Pathfinder Lost Omens: Impossible Lands

I'm very curious about the potential religion section in this book; the one in the Mwangi Expanse was awesome.

I'm expecting a smattering of Vudrani deities that are popular in Jalmeray, but also there's the exciting possibility of new deities on the mainland - I bet there's some cool unique faiths to be found in the likes of Alkenstar and Nex.

And of course, regional takes on existing deities - you aren't telling me that Nethys isn't all the rage in Nex, or Urgathoa in Geb.

I hope Abraxas (the demon lord of arcane lore and secrets) gets a deity writeup in this book, as his cult openly operates in Nex.

Any faiths unique to the Mana Wastes would have me /very/ excited.

Everybody over here excited for Jalmeray/Vudra, Geb, and Nex. Then there's me, prepping my next Spellshot wasteland wanderer from Nex's secret Vault project; ready to fight Mutants in the wastes after centuries of isolation.

Ghorans and Mutants oh my! And hopefully gnoll gunslingers.

I really want to know who lived in Geb before all the bloodthirsty undead moved in.

I belive it was a province of Ancient Osirion at the height of their power; wherein the Pharaoh's at the time ceded the land to Geb. Still, question remains valid. I'm sure someone existed their prior to Osirion ruling it.

I'd also be very stoked if we got more lore on some of the Mwangi Expanse ancestries - gnolls are a given by the looks of it, but shisks supposedly live in the Shattered Range, some very close to Nex even.

I belive it was a province of Ancient Osirion at the height of their power; wherein the Pharaoh's at the time ceded the land to Geb. Still, question remains valid. I'm sure someone existed their prior to Osirion ruling it.

All Blood Lord convocations start with an acknowledgement that they are on unceded serpentfolk land.

Kulenett Dwarf info would also be appreciated.

Ly'ualdre wrote:

I belive it was a province of Ancient Osirion at the height of their power; wherein the Pharaoh's at the time ceded the land to Geb. Still, question remains valid. I'm sure someone existed their prior to Osirion ruling it.

All Blood Lord convocations start with an acknowledgement that they are on unceded serpentfolk land.

I know you jest, but part of the reason I want playable Serpentfolk is so we can get stories about things like this - I’d love for them to be treated as an actual people with a history, rather than the guys humans stomped forever ago.

Kulenett Dwarf info would also be appreciated.

I am all but certain that the Kulenett dwarves will be featured here - I'd be stunned if they weren't, in fact.

Other ancestries/ethnicities I expect:
- Humans (Keleshite, Vudrani, Mwangi, Garundi are all prevalent, though they may well be further subdivided)
- Jaric halflings
- Askedhaki catfolk
- Keenspark gnomes
- Gnolls
- Fleshwarps, in the Mana Wastes and Nex alike
- Dhampirs
- Skeletons and other undead
- Geniekin and tieflings
- Vourinoi elves and half-elves, oddly enough - they seem to constitute a non-trivial group in Alkenstar, going off the Outlaws of Alkenstar player's guide

Hmm, I'd be surprised is we see too much on Keleshite culture here. I could see some mentions since they reside within the region, but they're influence is way more present along the Golden Road. I would imagine that's where they would take a deeper look at them.

The Vudrani, on the other hand, will certainly have a huge presence here with Jalmeray. Hoping to get a bit of info on their various ethnic groups and castes, as well as just a taste of the Vudran Peninsula proper. Given the number of Genie and other Elementals that call the isle home, I'd expect some expanded options/lore for Geniekin; as well as Beastbrood, Faultspawn, and Spitespawn Tieflings (and just maybe Plumekith Aasimar). Given that I don't expect a full-blown Vudra book any time soon, this could also be where we see the introduction of the Kashrishi and Ratajin, as well as the return of the Vishkanya and Vanara, and expanded options for Vudran Ratfolk. Hoping for a small handful of Vudran Deities too. There a quite a few mentioned in 2e books, but a least five to seven would be nice.

