Creative Director
|
I get Leadership next level and my GM is letting me build my cohort now for introduction. My party has an Oracle of Life, a Bladebound Magus, and myself (Samurai / Fighter. The Oracle is healing and divination-based, the magus is like a damage dealing deathtrap, and I'm focused on Charisma-based combat (demoralize and feinting) with some trip love for extra awesomeness.
What do you think I should make for our fourth member? The GM is letting the cohort adventure with us to round out our APL. Obvious weaknesses in our group include full spellcasting and skills.
Bard. Give the character full ranks in Use Magic Device and he can handle all the magic items the rest of you can't. His bardic performances, skills, and the extra healing will help plenty.
|
Creative Director
|
How do you come up with names for characters and creatures that aren't using already established naming conventions or using words that best describe them?
Case in point: Zuggtmoy... where in the flying F@#$ity F@#$ did that come from?
Also : Cyth-V’sug, Socothbenoth, (insert any lovecraft mythos name here)
I use all sorts of methods of coming up with names. There's a LOT of online name generators that can help. Spelling words backwards and jumbling the letters works. Just making up random words can work. And it helps to know a lot about how words are simply constructed and how the language is built–you can use all sorts of word "parts" to combine to make new words for names. I do all these things, and often generate dozens at once and record them in a notebook for later use.
Thankies for answer, that actually helps :3
Wait
... Does that mean there's a big James Jacobs Namenomicon somewhere ?
Ha!
Sort of. Most of the names have been used, but yes, I do have a LOT of notebooks filled with stuff. Names, maps, ideas, dreams, drawings, and more.
|
Creative Director
|
James, in Golarion there are two Stat arrays for NPC's.
Standard
Heroic.What % of the general population fit into either?
What % are PCs?
I'd probably guess that 90% of the population have the standard array. That percentage drops dramatically if you're talking about NPCs in any one adventure.
The percentage that is PCs is an infintesibly small number that more or less is equal to 0% since it's so small. AKA: There's only like 4 PCs in the entire world, or however many players you have.
James, in Golarion there are two Stat arrays for NPC's.
Standard
Heroic.What % of the general population fit into either?
What % are PCs?I'd probably guess that 90% of the population have the standard array. That percentage drops dramatically if you're talking about NPCs in any one adventure.
The percentage that is PCs is an infintesibly small number that more or less is equal to 0% since it's so small. AKA: There's only like 4 PCs in the entire world, or however many players you have.
Rephrasing for the good doctor, what percentage are Adventurers?
|
Creative Director
|
Rephrasing for the good doctor, what percentage are Adventurers?James, in Golarion there are two Stat arrays for NPC's.
Standard
Heroic.What % of the general population fit into either?
What % are PCs?I'd probably guess that 90% of the population have the standard array. That percentage drops dramatically if you're talking about NPCs in any one adventure.
The percentage that is PCs is an infintesibly small number that more or less is equal to 0% since it's so small. AKA: There's only like 4 PCs in the entire world, or however many players you have.
Enough of a percentage for the story to make sense?
If you would add Echidna to a bestiary/pathfinder product, what would she be?
A: A mythic unique creature.
B: Medusa and Minotaur style creature, unique in greek myth but common in Golarion.
C: A mythic common creature, so still mythic but not unique.
D: OtherNot everything needs to be mythic, mythic, mythic.
I'd likely stat her up as a plain old but powerful monster. So, B. But not "common on Golarion." I wouldn't even say medusas and minotaurs were anything close to "common" on Golarion.
Yes! That's the kind of answer I really wanted, i'm not a huge fan of my favorite creatures ending up as uniques or mythic creatures, so i'm happy to see that Echidna probably ends up some day as normal high-end monster and not as unique!
And with common I rather meant they are not unique creatures, but you can run into groups of the creatures.
Enough of a percentage for the story to make sense?Rephrasing for the good doctor, what percentage are Adventurers?James, in Golarion there are two Stat arrays for NPC's.
Standard
Heroic.What % of the general population fit into either?
What % are PCs?I'd probably guess that 90% of the population have the standard array. That percentage drops dramatically if you're talking about NPCs in any one adventure.
The percentage that is PCs is an infintesibly small number that more or less is equal to 0% since it's so small. AKA: There's only like 4 PCs in the entire world, or however many players you have.
To rephrase the good Doctor's question (based on the discussion that spawned it), while all published NPC stat blocks to date have used either the standard or heroic array of ability scores (for whatever reason), do there exist NPCs who have the full range of ability scores possible from 1 (3 rolled with -2 racial adjustment) to 20 (18 rolled with +2 racial adjustment)?
DrDeth has noted that the ability score "7" does not exist before racial adjustments in either array, and that therefore "8" represents the lowest normal score in the entire world.
