I guess the duergar spell-likes would be too much to ask for a tiefling magus, eheheh.
Now go something completely different. If you were to allow monstrous PCs in a game you ran, what rules would you use?
Me, I'd say that size is limited between Small and Large, it has to be able to hold weapons (wyrmlings can't hold weapons, can they?), and the absolute highest CR of the base monster would be 3.
Mite
Vegepygmy
Small or Medium elemental
Gnoll
Lemure
Lizardfolk
Troglodyte
Boggard
Bugbear
Dretch
Choker
Dark creeper
Wight
Morlock
Sahuagin
Skum
Mephit
Centaur
Derro
Doppelgänger
Ogre
Hi James I have a stealth question. You have previously stated that you think the stealth rules work fine as written, and I for the most part agree. However I did notice that one of the tropes of DnD, the backstab, does not sit well with the RAW. Do you rule that "stealthed" characters deal precision damage against unaware targets?
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1) What do you mean by “give them more spells”? More bard spells know or more slots or add more spells to the bard spell list?
2) I concider giving it New Arcana and/or Metamagic Adept from the Arcne sorcerer bloodline. Would that be too powerful?
1) Expanding their spell selections to include more types of spells... conjuration perhaps, or maybe transmutation.
2) Probably not, but it's poaching from the sorcerer's stuff, which can make fans of sorcerers annoyed.
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I guess the duergar spell-likes would be too much to ask for a tiefling magus, eheheh.
Now go something completely different. If you were to allow monstrous PCs in a game you ran, what rules would you use?
Me, I'd say that size is limited between Small and Large, it has to be able to hold weapons (wyrmlings can't hold weapons, can they?), and the absolute highest CR of the base monster would be 3.
** spoiler omitted **
I would only allow Small and Medium races that have the same shape as a human and that aren't considered "evil" by the society in which the campaign is run.
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Hi James I have a stealth question. You have previously stated that you think the stealth rules work fine as written, and I for the most part agree. However I did notice that one of the tropes of DnD, the backstab, does not sit well with the RAW. Do you rule that "stealthed" characters deal precision damage against unaware targets?
As far as I interpret the rules, that's exactly how it works. If someone is not aware of you, say, because they don't know you are there, say, because you made your Stealth check, then absolutely you get your sneak attack on them because they're flat footed when you attack them. Once you get the first attack in, they ARE aware of you, so after that very first attack you need to do something else to sneak attack.
But honestly, I really can't read the rules any other way than that.
Mr. James Jacobs,
What are some good Leng themed magic items that you can recall being in Pathfinder?
Other than the ISWG, where could an interested party find more information on Hermea?
Also, are there/can we expect any adventures set or related to Hermea?
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Mr. James Jacobs,
What are some good Leng themed magic items that you can recall being in Pathfinder?
Leng is not a Good aligned place. It's magic items are evil. There were several published during the Rise of the Runelords campaign, and a few more in the penultimate Shattered Star adventure.
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Other than the ISWG, where could an interested party find more information on Hermea?
Also, are there/can we expect any adventures set or related to Hermea?
There's not a lot beyond the Inner Sea World Guide about Hermea yet, and we don't have plans to do an adventure set there anytime soon. James Sutter would be the one I'd want to write it, and he's a busy guy...
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Is there any chance that we might be finding more about Tabris, the author of the Book of the Damned? Especially with Wrath of the Righteous just right around the corner.
"<.<___>.> kick me out of heaven for writing the book you commissioned will you? Fine then, ill start my own organization against evil, with blackjack, and hookers!"
Leng is not a Good aligned place. It's magic items are evil. There were several published during the Rise of the Runelords campaign, and a few more in the penultimate Shattered Star adventure.Mr. James Jacobs,
What are some good Leng themed magic items that you can recall being in Pathfinder?
Not good as in moral alignment but as what are some interesting Leng themed magic items?
1) Expanding their spell selections to include more types of spells... conjuration perhaps, or maybe transmutation.2) Probably not, but it's poaching from the sorcerer's stuff, which can make fans of sorcerers annoyed.
Many thanks for your help and greate advice!
On to some unrelated questions.
1) What’s your opinion on evil PCs in a campaign? Do you allow evil PCs in your games?
2) If you play evil PCs yourself, why do you do it?
I have an idea of an evil NPC with a master plan. He is a mad Gnome Bard that wants to create a master race. I’m not going into details but it evolves seducing human women, Alter Self, Disguise, charm person/suggestion and possibly Modify Memory.
3) Can humans have children with Gnomes?
4) If yes, how would you stat up the offspring, the half-Gnome?
5) Would the offspring be small or medium or would some be born small and some would be born medium?
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Is there any chance that we might be finding more about Tabris, the author of the Book of the Damned? Especially with Wrath of the Righteous just right around the corner.
