Pathfinder Lost Omens: Highhelm

Announced for June!
Product image and description are not final and may be subject to change.

Rooting for the Rivethun!

Some Dwarven love! Can't wait!

It's very interesting that we're getting this book, which is about people tied to stone and metal, right before Rage of Elements.

Two exclusive Wargamer reveals of Pathfinder Lost Omens Highhelm:

Exclusive: Surprise Pathfinder book debuts 12 new dwarf clans
Tabletop RPG publisher Paizo announces Pathfinder Lost Omens Highhelm, a TTRPG setting sourcebook that introduces 12 new dwarven clans

Pathfinder’s next big setting is “New York City for dwarves”
Pathfinder publisher Paizo sheds light on its upcoming setting sourcebook Lost Omens Highhelm - and the dwarven life found inside this mountain city

With the note that each Clan has a particular niche - Molgrade are smiths, Firecask are brewers - I'm curious to see how spirituality manifests here. Obviously the Dwarven Pantheon is ascendant here, so I imagine one Clan probably takes the place of a formal church, famed for its Clerics and Champions, is all but certain.

Where things get really fun is when looking at the Rivethun precedent for dwarves dealing with spirits, or considering the idea of them dealing with forces of elemental Earth, Fire, and Metal. Is there a separate clan for the more tangible spiritual needs of Highhelm, I wonder - perhaps akin to the folk of fallen Jormurdun to the north?

I'm also eager to see where non-dwarves fit in, given that we've seen Mbe'ke Kobolds in the Mwangi already.

Now this is a book I'm looking forward to. More dwarf love please.

I really like the armor of the military clan, the conical helm and seemingly sealed form.

I'm bit confused by conical helm since I recognize it from dwarf helmet relic in Kingmaker CRPG.

Like were conical dorf helmets always a thing, something inspired by crpg or something Paizo came up with to Owlcat during advising the crpg?

I'm bit confused by conical helm since I recognize it from dwarf helmet relic in Kingmaker CRPG.

Like were conical dorf helmets always a thing, something inspired by crpg or something Paizo came up with to Owlcat during advising the crpg?

If made of sturdy enough metal a helm like that could function to crack falling rocks in half so they cascade down the sides perhaps…just a thought that popped into my head.

Now this is a nice surprise when I do my almost daily drop by to check out things here on the Paizo site.

Might there be a Dwarf type related AP in the works even....... ??

Tom

This is fascinating! I'm curious what this means for the metaregion format Lost Omens releases have kept until now. It might be a "Shining Kingdoms" book would include Taldor, Galt, Andoran, and Druma, and we can expect a Kyonin book sometime in future to debut as a single. Would give Lost Omens more of a chance to deep dive on elves and dwarves specifically, and give Shining a little more centrality of focus.

Either way, psyched about this book. I've been wanting to learn more about Highhelm for a long time.

This is fascinating! I'm curious what this means for the metaregion format Lost Omens releases have kept until now. It might be a "Shining Kingdoms" book would include Taldor, Galt, Andoran, and Druma, and we can expect a Kyonin book sometime in future to debut as a single. Would give Lost Omens more of a chance to deep dive on elves and dwarves specifically, and give Shining a little more centrality of focus.

Either way, psyched about this book. I've been wanting to learn more about Highhelm for a long time.

I mean, do note, its not "Five Kings' Mountains" book, its Highhelm book.

So it might be more flavorful way to say "Dwarves of Avistan" book than country book per say. Or at least, more comparable to sandpoint, korvosa and magnimar books as five kings mountain's delio is more of city state thing anyway.

(that said I would consider it fair to give Kyonin its own book as well since elves really do need to be codified on what they are in current canon rather than exist in weird state of "They were always CG, until they weren't, but now they are becoming CG again!" as result of second darkness)

Luis mentioned that this is a city book like the Absalom book rather than a region book such as Impossible Lands.

...Oh right we technically haven't gotten Isle of Kortos region book. Would be really weird region book though since isle is relatively small

Do we know the page count?