More Fleshwarp and Undead options would be nice; although I'd be fine with getting little on the latter, all things considered. Although, I did have a crazy thought the other day, wherein I wondered if the "Shades" mentioned in the World Guide were some kind of new Ancestry. More likely it's just the Common name for whatever Nightshades are called now. Something relating to Mutations that aren't quite prolific enough to make one a Fleshwarp would be cool as well. Also, another crazy idea, but I wondered the other day if Stheno could quite possibly originate from Holomog. I once considered the Isle of Kortos. But with no mention of them in the Absalom book, I wondered. I have absolutely no evidence towards this, but it was an idea.

My absolute most wanted Ancestry, that I think could fit into Nex's magic-dominant culture: to see whatever the heck the Paizo Golem is made into a playable people. We have a lot of constructs now, but not one that's falls into that classic Golem theme. It'll never happen, but I wanted to take the opportunity to voice my desires. Give me the good boy Paizo!!!

I get a little worried that each further construct Ancestry hurts the chances for 2e Wyrwoods. It’s probably unfounded, but still.

The Vudran options make a lot of sense for this book, but I do wonder how felt most of that is on the mainland; Jalmeray has always felt pretty separate from both its neighbors and the wider Inner Sea, so I wonder if this book can make them feel like a little less of an island (pun intended).

I imagine most of Vudra's Common Ancestries are likely Uncommon in Jalmeray, and probably Rare in much of the rest of the Inner Sea Region. That said, Vishkanya are apparently a lot more widespread between Avistan and Garund than most believe. Same could be true for the Vanara. The Kashrishi and Ratajin would be the least likely here, if for no other reason than we have no info on them whatsoever. They're just as likely to walk the streets of Jalmeray's capital of Niswam as they are to be completely absent from it. But we don't know at this point. The Vudrani's three ethnic groups are all likely present as well; but likely just unidentifiable by most people from the Inner Sea.

And I wouldn't think my hopeful Golem friend would effect the Wyrwood's making a return. We already received way more Constructs than I would have ever imagined. With a distinct lack of something as iconic as, say, D&D's Warforged, I think it's fine to have a plethora of playable Constructs here.

I mean, we are all but guranteed to get our third plant ancestry here (ghorans, after leshies and conrasu).
I feel like so long as each one stays distinct in both lore, mechanics, and overall fantasy, I don't think we should worry about there being 'too many' of non-humanoid ancestries.

I mean, we are all but guranteed to get our third plant ancestry here (ghorans, after leshies and conrasu).

I feel like so long as each one stays distinct in both lore, mechanics, and overall fantasy, I don't think we should worry about there being 'too many' of non-humanoid ancestries.

This would be the first plant ancestry that is an intelligent plant...rather than an aeon with a plant body.. or a spirit of nature with a plant body. So that's pretty distinct.

Oops. Forgot to mention them. ^^'

So yea. Vanara, Vishkanya, Kashrishi, and Ratajin for Jalmeray.

Ghorans for Nex.

I'd wager those five for sure. The sixth one is anyone's guess.

I'm gonna stick with the idea that Shades are a likely new Ancestry in Geb. But I am highly doubtful. In lieu of them, I'll also suggest the Stheno finally dropped; my own theory on them notwithstanding.

I've seen Maftet and Girtabililu, I'd expect them in a Golden Road book, if anywhere. They seem more prevalent in Osirion.

I imagine most of Vudra's Common Ancestries are likely Uncommon in Jalmeray, and probably Rare in much of the rest of the Inner Sea Region. That said, Vishkanya are apparently a lot more widespread between Avistan and Garund than most believe. Same could be true for the Vanara. The Kashrishi and Ratajin would be the least likely here, if for no other reason than we have no info on them whatsoever. They're just as likely to walk the streets of Jalmeray's capital of Niswam as they are to be completely absent from it. But we don't know at this point. The Vudrani's three ethnic groups are all likely present as well; but likely just unidentifiable by most people from the Inner Sea.

And I wouldn't think my hopeful Golem friend would effect the Wyrwood's making a return. We already received way more Constructs than I would have ever imagined. With a distinct lack of something as iconic as, say, D&D's Warforged, I think it's fine to have a plethora of playable Constructs here.

Maybe. But the Shisk, Goloma, and Conrasu had no info and were in the Mwangi Expanse book. So I don't know if that is much of a barrier.

I get a little worried that each further construct Ancestry hurts the chances for 2e Wyrwoods. It’s probably unfounded, but still.

