You probably don't want to hear this subject from me again, but ... :-)
The English word "armiger" literally means "someone entitled to bear heraldic arms". The use of that word as a translation for the "common" (Taldane) word indicating a Hellknight in training may thus be incorrect. It depends on how, on Golarian, one becomes entitled to bear heraldic arms. So how does that happen?
|
You probably don't want to hear this subject from me again, but ... :-)
The English word "armiger" literally means "someone entitled to bear heraldic arms". The use of that word as a translation for the "common" (Taldane) word indicating a Hellknight in training may thus be incorrect. It depends on how, on Golarian, one becomes entitled to bear heraldic arms. So how does that happen?
I know I'm breaking the 'thread rules', but... that is only ONE of the historical definitions of the term. The more appropriate in this context is 'someone who cares for the armor or carries the banner of a knight'. Basically, a squire / knight in training.
Creative Director
|
Would dwarves raise a baby half-drow if such a thing were found abandoned near their Sky Citadel or something?Probably not.The first thought that came to mind is,
"What if the dwarf is a cleric of Serenrae? Doesn't she have her followers offer redemption when possible?"Then I thought, "Or is it a case where they just probably wouldn't raise any abandoned child like that and the drow aspect didn't matter much?"
Note the word "probably" in my reply. Of COURSE there can be any number of exceptions that would result in a dwarf raising a baby half-drow if they found them, but the original question didn't ask that. A dwarven worshiper of Sarenrae would absolutely raise a baby half-drow or even a baby drow if they found one, but the conditions where a dwarf worshiper of Sarenrae (relatively rare) would find a baby drow (VERY rare) or half-drow (VERY VERY rare) are hardly something that'd be counted as a typical situation.
The question was framed in a general way, and in general, most dwarves would not raise a baby drow or half-drow. That said, most dwarves are also good, so they wouldn't leave the baby abandoned to the elements. They would most likely turn the baby over to a trusted church or other group that they would trust to treat the baby well without running the risk of letting a baby drow into their settlement which could well be a drow trick.
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
You probably don't want to hear this subject from me again, but ... :-)
The English word "armiger" literally means "someone entitled to bear heraldic arms". The use of that word as a translation for the "common" (Taldane) word indicating a Hellknight in training may thus be incorrect. It depends on how, on Golarian, one becomes entitled to bear heraldic arms. So how does that happen?
In the case of a Hellknight, their squires and new recruits ARE entitled to bear heraldic arms—in this case, those heraldic arms being the Hellknight's focused weapons and specific armor design. Thus, the term "armiger" is 100% accurate for the Hellknight orders.
|
Creative Director
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
I know I'm breaking the 'thread rules', but... that is only ONE of the historical definitions of the term. The more appropriate in this context is 'someone who cares for the armor or carries the banner of a knight'. Basically, a squire / knight in training.You probably don't want to hear this subject from me again, but ... :-)
The English word "armiger" literally means "someone entitled to bear heraldic arms". The use of that word as a translation for the "common" (Taldane) word indicating a Hellknight in training may thus be incorrect. It depends on how, on Golarian, one becomes entitled to bear heraldic arms. So how does that happen?
Turns out, words can have more than 1 definition, and furthermore, words are flexible and can have their meanings changed or adapted over time by culture. In any event, as my post 2 or so up reveals, I do eventually answer these questions, so as strong as the urge is to jump in and answer for me... that just clutters the thread. I appreciate folks being eager to help, but this isn't the right place to do that.
At the VERY LEAST, if you absolutely cannot resist posting an answer for me, ask a question in your post of me as well so that your post keeps the thread on topic. In fact, I should charge folks like this TWO questions! :-D
It's now 11:35 AM, and most of my coworkers are here at the office. Not all. Those who aren't are either out sick or on the way in to work or traveling or being eaten by a grue, I assume.It's 9 A.M.
Do you know where your coworkers are?
I hear some bosses have punishments for tardiness, but aren't you supposed to write them up twice before you send the grues on them?
Is the Grue also a wanderer?
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I hear some bosses have punishments for tardiness, but aren't you supposed to write them up twice before you send the grues on them?It's now 11:35 AM, and most of my coworkers are here at the office. Not all. Those who aren't are either out sick or on the way in to work or traveling or being eaten by a grue, I assume.It's 9 A.M.
Do you know where your coworkers are?
No one controls the grues. They do their thing regardless. Theyr'e kinda self-policing in that way. Bring a light.
