Questions about trade — is the Path of Aganhei the primary route by which Tian wares move into Avistan, or do they mostly move through Casmaron via the Golden Path? Reading about the Path of Aganhei, it seems really risky to be a major trade route.
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Questions about trade — is the Path of Aganhei the primary route by which Tian wares move into Avistan, or do they mostly move through Casmaron via the Golden Path? Reading about the Path of Aganhei, it seems really risky to be a major trade route.
The Path is the faster route, which is why it's still important and used despite it being risky.
The overland route via the Golden Path isn't used much by Tian Xia, since if they don't use the Path, the next most-used one for Avistan trade is the sea route from Goka to Absalom.
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Ekujae question - I know the Ekujae have a taboo against gold, but does that apply to Ekujae who live or travel outside Akrivel / the Mwangi Expanse? Not being able to use currency seems inconvenient... do they rely on platinum / silver / copper instead? Do they just not leave the jungle, or maybe they're self-sufficient even when they travel outside the jungle?
As with all cultural beliefs, the taboo against gold isn't something that all Ekujae share. As for using currency in trade, silver's the primary coin used in Pathfinder anyway, so that's not as big an issue, especially considering the Ekujae are pretty self-sufficient. Players of Ekujae, as with ALL player characters, get to make up their own mind about anything like this.
Ref. Iconics: I enjoyed reading about them in the Pathfinder Comics line. When can you guys start making those comics again?
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Ref. Iconics: I enjoyed reading about them in the Pathfinder Comics line. When can you guys start making those comics again?
We don't make the comics ourselves (although several Paizo employees have written for them); they're a licensed product. No news to report at this time on that front, in any event.
I have a question for converting old adventures.
It wasn't uncommon in Pathfinder 1 for there to be an encounter with a large number of very low level minions. For instance, an encounter with a CR 7 monster and then 6 CR 2 minions, and it is listed as a CR 9 encounter.
But in Pathfinder 2, any creature that is more than 4 levels below the PCs is off the experience chart.
What would be your suggestion for converting this encounter? Just keep the very low level minions and give a slight boost to the encounter (i.e. moderate instead of low) or bump up the minions so they are no more than 4 levels below the PCs?
Part of my understanding of Pharasma's dislike of manipulating souls in certain ways is the disruption of the River of Souls, etc. So, no undead or making soul gems. But, what would her opinion be of someone bringing a Soul Gem to her domain with a simple, "I really didn't want anyone resurrecting this guy before you judged him and so made him unable to be rezzed. Not trying to block the flow of souls."
(quick edit: with the implication, of course, being that the soul's about to be freed from the gem)She'd be annoyed and maybe furious at the person's pride and entitlement in thinking that they, some mere mortal, is equipped to decide who does and doesn't get to be part of the metaphysical ecosystem. That's basically the mortal saying, "I know what's best for this person's soul, not you, ancient goddess of death and life, so cool your jets and let me do my thing."
Pharasma can judge a soul the INSTANT the body dies. And honestly, in a setting where we didn't allow player characters to get resurrected, that's how it would work—resurrection would be a super rare event handled only by the storyline as needed, and would have entirely different flavor as for how Pharasma handled that sort of thing.
But since we have to have resurrection effects available to players, the game works the way it does, with the GM (aka Pharasma) being the one deciding when and if a soul gets judged before it gets resurrected.
May I piggyback on this? I'm running the Emerald Spire and wanted to use the "Chosen of Pharasma" hook from the PFMMO. How would Pharasma handle an in0game resurrection?
Thank you for the response.
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Do the xulgaths of Deep Tolguth (the creatures called 'xulgaths' in 1E) have a new in-world name now?I think they are called thoughtmaws nowadays? I'm responding to this question because I actually want to check if thoughtmaws are "1e xulgaths" or if they are different from those ones too
This is the first I've heard of it, so no, they're not called thoughtmaws.
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I have a question for converting old adventures.
It wasn't uncommon in Pathfinder 1 for there to be an encounter with a large number of very low level minions. For instance, an encounter with a CR 7 monster and then 6 CR 2 minions, and it is listed as a CR 9 encounter.
But in Pathfinder 2, any creature that is more than 4 levels below the PCs is off the experience chart.
What would be your suggestion for converting this encounter? Just keep the very low level minions and give a slight boost to the encounter (i.e. moderate instead of low) or bump up the minions so they are no more than 4 levels below the PCs?
I've been facing several of these in my work on the Kingmaker Adventure Path. In some cases, I'll convert the mooks up to the lowest possible level where they'll give XP still and adjust numbers as needed, or I'll keep them as is and change the tone and theme of the encounter site.
