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I have a questions for James Jacob!
Are you feeling better?! I hear they miss you at work and your dark office makes everyone sad.
:-D !!!!!
Where do the Shackles Pirates get their rum? Is there sugar plantations in the Shackles/Sargava?Good question! I don't know if we actually cover this in the upcoming AP or in Isles of the Shackles... but they'd have certainly have both local options (there in the Shackles) and others (like Sargava or Ilizmagorti or some of the cities on the west coast of the Mwangi Expanse).
It does get covered in Isles of the Shackles.
Heh. I know something James Jacobs doesn't know! I feel all tingly!
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Archetypes are more for player characters than they are for NPCs. They work fine on NPCs, yes, but I'm wary of using them too much since I get nervous about riling customers up with the "You're just trying to trick us into buying your other books!" reaction.
This kind of reply is why we love you so much. :D
This level of consideration for your costumers is rarely seen.
In any event, there is no real Greek-inspired area in the Inner Sea region—that's over in Casmaron. Maybe if and when we get around to detailing that area, Iblydos, we'll need to solve the problem of "not enough pole arm feats."
Those were 2 archetypes I had a easy time finding and linking to historical examples. I have some doubt that the kind of combat style used by the Greeks phalanx or the Swiss pikemen would have much success in Golarion, where a well placed fireball could break the formation.
My point was that some archetype work well when used to depict the different outlook that some culture or race has of a class.
My image of the standard Taldan footsoldier of the age of expansion is similar to the Roman legionaries, big shield, short sword and medium armor. So I could use a related archetype for the elite Taldan infantry units.
To me using archetypes to differentiate the approach different races have to the character classes can enhance the game.
My idea is a bit about your "archetypes are for PC" approach, but it work for me in my games.
I have a questions for James Jacob!
Are you feeling better?! I hear they miss you at work and your dark office makes everyone sad.
:-D !!!!!
O.o feel better soon mate!
Creative Director
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If you were writing the Book of Eternal Necromancy from Villains: Rebirth today, what would you choose to make the Destruction method/criteria? Also would you give the ability to channel energy as per a cleric in place of the rebuke/command undead ability the original had, or go with the Turn Undead/Command Undead feats instead?
First off, I would definitely go with the channel energy option for the book. As for its destruction method, I'd actually likely not fill that part in at all... I've always been a fan of leaving artifact destruction methods to the GM rather than spelling it out for all to see.
I have a questions for James Jacob!
Are you feeling better?! I hear they miss you at work and your dark office makes everyone sad.
:-D !!!!!
I'm feeling better enough to have come in to work to spread around some sick!
Cold/flu? Something else? None of our business?
*Makes some soup.*
Another question.
How does one become a writer for the setting of a DnD game (such as Pathfinder's Golarion)?
By equal amounts of skill, persistence, education, being in the right place, and luck.Another question.
How does one become a writer for the setting of a DnD game (such as Pathfinder's Golarion)?
Any tips for anyone hoping to try and get into the RPG scene? Like what schools to go to, what to work on, etc?
Any tips for anyone hoping to try and get into the RPG scene? Like what schools to go to, what to work on, etc?By equal amounts of skill, persistence, education, being in the right place, and luck.Another question.
How does one become a writer for the setting of a DnD game (such as Pathfinder's Golarion)?
English! A large majority of Paizo staff have English degrees.
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Creative Director
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Any tips for anyone hoping to try and get into the RPG scene? Like what schools to go to, what to work on, etc?By equal amounts of skill, persistence, education, being in the right place, and luck.Another question.
How does one become a writer for the setting of a DnD game (such as Pathfinder's Golarion)?
Yup; English is the best degree to aim for if you're interested in working in the RPG industry, since whatever else you'll end up doing, you'll need to be able to write well and edit well. We've got other degrees working in the editorial department, but most of them are indeed in English.
I recently noticed that you are one of the authors for Frostburn. Did you design the prehistoric beasts in the book? My 2 year old really enjoys looking at the Smilodon, Megaloceros, etc.
Also, do you know if Megatherium (giant sloth)or Basilosaurus (giant carnivorous whale) has ever been written up as monsters?
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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James, thanks again for the tourism and eatery suggestions (much earlier in thread). Gave me something to do while I was visiting lovely WA. I just wish it had been warmer so I could have spent more time at the zoo and tried the Underground Tour. Rain didn't bother me, except I only got to see Mt. Rainer once...
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Creative Director
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I recently noticed that you are one of the authors for Frostburn. Did you design the prehistoric beasts in the book? My 2 year old really enjoys looking at the Smilodon, Megaloceros, etc.
Also, do you know if Megatherium (giant sloth)or Basilosaurus (giant carnivorous whale) has ever been written up as monsters?