In the case of a Hellknight, their squires and new recruits ARE entitled to bear heraldic arms—in this case, those heraldic arms being the Hellknight's focused weapons and specific armor design. Thus, the term "armiger" is 100% accurate for the Hellknight orders.
<sigh> "Heraldic arms" does not refer to weapons, but to what is commonly called a "coat of arms".
Obligatory question: should I just STFU and figure that the mechanics of heraldry and knighthood are of no interest to Pathfinder?
JJ - a question of RP tips?
How can you play a CE antipaladin that doesn't destroy the party from the inside? Out of character, I want to be a team player and not spoil the game, but AP is my favorite class, flavor-wise, and I want to enjoy playing with the team.
The GM seems up to the idea of me being one, as long as I don't spoil the game. "How do you play LG without being a dick" is a common question asked, but I think the opposite is even harder. Is it possible to be CE and rather likeable and nice (on the surface, but having deeper goals beneath the surface)?
Can you think of examples in media of characters that would be good to use as inspiration? Because every CE I can think of (Joker, Carnage, the cast of Always Sunny in Philadelphia) just straight up would ruin a party. Lawful evil or even to a degree neutral evil I can think of a way to pull it off, but CE...not so sure...
How did you come up with the names of the gods? What was your inspiration?
|
Creative Director
|
In the case of a Hellknight, their squires and new recruits ARE entitled to bear heraldic arms—in this case, those heraldic arms being the Hellknight's focused weapons and specific armor design. Thus, the term "armiger" is 100% accurate for the Hellknight orders.<sigh> "Heraldic arms" does not refer to weapons, but to what is commonly called a "coat of arms".
Obligatory question: should I just STFU and figure that the mechanics of heraldry and knighthood are of no interest to Pathfinder?
Not the way I would have put it.
But again... check out the definitions to the word "armiger." It means more than you claim that it means. I wasn't actually the one who came up with the name for Hellknight squires—that was Wes, and now that I've thought it over a bit more I'm 100% sure he was working with the second definition: "an armorbearer to a knight; a squire" and not the first one.
And to be honest, no, I'm not all that interested in heraldry and knighthood. I'm not "Pathfinder" but I do have a strong role in the direction of the world. And as it turns out, most of the others in that role here don't really have as big an interest in heraldry and knighthood. The traditions of Golarion are MUCH more steeped in the ancient world (Rome, Babylon, etc.) and the pulps than they are in knights and heraldry. That certainly shows in the flavor and content of our books.
So yes... if you're expecting an in-depth look at the heraldry of regions in Golarion from us... don't hold your breath. Our interests lie primarily in other areas of the genre, for good or for ill.
|
Creative Director
|
How did you come up with the names of the gods? What was your inspiration?
The art of naming things, be they gods or places or cities or monsters or people, is a complicated one that requires equal parts being well-read, understanding the way words are structured, and artistry. There's no one-true-way to name anything. For some, I'd riff off of a real-world or mythological name to come up with something similar that evokes the proper feel of what I'm aiming at. For others, I'll just grab random words, spell them backwards, and then jumble a few letters to make things roll off the tongue easier. And for others I'll just make up words out of the blue. And for still others, I'll just use real-world names that seem right. My inspiration is pretty much everything I've read or watched throughout my life.
Which method did you use for Sarenrae?
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
JJ - a question of RP tips?
How can you play a CE antipaladin that doesn't destroy the party from the inside? Out of character, I want to be a team player and not spoil the game, but AP is my favorite class, flavor-wise, and I want to enjoy playing with the team.
The GM seems up to the idea of me being one, as long as I don't spoil the game. "How do you play LG without being a dick" is a common question asked, but I think the opposite is even harder. Is it possible to be CE and rather likeable and nice (on the surface, but having deeper goals beneath the surface)?
Can you think of examples in media of characters that would be good to use as inspiration? Because every CE I can think of (Joker, Carnage, the cast of Always Sunny in Philadelphia) just straight up would ruin a party. Lawful evil or even to a degree neutral evil I can think of a way to pull it off, but CE...not so sure...
First off, chaotic evil isn't a great choice for teamwork. AKA: not a great choice for a team-based game like Pathfinder. But it CAN be done. How can you do it? By choosing NOT to destroy the group you're working with from the inside. You can still be chaotic evil and not self-destruct everything you are involved in. If your GM won't let you play a CE character who gets along well with the party and works with them, your GM is running the game wrong, frankly.
You don't have to be likable or nice in order to work with a team. Pretty much every successful company on the planet has examples of unlikable, mean people who work well with teams.
|
Creative Director
|
What resources from outside Cheliax would a citizen opposed to House Thrune seek out? The character in question is not opposed to slavery as much (yet), so I was looking for alternatives to Andoran anti-slavers for allies to oppose Abby.
