Creative Director
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Dear James Jacobs,
I'm so very excited to be playing a Shoanti Thundercaller, but as I turn level 3, I've run into a quandry. The Thunder Call song (from Varisia, Birthplace of Legends) says the following:
Thunder Call (Su): At 3rd level, the thundercaller can use her performance to unleash a deafening peal of thunder. This allows the thundercaller to spend a round of performance to create an effect similar to the spell sound burst (having the same range and area and allowing the same saving throw). At 7th level, the sonic damage that is dealt by this blast of sound increases to 3d8. This damage further increases to 5d8 at 11th level, 7d8 at 15th level, and 9d8 at 19th level. This performance replaces inspire competence.The confusion I've run into is whether the DC is intended to scale with the bard's level, or not. That is to say does "allowing the same saving throw" refer to allowing a fortitude save (of the 'default' Su-ability DC of 10 + 1/2 level + Cha mod), or to allowing a fortitude save based on the same formula as the spell (DC 10 + 2 for the spell's level + Cha mod)?
So, almighty JJ, do you know how this was intended to function? And if not, how would you run it? I'm enamored by the flavor of the Shoanti character I've developed and would like to get this behind me so that I can turn the entirety of my focus on the RP and stop worrying that I may unintentionally 'cheat', 'break the system', etc. etc.
Thanks so much!
Drake
If the DC doesn't scale with level, the ability grows increasingly marginalized. That's fine for a spell... not so fine for a class ability. It should scale with level. Especially since it's a supernatural ability and not a spell-like ability.
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Creative Director
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Dear James Jacobs,
I'm working on a Sorcerer for a friend's game (Mongrel Mage archetype, if that helps) and I'm feeling a bit indecisive. I tried rolling some random stuff using Ultimate Campaign, which resulted in some pretty funny backstories (imagine an orphaned female halfling Magus who apparently committed mass murder in a fit of jealous rage involving a former lover, or a half-orc who, by his own negligence, allowed a gangster to suffer for the sheer pleasure of being negligent)
But this isn't about backstories. It's about interesting concepts, and I'm currently torn between a (likely drow-blooded) Half-Elf sorcerer, and a Halfling. I feel like both would be interesting as a "Mongel Mage" type, as Halflings are often looked down upon in Golarion in general, and Half-Elves already have a pretty diverse family tree. I'm not sure which one sounds like more fun, which brings me to my other hard decision: weapons. It seems like every low-level wizard/sorcerer I see is toting a crossbow around. And I get why: you're likely to favor dex over strength as a caster, so why bother with melee? But efficient or not, I hate the idea of playing a crossbowman with ambitions of being a mage, so I'm ruling crossbows out. So what's a more interesting starting weapon for a sorcerer? I thought of Cestus, but I've done that one before too. Maybe a bracer of daggers? What do you think?
Thing to remember is that you'll have (assuming you pick one) a spell like acid splash or ray of frost for many of your ranged attacks as a sorcerer. A weapon isn't something you really need, in my opinion—your job as sorcerer isn't to "keep up" with the damage dealing potential of a fighter or rogue or whatever, but to be the spellcaster. Against typical foes, acid splash or ray of frost are inferior to things like arrows, yeah, but against foes with damage reduction or the like, energy damage becomes much better.
My suggestion is to simply abandon the idea that a sorcerer MUST have a weapon... or to go the other route and pick something really unusual. Like a starknife.
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Creative Director
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James
When Pharasma judges souls does it ever happen that she doesn't know what to do with someone, as in it isn't clear where a certain soul belongs?
Also do you think "curse of infertility" falls within the boundaries of what the "Bestow Curse" spell allows you to do. Basically a curse that makes you infertile (man or woman).
Finally, is it possible to use "Polymorph Any Object" to permanently change the appearance of one person into that of another? For example a crime lord changing his appearance to match Lord Gyr of Absalom?
She always knows what to do with a soul.
An infertility curse is absolutely within the bounds of bestow curse.
You can't really use polymorph effects to duplicate a specific, unique character's appearance. As per the core rulebook, page 212...
Unless otherwise noted, polymorph spells cannot be used to change into specific individuals. Although many of the fine details can be controlled, your appearance is always that of a generic member of that creature's type.
One could absolutely develop a specialized polymorph spell that WOULD allow a doppelganger-level duplication effect, but that'd have to be a specific spell, not polymorph any object.