Would the technic league consider an android pc to be thier property?No.
ok, that's good. is there a reason why? i aksed because both fallen city and ISWG made it seem, that the technic league viewed anything that came from the "space ship" as thier posession, and they ruthlessly in "terminator" fashion hunted anyone that removed anything from numeria.
Are androids therefore also free to leave numeria?
|
Is their any plans underway to better adapt androids to classes like barbarians and bards?
While it is a hefty price not gaining any bonus from rage it doesn't completely dismiss people from playing android barbarians (though Mikaze has suggested an "Overclock" archetype, which I endorse, see the anime Ghost in the Shell and Armitage) , not benefitting from morale bonuses completely alienates them from bard allies and playing bards themselves though.
|
Creative Director
|
To rephrase the good Doctor's question (based on the discussion that spawned it), while all published NPC stat blocks to date have used either the standard or heroic array of ability scores (for whatever reason), do there exist NPCs who have the full range of ability scores possible from 1 (3 rolled with -2 racial adjustment) to 20 (18 rolled with +2 racial adjustment)?
DrDeth has noted that the ability score "7" does not exist before racial adjustments in either array, and that therefore "8" represents the lowest normal score in the entire world.
There could exist NPCs with the full range of ability scores possible, sure. We'll probably only very rarely do something like that though, for game play balance reasons, and if we DO do something like that, the super high/super low stats will affect CR in unusual ways.
Runelord Karzoug, for example, has much higher stats than the heroic array would allow.
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Would the technic league consider an android pc to be thier property?No.ok, that's good. is there a reason why? i aksed because both fallen city and ISWG made it seem, that the technic league viewed anything that came from the "space ship" as thier posession, and they ruthlessly in "terminator" fashion hunted anyone that removed anything from numeria.
Are androids therefore also free to leave numeria?
The reason is that the Technic League might want to own as much technology as possible, but they don't feel like it's theirs at all. It's a resource to seek out and control. They do not think of it as their birthright, but they DO go over the top in trying to take what there is when it shows up.
Androids blur the line between technology and organic life to such an extent that the Technic League, while intrigued by them, doesn't really treat them as "technology to take and own and master."
|
Creative Director
|
Is their any plans underway to better adapt androids to classes like barbarians and bards?
While it is a hefty price not gaining any bonus from rage it doesn't completely dismiss people from playing android barbarians (though Mikaze has suggested an "Overclock" archetype, which I endorse, see the anime Ghost in the Shell and Armitage) , not benefitting from morale bonuses completely alienates them from bard allies and playing bards themselves though.
Not at this moment. The fact that androids aren't "perfect" for every class isn't something we're likely to change though... that was a very specific design choice. In a similar manner, kobolds aren't "perfect" for every class (they suck as barbarians or most melee fighters due to their Str penalty). That's one of the big differences between a race that's built primarily as NPC/monster stuff and one that's built primarily as a core race—they have much narrower "optimization paths."
Something like an "Overclock" feat is interesting... but I'm not sure it's more interesting than a race that simply doesn't do well at raging.
And as a side note, they're better at being bards than you might think—not all the bonuses from bardic performances are morale bonuses.
1)What is the race point cost for the Triaxians from Triaxus?
2)Since Androids are humanoids they still need to eat, sleep, and breath correct?
3)Are there Ghorans that have different plant traits like some that have thorns, look tree like, cacti versions, etc.?
4)Other then a swim speed, aquatic and amphibious subtypes are there any other differences in aquatic elves over there land based cousins?
5)Other then Drow and aquatic elves are there any other subspecies of elves on Golarion?
6)Are there any other subspecies of dwarves other then the Duegar?
7)Are there any androids that have more machine based traits like metallic skin, lasers, etc.?
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
1)What is the race point cost for the Triaxians from Triaxus?
2)Since Androids are humanoids they still need to eat, sleep, and breath correct?
3)Are there Ghorans that have different plant traits like some that have thorns, look tree like, cacti versions, etc.?
4)Other then a swim speed, aquatic and amphibious subtypes are there any other differences in aquatic elves over there land based cousins?
5)Other then Drow and aquatic elves are there any other subspecies of elves on Golarion?
6)Are there any other subspecies of dwarves other then the Duegar?
7)Are there any androids that have more machine based traits like metallic skin, lasers, etc.?
1) I don't know.
2) Yes.
3) I doubt it.
4) Lots of them, the majority of which are cultural and physical. Page 25 of the Inner Sea World Guide also mentions that they have different elf familiarities.
5) Probably not.
6) Probably not.
7) No. Those are called robots. Or at the best, cyborgs. You can have a cybernetic android, but that still makes it a cyborg.
James, how do you guys come up with ideas for APs?
|
Creative Director
|
James, how do you guys come up with ideas for APs?
