When I found out there isn't an article about the Peacock Spirit in Temple of the Peacock Spirit, I was depressed, because I thought that book would be a proper place to include that article. Can we expect an article like that in the future adventure path book or campaign setting book?Nope.
Those articles are the most useful for faiths that are PC-facing. For one that PCs shouldn't be worshiping for thematic reasons, and for one that has a timer after which we will assume the faith is gone, it's less useful than the other articles we wanted to cover.
Sigh. I thought the faith of the Peacock Spirit is proper for a PC, unlike that of Rovagug or other chaotic evil gods. Even Lissala, another evil Thassilonian goddess, has her article in the adventure path. It really frustrates me because I wished to play a PC who worships the Peacock Spirit someday. This is probably because Paizo decided that Xanderghul would not be alive in Second Edition. But I thought that, except for Alaznist, other not-so-evil runelords like Xanderghul, Krune, and Belimarius can work with Sorshen to rebuild Thassilon. Killing a runelord and thus forever destroy a significant portion of the ancient Thassilon doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Is it a confirmed fact that only Sorshen would be the one remaining runelord in Second Edition?
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Sigh. I thought the faith of the Peacock Spirit is proper for a PC, unlike that of Rovagug or other chaotic evil gods. Even Lissala, another evil Thassilonian goddess, has her article in the adventure path. It really frustrates me because I wished to play a PC who worships the Peacock Spirit someday. This is probably because Paizo decided that Xanderghul would not be alive in Second Edition. But I thought that, except for Alaznist, other not-so-evil runelords like Xanderghul, Krune, and Belimarius can work with Sorshen to rebuild Thassilon. Killing a runelord and thus forever destroy a significant portion of the ancient Thassilon doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Is it a confirmed fact that only Sorshen would be the one remaining runelord in Second Edition?
Your GM always has the power to change things in their game, so if you want to play a worshiper of the Peacock Spirit, talk to them. Setting up agency for a hero to defeat an evil that's been lurking in the world's history for over ten thousand years, to me, is a GREAT idea though... it lets player characters take an active role in defeating something significant and important and lets the players of the game feel like they're making a change to the world rather than just watching it happen in print.
Let's wait until the last Return of the Runelords book is out next month before I start talking more about who survives and what the future has in store for New Thassilon, though. Especially since that book will confirm in the "Continuing the Campaign" which runelords we assume will survive the campaign.
1. If Belimarius is not dead but the PCs destroy the runewell, would Vexnill be put to rest?
2. If Belimarius sincerely apologize to Vexnill for killing her, or successfully make a bluff check to trick Vexnill into believing that Belimarius' apology is sincere, or promise Vexnill to resurrect her, would Vexnill finally forgive Belimarius and be put to rest?
3. Were Belimarius and Vexnill childhood friends? Or maybe Vexnill was much younger than Belimarius?
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Spoiler:In The City Outside of Time, there is a ghost of Vexnill in the Eye of Jealousy. I have several questions about her. I know this thread usually allow one question per post, but these are so minor that I think they can be tolerated. Sorry.1. If Belimarius is not dead but the PCs destroy the runewell, would Vexnill be put to rest?
2. If Belimarius sincerely apologize to Vexnill for killing her, or successfully make a bluff check to trick Vexnill into believing that Belimarius' apology is sincere, or promise Vexnill to resurrect her, would Vexnill finally forgive Belimarius and be put to rest?
3. Were Belimarius and Vexnill childhood friends? Or maybe Vexnill was much younger than Belimarius?
Please keep it to one question per post, regardless of "how minor" you might think they are. Makes it complicated to answer when there's lots of questions. I'll answer these three this time though.
2) It's not really in her character to be sincere, so no this wouldn't work. Unless the GM rules otherwise though.
3) They were not.
What is the monster on the cover of The City Outside of Time?
How does a runelord's apprentices or subordinates call the runelord? For example, how Khalib, Most High Ceoptra, Ghlorofaex, or Viorian Dekanti call Karzoug? Would they use the term 'your highness'? Or 'master'? Or 'my lord'?
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Can we take it easy on the Runelords spoilers, bud? Some of us are playing through it presently.
James, is there an organization on Golarion that deals with alternate planes/dimensions? Deals with, as in, explores, or polices or possibly exploits?
Thanks.
I can't seem to find a definitive ruling on it, but the Shield Champion Brawler archetype references throwing "medium and light shields". What does it mean by "medium shields"?