Do we know the page count?

136 pages, as stated by Luis on Twitter.

So definitely not the size of Mwangi Expanse/Impossible Lands.

Interesting.

I'm not sure that a city warrants an entire splat but hopefully there's some more info about the greater Five Kings Mountains region to warrant the page count.

I would've liked maybe a Cities-of-Golarion style book about multiple locations but attention to dwarves is never a bad thing.

I'd be curious to see what's actually new and different with their take on dwarves here. Giving each clan a "theme" is nice and makes for good storytelling, but I feel that it hardly expands what it means to be a dwarf. If anything, this feels more like dwarven society is bounded like a caste system. How will that play in Paizo's usually diverse and opportune-rich world?

This makes me so, so happy. I was re-reading Dwarves of Golarion again the other night and was yearning for newer content! The second edition Lost Omens line of books have all been great, so definitely looking forward to seeing my favorite ancestry getting the spotlight.

Me like dwarves.

Interesting.

I'm not sure that a city warrants an entire splat but hopefully there's some more info about the greater Five Kings Mountains region to warrant the page count.

I would've liked maybe a Cities-of-Golarion style book about multiple locations but attention to dwarves is never a bad thing.

Well.... a single bazaar got an entire splat previously and this does seem to include info on many clans, ancestry things, Dwarven equipment, Dwarven pantheon... etc...

I'd be curious to see what's actually new and different with their take on dwarves here. Giving each clan a "theme" is nice and makes for good storytelling, but I feel that it hardly expands what it means to be a dwarf. If anything, this feels more like dwarven society is bounded like a caste system. How will that play in Paizo's usually diverse and opportune-rich world?

It's mentioned in the Wargamer articles that non Dwarves can join a clan, and dwarves born in a clan can join another. So there are clans, but the opportunity to switch is always there.

Zi Mishkal wrote:

I'd be curious to see what's actually new and different with their take on dwarves here. Giving each clan a "theme" is nice and makes for good storytelling, but I feel that it hardly expands what it means to be a dwarf. If anything, this feels more like dwarven society is bounded like a caste system. How will that play in Paizo's usually diverse and opportune-rich world?

It's mentioned in the Wargamer articles that non Dwarves can join a clan, and dwarves born in a clan can join another. So there are clans, but the opportunity to switch is always there.

I wonder what they do with the dagger. Probable that they keep the original dagger, but change the stone to fit the new clan? Or create a new scabbard that denote the new clan? Both would still keep some root of the origin of the dwarf, while still honoring the new clan. :O

Yeah... seems more like Clan-Guilds than Clan-Castes.

It would be nice to see a "universal" ancestry feat that anyone can take to pick up a Clan Dagger. (Or at least a way to access clan daggers if you are not a dwarf... even if it isn't as a feat)

Interesting.

I'm not sure that a city warrants an entire splat but hopefully there's some more info about the greater Five Kings Mountains region to warrant the page count.

I would've liked maybe a Cities-of-Golarion style book about multiple locations but attention to dwarves is never a bad thing.

The article said that this book is just as much "how do Golarion dwarves stand out?" as city guide.

I'm bit confused by conical helm since I recognize it from dwarf helmet relic in Kingmaker CRPG.

Like were conical dwarf helmets always a thing, something inspired by crpg or something Paizo came up with to Owlcat during advising the crpg?

The helmet isn't conical at all, it's just the angle of the illustration. Above the helmet is the mountain's peak, while the helmet itself has a frontal protuberance.

I guess cone is wrong term but I was more meaning of the angular pyramid shape than it being literal cone (I mixed up terms there)

Rock and stone!

I'm bit confused by conical helm since I recognize it from dwarf helmet relic in Kingmaker CRPG.

Like were conical dorf helmets always a thing, something inspired by crpg or something Paizo came up with to Owlcat during advising the crpg?