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Creative Director
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Have you ever played a spellcaster who disdained weapons totally?
Not in recent memory. My more recent spellcaster characters have been bards and clerics, who actually ARE built to have weapon support built into their actual class abilities and expectations.
Disdaining weapons totally is something that I'd expect a witch, wizard, or sorcerer to do, more or less. Might try one of those out some day... but I make characters rarely enough that who can say when that would happen?
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Creative Director
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Thank you for such a quick response! For an encore, if you don't mind: Whoppers, Big Macs, or none of the above?
If the DC doesn't scale with level, the ability grows increasingly marginalized. That's fine for a spell... not so fine for a class ability. It should scale with level. Especially since it's a supernatural ability and not a spell-like ability.
None of the above. If I do eat hamburgers (which is pretty rare) I prefer to do so from a place that isn't fast food. In fact, I generally try to avoid fast food entirely these days.
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My player wants to focus on healing more of a healing alchemist. He was hoping to use something similar to the syringe spear, but ranged. What I'm wondering is if you think this would work and if so should it be a blowgun dad, crossbow bolt, or just like a thrown syringe. And secondly how would you use it. I know heal bomb is a way but he was planning on taking one of the archetypes that gets rid of bombs. Just wondering your opinion
James,
Is the g in Kurgess a hard g (guess) or a soft g (gentle)?
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Publisher, Chief Creative Officer
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I'm sorry to bother you able up this but so you know if Erik Mona has a similar thread to this? I wanted to ask him if there is a plan to release any more of the sketches of the occult adventures iconics.
I do not have a thread like this. I can, however, answer your question.
Yes, of course we will be releasing more images of the Occult Adventures iconics. The FINAL PAINTED VERSIONS of all six are in my in-box waiting to be fully appreciated as I work my way through the holiday backlog, but they are there. Lurking.
And good golly they are gorgeous.
Dear James,
Do Bombardier Beetles spew goo from their mouths or their bottoms?
Earnest thanks
I do not have a thread like this. I can, however, answer your question.
Yes, of course we will be releasing more images of the Occult Adventures iconics. The FINAL PAINTED VERSIONS of all six are in my in-box waiting to be fully appreciated as I work my way through the holiday backlog, but they are there. Lurking.
And good golly they are gorgeous.
Holy Alliterations, Batman!
How will the Giantslayer AP fill the shoes of Against the Giants? Or is it totally different somehow?
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Creative Director
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My player wants to focus on healing more of a healing alchemist. He was hoping to use something similar to the syringe spear, but ranged. What I'm wondering is if you think this would work and if so should it be a blowgun dad, crossbow bolt, or just like a thrown syringe. And secondly how would you use it. I know heal bomb is a way but he was planning on taking one of the archetypes that gets rid of bombs. Just wondering your opinion
I wouldn't allow that to work—healing potions and the like must be completely imbibed (or completely injected) in order to do their thing. Simply dipping a dart in a potion of cure light wounds won't allow you to transfer that effect entirely to that dart.
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Creative Director
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Dear James,
Do Bombardier Beetles spew goo from their mouths or their bottoms?
Earnest thanks
Bottoms. As with the real-world bombardier beetle.
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Creative Director
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How will the Giantslayer AP fill the shoes of Against the Giants? Or is it totally different somehow?
By being a full campaign from 1st level to about 16th/17th level that doesn't use giants as a symptom for the actual problem. In Giantslayer, it's giants all the way to the end. They're not being manipulated by a non-giant.
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James,
I loved Wrath of the Righteous, and look forward to running it with my group.
Which Worldwound story themes do you think are yet to be explored by published adventures? I'd like to run a warm-up mini-adventure for my gaming group to hone my Worldwound GM-ing abilities before jumping into such a daunting campaign. But I'd like to avoid overlapping themes of redemption and hopelessness against the chaos that will be well-covered in Wrath.
Thanks for everything you do. Big fan.
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Creative Director
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James,
I loved Wrath of the Righteous, and look forward to running it with my group.
Which Worldwound story themes do you think are yet to be explored by published adventures? I'd like to run a warm-up mini-adventure for my gaming group to hone my Worldwound GM-ing abilities before jumping into such a daunting campaign. But I'd like to avoid overlapping themes of redemption and hopelessness against the chaos that will be well-covered in Wrath.
Thanks for everything you do. Big fan.
At this point, we've kinda said what we intend to say about the Worldwound. We have no significant plans to do much more with the region anytime soon.