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PF1:Can a Wizard cast the spell Floating Disk, and then ride on it?or help friends move? I have (now) read the other posts... but it only means I am even more confused about this
As written, no, you can't. But it's a cool thing to house rule. And as long as you enforce the "must stay within a foot or so of the ground" it won't turn into a 1st level ward against falling.
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How does a runelord's apprentices or subordinates call the runelord? For example, how Khalib, Most High Ceoptra, Ghlorofaex, or Viorian Dekanti call Karzoug? Would they use the term 'your highness'? Or 'master'? Or 'my lord'?
Runelord is the most commonly used title in this case.
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Can we take it easy on the Runelords spoilers, bud? Some of us are playing through it presently.
James, is there an organization on Golarion that deals with alternate planes/dimensions? Deals with, as in, explores, or polices or possibly exploits?
Thanks.
Indeed, if you ask questions about adventures, please use the spoiler function.
The Riftwardens and the Blackfire Adepts both come to mind as groups who would be interested in other planes and dimensions, as would the Order of the Paletine Eye and several religions associated with specific dimensions.
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I can't seem to find a definitive ruling on it, but the Shield Champion Brawler archetype references throwing "medium and light shields". What does it mean by "medium shields"?
It means it's probably an error and was trying to say bucklers and light shields, I would guess.
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According to the article on page 76 of Runeplague:there are many fascinating magic pools including the God Pool, the Golden Oasis, Gozreh's Pool, and Starbreath Pool on Golarion. At first I thought these pools can act as the founts of mythic power. But then again, if that's the case, then Karzoug should have become mythic already, considering he created the God Pool. So I ask you. Do you think these pools are powerful enough to make a PC mythic?
That article was just an exploration of a tradition of magic pools that Pathfinder, and D&D before it, has had going for a long time, with a bunch of new magic pools meant to spur creativity in GM minds. If one doe so in a way that it encourages a GM to have a magic pool be an element in making a PC mythic, excellent!
How did Sorshen become mythic? Did she become mythic after she touched the Everdawn Pool or drank from it?
Will we see any additional playable races before the close of First Edition? Something from Arcadia would be neat.
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How did Sorshen become mythic? Did she become mythic after she touched the Everdawn Pool or drank from it?
I can't remember if we said more about this in the last volume of Return of the Runelords or not, but it is indeed tied to her discovery of, use of, and study of the Everdawn Pool.
Odd question, I haven't read the whole catalogue of Paizo products so I'm not sure if this has ever been touched on and I'm wondering something from a lore perspective. Does Golarion (Really, the universe that Golarion exists in all things considered) operate on multiverse logic when it comes to timelines? Or is there one "cohesive" timeline? For one example, if one were to travel to the past and stop House Thrune from coming to power, would that change the history itself or branch off into a whole new timeline that exists concurrently with the old one?
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Odd question, I haven't read the whole catalogue of Paizo products so I'm not sure if this has ever been touched on and I'm wondering something from a lore perspective. Does Golarion (Really, the universe that Golarion exists in all things considered) operate on multiverse logic when it comes to timelines? Or is there one "cohesive" timeline? For one example, if one were to travel to the past and stop House Thrune from coming to power, would that change the history itself or branch off into a whole new timeline that exists concurrently with the old one?
We actually do a bit with time travel and the dimension of time in the current AP, Return of the Runelords.
How time works, though, in this regard is left pretty much entirely up to each individual GM.
Building alternate versions of Golarion where altered events in the past have perpetual changes to the present—AKA events that would force us to render our own publications obsolete and force us to reinvent and re-do all the hard work we've put into making Golarion a setting, isn't something we want to do. It's a GREAT way for a GM to present the old "in my version of this setting things work this way instead" though.
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What's the Elf/Gnome situation in Ustalav?
I've got an Elf who studied alchemy at U of Lepidstadt (they laughed at his theories, but he'll show them! He'll show them all!), and a Gnome who managed to earn True Silvered Throne status with the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye. It would help to know more about what they were doing/how they wound up in/how likely it is they could have been natives of Ustalav.
I've also got a Vishkanya who was adopted from afar by Ustalavic nobles, and a Dhampir who is Ustalavic nobility by the bloodiest and bluest of blood, but I feel I've got their backgrounds pretty figured out by comparison.
Speaking of Dhampir: Where specifically in Tian Xia are Ru-Shi most likely to come from? What about Ancient-Born?
