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I'm one of those that isn't (or rather, wasn't) a fan of the name "oracle" for the forthcoming oracle class. In my effort to come to terms with how Paizo justifies this name, I thought up some examples from popular culture that would fit the class's concept AND the traditional meaning of the word.
River Tam (Firefly), oracle of the mind
Tyler Durden (Fight Club), oracle of inspiration
Aerith (Final Fantasy VII), oracle of life
Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender), oracle of fire (In fact, all of the White Lotus members, I think, would qualify as oracles of [element].)
Got any more? (Or mabye I'm way off?)
Kae'Yoss, Oracle of Awesome!
And whoops, I meant to post this in Pathfinder RPG > General Discussion. Mah bad.
Moved.
Oracle at Delphi : Historical/Mythological oracle in Greece. Oracle of Prophecy/Scrying/Knowledge (pick something you like).
Don't think the Avatar series Benders count. They don't have any side effects (as a rule, granted several of the specific characters did, blindness, scars, but those were unique to them, not the class).
Ah the flaw, that's something I wasn't thinking about. (That probably means Aerith wouldn't count either, unless "death" counts as a flaw.)
The idea behind the flaw is what now? It's something the oracle takes in exchange for their power?
Yep. That's my understanding from reading Paizo Crew's comments on the class. Which is why I never understood their comment about Hercules being an 'Oracle of Strength', since, he really didn't have a flaw.
Aerith might still count, depending on the flaw. Unrequieted love (Zack, who died was her true love), or Naivete could also be a flaw, she was Naive in the extreme.
Well doesn't that mean that Aerith and Hercules were just darn good min/maxers? Who knows, maybe Aeriths flaw was that she needed to be around living things in the same way an Aquatic Elf needed to be around water, thus why she had her flower garden in an otherwise dead city. After all her powers didn't really take off until after she got out into the wider world.
Perhaps just a coincidence of story but hey, what good min/maxer doesn't back fill like that to cover for their builds -_0 ?
For Hercules, an over inflated sense of self-confidence and invulnerability? Perhaps his occasional violate fits of rage.
Ah the flaw, that's something I wasn't thinking about. (That probably means Aerith wouldn't count either, unless "death" counts as a flaw.)
The idea behind the flaw is what now? It's something the oracle takes in exchange for their power?
Yep. That's my understanding from reading Paizo Crew's comments on the class. Which is why I never understood their comment about Hercules being an 'Oracle of Strength', since, he really didn't have a flaw.
Aerith might still count, depending on the flaw. Unrequieted love (Zack, who died was her true love), or Naivete could also be a flaw, she was Naive in the extreme.
Actually, his did have a few flaws. He felt tremendous guilt for killing his own family in a fit of rage. So you've got two right there. I think he had one of two more, but my knowledge of Greek mythology is a tad rusty.
Actually, his did have a few flaws. He felt tremendous guilt for killing his own family in a fit of rage. So you've got two right there. I think he had one of two more, but my knowledge of Greek mythology is a tad rusty.Ah the flaw, that's something I wasn't thinking about. (That probably means Aerith wouldn't count either, unless "death" counts as a flaw.)
The idea behind the flaw is what now? It's something the oracle takes in exchange for their power?
Yep. That's my understanding from reading Paizo Crew's comments on the class. Which is why I never understood their comment about Hercules being an 'Oracle of Strength', since, he really didn't have a flaw.
Aerith might still count, depending on the flaw. Unrequieted love (Zack, who died was her true love), or Naivete could also be a flaw, she was Naive in the extreme.
One could say that being the target for random bits of spite from a deity might be considered a curse.
Herakles' rage, alcoholism and guilt are all flaws.
The dire hatred from the Goddess Hera probably counts as a flaw.I could easily see involuntary rage as a flaw in the pathfinder rules for a strength oracle.
And a cool, but probably disruptive bit of fun!
Yeah, Herakles killed more than a few people in fits of murderous rage. Much as I hate it, that much definitely does fit for him being an "Oracle" of Strength.
Yeah, Herakles killed more than a few people in fits of murderous rage. Much as I hate it, that much definitely does fit for him being an "Oracle" of Strength.
Well, except for the fact that he wasn't a spellcaster (at least not in any of the stories I read).
well he could cast bulls strength on himself. And a few of the other things could be counted as spells in pathfinder or spell like ability..Just nothing flashy
well he could cast bulls strength on himself. And a few of the other things could be counted as spells in pathfinder or spell like ability..Just nothing flashy
I missed have the story where Hercules said: "Just a second -- I have to make myself stronger. INUK-CHUCK!!"