That's not to say that there's not LOTS of themes yet to be explored, of course!
James Jacobs:
I'm always intrigued by unexpected results. Either positive or negative.
I once was part of team that designed a product that was so efficient the customer didn't accept it because it made the rest of their products look bad.
I've also had a couple of occasions where we just didn't have the time to do a good job and frankly just kinda half-ashed a project. Yet the customer loved it.
Do you have any unexpected results for PF? Something you worked on and thought it wasn't really that great but people loved it. Or something you thought was wonderful but didn't get a good reception?
Just curious.
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Creative Director
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James Jacobs:
I'm always intrigued by unexpected results. Either positive or negative.
I once was part of team that designed a product that was so efficient the customer didn't accept it because it made the rest of their products look bad.
I've also had a couple of occasions where we just didn't have the time to do a good job and frankly just kinda half-ashed a project. Yet the customer loved it.Do you have any unexpected results for PF? Something you worked on and thought it wasn't really that great but people loved it. Or something you thought was wonderful but didn't get a good reception?
Just curious.
Yup to both! Although I'm not gonna go into details! :P
Dear James Jacobs,
I'm working on a Sorcerer for a friend's game (Mongrel Mage archetype, if that helps) and I'm feeling a bit indecisive. I tried rolling some random stuff using Ultimate Campaign, which resulted in some pretty funny backstories (imagine an orphaned female halfling Magus who apparently committed mass murder in a fit of jealous rage involving a former lover, or a half-orc who, by his own negligence, allowed a gangster to suffer for the sheer pleasure of being negligent)
But this isn't about backstories. It's about interesting concepts, and I'm currently torn between a (likely drow-blooded) Half-Elf sorcerer, and a Halfling. I feel like both would be interesting as a "Mongel Mage" type, as Halflings are often looked down upon in Golarion in general, and Half-Elves already have a pretty diverse family tree. I'm not sure which one sounds like more fun, which brings me to my other hard decision: weapons. It seems like every low-level wizard/sorcerer I see is toting a crossbow around. And I get why: you're likely to favor dex over strength as a caster, so why bother with melee? But efficient or not, I hate the idea of playing a crossbowman with ambitions of being a mage, so I'm ruling crossbows out. So what's a more interesting starting weapon for a sorcerer? I thought of Cestus, but I've done that one before too. Maybe a bracer of daggers? What do you think?
Thing to remember is that you'll have (assuming you pick one) a spell like acid splash or ray of frost for many of your ranged attacks as a sorcerer. A weapon isn't something you really need, in my opinion—your job as sorcerer isn't to "keep up" with the damage dealing potential of a fighter or rogue or whatever, but to be the spellcaster. Against typical foes, acid splash or ray of frost are inferior to things like arrows, yeah, but against foes with damage reduction or the like, energy damage becomes much better.
My suggestion is to simply abandon the idea that a sorcerer MUST have a weapon... or to...
Thanks, James! Any thoughts on half-elf vs halfling in this case? I've also had people suggest half-orc, as a more "mongrel-y" race.
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Creative Director
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And if those situations extend to the entirety of your life?Do you have any strategies for reading a book when you feel like you don't have the energy to read?I don't read in those situations. I go do something else.
Hasn't happened. But if it did, I guess I just wouldn't read anymore. There's plenty of other things to do; video games, TV, movies, games, etc.
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Just curious... in a "What if" scenario - What if Tar-Baphon had not been imprisoned and is instead victorious in the Shining Crusade? Conquering all of Ustalav and the surrounding lands.
Would such a Tar-Baphon ruled undead(?) empire be able to defeat/withstand the Abyss forces of the World Wound? Assuming the two forces crash against each other and not become friends or allies.
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Creative Director
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Just curious... in a "What if" scenario - What if Tar-Baphon had not been imprisoned and is instead victorious in the Shining Crusade? Conquering all of Ustalav and the surrounding lands.
Would such a Tar-Baphon ruled undead(?) empire be able to defeat/withstand the Abyss forces of the World Wound? Assuming the two forces crash against each other and not become friends or allies.
Anything's possible. He could rule an undead nation now (in which case we would have done something entirely different with Geb, since one undead nation is enough), or he could have ruled for a time only to have been defeated (in which case Ustalav would become a post-apocalyptic ruin, and we would have done something else with the Sodden Lands).
Which of these North American crytozoological creatures would you most like to encounter as a player? What about use as a GM?