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Do you think RPGs can tell a story using an Augustinian view of evil (evil is not a force of its own, but the absence or corruption of good) instead of the typical Manichean view (evil is a force equal and opposite to good and good has to triumph by opposing it to eradicate or balance it)? Most of the APs seem constructed in a Manichean way, with the PCs facing down a villainous character in a big battle, where an Augustinian one would be more having the PCs renouncing evil in their actions leading up to that point, and giving evil the opportunity to destroy itself. A lot of RPGs use Lord of the Rings as inspiration, but I've never seen a Pathfinder or D&D campaign end the way Lord of the Rings ended (Gollum's corruption by the Ring mixed with Bilbo and Frodo's benevolent act of sparing Gollum's life being what ultimately destroys it, rather than some effort of individual willpower from Frodo that Tolkien had established was impossible).
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Spoiler:In this adventure path, the cult of the Peacock Spirit attempts to steal the Sword of Pride and kill Sorshen. But their leader, Zurea Salvus, is truly unaware that Xanderghul and the Peacock Spirit are one and the same. She doesn't even know whether Xanderghul is alive or dead. Then can I assume that Xanderghul isn't involved in their activities during this adventure path? I ask this because I highly doubt Xanderghul would order the death of his fellow runelord(Sorshen, I mean). But then again, if the cultists were not led by Xanderghul, I'm really not sure why they tried to steal the Sword of Pride in the first place.
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There is a problem that has bothered me and my friends: PFS is too easy, especially monk with high AC (AC Bonus) and save, they rely on One-Handed Weapon Tricks-Mindful Dodge (+4ac), Crane Wing (+4ac) , Dueling dagger (+1ac), Mage Armor (+4ac), Shield (+4ac) and other magic item, then, with some Paladin or Daring Champion class levels to gain high save or AC even some DR, many of my friends At the low level, there is nearly 40ac, Gm is difficult to hit him, most magic can't effect him, game become boring, in the city where I live has not had PFS games for several months, almost all GM is now focused on holding adventure paths with many House rules to limit monk and high damage builds (the truth is that after the 7th level, the monster is difficult to live for 1 round), what do you think about this situation?
I think it's time to give 10-point buy characters a try.
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What's the Elf/Gnome situation in Ustalav?
I've got an Elf who studied alchemy at U of Lepidstadt (they laughed at his theories, but he'll show them! He'll show them all!), and a Gnome who managed to earn True Silvered Throne status with the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye. It would help to know more about what they were doing/how they wound up in/how likely it is they could have been natives of Ustalav.
I've also got a Vishkanya who was adopted from afar by Ustalavic nobles, and a Dhampir who is Ustalavic nobility by the bloodiest and bluest of blood, but I feel I've got their backgrounds pretty figured out by comparison.
Speaking of Dhampir: Where specifically in Tian Xia are Ru-Shi most likely to come from? What about Ancient-Born?
Elves and gnomes can be found in Ustalav, just like most regions. Dhampir could be found anywhere in Tian Xia but I suppose Shenmen is most likely since that's the spooky one.
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Do you think RPGs can tell a story using an Augustinian view of evil (evil is not a force of its own, but the absence or corruption of good) instead of the typical Manichean view (evil is a force equal and opposite to good and good has to triumph by opposing it to eradicate or balance it)? Most of the APs seem constructed in a Manichean way, with the PCs facing down a villainous character in a big battle, where an Augustinian one would be more having the PCs renouncing evil in their actions leading up to that point, and giving evil the opportunity to destroy itself. A lot of RPGs use Lord of the Rings as inspiration, but I've never seen a Pathfinder or D&D campaign end the way Lord of the Rings ended (Gollum's corruption by the Ring mixed with Bilbo and Frodo's benevolent act of sparing Gollum's life being what ultimately destroys it, rather than some effort of individual willpower from Frodo that Tolkien had established was impossible).
Depends on the RPG and the game the GM wants to run, but in a game like Pathfinder, which has alignments that quantify morality, it's not really possible for an Augustinian view to function.
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Do you think RPGs can tell a story using an Augustinian view of evil (evil is not a force of its own, but the absence or corruption of good) instead of the typical Manichean view (evil is a force equal and opposite to good and good has to triumph by opposing it to eradicate or balance it)? Most of the APs seem constructed in a Manichean way, with the PCs facing down a villainous character in a big battle, where an Augustinian one would be more having the PCs renouncing evil in their actions leading up to that point, and giving evil the opportunity to destroy itself. A lot of RPGs use Lord of the Rings as inspiration, but I've never seen a Pathfinder or D&D campaign end the way Lord of the Rings ended (Gollum's corruption by the Ring mixed with Bilbo and Frodo's benevolent act of sparing Gollum's life being what ultimately destroys it, rather than some effort of individual willpower from Frodo that Tolkien had established was impossible).Depends on the RPG and the game the GM wants to run, but in a game like Pathfinder, which has alignments that quantify morality, it's not really possible for an Augustinian view to function.