One great example of this in Kingmaker is...
In the new version, upscaling all the boggards in the village was nonsensical—it didn't make sense that suddenly M'botuu was filled with 6th level Boggards. So instead, I kept most of the boggards there as baseline boggards, and focused on the encounter being less about a dungeon crawl through a bunch of mooks and more about a site-based encounter where you're trying to get to the powerful evil leader of the site. The low-level boggards spend most of the time fleeing and running away from the obviously too-powerful-to-hurt PCs, and the PCs have one or two fights against tougher boggard wardens and then against their leader Sepoko. The theme of the encounter isn't changed at all, but you spend less time fighting pointless combats against foes who can't hurt you.
In the end, when you're converting an adventure, you simply need to make the call. Is the encounter one that's thematically important to the plot? Or is it simply there for flavor or to establish verisimilitude? In the former case, uplevel the foes. In the latter case, just have the low-level foes scream and flee—end result is the same, with the PCs feeling powerful.
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May I piggyback on this? I'm running the Emerald Spire and wanted to use the "Chosen of Pharasma" hook from the PFMMO. How would Pharasma handle an in0game resurrection?
Thank you for the response.
That'd require you to adjust the nature of Pharasma to allow that and be okay with it. It's a kludge they had to include in Pathfinder Online to mesh with the MMO trope of never really dying and being able to come back from death, which is not a thing that happens in tabletop games because it's simply not a play element.
I wouldn't use this element in a tabletop game I ran, because it breaks verisimilitude for the world and makes the tabletop game feel too much like a video game, which a lot of folks balk at. But if everyone at your table is okay with it, go for it!
What is the lowest level (CR) devil that could actually be an infernal noble?
So, you might've seen that D&D's doing away with races being always evil. Obviously a good thing, but what do you think this would mean for fiends and such? No change, I suspect, but I want an expert assessment for better information to work with.
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So, you might've seen that D&D's doing away with races being always evil. Obviously a good thing, but what do you think this would mean for fiends and such? No change, I suspect, but I want an expert assessment for better information to work with.
The whole point of a fiend is that they're evil. The whole point of an angel is that it's good. These things exist PURELY as supernatual creatures, not as representations fo real world things. And even then, you can have evil angels and good demons.
It may be that a game that deliberately removes the concept of good and evil from the game doesn't need or can't have demons and angels in that game. I prefer games that are mature enough to handle philosophical concepts like good or evil but mature enough to not be awful and racist about it.
What is the lowest level (CR) devil that could actually be an infernal noble?I assume you're asking about infernal dukes? Traditionaly, the lower limit is level 26.
Actually no. I was asking about the noble ranks below the dukes.
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Actually no. I was asking about the noble ranks below the dukes.What is the lowest level (CR) devil that could actually be an infernal noble?I assume you're asking about infernal dukes? Traditionaly, the lower limit is level 26.
Level 21 then. There could be exceptions though, but as a general rule, level 21 is the low tier for this category of devil.
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Would using spells that deal cold damage in combat be a violation of Pulura's anathema of denying warmth to others? I'm not sure, considering Cold is one of her domains.
No.
"Denying warmth" means leaving others to suffer in the cold, potentially to die of exposure. Using cold spells in combat is not "denying warmth" since the creature damaged by the cold takes that damage in a single round and then, after that, is back to normal.
A spell that curses someone to never be warm and to always suffer as if they were in sub-zero temperatures would be bad for a worshiper of Pulura. Causing persistent cold damage would push the limit, but probably wouldn't be bad if the situation was justified.
Level 21 then. There could be exceptions though, but as a general rule, level 21 is the low tier for this category of devil.Actually no. I was asking about the noble ranks below the dukes.What is the lowest level (CR) devil that could actually be an infernal noble?I assume you're asking about infernal dukes? Traditionaly, the lower limit is level 26.
Ah! So an individualized Pit Fiend would be your lower tier nobles: Barons, Knights, Etc.
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Ah! So an individualized Pit Fiend would be your lower tier nobles: Barons, Knights, Etc.Level 21 then. There could be exceptions though, but as a general rule, level 21 is the low tier for this category of devil.Actually no. I was asking about the noble ranks below the dukes.What is the lowest level (CR) devil that could actually be an infernal noble?I assume you're asking about infernal dukes? Traditionaly, the lower limit is level 26.
Pretty much, yes, although it's not tough for a Pit Fiend to get to level 21. It's just an Elite adjustment away... but to be honest, if you're doing an "elite pit fiend" it's best to instead build it as a unique memorable foe rather than just another pit fiend with a bunch of +2s. Unless you're pressed for space or time of course.