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Creative Director
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Which of these North American crytozoological creatures would you most like to encounter as a player? What about use as a GM?
Mothman! In both cases!!!!
Which of these North American crytozoological creatures would you most like to encounter as a player? What about use as a GM?Mothman! In both cases!!!!
The excitement with which you replied leads me to ask...potential entry in the next Bestiary?
Do you guys read the "Wish List" threads?
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Q1) If a Angel and a Devil, say a Solar and a Pit Fiend, appears before Shelyn, declares that they truly love with each other and begs for sanctuary. How would Shelyn act in this matter? (*Shelyn found their love to be true love and not an illusion or mere lust.)
Q2) Could and good and evil outsiders have children? I know they are made from the souls of mortals, but could they procreate among themselves?
*I know at least 1 Archdevil and the Demon Lords could have a children, but what about the lesser of their kind?
Q3) Angels can "fall" and become evil and in WOTR, a demon was able to redeem and become good..ish. But is it possible for a demon or devil to be fully redeemed? Especially the more powerful ones, like can a Balor turning LG and ascending to heaven?
*Less on story possibilities, but more from the logic of the Golarion cosmology setting point of view.
Trying to work out ideals for a story plot point in my game, which is set in Golarion.
Dear James Jacobs:
True or false? Monks of the empty hand take a -4 penalty to attacks when wielding improvised weapons.
The monk of the empty hand treats improvised weapons as if she were proficient in them, and can wield normal weapons as improvised weapons. This effectively has the same end effect as the Catch Off-Guard feat, but isn't a feat and thus doesn't use up a feat slot since it's a variant class ability. Thus, they do not take a nonproficient penalty when using improvised weapons. The text is not as clear as it could have been, I guess, but hopefully common sense can step in to bolster that if someone doesn't read this post?
(We COULD have simply said, "The monk of the empty hand gains "Catch Off-Guard" as a bonus feat, I guess, but that would have lost the flavor bit about how they often wield normal weapons as improvised weapons.)
Is the errata that states that "Catch Off-Guard" does give you proficiency with an improvised weapon, there are arguments abound on the forums that because of the wording in "Catch Off-Guard" you are specifically stated as being proficient. The argument is you cannot take anything that requires proficiency with a certain weapon with that feat. So you could not have "Weapon Focus: Improvised Weapons" or "Weapon Specialization: Improvised Weapons." I ask because I hear the RAW argument all too often.
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Creative Director
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Which of these North American crytozoological creatures would you most like to encounter as a player? What about use as a GM?Mothman! In both cases!!!!The excitement with which you replied leads me to ask...potential entry in the next Bestiary?
Do you guys read the "Wish List" threads?
Mothman's been a part of the game for many years. Check Bestiary 2.
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Creative Director
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Q1) If a Angel and a Devil, say a Solar and a Pit Fiend, appears before Shelyn, declares that they truly love with each other and begs for sanctuary. How would Shelyn act in this matter? (*Shelyn found their love to be true love and not an illusion or mere lust.)
Q2) Could and good and evil outsiders have children? I know they are made from the souls of mortals, but could they procreate among themselves?
*I know at least 1 Archdevil and the Demon Lords could have a children, but what about the lesser of their kind?Q3) Angels can "fall" and become evil and in WOTR, a demon was able to redeem and become good..ish. But is it possible for a demon or devil to be fully redeemed? Especially the more powerful ones, like can a Balor turning LG and ascending to heaven?
*Less on story possibilities, but more from the logic of the Golarion cosmology setting point of view.Trying to work out ideals for a story plot point in my game, which is set in Golarion.
1) She'd approve of it, and would hope that the pit fiend would be willing to forsake his/her evil ways to be with the solar. If the reverse were true, she'd likely let the solar go evil, but with the understanding that this is the solar's one out, and next time their paths cross... well... just don't let their paths cross.
2) Yes. Most outsiders can have children.
3) Yes, it's possible for a demon or devil or whatever to be fully redeemed. Which is exactly what happens in Wrath of the Righteous. It's not common, though. The more often it happens, the more it lessens the event.
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Creative Director
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Is the errata that states that "Catch Off-Guard" does give you proficiency with an improvised weapon, there are arguments abound on the forums that because of the wording in "Catch Off-Guard" you are specifically stated as being proficient. The argument is you cannot take anything that requires proficiency with a certain weapon with that feat. So you could not have "Weapon Focus: Improvised Weapons" or "Weapon Specialization: Improvised Weapons." I ask because I hear the RAW argument all too often.Dear James Jacobs:
True or false? Monks of the empty hand take a -4 penalty to attacks when wielding improvised weapons.
