Creative Director
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What do spell slots actually represent?
I noticed before that spell levels are known in the narrative world (probably similar to how math has linear to exponential to quadratic to geometric.).
But what does this mean for spell slots? Doesn't make sense to just be pure available energy. It seems like some sort of construction, if it even exists in the narrative rather than as a pure metagame element.
But if that is the case, then is there magic without slots? Perhaps more difficult or less reliable (since if slots are the most common, they woukd become so for a reason).
If there is, then is there an advantage to using slotless magic if a caster is willing to accept the greater difficulty/less reliability?
If this hasn't been explored, but it potentially available, is there room for someone to propose a system to fill that place?
They represent the spellcaster's capacity to handle magic before exhausting that capacity.
No interest in an alternate spell system at all. That only makes the game too complicated to enjoy.
They represent the spellcaster's capacity to handle magic before exhausting that capacity
Does this mean there isn't a specific answer?
Spell points can also be a representation of capacity before exhaustion, for example.
Spell slots though impart certain restrictions that would not logically come from tapping into an unformed raw pool of energy. Therefore, one of two cases is true, A) spell slots are a purely meta game mechanic that has limits that are not actually present in the narrative but applied to the players anyway, or B) there is something in the narrative that imparts limits that are the same as or similar to the limits imposed by spell slots.
Thus the question is whether case A or B is true (or undecided), and if it is case B, then what is the narrative something that imparts the limits that are metagame mechanically imposed by spell slots?
I guess another way to say it is, what do the characters know of spell slots and how would those characters describe what slots are and why slots are used instead of slotless techniques?
Merry Christmas!
Does your cat wake you up if you try sleeping in.
My kids do that. :-)
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A question that might not have an answer. What unit of scale do the people of Golarion measure heat?
Is it something like Fahrenheit or is it closer to celsius (or both). If so what are their names?
I ask because Andoran, and Taldor, seam to have reached the age of reason, so this would be a recent discovery for the time and I have idea for a story.
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Happy Christmas James! Thank you for keeping this thread alive.
Could you please tell me what sick mind would release this on Christmas Eve?!
Merry Christmas James Jacobs!
What did your feline overlord receive for Christmas?
Merry Christmas,
Why did it take so long for you guys to state up Krampus for Pathfinder?
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Creative Director
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They represent the spellcaster's capacity to handle magic before exhausting that capacityDoes this mean there isn't a specific answer?
Spell points can also be a representation of capacity before exhaustion, for example.
Spell slots though impart certain restrictions that would not logically come from tapping into an unformed raw pool of energy. Therefore, one of two cases is true, A) spell slots are a purely meta game mechanic that has limits that are not actually present in the narrative but applied to the players anyway, or B) there is something in the narrative that imparts limits that are the same as or similar to the limits imposed by spell slots.
Thus the question is whether case A or B is true (or undecided), and if it is case B, then what is the narrative something that imparts the limits that are metagame mechanically imposed by spell slots?
I guess another way to say it is, what do the characters know of spell slots and how would those characters describe what slots are and why slots are used instead of slotless techniques?
I thought what I gave was a specific answer, so I guess from your vantage point no, there isn't a specific answer.
In world, a character who prepares spells describes it as what they've prepared for the day, while someone who does not simply describes it as their magical energy and power. When the power runs out, you're left "empty" and can't access magic in that way until you rest. In world, I imagine it feels like being distracted and tired with low grade aches, kinda like how you might feel just before you come down with the flu or stayed up all night if you use ALL your magic. Not so bad that it distracts you or has actual game effects of course.
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Creative Director
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Could you give us a hint of who the iconics for ruins of Azlant are, if it's not too early?
It's not only too early, but I'm not really involved in the AP at all other than a distant approval process and advisory role. Adam's the one who'll be picking the iconics.
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Creative Director
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A question that might not have an answer. What unit of scale do the people of Golarion measure heat?
Is it something like Fahrenheit or is it closer to celsius (or both). If so what are their names?
I ask because Andoran, and Taldor, seam to have reached the age of reason, so this would be a recent discovery for the time and I have idea for a story.