The Vudran options make a lot of sense for this book, but I do wonder how felt most of that is on the mainland; Jalmeray has always felt pretty separate from both its neighbors and the wider Inner Sea, so I wonder if this book can make them feel like a little less of an island (pun intended).

I have a feeling Wyrwoods would come with an Arcadia book.

Mortics for Geb?

Ly'ualdre wrote:

I imagine most of Vudra's Common Ancestries are likely Uncommon in Jalmeray, and probably Rare in much of the rest of the Inner Sea Region. That said, Vishkanya are apparently a lot more widespread between Avistan and Garund than most believe. Same could be true for the Vanara. The Kashrishi and Ratajin would be the least likely here, if for no other reason than we have no info on them whatsoever. They're just as likely to walk the streets of Jalmeray's capital of Niswam as they are to be completely absent from it. But we don't know at this point. The Vudrani's three ethnic groups are all likely present as well; but likely just unidentifiable by most people from the Inner Sea.

And I wouldn't think my hopeful Golem friend would effect the Wyrwood's making a return. We already received way more Constructs than I would have ever imagined. With a distinct lack of something as iconic as, say, D&D's Warforged, I think it's fine to have a plethora of playable Constructs here.

Maybe. But the Shisk, Goloma, and Conrasu had no info and were in the Mwangi Expanse book. So I don't know if that is much of a barrier.

The key difference here is we had no idea the Shisk, Goloma, or Conrasu even existed before their introduction in Mwangi Expanse. And with their history larelgy being tied to that region, it wouldn't have made sense to put them in a different book. In this case, we KNOW the Kashrishi and Ratajin are from Vudra; our first hint of then being in the Vudra backmatter article in AoE. I don't expect a solid full-on book for mainland Vudra anytime soon. So introducing the Kashrishi and Ratajin in Jalmeray, which is basically Vudran territory, makes sense to me.

Course, I could be very wrong and we could see something unheard of (like the aforementioned three in ME) or even some random additions who's relation to these regions as unknown until the book releases.

EDIT: Mortics would be more prevalent in the Gravelands.

Mortics are much of an Eye of Dread thing than an Impossible Lands one, given their origin in Tyrant's Grasp, unless some have somehow made their way into Geb.

EDIT: Clarification - we knew about conrasu, shisks and golomas...From one line in the World Guide. So they didn't arrive completely out of the blue, but I don't blame anyone for thinking that - some of us are just obsessive lorehounds who cling onto any mentions of cool new stuff.

The key difference here is we had no idea the Shisk, Goloma, or Conrasu even existed before their introduction in Mwangi Expanse. And with their history larelgy being tied to that region, it wouldn't have made sense to put them in a different book. In this case, we KNOW the Kashrishi and Ratajin are from Vudra; our first hint of then being in the Vudra backmatter article in AoE. I don't expect a solid full-on book for mainland Vudra anytime soon. So introducing the Kashrishi and Ratajin in Jalmeray, which is basically Vudran territory, makes sense to me.

Course, I could be very wrong and we could see something unheard of (like the aforementioned three in ME) or even some random additions who's relation to these regions as unknown until the book releases.

EDIT: Mortics would be more prevalent in the Gravelands.

Actually, it is a very similar situation... Shisk, Goloma, and Conrasu were name-dropped in a previous book before ending up in the Mwangi Expanse. No info beyond names.

Aside from that, I agree. :)

Regarding Mortics. That was where they were introduced. But it may not be the only place they exist. Whether through immigration.... or other sources of creation via necromantic energy.

Actually, duh, you are correct. I completely forgot they were mentioned in the World Guide. Which makes their inclusion in ME make even more sense.

Iirc, didn't Mortics came into existence as a direct result of Tar-Baphon using the Radiant Fire to escape Gallowspire?

Actually, duh, you are correct. I completely forgot they were mentioned in the World Guide. Which makes their inclusion in ME make even more sense.

Iirc, didn't Mortics came into existence as a direct result of Tar-Baphon using the Radiant Fire to escape Gallowspire?

Yeah...

It does probably make more sense to include them in an Eye of Dread book instead.

