Creative Director
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Nope. Not at all. Especially since a lot of the characters who you initially regard as "bad guys" end up being "good guys" and vice versa as the books/show goes on. But the fact that the story is so brutal, and that death can come to anyone at any time, makes it a VERY refreshing story.So would you regard the cast as just a lot of very deeply flawed people rather than good or bad guys?
I regard the cast as a lot of very talented actors.
I regard the characters as a wide range of cool and interesting characters, all of whom have flaws and traitsthat define them.
So we know Nocticula is close to divinity from her lore but how close. Would slaying two more demon lords push her over the edge?That's not something I'm yet ready to reveal... but there's some info about that in the last Wrath of the Righteous...
Exactly why i wanted to know :)
Hey James. Sorry to bother you again but I had a couple of questions regarding Hunter's Tricks from the Skirmisher archetype for the ranger and I really hoped that you could help:
Stag’s Leap (Ex): As a free action, the Ranger can attempt a running jump without moving 10 feet before the jump.
1) So my question is this: does the "Stag's Leap" ability count as movement? From the description, it seems to suggest that performing a Stag's Leap is a 'free action', thus allowing a character to 'move' while still being able to use their full-round action after their 'jump' is complete. Is this the case, or am I reading it wrong?
Surprise Shift (Ex): The Ranger can move 5 feet as a swift action. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity and does not count as a 5-foot step.
2) My next question is pretty simple: can Surprise Shift be used in conjunction with a 5-foot step all in the same round (thus allowing you to technically move 10 feet while still being able to perform a full-round action)?
Rattling Strike (Ex): The Ranger can use this trick as a free action before he makes a melee attack. If the attack hits, the target is shaken for 1d4 rounds.
3) Because of the rules regarding fear effects (in that they are cumulative), I was curious to know if getting hit by two Rattling Strikes would make an enemy frightened (or panicked if they were hit three times)? I realize this doesn't work with the 'intimidate' skill, but I wasn't sure if it worked with Rattling Strike or not.
Again, I realize that some of these questions should be asked on the rules forums, but I was really hoping for your own personal input on how you would rule all this. Thanks again for your time and take care :)
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Creative Director
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Hey James. Sorry to bother you again but I had a couple of questions regarding Hunter's Tricks from the Skirmisher archetype for the ranger and I really hoped that you could help:
Stag’s Leap (Ex): As a free action, the Ranger can attempt a running jump without moving 10 feet before the jump.1) So my question is this: does the "Stag's Leap" ability count as movement? From the description, it seems to suggest that performing a Stag's Leap is a 'free action', thus allowing a character to 'move' while still being able to use their full-round action after their 'jump' is complete. Is this the case, or am I reading it wrong?
Surprise Shift (Ex): The Ranger can move 5 feet as a swift action. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity and does not count as a 5-foot step.2) My next question is pretty simple: can Surprise Shift be used in conjunction with a 5-foot step all in the same round (thus allowing you to technically move 10 feet while still being able to perform a full-round action)?
Rattling Strike (Ex): The Ranger can use this trick as a free action before he makes a melee attack. If the attack hits, the target is shaken for 1d4 rounds.3) Because of the rules regarding fear effects (in that they are cumulative), I was curious to know if getting hit by two Rattling Strikes would make an enemy frightened (or panicked if they were hit three times)? I realize this doesn't work with the 'intimidate' skill, but I wasn't sure if it worked with Rattling Strike or not.
Again, I realize that some of these questions should be asked on the rules forums, but I was really hoping for your own personal input on how you would rule all this. Thanks again for your time and take care :)
1) Yes. Activating Stag's Leap is a free action, but doing so doesn't add free movement.
2) Yes.
3) No.
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Creative Director
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1) What do Moloch and Szuriel think of each other?
2) What's Calistria's opinion on succubi in general and her worshipers binding them in particular?
3) Leanan sidhe pride themselves as patrons of the art, and it seems implied that at least some of their 'victims' enter into it willingly despite knowing the likely outcome. Given that lillends are known to fill similar roles on occasion, albeit with a less unsavory outcome, and love art as well, what do you think their opinions of each other tends to be?
