, not sure why Seelah would be scared because he is clearly with them against the graveknight

I mean, it's clear it's intended to be Valeros...

IMHO it looks like he is crouching down to tie his shoe. Combat priorities.

Hey, you don't want your shoes coming untied in the middle of a battle!

Fumbus is blocking it a bit, but the story is that they were about to go through one of the portals, and Valeros was stowing or retrieving something out of his backpack when the graveknight busted through one of the portals and surprised the trio. Fumbus is seriously trying to drag Seelah back (good luck).

Or he rolled a 1 on Perception and noticed he had feet.

Or he rolled a 1 on Perception and noticed he had feet.

Happens to the best of us. And also to Valeros.

Eleanor Ferron wrote:

Or he rolled a 1 on Perception and noticed he had feet.

Happens to the best of us. And also to Valeros.

I hope 2e fighters get a fire resistance class feat

I suspect... I'm not too fond of hard-coding into the campaign something that says YOUR PLAYER CHARCTERS ARE FAILURES by assuming one of the Adventure Paths is a canonically regarded a failure...).

That's unfortunate! I was hoping one of the terrible endings of one of the APs was going to happen. But I'm always a proponent of the darkest of timelines.

That's unfortunate! I was hoping one of the terrible endings of one of the APs was going to happen. But I'm always a proponent of the darkest of timelines.

Which one?

caubocalypse wrote:

That's unfortunate! I was hoping one of the terrible endings of one of the APs was going to happen. But I'm always a proponent of the darkest of timelines.

Which one?

Hell's Vengeance

Xenocrat wrote:

Big Lemon wrote:

Paizo wrote:

The god of prophecy is dead...

???!!?!?

Generalissimo Aroden is still dead.

Right, but unless something has changed in 2E, Pharasma is the god of prophecy, not Aroden.

Possible explanations for this quote:
1) Whoever wrote the blurb made an error.
2) Pharasma is DEAD!!! (highly unlikely)
3) Deity portfolios have been retconned and Aroden is now the (deceased) god of prophecy.

Aroden has ALWAYS been the deceased God of Prophecy. The entire world narrative for the world of Golarian is that when Aroden died that kicked off the Age of Lost Omens. The reason it is called the age of Lost Omens is with THE God of Prophecy dead, Prophecy is no longer valid.

Sure Pharasma is A god of Prophecy but she isn't THE God of Prophecy. It is kind of how there are lots of gods of death but Pharasma is THE God of Death.

Zaister wrote:

caubocalypse wrote:

That's unfortunate! I was hoping one of the terrible endings of one of the APs was going to happen. But I'm always a proponent of the darkest of timelines.

Which one?

Hell's Vengeance

Well, Hell's Vengeance is the one AP, where the canonical ending IS the terrible ending.

One more thing: Kingmaker is probably excluded from the list of APs that are canonically supposed to have happened in the new Lost Omens baseline, right?