Decades of experience and practice coming up with adventures and game-mastering and reading/watching/playing books/movies/games associated with horror/fantasy/science-fiction all coalesce in our brains to give us the tools we need to come up with ideas for Adventure Paths.
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With crafting magic items what can you wave by adding the +5 DC to the spellcraft check, in particular can you craft a scroll without casting it into the scroll, or is their any other way to have a character create a scroll of a spell they do not know.
Also with the estimated character wealth per level you should be giving them more treasure if a lot gets destroyed while leveling correct(falls into lava with treasure or such), how about if someone has a character concept where he uses fireball scrolls to deal damage(he is a rogue), which isn't a huge boost to the team as spell caster level is low on them but it still costs him a large chunk of cash. Should i let his character suffer for using his money poorly or would you find some way to give him some more money so he stays close to the party in wealth.
Each requirement you waive adds a +5 to the DC.
How closely you adhere to the character wealth table depends in large part on your gaming style. I generally skew high, so that my PCs are 1-2 levels above what they should be according to the chart. I also generally give out about twice the amount of treasure recommended in published adventures, and I've never heard anyone complain we're giving out too much treasure. In fact, I often hear that we don't give out ENOUGH treasure.
In your specific case, if a player wants to take advantage of the rogue's ability to Use Magic Device and spend his wealth on wands and scrolls and the like... that's his choice. I wouldn't say it was "using his money poorly" at all.
Dear James,
How do you pronounce Lich?
So that it rhymes with "itch."Dear James,
How do you pronounce Lich?
Curse you! Please tell me you have read the short D&D Poem Book that included a poem called the Itchy Lich.
I've been on a First Edition kick lately and have been going through lots of old stuff, including my collection of old Dungeon Magazines (more on that later).
One thing the Shattered Star Adventure Path got me back into was the big dungeons like Slumbering Tsar and Rappan Athuk.
My questions for the moment are:
1) Where on Golarian would you place Tsar and Rappan Athuk if the Powers-that-be determined this should become a reality?
2)Isle of Dread: Is it located in Mystara, or Greyhawk? My preference always was for the original location in Mystara, but I didn't get upset when it (Or Keep on the Borderlands) got retconned into Greyhawk.
Following from higher up the page, since it occurred to me: Are there any androids in the technic league?
|
Creative Director
|
how do you calculate the caster level of an intelligent item.
being that the items saves are based on it. would you use the magic weapon of 3 * then bonus or a calculation involving the ego or a flat caster level of 15 which were most of 3.5and if you have the time i would like to know if these house rules sound like they are balanced with in the Pathfinder world?
I would just arbitrarily assign it if it wasn't obvious from the weapon's other powers or enhancement bonus.
And I don't have the time, alas, to check out those house rules. Nor do I check out things like that for legal reasons—I don't want to open myself or Paizo up to possible lawsuits down the road if something I read in year 1 ends up being too similar to something I write for Paizo in year 10.
|
Creative Director
|
1) Where on Golarian would you place Tsar and Rappan Athuk if the Powers-that-be determined this should become a reality?
2)Isle of Dread: Is it located in Mystara, or Greyhawk? My preference always was for the original location in Mystara, but I didn't get upset when it (Or Keep on the Borderlands) got retconned into Greyhawk.
1) I own both, but haven't read them yet so I can't say where would be a great place top lace them.
2) It's located in both.
|
Creative Director
|
continuation question sorry, What dieties would they worship since most of the current pantheons spawned after Aroden or were race specific? Also, would you allow Azlanti characters to have advanced firearms, since they were so techno savvy? Also would Pathfinder traits be available to an Azlanti, since most PF traits per class are based on the study of ancient tomes, history, archives?
Just because a Deity is indicated as being associated with a specific ethnicity doesn't mean they were always associated with that ethnicity. Desna for example, was not always a Varisian deity.
Azlanti weren't techno savvy. They had strong magic, but no guns.
And I'm not sure what you mean by "Pathfinder traits," since that could be referring to a lot of things.
And I'm not sure what you mean by "Pathfinder traits," since that could be referring to a lot of things.
The "XX Of The Society" feats, I assume, since he said by class.
|
Dear Mr. james Jacobs
School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level druid 1, ranger 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, DF
EFFECT
Range see description
Effect one animal whose CR is equal or less than your caster level
Duration 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw None; Spell Resistance None
DESCRIPTION
This spell calls the nearest wild animal of a particular type you designate (provided the animal's CR is equal to or less than your caster level) to seek you out. The animal moves toward you under its own power, so the time it takes to arrive depends on how close an animal of the desired type is when you cast the spell. If there is no animal of that type capable of reaching you within the spell's duration, you are aware of this fact, but the spell is wasted. Knowledge of the local fauna makes this spell more effective, and the GM may permit a Knowledge (nature) skill check (DC 15) to know what animals can be found in an area.
When the called animal arrives, it approaches to within 5 feet of you and remains nearby for the duration of the spell.