How aware are the gods of their followers prayers?
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Mr. James Jacobs,
Weird question: Is Abadar going to become evil or gain more evil tendencies over the course of future releases or if not that more of his priests as villains?
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Mr. James Jacobs,
Weird question: Is Abadar going to become evil or gain more evil tendencies over the course of future releases or if not that more of his priests as villains?
Nope. Not sure where you got the idea that his priests are going to be evil villains in upcoming adventures.
To me, the fact that Abadar ISN'T evil is what makes his faith a compelling antagonist to use against the PCs.
Did Achaekek help the other gods battle Rovagug? And did that battle happen before or after he “fell” and became LE?
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Not being the one who wrote those rules, I can't say if there was a reason or not. If there WAS a reason, my guess would be that samurai aren't supposed to care that much about money.James,
Was there some particular reason the Samurai was given (3d6)x10 gp starting wealth, like the barbarian, instead of (5d6)x10 gp starting wealth like all the other martial classes (including the cavalier which it is a variant of)?
I think its because they are suppose to just get a daisho for free.
Did Achaekek help the other gods battle Rovagug? And did that battle happen before or after he “fell” and became LE?Unrevealed.
Is Achaekek related to Rovagug?
I watched Color Out of Space last night and assume you've seen it as well. How perfect was Cage for that role?
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I watched Color Out of Space last night and assume you've seen it as well. How perfect was Cage for that role?
I've seen it a couple of times, and while Cage did do great, it was the director, Richard Stanley, who was the perfect for the role person in that movie.
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Question about the Sanctified Slayer inquisitor archetype.
The Sanctified Slayer gains this ability:
Studied Target (Ex)
At 1st level, a sanctified slayer gains the slayer’s studied target class feature. She uses her inquisitor level as her effective slayer level to determine the effects of studied target.This ability replaces judgment 1/day.
NOW, Slayer's Studied target works like this:
Studied Target (Ex)
A slayer can study an opponent he can see as a move action. The slayer then gains a +1 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks attempted against that opponent, and a +1 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against it. The DCs of slayer class abilities against that opponent increase by 1.Does the DC bonus from Studied Target apply to Sanctified Slayer's spells and other inquisitor abilities, or does it only apply to slayer talents gained through the Sanctified Slayer archetype?
I can't say, having not played the class, or having not run the class in a game as the GM, and not being familiar with the class at all. Further, I try not to answer rules questions here since I much prefer GMs to make their own rulings... I've had my rules answers used by players as leverage against their GM's authority, and even to try to cheat or twist the rules in Organized Play... me answering rules tends to confuse people or empower people in the wrong way that ends up causing more frustration than it solves and gets me what amounts to a reprimand to let rules clarifications be handled by the Design team and the FAQ or errata.
That all said, my general way to solve situations like this is to talk to the player about my decision, letting them know we'll see how things play out and that I might be making adjustments to the ruling down the road. Then I pick the option that feels right, trying to side with the player's preference if possible. If that results in the player's character under-performing or over-performing in the next few sessions, I adjust things up until they feel right for the campaign.
Are there any AP's or other adventures where Proteans play a major part (as antagonist, ally, or otherwise)?
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Are there any AP's or other adventures where Proteans play a major part (as antagonist, ally, or otherwise)?
Yup! They were introduced, in fact, in Legacy of Fire. They've popped in again now and then... and will continue to do so, but haven't yet been the main antagonists of a campaign.
Nope.Is Achaekek related to Rovagug?Did Achaekek help the other gods battle Rovagug? And did that battle happen before or after he “fell” and became LE?Unrevealed.
Is Achaekek a product of Hell or a creation/familiar/animal companion of Asmodeus?
Do deities grant power based on alignment consciously or is it more of a 'they vibe with me so they get some juice'? Like did Arazni ascend and specify CG as 'cool'?
I just really love that about her and wondered how she rationalizes it, especially given her edict of never forgiving people who've wronged you. I'd love to see a violent, vindictive CG champion balance their goddess teachings and their own ideals of good.
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Do deities grant power based on alignment consciously or is it more of a 'they vibe with me so they get some juice'? Like did Arazni ascend and specify CG as 'cool'?
I just really love that about her and wondered how she rationalizes it, especially given her edict of never forgiving people who've wronged you. I'd love to see a violent, vindictive CG champion balance their goddess teachings and their own ideals of good.
Alignment is a result of, not the cause of things. Deities grant power based on faith and how their worshipers adhere to it. Alignment is one of the results of those actions, not the cause of them.
