James, how often do you multiclass characters?
I've mostly hated multiclassing, but I've warmed up to it lately. My Ninja/Paladin is actually pretty sweet. She uses Weapon Finesse and Power Attack at the same time (The rules don't say a thing about the two being incompatible), and with her acrobatics score maxed out and the Vital Strike and Death From Above feats, plus Ninja ki, she is an incredibly mobile damage dealer. Add in smite, and it's even better. She's also fun to roleplay. I love being a holy shadow warrior.
How common is multiclassing in most groups?
Creative Director
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In regards to the sensitive tummy issue with the cat, my original cat was a stray with a wound in the back leg, for a week she could barely keep anything down. If little Shimmy gets really, really sick, a very weak mixture made from soup-stock should be something she can keep down.
I also recommend turkey meat if you go to the effort of hand-making your own cat-food. low fat and very healthy, I it up with some rice, the cats love it.
Now for the Question: Will we ever see the origins of the Tian Xia races spelled out in greater detail? I loved the Nagaji and the Samsarans, and I would be willing to pay for more in-depth origins of not only the Tian Xia races, but the origins of the other 'subtly and strangely different' races, like Aasimars and Tieflings and Tengu and the like?
Thanks for the advice... but the tummy issue is more or less taken care of now for Shimmy. She's doing good!
As for the Tian Xia race origins... we have no plans to do much more with them in the immediate future. As with all things... if enough demand for something like this becomes apparent, and if the sales figures on current Tian Xia stuff supports it, then chances of us doing more with the Dragon Empires vastly improves.
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1) Of the remaining Inner Sea countries, which are most likely to get Companion treatment in the next two years?
2) Will there be Aasimar with Leonal bloodlines in any future product?
1) Any and all of them are possible.
2) The upcoming "Blood of Angels" will have details on all sorts of aasimars.
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Is there any chance of a Varisia companion? I know it's gotten a lot of coverage in APs, and there've been books about its major cities, but a proper Varisia player companion and/or DM's book would be nice.
The chance of us doing a Varisia companion some day is pretty much guaranteed. Can't say when yet... but the region's too important and central to the world for us to ignore in that line forever...
...that said... the Runelords and Crimson Throne and Second Darkness player's guides have a lot of info about certain parts of Varisia already.
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Would you consider a campaign setting or module book that focused on detailing a dungeon without a plot context? Not every dungeon would be right for this, but some of the iconic dungeons could handle their own sourcebook, I think, without being part of a setting event like an AP or a module.
(Bear in mind, this comes from a person who advocates setting material in every product... just not plot events necessarily)
Depends on what, exactly, you mean by "plot." In an adventure, if you mean "a storyline involving a reason to send the PCs into the adventure," then no... those elements are far too important in an adventure to dismiss.
We've done books like "Dungeons of Golarion" before... although even those, in my opinion, have plots in them.
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What is the Wolverine's claws-like weapon that the tiger-lady holds on the page 6 of Jade Regent 5?
A misunderstanding by the artist who then turned the art in too late for us to request that the art be revised so that the were-tiger would be attacking with the weapons she has in her stat block.
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James, how often do you multiclass characters?
I've mostly hated multiclassing, but I've warmed up to it lately. My Ninja/Paladin is actually pretty sweet. She uses Weapon Finesse and Power Attack at the same time (The rules don't say a thing about the two being incompatible), and with her acrobatics score maxed out and the Vital Strike and Death From Above feats, plus Ninja ki, she is an incredibly mobile damage dealer. Add in smite, and it's even better. She's also fun to roleplay. I love being a holy shadow warrior.
How common is multiclassing in most groups?
Of the last several long-term games I've been a player in, I've multiclassed/prestige classed in some way for most of the characters. When it makes sense for their storylines and backgrounds. I usually wait a few levels before multiclassing though, and the last few campaigns I've played in haven't lasted long enough or haven't been going for long enough for that to happen.
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When you apply Ogrekin template to a creature, do you use the racial modifiers of the original creatures (elf, for example) and than add Ogrekin racial modifiers, or do you replace original creature's modifiers with Ogrekin's?
Whenever you apply ANY template... step one is to make sure you have the original creature's stat block done first. That means that the original creature's stat block already has its stat mods. Templates happen on top of that.
What is the Wolverine's claws-like weapon that the tiger-lady holds on the page 6 of Jade Regent 5?A misunderstanding by the artist who then turned the art in too late for us to request that the art be revised so that the were-tiger would be attacking with the weapons she has in her stat block.