"<.<___>.> kick me out of heaven for writing the book you commissioned will you? Fine then, ill start my own organization against evil, with blackjack, and hookers!"
Maybe.
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Not good as in moral alignment but as what are some interesting Leng themed magic items?Leng is not a Good aligned place. It's magic items are evil. There were several published during the Rise of the Runelords campaign, and a few more in the penultimate Shattered Star adventure.Mr. James Jacobs,
What are some good Leng themed magic items that you can recall being in Pathfinder?
Ah.
Then yeah. The best two places to look are the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition and Pathfinder #65.
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1) What’s your opinion on evil PCs in a campaign? Do you allow evil PCs in your games?
2) If you play evil PCs yourself, why do you do it?I have an idea of an evil NPC with a master plan. He is a mad Gnome Bard that wants to create a master race. I’m not going into details but it evolves seducing human women, Alter Self, Disguise, charm person/suggestion and possibly Modify Memory.
3) Can humans have children with Gnomes?
4) If yes, how would you stat up the offspring, the half-Gnome?
5) Would the offspring be small or medium or would some be born small and some would be born medium?
1) As long as the group's mature enough to cope, I think evil PCs are quite fun! I've got 1 in one of the groups I'm running now, and I'm playing in another one where all of us are evil.
2) Because it's fun to be the bad guy now and then; it opens up all sorts of new plotlines and adventures and the like.
3) No.
4) I wouldn't.
5) See above.
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3) Can humans have children with Gnomes?3) No.
A continuation of Zark's questions.
1) How does a human with Racial Heritage- Gnome, came to be then?
1) Can Halflings and Gnomes have children?
2) Are there many mix raced couples in Golarion who could never enjoy having natural children of their own, due to their races being incompatible?
(aka, children of their own blood.)
James,
If you could combine with four other Paizo staff members to become Voltron, which four would you choose?
Golarion setting specific, divine questions:
1) 2 Clerics, one a cleric of a demigod, the other a cleric of one the major gods of Golarion, both cast Miracle (Very powerful request version). Each asking for exact opposite requests of the other.
Which Miracle would win out?
1a) What if the Miracle request involves the demigod's Portfolio, but not that of the major god?
For example, a request to Kostchtchie (demon lord, portfolio: cold) to freeze a forest, countered by a request to Cayden Cailean (full deity, portfolio: freedom/bravery/wine) to burn the forest?
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2) In a similar vein. If 2 Clerics, belongs to deities of Equal Level (For example, both are core deities), casts Miracle (Very powerful request version). Each requesting for exact opposite effects.
In this case, which Miracle would win out?
2a) And would their deities portfolios influence the outcome in such a case too?
1) Whichever one the GM wants to win. A miracle more closely associated with a deity's portfolio/area of concern should be more powerful than one that's not.
1a) See above. Miracles are equally powerful regardless of the deity or source that grants them.
2) See #1 above.
2a) See #2a above.
What about when one caster is of a higher level than the other?
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In the Rise of the Runelords, a character gains a +4 bonus to a Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (planes) checks when using the library in the House of Blue Stones to research something. Does that include the +2 bonus to such checks for Sandpoint having a Lore modifier of +2, or is it in addition to it?
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3) Can humans have children with Gnomes?3) No.
A continuation of Zark's questions.
1) How does a human with Racial Heritage- Gnome, came to be then?
1) Can Halflings and Gnomes have children?
2) Are there many mix raced couples in Golarion who could never enjoy having natural children of their own, due to their races being incompatible?
(aka, children of their own blood.)
1) Or he was raised by gnomes. Or he was a gnome in a past life. Or he was born a gnome but was transformed into a human by some strange magic. And so on—if you or a player invents such a human character, that racial heritage is an open invitation for you to get creative with the history of the character. And in your game, maybe gnomes CAN mate with humans. They can't in the core game pretty much because I do NOT want to throw wide the doors of "let's clutter the races with an infinite number of halfbreed options." I'd rather do new stuff for the game rather than make (or even hint that we're going to make) an endless parade of what would essentially be variant half-elves or half-orcs.
Bonus 1) No. See #1 above.
2) Yes. That's kinda how DNA normally works. The mixed-race races in print are special and exceptions to the rule. And also see #1 above.
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James,
If you could combine with four other Paizo staff members to become Voltron, which four would you choose?
This is a very weird question. Also, since I actually have never watched Voltron-related entertainment, I'll say that I do not understand the property well enough to give an informed answer.
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What about when one caster is of a higher level than the other?
Nope.
Honestly, the miracle that would win out would likely be the last one created, because it could undo the other one. Regardless of caster level or deity or anything like that. In such a case, it's a GM call if a miracle can undo a previous miracle, since what miracles and wishes can do when they're used to make powerful effects is ALWAYS a GM call.