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Golarion has a ton of awesome goddesses, with Desna being one of my all-time favorites, along with 'lesser' goddesses like Brigh, Sivanah, Yuelral, etc. and shiny new options appearing as the setting evolves, such as Nocticula, Cassandalee and Arazni.
Who's your favorite boy-god, and is there anything you think helps make him or his faith particularly appealing or fun to play (or use as a storytelling element as a GM)?
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Golarion has a ton of awesome goddesses, with Desna being one of my all-time favorites, along with 'lesser' goddesses like Brigh, Sivanah, Yuelral, etc. and shiny new options appearing as the setting evolves, such as Nocticula, Cassandalee and Arazni.
Who's your favorite boy-god, and is there anything you think helps make him or his faith particularly appealing or fun to play (or use as a storytelling element as a GM)?
Norgorber, becasue his worshipers are such fun villians to write about.
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Who's your favorite boy-god, and is there anything you think helps make him or his faith particularly appealing or fun to play (or use as a storytelling element as a GM)?Norgorber, becasue his worshipers are such fun villians to write about.
A cool choice, because he's almost four gods in one, from a GM standpoint. You've got the crazy murder-clowns of the Skinsaw Man, the poisoners of Blackfingers, the crazy secret-keepers (Anaphexis?) of the Reaper of Reputation, etc. each of which could lend themselves to a different sort of adventure.
Was Norgorber one of the gods of your own creation?
Edit to add: Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
I have a question for converting old adventures.
It wasn't uncommon in Pathfinder 1 for there to be an encounter with a large number of very low level minions. For instance, an encounter with a CR 7 monster and then 6 CR 2 minions, and it is listed as a CR 9 encounter.
But in Pathfinder 2, any creature that is more than 4 levels below the PCs is off the experience chart.
What would be your suggestion for converting this encounter? Just keep the very low level minions and give a slight boost to the encounter (i.e. moderate instead of low) or bump up the minions so they are no more than 4 levels below the PCs?
I've been facing several of these in my work on the Kingmaker Adventure Path. In some cases, I'll convert the mooks up to the lowest possible level where they'll give XP still and adjust numbers as needed, or I'll keep them as is and change the tone and theme of the encounter site.
One great example of this in Kingmaker is...
** spoiler omitted **
In the end, when you're converting an...
I've heard that 'troop' is going to be in Bestiary 3. How much would that help? Does it also extend to herds of animals and stampedes?
(Since 'troop' implies some organisation and probably drilling, would a 'troop' of chaotic creatures be better called a mob? :) )
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Who's your favorite boy-god, and is there anything you think helps make him or his faith particularly appealing or fun to play (or use as a storytelling element as a GM)?Norgorber, becasue his worshipers are such fun villians to write about.A cool choice, because he's almost four gods in one, from a GM standpoint. You've got the crazy murder-clowns of the Skinsaw Man, the poisoners of Blackfingers, the crazy secret-keepers (Anaphexis?) of the Reaper of Reputation, etc. each of which could lend themselves to a different sort of adventure.
Was Norgorber one of the gods of your own creation?
Edit to add: Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Yup; Norgorber's an export from my homebrew. Created him back in 1990 or thereabouts.
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I have a question for converting old adventures.
It wasn't uncommon in Pathfinder 1 for there to be an encounter with a large number of very low level minions. For instance, an encounter with a CR 7 monster and then 6 CR 2 minions, and it is listed as a CR 9 encounter.
But in Pathfinder 2, any creature that is more than 4 levels below the PCs is off the experience chart.
What would be your suggestion for converting this encounter? Just keep the very low level minions and give a slight boost to the encounter (i.e. moderate instead of low) or bump up the minions so they are no more than 4 levels below the PCs?
I've been facing several of these in my work on the Kingmaker Adventure Path. In some cases, I'll convert the mooks up to the lowest possible level where they'll give XP still and adjust numbers as needed, or I'll keep them as is and change the tone and theme of the encounter site.
One great example of this in Kingmaker is...
** spoiler omitted **
In the end, when you're converting an...
I've heard that 'troop' is going to be in Bestiary 3. How much would that help? Does it also extend to herds of animals and stampedes?
(Since 'troop' implies some organisation and probably drilling, would a 'troop' of chaotic creatures be better called a mob? :) )
If the troops are built as higher level creatures, then sure. But they don't have to be built that way. And they're BIG. For a lot of the 1st edition encounters with lots of foes, they're spread out over multiple areas. A single troop won't fit in most of those areas; they're meant to represent a fight against a mob in a relatively large and open area, not so much a dungeon.