It's been a while since I worked on Frostburn... I did do probably the largest chunk of the book though. Wolfgang Baur wrote most of the monsters, but I believe I wrote up the zeuglodon and maybe one other... can't remember for sure. Glad your child likes them, though! :-)
We've statted up the megatherium for Pathfinder in Bestiary 2, and the basilosaurus in Bestiary 3, along with several other types of megafauna.
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I think the Aristocrat NPC class need a little modification, after first level, there is no reason to keep taking it, Expert got the same Hit dice, BaB and saves + got 2 more skill points level. Victim of the "Alignment" of hit dice size with BaB quality/size?
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James, Can you take 10 on knowledge skill checks?
The take 10 rules in the skills section do not restrict it, but the lore master bardic class ability seems to suggest that you cannot normally take 10.
I am sorry if this has been answered before, but my search fu is not working. In general PFRPG, we can just rule however, but my question is important for the purposes of Pathfinder Society Organized Play and a designer's opinion would be appreciated to help end an ongoing and somewhat contentious discussion.
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Creative Director
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I think the Aristocrat NPC class need a little modification, after first level, there is no reason to keep taking it, Expert got the same Hit dice, BaB and saves + got 2 more skill points level. Victim of the "Alignment" of hit dice size with BaB quality/size?
Aristocrat, being an NPC class, doesn't need anything at all. It's supposed to be a relatively flavorless class, and nothing more.
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Creative Director
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James, Can you take 10 on knowledge skill checks?
The take 10 rules in the skills section do not restrict it, but the lore master bardic class ability seems to suggest that you cannot normally take 10.
I am sorry if this has been answered before, but my search fu is not working. In general PFRPG, we can just rule however, but my question is important for the purposes of Pathfinder Society Organized Play and a designer's opinion would be appreciated to help end an ongoing and somewhat contentious discussion.
You can take 10 on knowledge checks, as with all checks. The bard lore master ability lets a bard take 10 at all times, even in the middle of combat.
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I think the Aristocrat NPC class need a little modification, after first level, there is no reason to keep taking it, Expert got the same Hit dice, BaB and saves + got 2 more skill points level. Victim of the "Alignment" of hit dice size with BaB quality/size?
Umm.... maybe that's because there's no reason for a PC to take any of these classes, and that they're not meant to be balanced with each other, but rather to represent certain "careers" and/or "lifepaths" that NPCs may have followed before the PCs encounter him/her. And, in that light, a career Aristocrat who spends all his/her time running the estate the same way over and over again, or endlessly pursuing the social rounds in court-- will have the title, the social standing, the money, the presumed authority-- but if you take away all that artificial social stuff, should not be as competent or capable as the expert who's actually been studying and working for a living, and diligently practicing his/her skills.
James-- correct me if I'm wrong, please? Or if my comments are generally on target, but not quite?
EDIT: Ninja'd by James himself, but I suppose I'll let it stand, since I'm curious if my thought on it was also part of the equation in what each class got.
Alright. I got one.
Say you possess a headband of intelligence +2. Tie it to any class skill (will go with Stealth) at 9th level which results in 9 free ranks.
Now those ranks aren't any that you have technically spent on your pc. They're free. So, seeing how it didn't cost you any ranks, do you still get the +3 class skill bonus with that? Or do you actually have to allocate a single rank just so you can get the class skill bonus?
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Creative Director
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Alright. I got one.
Say you possess a headband of intelligence +2. Tie it to any class skill (will go with Stealth) at 9th level which results in 9 free ranks.
Now those ranks aren't any that you have technically spent on your pc. They're free. So, seeing how it didn't cost you any ranks, do you still get the +3 class skill bonus with that? Or do you actually have to allocate a single rank just so you can get the class skill bonus?
You don't get the +3 bonus until you spend a rank yourself.
Thanks!
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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You don't get the +3 bonus until you spend a rank yourself.Alright. I got one.
Say you possess a headband of intelligence +2. Tie it to any class skill (will go with Stealth) at 9th level which results in 9 free ranks.
Now those ranks aren't any that you have technically spent on your pc. They're free. So, seeing how it didn't cost you any ranks, do you still get the +3 class skill bonus with that? Or do you actually have to allocate a single rank just so you can get the class skill bonus?
Interesting, I never ran across that before.
I have another headband of intelligence question: If you use one that is linked to the linguistics skill, are the bonus languages selected by the wearer or are they fixed during creation, just like the skill itself?
James I just asked this question in the main campaign forum, but if you would please indulge me I would like to ask if I can post this here for your input.
Thanks for your time and any advise you may have.
My players please keep out!
In a nutshell, I have a prelude to my campaign (I am about to run a modified Carrion Crown and am very excited to get to the first chapter) but wanted to run a few sessions where the players interact with the Professor.
Through pouring through numerous maps the professor deducted (correctly) that there was an area that was shunned (and thus left un mapped) that was home to one of Baba Yaga 's many daughters. He recruited his cadre of students (the PCs) to explore the area knowing that said daughter has not been seen or heard from for a few decades.