Ly'ualdre wrote:

Actually, duh, you are correct. I completely forgot they were mentioned in the World Guide. Which makes their inclusion in ME make even more sense.

Iirc, didn't Mortics came into existence as a direct result of Tar-Baphon using the Radiant Fire to escape Gallowspire?

Yeah...

It does probably make more sense to include them in an Eye of Dread book instead.

We'll either get them this month (Book of the Dead) or in an Eye of Dread book. It might not be that long of a wait. We're getting BotD followed up by a Knights of Lastwall book...

There has been no mention of playable Mortics in BotD. I think all the playable creatures have been said: Skelton Ancestry; as well as Ghoul, Ghost, Vampire, Mummy, Zombie, and Lich Archetypes.

So, Mortics will likely be in an Eye of Dread book me thinks.

I’m still stunned we got this and not an Eye of Dread region book. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless.

There are new Mortics in the Book of the Dead bestiary... but it's been said not playable ones yet.

I’m still stunned we got this and not an Eye of Dread region book. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless.

I'm not too surprised actually. We've recently been receiving books that correlate to one another. So, between the Blood Lords AP and BotD, makes sense to see this; especially given the Outlaws of Alkenstar AP as well. I would love to see a standalone adventure that takes place in Jalmeray and/or Nex, just to round it out.

Although, a Eye of Dread book would have been fitting with Knights of Lastwall.

The synergy for this year feels even tighter than all of last year’s good stuff. It’s a strategy I really enjoy - and doubly so for it focusing on places outside the traditional faux-European mold.

keftiu wrote:

I’m still stunned we got this and not an Eye of Dread region book. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised nonetheless.

I'm not too surprised actually. We've recently been receiving books that correlate to one another. So, between the Blood Lords AP and BotD, makes sense to see this; especially given the Outlaws of Alkenstar AP as well. I would love to see a standalone adventure that takes place in Jalmeray and/or Nex, just to round it out.

Although, a Eye of Dread book would have been fitting with Knights of Lastwall.

Eye of Dread would technically fit in with Boo of the Dead as well... Ustalav and Gravelands.

It would but it wouldn't tie into an AP like the Mwangi book did (or like the Absalom book would have had it been on time), while Impossible Lands ties into two.

The synergy for this year feels even tighter than all of last year’s good stuff. It’s a strategy I really enjoy - and doubly so for it focusing on places outside the traditional faux-European mold.

Much as I like Ustalav, I have a fairly amount of information of what goes on there. Nex, Geb, Jalmeray, etc aren't as fleshed out, so I am glad they get to shine.

keftiu wrote:

The synergy for this year feels even tighter than all of last year’s good stuff. It’s a strategy I really enjoy - and doubly so for it focusing on places outside the traditional faux-European mold.

Much as I like Ustalav, I have a fairly amount of information of what goes on there. Nex, Geb, Jalmeray, etc aren't as fleshed out, so I am glad they get to shine.

Here's hoping that they round out the Inner Sea bit of Garund with a Golden Road refresh relatively soon; the region needs as much TLC as the Mwangi Expanse did before 2e.

Fingers crossed for playable wyvarens. I've got the battlezoo book for playable dragons but I still yearn to play a dragon man. I'm just scared it won't happen bc it might end up looking like a medium sized kobold (which would be fine by me).

Fingers crossed for playable wyvarens. I've got the battlezoo book for playable dragons but I still yearn to play a dragon man. I'm just scared it won't happen bc it might end up looking like a medium sized kobold (which would be fine by me).

I would love to either see them represented with Kobold options or give us a Medium draconic ancestry.

After this, I think would actually like to see a Broken Lands book. I want want more information on Razmiran, Numeria, and the Sarkoris Scar. With the eventual release of Kingmaker 2e, would also be a great time to revisit the River Kingdoms as well.

Of course, I would love for something entirely new as well, and I'm always fiending for a return to Tian-Xia. The latter is in a weird place in that while we have a lot of info on it, we also know little to nothing at the same time.

Also, Wyvarans are interesting in 2e, given Wyverns inclusion into the Drake family. Maybe they could see an expansion to include Drake physiology.

+1 for playable draconic Ancestry. Heck, I'd even take simply making Half-Dragon a Heritage.