CRPG was released in 2018, same year 2nd edition was announced. Wayne Reynolds had been working on the design of the different cultures for the 2nd edition refresh at the time, they probably shared his notes with Owlcat Games during development. We have seen sketches by him from that time that was showing dwarves having a very angular esthetic. You can see one with a similar kind of helmet in this facebook post he posted in april of 2018. (If you can't access this facebook post for any reason, you can simply google "wayne reynolds dwarves pathfinder" and it should be an early result)

Is there a published adventure that takes place here? Or is one in the works?

Is there a published adventure that takes place here? Or is one in the works?

Not that we know of, but probably, given that Absalom City of Lost Omens was originally meant to tie into AP and Adventure content around the isle of Kortos.

Is there a published adventure that takes place here? Or is one in the works?

If there is, it hasn't been announced yet. Last AP announced was Stolen Fate, and the last Standalone Adventure announced was Emnity Cycle. Neither of which has been hinted to occur near Highhelm.

I did see a Darklands Flip-Mat Multi-Pack announced at the same time as this, so I'm hoping this might lead into a Darklands setting book later down the line. I really want them to finally bring playable Drow back into the game.

It's interesting that 2023 seems to be less tightly-themed than 2022, what with two globe-trotting APs and some pretty unrelated-looking rulebook and Lost Omens releases.

It's interesting that 2023 seems to be less tightly-themed than 2022, what with two globe-trotting APs and some pretty unrelated-looking rulebook and Lost Omens releases.

We also haven't really announced the last half of 2023's adventure content, so there's that as well.

keftiu wrote:

It's interesting that 2023 seems to be less tightly-themed than 2022, what with two globe-trotting APs and some pretty unrelated-looking rulebook and Lost Omens releases.

We also haven't really announced the last half of 2023's adventure content, so there's that as well.

Of course! Now, if you'd like to tell me... :p

James Jacobs wrote:

keftiu wrote:

It's interesting that 2023 seems to be less tightly-themed than 2022, what with two globe-trotting APs and some pretty unrelated-looking rulebook and Lost Omens releases.

We also haven't really announced the last half of 2023's adventure content, so there's that as well.

Of course! Now, if you'd like to tell me... :p

I'd love to, since a lot of that content is stuff I've been working on for months and am really excited to talk about... but the timing of announcements isn't up to me. Just pointing out that it's a little unfair to say we don't have tight themes for 2023 when there's still a lot we haven't talked about is all! :-)

I'm gonna place my bet now for a Darklands/Darklands-related theme; maybe even with aberration stuff, too!

I dwarven highhelm ap that fends off a threat from the darklands or brokers peace with the orcs to marshall defences against the whispering tyrant would be some cool stuff! Id have fun with either but the latter seems really interesting bc the cultural enmity between the five kings mountains and the holds of belkzen being addressed and possibly amended for the sake of mutual defence would be really cool for a political intrigue campaign.

I’m still married to my theory of Tian Xia in the big, meaty setting book slot until we see otherwise, but my confidence is increasingly shaky… all of my predictions have been completely wrong so far. I make a good fan and a poor oracle :p

Next month we announce the July 2023 products, which logic suggests might include a new Pathfinder Adventure Path, since Stolen Fate is a 3 volume set. I am trying to create more fanfare for these announcements, either month-by-month, or in a big event, perhaps quarterly in-between PaizoCon and Gen Con. Still a work in progress finding the new stride. But I liked having concept art to showcase for this one.

Next month we announce the July 2023 products, which logic suggests might include a new Pathfinder Adventure Path, since Stolen Fate is a 3 volume set. I am trying to create more fanfare for these announcements, either month-by-month, or in a big event, perhaps quarterly in-between PaizoCon and Gen Con. Still a work in progress finding the new stride. But I liked having concept art to showcase for this one.

I totally understand how choppy a transitional period like this is - you've got my sympathies. I'd love to see whatever comes together!

Next month we announce the July 2023 products, which logic suggests might include a new Pathfinder Adventure Path, since Stolen Fate is a 3 volume set. I am trying to create more fanfare for these announcements, either month-by-month, or in a big event, perhaps quarterly in-between PaizoCon and Gen Con. Still a work in progress finding the new stride. But I liked having concept art to showcase for this one.