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In the Rise of the Runelords, a character gains a +4 bonus to a Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (planes) checks when using the library in the House of Blue Stones to research something. Does that include the +2 bonus to such checks for Sandpoint having a Lore modifier of +2, or is it in addition to it?
Nope; it's in addition to the Lore modifier.
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I just discovered the Cryptid known as the Lindworm today and while it seems obvious I was just wanting to make sure if it is indeed what the pathfinder Linnorm is based on, is it?Yup. We might do something more with the actual lindworm some day though.
Yay! Thankies, I now has a cryptid I like.
Who at Paizo decided to use Linnorms anyway, and the death curses that go with them?
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I just discovered the Cryptid known as the Lindworm today and while it seems obvious I was just wanting to make sure if it is indeed what the pathfinder Linnorm is based on, is it?Yup. We might do something more with the actual lindworm some day though.Yay! Thankies, I now has a cryptid I like.
Who at Paizo decided to use Linnorms anyway, and the death curses that go with them?
Erik named a part of the world "Lands of the Linnorm Kings" so we had to put linnorms into the game right at the start.
I'm the one who gave them their death curses, if I remember correctly.
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Thats an interesting reason to do so, unless Erik really wanted linnorms and so put their name in the name of a country so that they would have to be put into the game, sneaky that one.
And I very much like the idea of the death curse, any particular reason you gave it to the linnorms, other than simply to differentiate them from other dragons?
Nope. That's someone paraphrasing me or putting words in my mouth.
<snip>
Thanks, I did find an article where something you said could have been erroneously construed as what that person said, but that's also why I thought it warranted clarification.
Now, then just today I thought of something that is kinda both a rules and lore thing.
Black-Blooded Oracles vs. Vampires? That is, is their blood nutritious, harmful, or just worthless? Furthermore, can they become vampires and if so how does that affect the curse, if at all, or is it one of those "Um.... don't try to mix black blooded oracles and vampires the universe will explode" things?
James,
Just running something for the Mythic Playtest and it centers around one of the Four Horsemen's deacons...
While I was reading about daemons I came across the mention of the Oinodaemon. Are there plans for or is there already a product that uses the Oinodaemon?
Also, if there isn't much in print, would you care to expound a bit on the Oinodaemon?
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Is it possible, outside of polymorph/wish shenanigans, for a familiar to have 2-or-more-point-value eidolon abilities?
What I have in mind is the Evolved Familiar feat. Almost seems like there should be a sequel-feat for it that allows the more expensive evolutions.
And I want my magus's familiar to breathe lightning, dangit.
3) A ring of wishes.
Really. Interesting. So, you aren't worried about Asmodeus being the one that dictates the terms of the Wish if you don't consult a lawyer for proper wording of your wishes? There was a story I heard once about players that wrote up a 10 page wish and even had it looked over and approved by an actual contract lawyer so the GM couldn't maliciously screw them over.
What do you think of this, and how do you treat wishes?
In my games, if a wizard is casting Wish, then he gets what he intends within the limits of the spell, for the most part.
Now, if you ask a genie for a wish, then heck yeah the genie is going to go all Wishmaster on you and try to screw you over. That's what genies do.
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Thats an interesting reason to do so, unless Erik really wanted linnorms and so put their name in the name of a country so that they would have to be put into the game, sneaky that one.
And I very much like the idea of the death curse, any particular reason you gave it to the linnorms, other than simply to differentiate them from other dragons?
I gave it to them not only to make them feel different than other dragons, but because it was a cool way to tie them all thematically together without making them all feel the same. Another element that ties them together in this same way is the fact that all their breath weapons have a primary and secondary effect.
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Black-Blooded Oracles vs. Vampires? That is, is their blood nutritious, harmful, or just worthless? Furthermore, can they become vampires and if so how does that affect the curse, if at all, or is it one of those "Um.... don't try to mix black blooded oracles and vampires the universe will explode" things?
Their blood is nutritious, but might not be to the taste of every vampire. Other vampires probably really love it. In fact, it's probably a delicacy, considering the necromancy enhancing qualities of black blood.
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James,
Just running something for the Mythic Playtest and it centers around one of the Four Horsemen's deacons...
While I was reading about daemons I came across the mention of the Oinodaemon. Are there plans for or is there already a product that uses the Oinodaemon?
Also, if there isn't much in print, would you care to expound a bit on the Oinodaemon?
Nothing more to say about the Oinodaemon at this time... but there's something percolating there, and has been for a while. Might be a few years before we reveal what it is. If ever.
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oh oh what types of music would you assign to the outsiders? As many as you can think of please and thank you :3
Well... there's as many flavors of outsider as there are genres of music, so there's no way for me to answer this question and not have "The Dragon's Demand" be weeks late to the printer, alas...