;-)
Do we yet know how the oracel will break down in that regard? Full-caster? Half-caster? Quarter-caster with other abilities. Take a look at the Psychic Warrior, it is a part caster who mainly focuses on self buffs, many of which can be swift actions. We can also see how magic can be shown off as smack talk, various Bardic music effects.
I'm still trying to think of other oracel examples....
Do we yet know how the oracel will break down in that regard? Full-caster? Half-caster? Quarter-caster with other abilities.
I believe Jason said it would be a sorcerer-like full caster progression.
well he could cast bulls strength on himself. And a few of the other things could be counted as spells in pathfinder or spell like ability..Just nothing flashyI missed have the story where Hercules said: "Just a second -- I have to make myself stronger. INUK-CHUCK!!"
;-)
No mostly he raged, dug deep for extra strength, all things that can be called using a standard action to buff one's self.
Sadly we shall never know for sure his char sheet has been lost over the ages
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Don't think the Avatar series Benders count. They don't have any side effects (as a rule, granted several of the specific characters did, blindness, scars, but those were unique to them, not the class).
In thinking more about the oracle and benders, I'm think I've found another example.
Azula, Ozai, and the previous fire lords whose names I forget, I think are good oracles of fire, the flaw being insane hubris, maybe even straight insanity. (How either relates to fire is anyone's guess, but at least it's a common trait.)
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Don't think the Avatar series Benders count. They don't have any side effects (as a rule, granted several of the specific characters did, blindness, scars, but those were unique to them, not the class).
What we know: Oracles are the incarnate of, channeler of, earthly representation of [thing], and because of this they accept (are cursed with) something that marks them as different (a flaw), some detrimental trait related to [thing].
The question: Does oracle of [thing] #1 have to have the same flaw as oracle of [thing] #2? If say... Sampson is another oracle of strength, I don't think he has the same flaws as Hercules.
I don't care much for the Naruto series, but Gaara is a perfect example of an oracle of sand.
Don't think the Avatar series Benders count. They don't have any side effects (as a rule, granted several of the specific characters did, blindness, scars, but those were unique to them, not the class).What we know: Oracles are the incarnate of, channeler of, earthly representation of [thing], and because of this they accept (are cursed with) something that marks them as different (a flaw), some detrimental trait related to [thing].
The question: Does oracle of [thing] #1 have to have the same flaw as oracle of [thing] #2? If say... Sampson is another oracle of strength, I don't think he has the same flaws as Hercules.
I hope they have some sort of rhyme or reason to it. Although I guess the GM can say 'Ok, Oracles of Fire always have the flaw Megolamania, Insanity, or Pyromania'. I'd just hate to see an Oracle of Strength who's weakness is 'Frail Body'. :)
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The question: Does oracle of [thing] #1 have to have the same flaw as oracle of [thing] #2? If say... Sampson is another oracle of strength, I don't think he has the same flaws as Hercules.
Samson is perhaps a better example of an Oracle of Strength. He has direct flaws & stipulations built into his great prowess. He has to abstain from alcohol, can't shave or cut his hair, and follow the other provisions of being a Nazirite. While he's obviously not described as casting spells, whenever he preforms a great feat, the narrative describes the Spirit of God moving through him & empowering him, a reliable analog for instinctive divine spellcasting...
And, aside from ANYTHING else, the narrative of Samson culminates in a sacrifice to Dagon! Dagon! Can't get a better tie in than that.
The question: Does oracle of [thing] #1 have to have the same flaw as oracle of [thing] #2? If say... Sampson is another oracle of strength, I don't think he has the same flaws as Hercules.
Taking a peek at today's blog it does say that Oracles get to select their flaw. It's not clear if that's a list of flaws for each 'focus' or a list of flaws for all Oracles (The example Fire Oracle speaks Ignan when speaking it tongues, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't a generic flaw wherein you pick any language, for instance.)
I don't care much for the Naruto series, but Gaara is a perfect example of an oracle of sand.
LOL. Ok, I gotta give you that one.
And, come to think of it, Lady Tsunade is the only Oracle of Strength I can think of that truly fits the bill. She has massive strength, can cast some healing spells and other spells, and has a curse on her (Bad Gambling Luck combined with a Gambling Addiction, the Great Sucker, as she is known).
EDIT : Ok, and Sampson too. Both are way better than Hercules (Herakles, for those who want to be picky).
Oracle of Fire = Human Torch
Oracle of Air would be fun I bet IMHO
Oracle of Air would be fun I bet IMHO
Like this?Oracle of Air would be fun I bet IMHO
Ha! Nice