How often do misunderstandings like this pop up? Carrion Crown, I'm lookin' at you...
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Creative Director
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How often do misunderstandings like this pop up? Carrion Crown, I'm lookin' at you...What is the Wolverine's claws-like weapon that the tiger-lady holds on the page 6 of Jade Regent 5?A misunderstanding by the artist who then turned the art in too late for us to request that the art be revised so that the were-tiger would be attacking with the weapons she has in her stat block.
Often enough. Usually we change the text to match the art if there's no time to send the art back to get fixed. Sometimes, there's no time even to change the text, though.
James Jacobs,
1. What is your favorite core race?
2. What is your favorite non-core player race?
3. What do you think is the most powerful core race? (if any)
4. What do you think is the least powerful core race? (if any)
5. What would happen if a rude druid casts awaken on a kami's ward? (Assuming it's a animal or tree.)
A Batman-like class would be amazingly awesome.How does one define a batman class? One might argue that he's well covered in the rogue, especially if one makes a rogue/wizard arcane trickster.
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.Batman is probably a gestalt character, with some rule-breaking to help his fluff.
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Do you think the artwork for that dhampir NPC in Carrion Crown part 5 (the character's name escapes me) looked like a more heavily-armoured and buffed-up version of Geralt of Rivia?
What do you think of the Iron Kingdoms setting? Or is it a touch too technology-focused for your tastes?
Is it wrong of me to use Skyrim's dragon language to represent draconic and the verbal component of spells?
Maybe.
I quite love the setting.
Nope.
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Creative Director
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James Jacobs,
1. What is your favorite core race?
2. What is your favorite non-core player race?
3. What do you think is the most powerful core race? (if any)
4. What do you think is the least powerful core race? (if any)
5. What would happen if a rude druid casts awaken on a kami's ward? (Assuming it's a animal or tree.)
1) Human.
2) Tengu.
3) Humans are the most versatile, but "the most powerful core race" is impossible to answer, since there's too much variety between character class options. One race could easily make a tougher fighter than another, but absolutely suck for a sorcerer.
4) I think half-elves probably ended up with the least amount of options... but see 3 above as well.
5) The kami would now have an awakened animal or plant as a ward.
Do you like space-based fantasy?
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Any idea where in Golarion Vishkanya would come from? Also how well known in the Inner sea are Kitsune if the average person was to see one (either in hybrid form or changing into one) would they know on site it was a Kitsune or are they mor likely to think it is a form of were creature?
Vishkanya come from Vudra.
The kitsune aren't that well-known in the Inner Sea region; most Inner Sea folk would assume a kitsune would be a werefox.
Is there any chance of a Varisia companion? I know it's gotten a lot of coverage in APs, and there've been books about its major cities, but a proper Varisia player companion and/or DM's book would be nice.The chance of us doing a Varisia companion some day is pretty much guaranteed. Can't say when yet... but the region's too important and central to the world for us to ignore in that line forever...
...that said... the Runelords and Crimson Throne and Second Darkness player's guides have a lot of info about certain parts of Varisia already.
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.Speaking of player's guide, Second Darkness and Legacy of Fire seem to lack one (at least on the site), why's that?
The Second Darkness and Legacy of Fire Players' Guides were part of the Player Companion line, as an experiment with providing a longer, printed guide before going back to free PDF versions.
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What are attitudes towards catfolk in the Inner Sea region?
Wary curiosity, for the most part. Folks have heard about them, but few have seen them. As long as the catfolk remain calm and don't get too outlandish... they should be able to avoid being brought in for questioning by nervous guards.
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Okay In regard to Werefoxes what would be most people's reaction to them?
The kitsune aren't that well-known in the Inner Sea region; most Inner Sea folk would assume a kitsune would be a werefox.
Panic, honestly. Lycantrhopes are generally regarded as monsters and folks aren't eager to react to them in any other way than "AIEEE A MONSTER KILL IT!"
Of course, there are regional variations, and the kitsune's demeanor plays a huge role in the initial reaction...
Are there published guidelines for calculating spell effect level for the basis of new spell research? If so, where?
Thanks!
-Ben.
Are there published guidelines for calculating spell effect level for the basis of new spell research? If so, where?
They were put in Ultimate Magic, and so are in the PRD right here.
They were put in Ultimate Magic, and so are in the PRD right here.
Those things really are dark arts, aren't they? Aside from the damage chart, it's all "use your judgement."
Wow. ...ok, thanks!
-Ben.