See Hell's Rebels for lots of examples of non-Andoran resources and methods to oppose Thrune.
One of the best places to look for resources would be churches specifically opposed to Asmodeus or groups opposed to big government. But having such a character worship Milani, for example, would be a great choice. The support of a goddess is a pretty potent resource.
JJ - a question of RP tips?
How can you play a CE antipaladin that doesn't destroy the party from the inside? Out of character, I want to be a team player and not spoil the game, but AP is my favorite class, flavor-wise, and I want to enjoy playing with the team.
The GM seems up to the idea of me being one, as long as I don't spoil the game. "How do you play LG without being a dick" is a common question asked, but I think the opposite is even harder. Is it possible to be CE and rather likeable and nice (on the surface, but having deeper goals beneath the surface)?
Can you think of examples in media of characters that would be good to use as inspiration? Because every CE I can think of (Joker, Carnage, the cast of Always Sunny in Philadelphia) just straight up would ruin a party. Lawful evil or even to a degree neutral evil I can think of a way to pull it off, but CE...not so sure...
First off, chaotic evil isn't a great choice for teamwork. AKA: not a great choice for a team-based game like Pathfinder. But it CAN be done. How can you do it? By choosing NOT to destroy the group you're working with from the inside. You can still be chaotic evil and not self-destruct everything you are involved in. If your GM won't let you play a CE character who gets along well with the party and works with them, your GM is running the game wrong, frankly.
You don't have to be likable or nice in order to work with a team. Pretty much every successful company on the planet has examples of unlikable, mean people who work well with teams.
I love it - play it like I'm that dick boss everyone hates but gets the job done. Thanks, JJ!
So I got an email from the Sandy Petersen's Cthulhu Mythos for Pathfinder Kickstarter I backed that not only were they adding you to the project but also Liz! I approve of this course of action. :)
Oppara in Taldor seems like a place where people would have been immigrating to for a very long time. Are there ethnic sections of Oppara? For example people from Cheliax that fled the Civil Wars before House Thrune took over. Or maybe people from Galt fleeing the revolution.
Hi James!
Loved the Zork reference, and it sparked some questions.
What was your favorite early video game? By that I mean from earliest computers and consoles.
What was the 1st published module you played in in AD&D 1st?
As a follow up to some of the questions above, if a GM were to want to add the traditional "high Middle Ages" knights in armor and heraldry feel with the least change from the core Golarian, which places would work best? Taldor? Cheliax? Anywhere else?
I still remember the excitement I got when I opened the original Greyhawk box set and saw the heraldry of the various kingdoms and duchies. Any similar moments stick out for you from your younger gaming years? (Not necessarily involving heraldry obviously)
Lastly, any chance we'll see a new adventure written by you in the near future? I am a huge fan of your adventure writing, and thought of it as I was reading some of your work the other day.
Thanks for all you do.
|
Creative Director
|
Mighty Rex,
What is the Orc word for Goblin?
We generally try to avoid introducing multiple names for things from different languages like this, because there are a LOT of languages on Golarion, and keeping track of how to spell things and what names are for what in one language (english) already keeps a few dozen folks with full-time jobs busy. ;-)
And since we don't invent alphabets or languages for all those languages, we don't really have a place to start when it comes to deciding what the Orc word for "goblin" is, much less the Aquan word or Draconic word or Shoanti word or Thassilonian word for "goblin" is.
As a result, what we WOULD do in any of these types of cases would be to basically just make up a nonsense word on the spot, hopefully one that sounds linguistically similar to any other words in that language that we've invented. And keeping track of that would rapidly escalate into an impossibly complex subsystem of rules and elements that we simply do not have the employe power to do.
So we generally don't do it. It's one of the places where, if I were a single author in charge of a single line of books that I managed by myself, could choose to do or not do as best made sense for my own personal time management abilities and the limits of my abilities to keep track of my own inventions.
For something like Golarion, which is a shared world that is built by hundreds of different authors and utilized by hundreds of thousands of gamers, it's not really an option.
|
Creative Director
|
Oppara in Taldor seems like a place where people would have been immigrating to for a very long time. Are there ethnic sections of Oppara? For example people from Cheliax that fled the Civil Wars before House Thrune took over. Or maybe people from Galt fleeing the revolution.
There are "ethnic sections" in all major cities, save for the ones that are toxic in their levels of non-diversification. I can't really think of any major city in all the Inner Sea region that would only consist of one nationality within its walls.
|
Creative Director
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hi James!