1) They are not friends.
2) They're untrustworthy troublemakers who nonetheless can, at times, have their uses. She accepts evil worshipers, and they're going to be the ones binding succubi more often than not.
3) They're unlikely to be allies, since lillends are a LOT more friendly about how they do things and a lot less self-centered. But really, this is one where it can vary wildly on a case-by-case basis.
James, is bisexuality the norm in Golarion? I'm asking because of this comment.
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James, is bisexuality the norm in Golarion? I'm asking because of this comment.
The closest to that comment I've heard was that the playable iconics were assumed to be whatever sexuality a player wanted them to be.
If an awakened animal were to breed, would its offspring be intelligent?
I was struck by the highly amusing mental image of a wizard or witch taking in a goat kid as an apprentice.
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James, is bisexuality the norm in Golarion? I'm asking because of this comment.
Nope; it's not the norm.
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Creative Director
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James, is bisexuality the norm in Golarion? I'm asking because of this comment.The closest to that comment I've heard was that the playable iconics were assumed to be whatever sexuality a player wanted them to be.
Not entirely true either.
All of the iconics have sexual preferences, but until the time is appropriate to reveal them, such as in the pages of a story featuring them, it's just not something we've needed to cover, frankly.
What may be closer to the mark is when we put in sexually-themed encounters in adventures, such as with allied NPCs who might build romantic relationships with PCs, or Shayless from "Burnt Offerings," or so on... since we don't know what gender or sexual orientation any one PC might be who will be in that situation we prefer to let the GM handle whether or not the NPC is gay or straight or whatever. It's sometimes easier to say the NPC is bisexual rather than type out the whole preceding paragraph, even if it's a lot less accurate.
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James, rule question that I think you can resolve without generating fuss [and that change a lot how a succubus work so, so you are interested in resolving it :-) ].
There are 2 different text for the casting time of SLA:
CRB magic chapter:
A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.
Bestiary - Universal monster rules:
Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity.
I (probably influence by how they worked in the 1st and 2nd edition) have always used the Bestiary rule, having them require a standard action unless the monster ability explicitly said the SLA had a different casting time.
I had missed the first version until reading about it in another thread today.Several GM that I know do the same.
So, what version of the text is correct? CRB or Bestiary?
How do you run it in your games?
You can contact someone to make an errata so that both text say the same thing?
I suspect I have always played it wrong :(
Have you heard of the Hero Forge Kickstarter? Hero Forge is a program that will allow users to custom design minis in 3D form, and then order that mini to be 3D printed for you.
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James, I've seen you mention multiple characters that you play or plan to play. I'm curious, do you GM too? And if so, what are you GMing at the moment?
Just wanted to add a massive thankyou for all your responses both here and across the forum. It's great to feel like you have the direct line to the powers that be in your hobby of choice.
Have you ever had a gunslinger player do Ash Williams' "This is my BOOMstick" speech? That seems like something every gunslinger should do at some point.
In addition, what do you think of Balazar/Padrig's origin story? All I could think was "Big Damn Heroes," and it actually led me to create this TV Tropes page. Now if I only had more moments...
What would be some good spells for Baphomet to have running as his "standard" set of ongoing buff spells? This mainly comes from me having players of mid to high optimization skill and noticing his use scroll power was woefully under utilized.
Your friend wants to GM an AP for you and your buddies.
Do you already have a character concept and you try to show horn it into the AP?
Or do you read the player companion and start building one using the information provided?
Any other considerations you make?
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Creative Director
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James, rule question that I think you can resolve without generating fuss [and that change a lot how a succubus work so, so you are interested in resolving it :-) ].
There are 2 different text for the casting time of SLA:
CRB magic chapter:
A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.Bestiary - Universal monster rules:
Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity.I (probably influence by how they worked in the 1st and 2nd edition) have always used the Bestiary rule, having them require a standard action unless the monster ability explicitly said the SLA had a different casting time.
I had missed the first version until reading about it in another thread today.
Several GM that I know do the same.So, what version of the text is correct? CRB or Bestiary?
How do you run it in your games?
You can contact someone to make an errata so that both text say the same thing?