They use Fahrenheit, because the creators of the game are American. Same reason they use feet and miles and pounds in-game. And the equivalent of the "Age of Reason" was quite some time back in Golarion. It's not really accurate to directly compare real-world ages to Golarion, if only because Golarion's recorded history is so much longer than ours.
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Creative Director
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Happy Christmas James! Thank you for keeping this thread alive.
Could you please tell me what sick mind would release this on Christmas Eve?!
The kind of "sick mind" the world needs more of.
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Creative Director
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Merry Christmas,
Why did it take so long for you guys to state up Krampus for Pathfinder?
Because we can't stat up every thing in every book all at the same time all at once. We have to do things one at a time, due to the laws of physics, and there's a lot of monsters out there to choose from we wanted to get into books sooner than Krampus.
Put another way... the theory that "there are no monsters left of note to put in bestiaries after book 3, or in this case at book 6" is garbage. People have been making up monsters for thousands of years. We're not in danger of "running out" anytime soon.
...I thought what I gave was a specific answer, so I guess from your vantage point no, there isn't a specific answer.
In world, a character who prepares spells describes it as what they've prepared for the day, while someone who does not simply describes it as their magical energy and power. When the power runs out, you're left "empty" and can't access magic in that way until you rest. In world, I imagine it feels like being distracted and tired with low grade aches, kinda like how you might feel just before you come down with the flu or stayed up all night if you use ALL your magic. Not so bad that it distracts you or has actual game effects of course.
I think I'm not being clear.
Your answer is viable for any number of different magic casting systems including non-vancian and spellpoints. Slots have certain limitations not addressed in that answer.
In essence, your answer addresses why slots limit how many spells in total we get, but it doesn't address the issues specific to the slot system, the limitations imposed by slots that aren't imposed by spellpoints or other mechanics that also represent a capacity for magic.
So, what us the in-game thing that is better represented by slots than by spellpoints or other mechanics?
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They use Fahrenheit, because the creators of the game are American. Same reason they use feet and miles and pounds in-game. And the equivalent of the "Age of Reason" was quite some time back in Golarion. It's not really accurate to directly compare real-world ages to Golarion, if only because Golarion's recorded history is so much longer than ours.A question that might not have an answer. What unit of scale do the people of Golarion measure heat?
Is it something like Fahrenheit or is it closer to celsius (or both). If so what are their names?
I ask because Andoran, and Taldor, seam to have reached the age of reason, so this would be a recent discovery for the time and I have idea for a story.
Huh, The idea of the age of reason occurring so much earlier having already past. Thanks for the insight. It sort of opens up other questions, but better I get them more well formed and not steal the spotlight. Thank you for your time.
Have you seen the Alien Covenant trailer yet? If so what do you think?
...I thought what I gave was a specific answer, so I guess from your vantage point no, there isn't a specific answer.
In world, a character who prepares spells describes it as what they've prepared for the day, while someone who does not simply describes it as their magical energy and power. When the power runs out, you're left "empty" and can't access magic in that way until you rest. In world, I imagine it feels like being distracted and tired with low grade aches, kinda like how you might feel just before you come down with the flu or stayed up all night if you use ALL your magic. Not so bad that it distracts you or has actual game effects of course.
I think I'm not being clear.
Your answer is viable for any number of different magic casting systems including non-vancian and spellpoints. Slots have certain limitations not addressed in that answer.
In essence, your answer addresses why slots limit how many spells in total we get, but it doesn't address the issues specific to the slot system, the limitations imposed by slots that aren't imposed by spellpoints or other mechanics that also represent a capacity for magic.
So, what us the in-game thing that is better represented by slots than by spellpoints or other mechanics?
(sorry to post a non-question I was just seeing if I could understand what hes asking and thought it might help out someone trying to answer it.)
I'm not sure if I got it but I think you are asking in what way does spell slots represent magic better then spell points for PF setting. Is the issue that say 1st level has to go in 1st level slots 2nd in 2nd etc. so you couldn't say fireball then your out of thirds so you can't use say a 2nd and 1st slot to do another as opposed to burning all your spell points on fireball? your question being how does that effect represent magic for wizards in Golarion better then the alternative?
Hey James, I hope your holiday was good.