Loved the Zork reference, and it sparked some questions.
What was your favorite early video game? By that I mean from earliest computers and consoles.
What was the 1st published module you played in in AD&D 1st?
As a follow up to some of the questions above, if a GM were to want to add the traditional "high Middle Ages" knights in armor and heraldry feel with the least change from the core Golarian, which places would work best? Taldor? Cheliax? Anywhere else?
I still remember the excitement I got when I opened the original Greyhawk box set and saw the heraldry of the various kingdoms and duchies. Any similar moments stick out for you from your younger gaming years? (Not necessarily involving heraldry obviously)
Lastly, any chance we'll see a new adventure written by you in the near future? I am a huge fan of your adventure writing, and thought of it as I was reading some of your work the other day.
Thanks for all you do.
My favorite early video game would probably be [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8feIxKDqyTs]Bruce Lee,/url] which I had to play on friends' Atari 800 computers or on one of the computers at school. I didn't own my own computer until 1990; my favorite video game of the early 90s was probably Pools of Darkness. As for early consoles, we had an Atari 2600; we never did have Nintendo in my house. My favorite game from the Atari 2600 was probably ... hmmm... they all kinda sucked actually.
The first published module I played with AD&D was Keep on the Borderlands (even though that adventure was published for the BECMI rules back when there was only BE in that acronym, I used the AD&D monster manual to run it). The first published module for AD&D that I ever bought was (if I remember correctly) Queen of the Demonweb Pits.
The best regions to run with a "high Middle Ages" theme in Golarion would be Taldor, Molthune, Nirmathas, and Lastwall.
Seeing all the monsters in the Monster Manual is what got me hooked on my early gaming years. Monsters have ALWAYS been the most interesting part of RPGs to me.
The last adventure I wrote that's been published was relatively recent: "A Song of Silver" in Pathfinder #100. I've got a short adventure addition in the upcoming Curse of the Crimson Throne (a 20-some dungeon complex addition to "A History of Ashes"), and the entire book of Curse of the Crimson Throne has been developed by me (which includes a LOT of new words spread throughout the book). As for an entirely new adventure? Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned, I guess!
And! Thanks for the kind words! Always nice to know that folks enjoy the adventures I write! :-)
|
Creative Director
|
| 8 people marked this as a favorite. |
For something like Golarion, which is a shared world that is built by hundreds of different authors and utilized by hundreds of thousands of gamers, it's not really an option.I see your reasoning there then.
How about this then, what does the typical Orc think of the typical Goblin.
That they're unpredictable dangerous pests that should be squashed as soon as they pop up. Orcs are NOT fans of goblins. They enjoy kicking them. And stabbing them. And if the orc can find bladed boots, stab kicking them.
|
No one's a fan of goblins, not even other goblins! :P
How much blood does the average moroi vampire need, and what happens if they go a long time without feeding? Is it a human-like need where they need three blood meals a night to stay un-alive, or is it more a case where they can go without it for longer periods but their cravings get worse?
The last adventure I wrote that's been published was relatively recent: "A Song of Silver" in Pathfinder #100. I've got a short adventure addition in the upcoming Curse of the Crimson Throne (a 20-some dungeon complex addition to "A History of Ashes"), and the entire book of Curse of the Crimson Throne has been developed by me (which includes a LOT of new words spread throughout the book). As for an entirely new adventure? Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned, I guess!
Will there be any new...Thassilonian material in the Curse of the Crimson Throne hardcover?
|
The last adventure I wrote that's been published was relatively recent: "A Song of Silver" in Pathfinder #100. I've got a short adventure addition in the upcoming Curse of the Crimson Throne (a 20-some dungeon complex addition to "A History of Ashes"), and the entire book of Curse of the Crimson Throne has been developed by me (which includes a LOT of new words spread throughout the book). As for an entirely new adventure? Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned, I guess!Will there be any new...Thassilonian material in the Curse of the Crimson Throne hardcover?
*crosses fingers for super hard hidden boss*
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
No one's a fan of goblins, not even other goblins! :P
How much blood does the average moroi vampire need, and what happens if they go a long time without feeding? Is it a human-like need where they need three blood meals a night to stay un-alive, or is it more a case where they can go without it for longer periods but their cravings get worse?