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Is it possible, outside of polymorph/wish shenanigans, for a familiar to have 2-or-more-point-value eidolon abilities?
What I have in mind is the Evolved Familiar feat. Almost seems like there should be a sequel-feat for it that allows the more expensive evolutions.
And I want my magus's familiar to breathe lightning, dangit.
Not currently possible. That's mixing class features, and we try not to do that too much.
If you want a familiar to breathe lightning, you need Improved Familiar and then pick one that can do that on its own already.
Nothing more to say about the Oinodaemon at this time... but there's something percolating there, and has been for a while. Might be a few years before we reveal what it is. If ever.
Dang...Thanks for the answer though!
Is the Oinodaemon based on a real mythological mysterious 5th Horseman? Or is this purely a James/Erik creation? Or from an earlier edition of DnD?
**EDIT**
Or the biblical 5th Horseman?
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3) A ring of wishes.Really. Interesting. So, you aren't worried about Asmodeus being the one that dictates the terms of the Wish if you don't consult a lawyer for proper wording of your wishes? There was a story I heard once about players that wrote up a 10 page wish and even had it looked over and approved by an actual contract lawyer so the GM couldn't maliciously screw them over.
What do you think of this, and how do you treat wishes?
In my games, if a wizard is casting Wish, then he gets what he intends within the limits of the spell, for the most part.
Now, if you ask a genie for a wish, then heck yeah the genie is going to go all Wishmaster on you and try to screw you over. That's what genies do.
Not in the slightest, because I'm assuming the ring of wishes works the same as it does in Pathfinder. A wish is not granted by Asmodeus unless you are getting him to cast it for you. A plain old wish spell, like you get in a ring of wishes, is granted purely by the raw power of the spell itself. Now, that said, wishes are like water and they flow with the path of least resistance so phrasing is absolutely important, but with an item like a ring of wishes, there's not some supernatural force out there working to actively interpret the wish to screw you over.
I treat wishes in my games exactly like that. If they're being granted by something like an efreeti or a glabrezu, then things get tricky. But if they're just from a PC casting the spell or using an item like a ring of wishes, I generally let the wish work exactly as the PC intends, especially if he's just using it to mimic an existing spell or do one of the specific things detailed in the spell description.
Well... Bugger, only the paracletus and arbiter have electrical attacks...
Maybe the other Improved Familiars will have something for me... I dunno.
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oh oh what types of music would you assign to the outsiders? As many as you can think of please and thank you :3Well... there's as many flavors of outsider as there are genres of music, so there's no way for me to answer this question and not have "The Dragon's Demand" be weeks late to the printer, alas...
*sigh* okay, I can take that as an acceptable loss :3
if you do have some time could you at least try
CG-Azata
NG-Agathion
LG-Archon
CN-Protean
TN-Phsychopomp
Ln-Axiomite
LE-Devil
NE-Daemon
CE-Demon
10. Succubi- (they're so awesome they get their own)
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Nothing more to say about the Oinodaemon at this time... but there's something percolating there, and has been for a while. Might be a few years before we reveal what it is. If ever.Dang...Thanks for the answer though!
Is the Oinodaemon based on a real mythological mysterious 5th Horseman? Or is this purely a James/Erik creation? Or from an earlier edition of DnD?
**EDIT**
Or the biblical 5th Horseman?
The oinodaemon first appeared in the 1st edition AD&D Monster Manual 2, where he was known also as Anthraxus, the lord of all daemons.
Daemons weren't associated with the 4 horsemen until we did so with Pathfinder. We were able to use the name "oinodaemon" because the 1st edition D&D version of him was updated and printed in the Tome of Horrors. You can certainly use those stats for him if you want—our oinodaemon is very very different than the Tome of Horrors version though.
Thanks James! I was just curious...not looking to stat one up yet :)
This is a very weird question. Also, since I actually have never watched Voltron-related entertainment, I'll say that I do not understand the property well enough to give an informed answer.James,
If you could combine with four other Paizo staff members to become Voltron, which four would you choose?
What about the same question but with Power Rangers instead of Voltron?
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What about the same question but with Power Rangers instead of Voltron?This is a very weird question. Also, since I actually have never watched Voltron-related entertainment, I'll say that I do not understand the property well enough to give an informed answer.James,
If you could combine with four other Paizo staff members to become Voltron, which four would you choose?
Same answer, alas.
Wait... the elemental familiars are approved in Society? Provided you have Improved Familiar, of course.
Also, serpentfolk. Why are they so powerful? I almost want to make them permissible as PCs, but they already have racial HD and their ability boosts are more obnoxious than even the Drow Noble.
Plus, they break my "no CR over 3" rule by default.