Have you seen a movie called Autopsy of Jane Does? If so what did you think of it?
@ Vidmaster7,
Yes.
Spell slots don't just measure the available magic power, they also dictate additional limitations in the use of that power. Thus the question is, what is the in-game explanation for those limitations? (or are the limitations purely factors of the meta-game system and not the in-game world?)
James,
My current character is a Drow Antipaladin that just took on the graveknight template. My question is can he full remove his bound armor; keep it is a safe location and go adventuring in new gear knowing he has the contingency of if slain he will regrow in the hidden location. Between having a Cohort (Oracle Necromancer) and a fiendish boon( Advanced Glabrezu) he definitely has the means to full keep the suit safe. Just wanted to make sure this was even an option.
As far as not looking like a corpse if possible he has a permanent spell that prevents him from decaying as well as a ring of chameleon power to appear as his old self (Drow vanity)
Hi James,
Do you watch Drunk History?
If so, do you have a particular favorite episode.
I hope you had a fun Christmas. :-)
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Creative Director
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...I thought what I gave was a specific answer, so I guess from your vantage point no, there isn't a specific answer.
In world, a character who prepares spells describes it as what they've prepared for the day, while someone who does not simply describes it as their magical energy and power. When the power runs out, you're left "empty" and can't access magic in that way until you rest. In world, I imagine it feels like being distracted and tired with low grade aches, kinda like how you might feel just before you come down with the flu or stayed up all night if you use ALL your magic. Not so bad that it distracts you or has actual game effects of course.
I think I'm not being clear.
Your answer is viable for any number of different magic casting systems including non-vancian and spellpoints. Slots have certain limitations not addressed in that answer.
In essence, your answer addresses why slots limit how many spells in total we get, but it doesn't address the issues specific to the slot system, the limitations imposed by slots that aren't imposed by spellpoints or other mechanics that also represent a capacity for magic.
So, what us the in-game thing that is better represented by slots than by spellpoints or other mechanics?
In-game is irrelevant in that regard, because the way in-game it would work and manifest would be more or less identical. It's 100% about how the game plays, and I prefer the current system. Every spellpoint system I've seen in play is too easy to abuse and too complicated to keep track of. Spell point systems are much much much better in a computer game where the computer can handle the complexities and there's not as much wide open potential for players to abuse the system.
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Creative Director
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@ Vidmaster7,
Yes.Spell slots don't just measure the available magic power, they also dictate additional limitations in the use of that power. Thus the question is, what is the in-game explanation for those limitations? (or are the limitations purely factors of the meta-game system and not the in-game world?)
Let's let it drop since it's veering into discussion. It's a topic that deserves its own thread for folks to chat about. I've answered it enough I feel here.
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Creative Director
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James,
My current character is a Drow Antipaladin that just took on the graveknight template. My question is can he full remove his bound armor; keep it is a safe location and go adventuring in new gear knowing he has the contingency of if slain he will regrow in the hidden location. Between having a Cohort (Oracle Necromancer) and a fiendish boon( Advanced Glabrezu) he definitely has the means to full keep the suit safe. Just wanted to make sure this was even an option.
As far as not looking like a corpse if possible he has a permanent spell that prevents him from decaying as well as a ring of chameleon power to appear as his old self (Drow vanity)
You're deep into house rule/special GM permission territory if you're playing a graveknight, so I'd defer to your GM's preference. If I were your GM in this case, I'd not allow you to remove your armor at all; that's an integral and essential part of what makes a graveknight, and "hiding" it is cowardly and goes against the whole point of the monster's flavor and theme. If you don't want the armor, you should have gone for the vampire template, I guess.
James,
In 3.5, the offspring of two half-elves was a second generation half-elf and the offspring of two second generation half-elves was a human (according to races of destiny if am not mistaken). Is this also true in Pathfinder and Golarion?
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Creative Director
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James,
In 3.5, the offspring of two half-elves was a second generation half-elf and the offspring of two second generation half-elves was a human (according to races of destiny if am not mistaken). Is this also true in Pathfinder and Golarion?
The rules don't say one way or the other. I generally prefer to leave that decision up to the writer or the character's creator.