Whatever is announced, you can be sure I'm going to eat it up, Aaron! :-)

Aaron Shanks wrote:

Next month we announce the July 2023 products, which logic suggests might include a new Pathfinder Adventure Path, since Stolen Fate is a 3 volume set. I am trying to create more fanfare for these announcements, either month-by-month, or in a big event, perhaps quarterly in-between PaizoCon and Gen Con. Still a work in progress finding the new stride. But I liked having concept art to showcase for this one.

Whatever is announced, you can be sure I'm going to eat it up, Aaron! :-)

This quarter and Q1 are going to keep us busy announcing Q3 & 4 products!

Looking forward to new announcements!

Trying to dream up ties between this and Rage of Elements, and I have to say: Sairazul sounds like a very snug fit for traditional dwarves, assuming she gets free.

Sairazul (The Crystalline Queen) [NG]

Edicts: Shelter others within stone and earth, care for Sairazul‘s children, aid childbirths, mine responsibly
Anathema: Damage subterranean natural wonders, collapse an earthen structure on a creature
Areas of Concern: caves, earth, and gems
Follower Alignments: LG, NG, CG, N

Divine Ability: Constitution or Charisma
Divine Font: heal
Divine Skill: Nature
Favored Weapon: pick
Domains: earth, family, toil, wealth
Cleric Spells 1st: shattering gem, 2nd: expeditious excavation, 4th: stoneskin

Mine responsibly, keep folks safe underground, swing a pick around, and have babies - what's not to like? Torag might miss her company; she seems like a dwarf in all but name.

I wonder if any Azer might sneak into this - they're not technically dwarves, but their Bestiary writeup mentions some having arrived nearby as refugees recently. A timely inclusion with Rage of Elements around the corner!

I wonder if any Azer might sneak into this - they're not technically dwarves, but their Bestiary writeup mentions some having arrived nearby as refugees recently. A timely inclusion with Rage of Elements around the corner!

I've always loved Azer! There's something about our stout burny bois that really calls to me. I've been building them as Ifrit-Dwarves, but a bespoke Ancestry/Heritage would be fun. Certainly more cultural information is welcome, too. The LO books have been some of my favorite gaming guides in several years.

There's been a slowly building storyline in Society adventures over the last couple years about exploring the ruins in Droskar's Crag, the volcano that led to the destruction of two major dwarven cities several hundred years ago. The most recent one is a multi-table special where one of those lost cities is rediscovered and opened, though we haven't yet explored inside. A major expansion of dwarven history as we do so could be tied to this book, and new volcanic activity there could tie in Rage of Elements...

keftiu wrote:

I wonder if any Azer might sneak into this - they're not technically dwarves, but their Bestiary writeup mentions some having arrived nearby as refugees recently. A timely inclusion with Rage of Elements around the corner!

I've always loved Azer! There's something about our stout burny bois that really calls to me. I've been building them as Ifrit-Dwarves, but a bespoke Ancestry/Heritage would be fun. Certainly more cultural information is welcome, too. The LO books have been some of my favorite gaming guides in several years.

The 2e Bestiary art for them is way too cute. I love them.

One wonders why they're explicitly *not* dwarves, given the resemblance and now their presence in FKM.

Saedar wrote:

keftiu wrote:

I wonder if any Azer might sneak into this - they're not technically dwarves, but their Bestiary writeup mentions some having arrived nearby as refugees recently. A timely inclusion with Rage of Elements around the corner!

I've always loved Azer! There's something about our stout burny bois that really calls to me. I've been building them as Ifrit-Dwarves, but a bespoke Ancestry/Heritage would be fun. Certainly more cultural information is welcome, too. The LO books have been some of my favorite gaming guides in several years.

The 2e Bestiary art for them is way too cute. I love them.

One wonders why they're explicitly *not* dwarves, given the resemblance and now their presence in FKM.

I think its similar to how majority of planar creature aren't "humans"