Its starting attitude is indifferent, modified by circumstances and interaction. Other than starting attitude, this spell gives you no special influence or ability to communicate with the called animal, although you may use other spells or abilities to do so.
Once the spell's duration expires, the animal acts in accordance with its attitude. Most animals will likely wander off, but a hostile predatory animal may attack, especially if it is hungry or provoked.
Domesticated animals or animals trained by someone else, including such creatures as familiars or animal companions, are unaffected by call animals.
Section 15: Copyright Notice - Advanced Player's Guide
School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level antipaladin 1, bard 2, druid 2, inquisitor 1, paladin 1, ranger 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 minute
Components V, S, M (a swatch of black cloth)
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one indifferent or friendly animal
Duration 1 hour/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes
Paizo Peripheral
This content is from material published by Paizo Publishing, LLC, but is not part of the Pathfinder Core Rules.
DESCRIPTION
You instill the target animal with the combat training general purpose (see Handle Animal). This supersedes the animal’s previous trained purpose and any tricks it knows. When the spell ends, it reverts to its previous trained purpose and known tricks.
Section 15: Copyright Notice - Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic. © 2011, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Jason Bulmahn, Tim Hitchcock, Colin McComb, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, Owen K.C. Stephens, and Russ Taylor.
So if i understand this right. Step 1: I cast Call animal.
Step 2: Cast wartrained on it.
Step 3: take it back to base.
step 4: Teach is trick after 1 week.
Am a missing a step?
Is it that simple to demonstrate wild animals and make them fight for you?
|
Creative Director
|
I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. In regards to PF traits, I was referring to the society traits of the Pathfinder Organization. Again thank you for your help.
Well... since traits are pretty much a PC only thing, and since there aren't any azlzntis available for PCs... no.
If you allow a PC to play an azlant, then yes.
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
How are tieflings and aasimar seen in Mendev? Particularly in Nerosyan?
I'm tempted to make a paladin of either species for Wrath of the Righteous. You've said yourself that the core concept of WotR (stemming a demonic invasion) is a cliché so I figure why not use it as an excuse for a character with a cliché core concept as well? Just add a few things to make them stand out, maybe make them a bit laid-back or relaxed about things until his code requires him to step in, and it could work.
Tieflings are seen with anything ranging from suspicion to immediate hostility. A tiefling had best hide his heritage in Mendev, or otherwise balance out the tiefling stuff by obviously being a paladin or good cleric or something like that—and even then, they'll face prejudice.
Aasimars on the other hand are treated VERY well, to the extent that often aasimars get overwhelmed and frustrated and annoyed at the pesky humans being overly adoring. Others automatically assume the aasimar is going to judge or arrest or scold them, and are antagonistic as a pre-emptive bit of behavior.
Both reactions tend to make tieflings and aasimars feel awkward and often unwelcome among crusaders.
All that said... I think a tiefling or aasimar PC would be a REALLY fun character to play in Wrath of the Righteous.
I have some questions in regards to a feat for you, James!
I'm not sure if anyone has asked this before, but I can't seem to find a definite answer anywhere on the forums- so I bring this to you.
The feat in question is Belier's Bite from Pathfinder Companion: Cheliax, Empire of Devils.
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike.
Benefit: When you damage an opponent with an unarmed strike, you deal an extra 1d4 bleed damage.
Special: This ability does not stack with other special abilities, attacks, or items that allow you to deal bleed damage.
My questions is- does the 'bleed damage' (1d4) listed in the feat, act as normal bleed damage (once per round) or does it go along with EACH Unarmed Strike? Also- there doesn't seem to be a way listed to NOT use the feat (doesn't say you MAY- just says 'you deal an extra-blahblah') so how does this feat work with dealing Nonlethal damage? (I don't believe nonlethal 'bleeding' is possible).
Thank you for your reply, if any!
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I have some questions in regards to a feat for you, James!
I'm not sure if anyone has asked this before, but I can't seem to find a definite answer anywhere on the forums- so I bring this to you.
The feat in question is Belier's Bite from Pathfinder Companion: Cheliax, Empire of Devils.
** spoiler omitted **
My questions is- does the 'bleed damage' (1d4) listed in the feat, act as normal bleed damage (once per round) or does it go along with EACH Unarmed Strike? Also- there doesn't seem to be a way listed to NOT use the feat (doesn't say you MAY- just says 'you deal an extra-blahblah') so how does this feat work with dealing Nonlethal damage? (I don't believe nonlethal 'bleeding' is possible).
Thank you for your reply, if any!
It acts as normal bleed damage. Bleed damage does not stack with itself, and so multiple unarmed strikes don't increase the bleed damage. I would also say that you have to strike the opponent for lethal damage, because it doesn't make sense flavor-wise to bleed from nonlethal damage at all.