After this, I think would actually like to see a Broken Lands book. I want want more information on Razmiran, Numeria, and the Sarkoris Scar. With the eventual release of Kingmaker 2e, would also be a great time to revisit the River Kingdoms as well.

Of course, I would love for something entirely new as well, and I'm always fiending for a return to Tian-Xia. The latter is in a weird place in that while we have a lot of info on it, we also know little to nothing at the same time.

Broken Lands, Golden Road, at least Fallen Razatlan of Arcadia's meta-regions, and a look at at least on meta-region in Tian Xia (one that I hope includes Shenmen) is my magical Christmas wish land run of releases, in any order. One of the nice things about how much Avistan was in 1e is that the road ahead for other places looks pretty promising.

I dearly want to see what Numeria looks like now, though, and to get JJ's pitch for Iron Gods 2.

Back to the actual product: Jalmeray has a few obvious angles, between the Houses of Perfection, the Vudran pantheon, and potentially psychic stuff, but I hope the Conservatory gets some love here, too. I want to know what the premiere spy school in the Inner Sea looks like, and I want to know why it's in Jalmeray of all places. Who are they spying on? Who are they spying /for/?

If we get anything on the Houses of Perfection, I would love a bit of lore into what Vudran culture calls the Spirit Element. I once had an idea for a homebrew order I called the Monastery of Unwavering Spirit.

It hit me that, with Nex and Jalmeray in particular, there's a strong chance we might get genie and/or elemental eidolons (as arcane and primal options respectively) for summoners in this - two highly demanded options, and ones I don't really foresee a better opportunity for anytime soon, outside of something like a Golden Road book or an Adventure Path.

Unless we get a book on the Inner Planes. :D

Double post to say I hope we get more Oozmorph Feats from Nex. At this point, I'm choosing to view the Oozemorph as a sort of "Psuedo-Ancestry", similar to the Undead Archetypes. I have a few concepts for such characters and need more reason to take Oozemorph.

On the latest Know Direction, Luis Loza mentioned how they worked extra hard with the design team to bring in a bunch of rules options, beyond the expected ancestries.

Very exciting to know this! This was a common complaint with both the Mwangi Expanse and Absalom City of Lost Omens, so while I'm still expecting this to be predominantly a lore book, I'm that much more curious about the crunch in this one.

Yeah, more mechanics is always welcome

I honestly was very happy with the mechanics-to-lore balance in the Mwangi book, but I’m curious to see what toys we get here.

On the latest Know Direction, Luis Loza mentioned how they worked extra hard with the design team to bring in a bunch of rules options, beyond the expected ancestries.

Very exciting to know this! This was a common complaint with both the Mwangi Expanse and Absalom City of Lost Omens, so while I'm still expecting this to be predominantly a lore book, I'm that much more curious about the crunch in this one.

That does make me excited, looking extra forward to this one then.

I kinda liked those two setting books being flavor 99.99% though x'D

I'm not gonna turn down more mechanics, but I absolutely love the greater emphasis on flavor, the Mwangi Expanse set the gold standard and expectations for setting books.

I kinda liked those two setting books being flavor 99.99% though x'D

I wholeheartedly agree. I will take as much lore on Golarions setting as Paizo will throw at my face.

That said, I do think it is important to have a healthy amount of mechanics in these kinds of books. For one, I consider the fact that Paizo has 10+ years of already established lore that is still incredibly viable. And while we certainly need updated info on current event and the people from those areas; we also need the mechanics to play those stories. I think a decent ratio is could be 70% Lore - 30% Mechanics, typically, with variation as needed.

For its part, I think the Absalom book was a special case. Being the quintessential city of the Inner Sea, and being a conglomerate of different cultures, periods, etc. It made sense that that was almost entirely lore. Of course, it also got a companion book. Basically, that features a lot of mechanics applicable to that region. So if they want to continue that trend as well, I'm all for it. Again, I'll take as many books as Paizo wants to give me to fill up my non-existent bookshelf. Lol.

That said, Psions of Vudra when? Lol

EDIT: Hmmm. Had an unrelated thought: what if the bit about "channel awe-inspiring legends" is a Medium Archetype? I mean, that is literally what the Medium did. Am I late to this thought process? I don't recall anyone mentioning it.