The game uses the terms 'humankind', 'elvenkind' and 'dwarvenkind' to refer to specific humanoid races, but mostly avoids the term 'mankind'. I guess it would depend a bit on who one were to ask, but would inhabitants of Golarion use the term 'mankind' as an inclusive term to refer to the entirety of humanoid races as a whole? Could it extend to other intelligent creatures? Or does the multitude and diversity of intelligent life preclude such a categorization on principle? I could imagine that a gnome would feel more akin to a fey than an orc, for example.
Thanks!
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Creative Director
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The game uses the terms 'humankind', 'elvenkind' and 'dwarvenkind' to refer to specific humanoid races, but mostly avoids the term 'mankind'. I guess it would depend a bit on who one were to ask, but would inhabitants of Golarion use the term 'mankind' as an inclusive term to refer to the entirety of humanoid races as a whole? Could it extend to other intelligent creatures? Or does the multitude and diversity of intelligent life preclude such a categorization on principle? I could imagine that a gnome would feel more akin to a fey than an orc, for example.
Thanks!
We avoid using the word "mankind" because it's old-fashioned, outdated, and obnoxious. Inhabitants of Golarion use the term "humankind" or "humanity" when referring to humans, because 50% of humans are women, not men.
When using a term for ALL humanoid races, someone would just use the term "humanoid" and that could well get blurry since I suspect some folks would include things like aasimars and tieflings and dryads and succubi and medusas in that category.
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Creative Director
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In Shattered Star, there are a number of these snake mosaics in the upper levels of the Lady's Light. Is there any explanation or history for the snake designs? I don't think Sorshen had a thing for snakes and there's no description or "Knowledge check" in the AP.
There's no explanation or history for them. There might be some day but not today. :-P
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Merry christmas and stuff!
So uh, if its okay, I want to ask for advice on one thing regarding my Iron Gods campaign I'm starting...
So one player is making Desna worshipping char that is going to variant multiclass oracle. They picked Shadow-Scarred Drawback that is about being touched by shadow stuff/aberrations from Dark Tapestry and picked Possessed Curse from horror realms. They also have numerian archeologist campaign trait and seem to be interested in having alien in their head.(possessed curse is about sharing body's control with a spirit) So obviously they asked me details about that since I'm the gm :'D
Sooo basically I'm tempted to combined Shadow-Scarred and Possessed curse together and have spirit in their head be mi-go or connected to Dominion of the Black members in valley of brain collectors somehow. But I guess it would also be cool if it was insane androffan spirit that survived to this day without being sent to boneyard... Might be alternate way for character to have learned the language. Another idea I have is that I think it would also be cool if instead the character starts out without curse, but once Hetuath is defeated they get stuck with character.
Basically, I can't decide if Dominion of the Black connection would be too difficult to manage for character or if one of other ideas would be better ^^; Its pretty good setup for character getting Possessed Corruption, but I'm not sure if sharing head with incomprehensible entity is bit too much. So uh, if it isn't wrong type of question for this thread, well, umm, can I have advice on how should I go on deciding stuff like this? I often go into decision paralysis when I start getting a lot of different ideas on how to go about things
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Creative Director
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Merry christmas and stuff!
So uh, if its okay, I want to ask for advice on one thing regarding my Iron Gods campaign I'm starting...
So one player is making Desna worshipping char that is going to variant multiclass oracle. They picked Shadow-Scarred Drawback that is about being touched by shadow stuff/aberrations from Dark Tapestry and picked Possessed Curse from horror realms. They also have numerian archeologist campaign trait and seem to be interested in having alien in their head.(possessed curse is about sharing body's control with a spirit) So obviously they asked me details about that since I'm the gm :'D
Sooo basically I'm tempted to combined Shadow-Scarred and Possessed curse together and have spirit in their head be mi-go or connected to Dominion of the Black members in valley of brain collectors somehow. But I guess it would also be cool if it was insane androffan spirit that survived to this day without being sent to boneyard... Might be alternate way for character to have learned the language. Another idea I have is that I think it would also be cool if instead the character starts out without curse, but once Hetuath is defeated they get stuck with character.