Judging by how popular the goblin stuff we produce is, I'm pretty sure goblins have a lot of fans. :-P
The typical vampire would need, I'd say, a person-worth of blood every few nights—at least once a week. How each vampire reacts to not having fed for a long time would vary, but for the most part i suspect that it makes them increasingly violent and cranky and prone to not being able to pass as human. The wide range of vampire myths and stories means that I'd rather not nail it down, though, to allow for all sorts of different vampire plots, so there's certainly a wide range of flexibility there.
|
Creative Director
|
James, looking at the LG, NG and LN core deities, can you order them starting from the one with the largest number of paladins to the one with the least?
Ranked in order, from the one who has the most paladins to the one who has the least paladins:
1: Iomedae
2: Torag
3: Abadar
4: Erastil
5: Sarenrae
6: Shelyn
7: Irori
|
Creative Director
|
The last adventure I wrote that's been published was relatively recent: "A Song of Silver" in Pathfinder #100. I've got a short adventure addition in the upcoming Curse of the Crimson Throne (a 20-some dungeon complex addition to "A History of Ashes"), and the entire book of Curse of the Crimson Throne has been developed by me (which includes a LOT of new words spread throughout the book). As for an entirely new adventure? Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned, I guess!Will there be any new...Thassilonian material in the Curse of the Crimson Throne hardcover?
Not much. A little bit, I guess, but nothing significantly new, really.
Not the way I would have put it.
But again... check out the definitions to the word "armiger." It means more than you claim that it means.
When you put it that way it sounds like what I "claimed" it means is wrong. It's incomplete, I see now, but that doesn't make it wrong.
As for the rest, fair enough.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
....
I prefer female characters because they're more interesting. They're still (alas) less common than male characters as well, and I'm trying to do my small part as creative director to fix that disparity. And male characters tend to annoy me on top of that, perhaps because the whole toxic masculinity environment that's infected everything has always kind of ashamed me at being a man myself. So... the more female characters there are out there, the better. It's not unconscious at all, in other words.Good to hear that your group's having fun with the stuff I've written! :-) Always nice to hear, especially in an environment that has been increasingly overwhelming these boards and the internet in general with more negativity than positivity.
Nualia is inspired by my frustrations at how a male-dominated society has a double standard at how they treat their daughters versus their sons, and how men don't understand women. Had Nualia's adoptive father been less of a failure at being a father, Sandpoint would not have suffered nearly so much. In fact, if I've one regret at her character, it's that I didn't build in a stronger option for her redemption/rescue from the situation she's found herself in.
My insight for her would be to give her a chance at redemption, particularly if the PCs have any interest or willingness to help her along the way. You can keep her backstage in the off chance that the PCs get into a TPK situation as well; have her swoop in at the last minute to rescue the PCs and perhaps that can trigger her redemption.
I can really relate to you feelings about 'toxic masculinity environment'. Something that made me feel out of place growing up and something I've only truly come to terms with after turning 30.
I agree that there is a need for more female and minority characters in fiction, but don't you think it would a good thing to show male characters, who showcase a different kind of masculinity?
I work with children and try to be a different male role model, than what is seen in a lot of fiction.
I've always thought the Paizo boards were very nice, especially compared to the rest of the internet, but maybe I've not been looking in the right (well wrong) places?
Almost forgot my players read the thread occasionally
I'm intrigued at your idea to try give the players an opportunity to redeem Nualia. I thought that she was too far gone now: After she fled Thistletop she went to Ironbriar who sent her to Xanesha, who eventually sent her to Lucrecia, who gave her a contingent of ogres. Nualia took them on a killing/burning spree and became a half-fiend.
Lamashtu didn't remove her "curse of beauty" though (because Nualia had failed the first time around).
But despite Lamashtu's aid and her new half-fiend powers, Nualia was defeated again, and Sandpoint was saved from the fire.
I guess that could make her start doubting the goddess' power?
I think at least she'll doubt her allies, who care little for her goals, and have only used her as a pawn.
Is there a way to undo the half-fiend transformation? Even if they push her to Chaotic Neutral, she'd still be a half-fiend.
Perhaps something with the Runeforge could help?
Any insight is very much appreciated :-)
Sorry for the long post
So, we're playing Iron Gods and
What would Gorum's thoughts on the chain sword as a weapon of war? I'm not asking if he'd accept it as a favored weapon substitute, but would he look down on it's use?
My warpriest has taken the EWP and Weapon Focus for it to be useable as a sacred weapon mechanically, just curious what you'd think Gorum would think :)
As for an entirely new adventure? Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned, I guess!
Is this a "things are on the horizon" stay tuned or more of a "I am working on something, it's just not announced yet"?
What do you think of bronies*?
*Bronies are the mostly adult male fans of Friendship is Magic, the latest My Little Pony series (significantly different from earlier series)