After a week of active searching they find a locale where the very trees seem to try to pull themselves free of the ground as to uproot themselves to leave the area. In the center of this they find a hut. After many trials and attempts the players find a means to get themselves into the hut (something I did not actually prepare for, I wanted them to try and fail to even set foot into the hut but because of a well played plot twist card they managed to get in).
This is not THE HUT mind you, just one of many belonging to the many daughters and grand daughters of Baba Yaga I would surmise. I ended the session with the players discovering that the hut could open doorways to far off lands and locales.
Now one of the players (after a contest of wills with the hut) commanded it to open up the door to "Treasure". End scene.
So come next game day, I am left with what to do and where to drop the players.
Naturally because this was but a simple side quest I don't want them walking home with boatloads of treasure, here is where I am asking for advice. When a PC says treasure, what would a magical hut, or even it's creator interpret as treasure? Where would that open door lead to?
These are all 1st and 2nd level players mind you, I Do Not want to kill them, I just want to scare them!!!
Here are a few possibilities I came up with:
1. This daughter of Baba Yaga has either fled or been put to use elsewhere by her mother, thus this hut is no longer of importance or immediate use. The 'treasure area' has been moved, the players will find dead carcasses of what were rust monsters, who were thrown in there to make sure nothing of value would remain, then died after their food source went dry.
2. The players find an army of giants toiling in labour in mines and huge armories, it looks like these creatures are menacing but they will quickly be revealed to be slaves. Slaves loyal to the Witch Queen. Surely low level pcs will know not to go up against giants! Oh wait ... They will, and get themselves killed fir their troubles.
3. The players find a single pendant. In the pendant is the soul of one of the pcs ancestors. How did get here? Did Baba Yaga foretell that this day would come? Is the means of releasing the ancestor making the PC give up his own soul to take his place?
4. What would an eternal witch value above all else? The players find themselves transported to a land where after a long search find yet another clearing, here they encounter dozens of females, all related to one another. It won't take long before they realize these are all defendants of Baba Yaga; surely their lives are forfeit. They know too much at this point.
I am in need of more ideas, again I do not want to kill any of the low level PCs - just scare them - a lot! Thanks and looking forward to your thoughts!
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Creative Director
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I have another headband of intelligence question: If you use one that is linked to the linguistics skill, are the bonus languages selected by the wearer or are they fixed during creation, just like the skill itself?
Bonus languages would be fixed during creation.
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Creative Director
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James I just asked this question in the main campaign forum, but if you would please indulge me I would like to ask if I can post this here for your input.
Thanks for your time and any advise you may have.
My players please keep out!
** spoiler omitted **...
Alas... I cannot give advice about this particular plot line at this time. All will become clear eventually.
** spoiler omitted **Nope.
Thank you sir.
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James I just asked this question in the main campaign forum, but if you would please indulge me I would like to ask if I can post this here for your input.
Thanks for your time and any advise you may have.
My players please keep out!
** spoiler omitted **...
Not James, but the first thing that came to mind was a small child or baby. Treasure to their parents - and to Baba Yaga (remember, she is a grandmother).
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James,
I've been looking through various products, and cannot find a date as to when Riddleport was founded. I did see one reference saying approximately 300 years before the current timeframe. I think that was in the original campaign setting book, where current year was, if I recall correctly, 4708.
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Alas... I cannot give advice about this particular plot line at this time. All will become clear eventually.And the Oscar for being the most Coy goes too ...
James, you better be writing one of those chapters!
I wouldn't take that as being coy so much as I will take it as confirming the Irrisen AP for next year. ;)
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I was just being coy myself Justin.Ahem.
And I was just continuing my ongoing campaign to have James tell me all the products that aren't announced yet. ;) btw Woot!!! Baba Yaga!!!
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Creative Director
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James,
I've been looking through various products, and cannot find a date as to when Riddleport was founded. I did see one reference saying approximately 300 years before the current timeframe. I think that was in the original campaign setting book, where current year was, if I recall correctly, 4708.
I don't see a question here... but it's distinctly possible that we've not yet revealed the exact date that Riddleport was founded.
What's the most dangerous thing on Golarion that could be mistaken for a sheep (at a distance of no more than half a mile)?
An angry goat. They're scary, with their evil beards and reddish eyes and ridiculous digestive systems. I had a friend back in Cheliax whose job it was to milk the goats - one day she came back with just two fingers!
Oh, and I guess some of the monsters who can change appearances can be pretty nasty, too. But I'll still take a doppelganger-thingy over a goat!
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What's the most dangerous thing on Golarion that could be mistaken for a sheep (at a distance of no more than half a mile)?
Obviously a wolf in sheeps clothing =p
James, you said in the skull and shackles forum that it would be a mix of sandbox and rails. By that did you mean something along Seven Days to the Grave where you have a few leads on the disease and you gotta investigate them in any order (the sunken ship, the perfume shop etc). That still goes down as my favorite AP installment so I am hoping that is what you mean.