Basically, I can't decide if Dominion of the Black connection would be too difficult to manage for character or if one of other ideas would be better ^^; Its pretty good setup for character getting Possessed Corruption, but I'm not sure if sharing head with incomprehensible entity is bit too much. So uh, if it isn't wrong type of question for this thread, well, umm, can I have advice on how should I go on deciding stuff like this? I often go into decision paralysis when I start getting a lot of different ideas on how to go about things
My own personal take on decision paralysis (which hits me as much as everyone else) is that it's an indication that I'm overthinking things. In most cases, the best solution here is to go with whatever is the simplest of the options—or barring that, the one that you're most comfortable in dealing with so that you can focus more attention elsewhere on the game.
That said, for things like mi-go and other Dark Tapestry creatures, I often get pretty precious about keeping them as GM-only toys, since that helps retain the mystery and creepy and unknown factors more intact than if they're increasingly part of PC options and lore.
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My own personal take on decision paralysis (which hits me as much as everyone else) is that it's an indication that I'm overthinking things. In most cases, the best solution here is to go with whatever is the simplest of the options—or barring that, the one that...
Hmm, okay, simplest choice... Well, that would be insane Androffan crewmember or Hetuath. And out of those two, Hetuath would be simpler since I don't have to think whether they would learn too early Androffans were humans or learning too much information about divinity early on.
Thank you for advice :D I'll be thinking about this a little-bit-more-but-not-too-much after sleeping on it
How is it that humans are found on so many planets in the multiverse?
The game uses the terms 'humankind', 'elvenkind' and 'dwarvenkind' to refer to specific humanoid races, but mostly avoids the term 'mankind'. I guess it would depend a bit on who one were to ask, but would inhabitants of Golarion use the term 'mankind' as an inclusive term to refer to the entirety of humanoid races as a whole? Could it extend to other intelligent creatures? Or does the multitude and diversity of intelligent life preclude such a categorization on principle? I could imagine that a gnome would feel more akin to a fey than an orc, for example.
Thanks!
We avoid using the word "mankind" because it's old-fashioned, outdated, and obnoxious. Inhabitants of Golarion use the term "humankind" or "humanity" when referring to humans, because 50% of humans are women, not men.
When using a term for ALL humanoid races, someone would just use the term "humanoid" and that could well get blurry since I suspect some folks would include things like aasimars and tieflings and dryads and succubi and medusas in that category.
Fair enough, I wasn't aware that the term is considered problematic (in my native language, the only existing term is a direct translation from 'humankind').
Let me rephrase the question: In our world, the term 'humankind' refers to things that concern the entire human race, usually when we are talking about achievements or threats. In either case, the concept implies that, despite all differences and conflicts, we share enough with each other to be considered a social entity. And I would assume that, if we were able to peacefully coexist with another intelligent species, we would include them as well. I was wondering if the intelligent creatures in a world like Golarion would have a similar inclusive term. Obviously, not all intelligent species coexist peacefully, but I would expect at least the core races to have a long-lasting common history of fruitful exchange, so it might come up.|
Creative Director
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How is it that humans are found on so many planets in the multiverse?
Good question! Humans are like bugs. They pop up all over the place. As for WHY? Dunno yet... still a mystery, but not one we will never answer. It's one we can't answer yet though.
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Creative Director
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Let me rephrase the question: In our world, the term 'humankind' refers to things that concern the entire human race, usually when we are talking about achievements or threats. In either case, the concept implies that, despite all differences and conflicts, we share enough with each other to be considered a social entity. And I would assume that, if we were able to peacefully coexist with another intelligent species, we would include them as well. I was wondering if the intelligent creatures in a world like Golarion would have a similar inclusive term. Obviously, not all intelligent species coexist peacefully, but I would expect at least the core races to have a long-lasting common history of fruitful exchange, so it might come up.
On Golarion, the term "humankind" applies to humans and not to elves or dwarves or the like. There's not a word to include all the intelligent creatures in the world on Golarion in this regard—folks would say "all intelligent races" or "all sapient races" or the like. Since there's SO much more diversity when it comes to intelligent races on Golarion, the opportunity or need to speak about them all as one group is pretty rare.