1)In order from most interested to least interested are you into the planets Aballon, Castrovel, Akiton, Verces, Eox, Triaxus, Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae, and Aucturn?
2)How did you guys come up with the names to the planets? Any interesting stories related to this?
3)On Golarion, what do they call the Sun? Does it have any other names?
4)Since Golarion has portals to other planets, does that mean that some races living on Golarion may live on the planets that can suport them?
5)What was Zon-Kuthon a god of, before he visited the dark tapestry and become Zon-Kuthon? What was his domains?
6)What are the attitudes towards Catfolk in Tian Xia?
7)Since there are portals to other planets, have any races from other planets, like Castrovel or Akiton colinized any place(s) on Golarion?
My question is about the Age of Worms AP.
I am playing a human wizard, as my back story would it be game breaking to be the son of either Allustan or Elligos. It gives me a great way to be introduced and those are the two main wizard NPC's that the DM mentioned I could learn from.
Those things really are dark arts, aren't they? Aside from the damage chart, it's all "use your judgement."
Pretty much. Spell design in Pathfinder is pretty much the same ad-hoc art spell design was back in the era of three-little-booklets D&D. Oh, damage spells got some standardization in AD&D 2nd edition, there was a second wave of systematization with 3rd (ranges, areas of effect, energy types), and save-or-die spells have seen lots of toning down over the years—but you make a new spell in Pathfinder in 2012 pretty much the same way you made a new spell for D&D in 1977.
One countervailing factor is this allows you to leverage old spell design easily. A D&D spell published in 1986 is fairly easy to adapt to Pathfinder, and will generally be about as balanced now as it was then. The AD&D 2nd Edition Wizard's Spell Compendium and AD&D 2nd Edition Priest's Spell Compendium are quite thorough collections of old TSR-published spells fairly easily adapted to Pathfinder, and there are lots of WotC- and 3PP-published 3.x spells that take even less work.
My Wife is planning a Varisian fighter with connections to the Scarni. Are there any other cultural purposes for Tattoos, such as weddings and other such life experiences? Or are they just for spellcasting purposes?
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Having watched this video, do you agree to an Alkenstar module or AP?
If we do an Alkenstar module... it'll be because of a lot more things aligning perfectly than just one you tube video. And an Alkenstar AP isn't really in the cards at all—I've got those planned out for several years and so far none of those include Alkenstar. And for good cause, if the large "what AP should we do next?" thread is trustworthy, since Alkenstar's pretty low on the request thread. Something to do with Nex and Geb with the Mana Wastes getting caught in the middle is more popular... but even THAT's not as popular as several other topics, such as urban adventures, megadungeons, Numeria, Linnorm Kingdoms, Irrisen, Planet Hopping, Plane Hopping, and the current front-runner of the Worldwound.
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They were put in Ultimate Magic, and so are in the PRD right here.Those things really are dark arts, aren't they? Aside from the damage chart, it's all "use your judgement."
Wow. ...ok, thanks!
-Ben.
To a certain extent, all game design is "use your judgement" and "compare your creation to existing similar creations." For monsters and magic items we can get a little bit more technical with things like the pricing estimate chart or Table 1–1 in the Bestiary... but spells are among the HARDEST things to design for the game since they're used far more often than monsters or magic items... and since they're much more in the hands of players than GMs.
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My question is about the Age of Worms AP.
I am playing a human wizard, as my back story would it be game breaking to be the son of either Allustan or Elligos. It gives me a great way to be introduced and those are the two main wizard NPC's that the DM mentioned I could learn from.
Not actually seeing a question there...
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Creative Director
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My Wife is planning a Varisian fighter with connections to the Scarni. Are there any other cultural purposes for Tattoos, such as weddings and other such life experiences? Or are they just for spellcasting purposes?
As far as game mechanics go, tattoos are mostly for magic. They're tied to the tradition of Thassilon using runes in their magic if you go back in time far enough.
That said, plenty of non-spellcasting Varisians use tattoos as decorations.
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1)In order from most interested to least interested are you into the planets Aballon, Castrovel, Akiton, Verces, Eox, Triaxus, Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae, and Aucturn?
2)How did you guys come up with the names to the planets? Any interesting stories related to this?
3)On Golarion, what do they call the Sun? Does it have any other names?
4)Since Golarion has portals to other planets, does that mean that some races living on Golarion may live on the planets that can suport them?
5)What was Zon-Kuthon a god of, before he visited the dark tapestry and become Zon-Kuthon? What was his domains?