The monk of the empty hand treats improvised weapons as if she were proficient in them, and can wield normal weapons as improvised weapons. This effectively has the same end effect as the Catch Off-Guard feat, but isn't a feat and thus doesn't use up a feat slot since it's a variant class ability. Thus, they do not take a nonproficient penalty when using improvised weapons. The text is not as clear as it could have been, I guess, but hopefully common sense can step in to bolster that if someone doesn't read this post?
(We COULD have simply said, "The monk of the empty hand gains "Catch Off-Guard" as a bonus feat, I guess, but that would have lost the flavor bit about how they often wield normal weapons as improvised weapons.)
The GM gets to say what's legit or not in any game. RAW doesn't matter.
Or if it DOES... then the question needs to be asked in the rules forums.
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Creative Director
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In another thread you said
"as a chaotic neutral worshiper of a neutral evil deity... Damiel is likely setting himself up for a VERY unpleasant time in the afterlife. Here's hoping he either goes full neutral evil before he dies (and thus earns a good role in the Norgorberian afterlife) or changes religions (and thus escapes an unpleasant afterlife of punishment for being a poor worshiper of Norgorber)!"
So excluding the soul fusing with Shelyn's realm.
What role would a Lawful neutral worshiper of Shelyn have in the afterlife?
Probably a desolate, lonely one.
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1) She'd approve of it, and would hope that the pit fiend would be willing to forsake his/her evil ways to be with the solar. If the reverse were true, she'd likely let the solar go evil, but with the understanding that this is the solar's one out, and next time their paths cross... well... just don't let their paths cross.
2) Yes. Most outsiders can have children.
3) Yes, it's possible for a demon or devil or whatever to be fully redeemed. Which is exactly what happens in Wrath of the Righteous. It's not common, though. The more often it happens, the more it lessens the event.
1) So what changes would a redeemed demon/devil have in appearance? Fallen angels or their descendants seems to go black feather wings or bat winged, example Erinyes. What would a redeemed pit fiend look like? (Not asking for fix definitions, just what possible changes would fit a redeemed devil/outsider.) Would they look more human? Painted in white? Drapped in gold? Have all their scales become flower petals?
2) What would the child of an angel-devil/demon union be/look like?
The only example I got is Ragathiel, but his mom is a goddess and his dad was possibly an ex-angel-like-being.
3) How could I hint to my players that an outsider NPC (quest giver) may be unusual, like being an angel-devil hybrid, without the party just asking for a knowledge roll?
James, please poor the Bestiary 5 (When it is coming out) full of Native American creatures! (like Haietlik, tsemaus, acheri, amhuluk, uktena, gaasyendietha, ahkiyyini, binaye-ahani, yeitso, djieien, hinqumemen, mahaha, mishibishiw, nalusa falaya) If there is one mythology-group that is kinda lacking in the bestiaries its Native Americans!
Can we expect some Native American creatures soon in AP's or other products?
What do you think about Native American mythology creatures?
Hello James! :)
I am just wondering two things that are becoming important in my campaign.
1. Can drow mothers (not matrons) feel something like motherly love? As in, they don't kill a neutral or good child just because it's their own child?
2. Are Nocticula and Socothbenoth somehow connected to Calistria? My player(who plays a half drow-half elf) just told me that he is suspicious of the pointy ears of the demon lords and that they both got the domain of lust.
I really don't believe so. But as the female drow/elf PC is a strong believer of Calistria but seemingly blessed by Nocitcula she is very confused now, hahaha!
Just want to hear your opinion. :)
Thank you for answering these questions from everyone all the time!
~Gwen
Two questions today:
Is the Storm Tyrant's flying cloud castle Skyborne Keep?
Has "the pit" in the Sandpoint hinterlands ever had a map, detailed description, or adventure done for it, official or otherwise? The one in which the Sandpoint devil lairs, with a ghoul temple, goblins, derro, gremlins, dark folk, and troglodytes? If not, is there any desire or plans to write it up eventually?
Mr. James Jacobs,
If one of the Orc demigods found one of their worshipers was receiving mythic power from a non aligned source would they take it personally and/or see the person as a threat? If so would they seek to destroy said person?