I suspected as much. Thank you and Merry Crystalhue! :)
Hi James,
I have the feeling this has been asked before, in which case I apologize: what would you recommend for the Song of Silver? I wish to play it in the background next session while they exorcise the bells. PS: the tune must be performed on bells, so any song/tune you're aware of that's played carillon style would be mucho bonus points! :)
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I have the feeling this has been asked before, in which case I apologize: what would you recommend for the Song of Silver? I wish to play it in the background next session while they exorcise the bells. PS: the tune must be performed on bells, so any song/tune you're aware of that's played carillon style would be mucho bonus points! :)
I was originally going to come up with lyrics and a score or the Song of Silver and have it published in the volume as a player handout, but I chickened out—my music skills have atrophied over years of neglect and there was no way anything I could come up with would work for a song that has to be super iconic and memorable and amazing.
My suggestion would be to pick a song that your players aren't familiar with, and one that has lyrics that aren't in a language that anyone at the table understands, so as to heighten the mystery of it.
Check out songs by Dead Can Dance though for some potentials.
So question about what is "Purebred Azlanti" flavor wise exactly. Like is it more about aboleth's eugenics program or how Azlanti education worked? Like if azlanti and varisian had child together would child lose that +2 to all six stats bonus, or is it just matter of growing up in azlanti society to get that bonus?Mostly aboleth tinkering. If an azlanti has a kid with another human, it's a normal human, since they're no longer pureblood azlanti.
Can I find the "result in normal human" part a bit boring? I can guess the other option(s) would probably be a bit too rule heavy/bloated.
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Can I find the "result in normal human" part a bit boring? I can guess the other option(s) would probably be a bit too rule heavy/bloated.
You can find whatever you want. One of the best parts of tabletop RPGs is that you can change the game however you wish to match the needs of your table.
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** spoiler omitted **
Second... it's been over a year since I was working on the start of the AP, but if I recall correctly, a member of the cult was spurred into action from visions that compelled them to chase the sword. Whether or not Xanderghul sent the visions himself is unrevealed. If this wasn't in print then consider that an extra bit of info, I guess.
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What are your favorite Dead Can Dance songs, so I may look them up on YouTube?
Host of the Seraphim is my favorite.
Others I like include:
The Lotus Eaters
Anastasis
The entire album of "Aion."
It's actually kinda hard to pick favorites 'cause there's so many that qualify.
Among the seven runelords, who would be the most and the least interested in the construct technique? There was no clockwork enemies in Rise of the Runelords, and thus Karzoug doesn't seem like that interested in the clockwork, by the way.
In my humble rendition of Song of Silver, I've had the PCs discover instructions to assemble a carillon keyboard in the belfry (still new in its box in storage - was never assembled due to the Asmodeans' takeover). If assembled, the PCs can use either Perform Keyboard or Perform String instead of Perform Percussions. What do you think about the following cheerful tune attempted by show host Rick Mercer, who is serving as apprentice to a member of the guild of carilloneurs?
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Among the seven runelords, who would be the most and the least interested in the construct technique? There was no clockwork enemies in Rise of the Runelords, and thus Karzoug doesn't seem like that interested in the clockwork, by the way.
Constructs weren't a big part of Thassilon. They used them, but no one more so than the other really.
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In my humble rendition of Song of Silver, I've had the PCs discover instructions to assemble a carillon keyboard in the belfry (still new in its box in storage - was never assembled due to the Asmodeans' takeover). If assembled, the PCs can use either Perform Keyboard or Perform String instead of Perform Percussions. What do you think about the following cheerful tune attempted by show host Rick Mercer, who is serving as apprentice to a member of the guild of carilloneurs?
Interesting idea! I assume that they'll need to un-evil the bells first though!
Mr. James Jacobs,
In the Innersea how socially acceptable is it for parents to name their children after a deity? First names, not just last name like with orphans with the Cailean last name.
Same question again, but in Tian-Xia?
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Mr. James Jacobs,
In the Innersea how socially acceptable is it for parents to name their children after a deity? First names, not just last name like with orphans with the Cailean last name.
Same question again, but in Tian-Xia?
Depends on the religion, but yes, it's normally acceptable. It won't happen in print though, because that's too confusing to use the same name for two characters, even if they're not named after a deity. At work there's multiple Jameses, for example, but that's not something that fiction handles well.