6)What are the attitudes towards Catfolk in Tian Xia?
7)Since there are portals to other planets, have any races from other planets, like Castrovel or Akiton colinized any place(s) on Golarion?
1) I'm not familiar enough with all of the planets to list them that way... but I will say that ALL of them are pretty interesting and could support a hardcover book like the Inner Sea World Guide with ease if it came to that.
2) James Sutter named most of them, so you'd have to ask him.
3) The sun is called the sun.
4) Yes.
5) We haven't revealed that—that's a campaign secret not quite on par with "How did Aroden die?"
6) Tian Xia, with its nagaji and kitsune and tengu races, is a lot more open-minded to animalistic humanoids than the Inner Sea region is, where animalistic humanoids tend to be violent monsters like lycanthropes, gnolls, and troglodytes.
7) Absolutely.
Having watched this video, do you agree to an Alkenstar module or AP?If we do an Alkenstar module... it'll be because of a lot more things aligning perfectly than just one you tube video. And an Alkenstar AP isn't really in the cards at all—I've got those planned out for several years and so far none of those include Alkenstar. And for good cause, if the large "what AP should we do next?" thread is trustworthy, since Alkenstar's pretty low on the request thread. Something to do with Nex and Geb with the Mana Wastes getting caught in the middle is more popular... but even THAT's not as popular as several other topics, such as urban adventures, megadungeons, Numeria, Linnorm Kingdoms, Irrisen, Planet Hopping, Plane Hopping, and the current front-runner of the Worldwound.
What about a module? Aren't those easier, quicker, cheaper, and less risky to write than APs? Can we have one of those set in Alkenstar?
James, are pike and shot tactics supported by cannons popular in Alkenstar?
What about Landsknecht style mercenary bands?
I ask because this would be an awesome homebrew adventure or campaign. I don't have time to do it now, but someday. Definitely someday. Nice if I could use Golarion for it.
?
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What about a module? Aren't those easier, quicker, cheaper, and less risky to write than APs? Can we have one of those set in Alkenstar?
James, are pike and shot tactics supported by cannons popular in Alkenstar?
What about Landsknecht style mercenary bands?
I ask because this would be an awesome homebrew adventure or campaign. I don't have time to do it now, but someday. Definitely someday. Nice if I could use Golarion for it.
Modules are indeed all that, but that doesn't mean they're EASY. And since we only do 5 a year (the 6th being taken up by RPG Superstar) we have to be pretty picky as to what we do with them—and a module set in a weird part of the world that would probably require a fair amount of additional support isn't a strong contender.
You don't think the flamboyant pike, shot, and cannon mercenaries and 16th century style politics would be an awesome backdrop for a game, Justin? I'm thinking I may have to homebrew it someday if it fits Alkenstar.
Modules are indeed all that, but that doesn't mean they're EASY. And since we only do 5 a year (the 6th being taken up by RPG Superstar) we have to be pretty picky as to what we do with them—and a module set in a weird part of the world that would probably require a fair amount of additional support isn't a strong contender.What about a module? Aren't those easier, quicker, cheaper, and less risky to write than APs? Can we have one of those set in Alkenstar?
James, are pike and shot tactics supported by cannons popular in Alkenstar?
What about Landsknecht style mercenary bands?
I ask because this would be an awesome homebrew adventure or campaign. I don't have time to do it now, but someday. Definitely someday. Nice if I could use Golarion for it.
Well, does Alkenstar have pike and firearm tactics as a common method of warfare? Does it have flamboyant mercenary bands?
IANJ, but it can probably have whatever the game master wants it to have. And if that choice gets contradicted by subsequently published material, it's always within a GM's purview to pick and choose which published materials to incorporate into their home games.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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So my trip to Seattle last week was very successful, and it looks like I'll be moving there in the next month or two. Since I don't know anyone personally who lives there:
1) do you have any general advice to someone moving to Seattle?
2) do you have any recommended neighborhoods or suburbs to look to buy a home in if I'll be working near downtown?
3) Other than Paizocon, what other gaming related places and events should I check out in the Seattle area?
With this talk about kitsunes and werefoxes I can't help but ask this question: Can a Kitsune contract Lycantrhopy from a Werefox, and if he could would he look any different in 'hybrid' form?
Rofl, when you start giving Lycantrhopy to animal races things just get weird. Tengu Werebat! Rar!
Edit: Now I'm totally envisioning a campaign scenario where a kitsune community becomes violent on full moons, but they can't figure out why because they don't look any different during their rampages XD