I suspect I have always played it wrong :(
Those aren't 2 different texts for casting times of a spell-like ability. They're different situations.
Activating a spell like ability is a standard action UNLESS there's unusual circumstances. In the case of a constant SLA, activating it after it's been dispelled or whatever is a swift action.
The Bestiary rule is correct; the reason swift action for constant SLAs isn't mentioned in the core rulebook is due to the fact that there's nothing in the core rulebook that has constant SLAs. That was an innovation we came up with for the Bestiary.
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So for NPCs who could be romance options, you could say that they have Shroedinger's Orientation? Exists everywhere and nowhere on the spectrum until observed?James, is bisexuality the norm in Golarion? I'm asking because of this comment.The closest to that comment I've heard was that the playable iconics were assumed to be whatever sexuality a player wanted them to be.
Not entirely true either.
All of the iconics have sexual preferences, but until the time is appropriate to reveal them, such as in the pages of a story featuring them, it's just not something we've needed to cover, frankly.
What may be closer to the mark is when we put in sexually-themed encounters in adventures, such as with allied NPCs who might build romantic relationships with PCs, or Shayless from "Burnt Offerings," or so on... since we don't know what gender or sexual orientation any one PC might be who will be in that situation we prefer to let the GM handle whether or not the NPC is gay or straight or whatever. It's sometimes easier to say the NPC is bisexual rather than type out the whole preceding paragraph, even if it's a lot less accurate.
HA. Cute.
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Creative Director
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Have you heard of the Hero Forge Kickstarter? Hero Forge is a program that will allow users to custom design minis in 3D form, and then order that mini to be 3D printed for you.
Huh... haven't heard of it. Interesting.
Of course, I'm a somewhat unique case there. If I want a custom mini, I can talk with Erik about getting it put on Reaper's or Wiz Kids' schedule! :P
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Creative Director
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What media, movies, Books, comics, tv shows or video games would recommend for inspiration for mythic powers/abilities? Just trying to find more ways to make some Mythic Monsters more interesting than picking abilities already available.
Anything to do with superheroes is a good place to look for mythic type inspiration. The Thor movies are a great example since they've got some fantasy elements in them.
There's some cool inspiration in D&D's Epic Level Handbook and associated support products, along with the Master and Immortal rules.
Anything from mythology works well also; stories about characters like Hercules or Perseus or so on.
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Creative Director
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James, I've seen you mention multiple characters that you play or plan to play. I'm curious, do you GM too? And if so, what are you GMing at the moment?
Just wanted to add a massive thankyou for all your responses both here and across the forum. It's great to feel like you have the direct line to the powers that be in your hobby of choice.
Traditionally, I'm the GM. Over the past 3 decades or so of my gaming history, I'd say that I'm probably 60% GM and 40% player.
Currently, I'm GMing the following games:
1) Sands of the Scorpion God I (Pathfinder): This game plays every other Thursday, and is a campaign that started as the Shadows Under Sandpoint game for the editorial folk. They're currently playing through Gygax's Necropolis. The party just gained their first mythic tier.
2) Sands of the Scorpion God II (Pathfinder): This is the other half of the group that started the Shadows under Sandpoint campaign. As we hired more and more folks to the team, the group grew as well, and I had to split it into two groups of 5 players. This game plays every other Wednesday; they've just started Maure Castle from Dungeon #112.
3) Temple of Elemental Evil (Pathfinder): This game plays every other week, but the exact day shifts. It's for all the developers. They're currently deep under the moathouse—we've only played 3 or 4 times so far.
4) Masks of Nyarlathotep (Call of Cthulhu): This game plays VERY infrequently, which I need to fix, on Sundays. We're about 2/3 the way through the campaign.
I'm planning/hoping to start up a Star Frontiers game in the near future also. And I'd like to do an all-day 1st edition Tomb of Horrors to see how long folks can last.
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Creative Director
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1) What exactly is the source of a bard's magic in Golarion? In 3.5, it said that bards drew power from the music of their own souls, but in Pathfinder it instead mentions something about wonders and secrets that bards unravel with cleverness, magic, and talent. So, is the source still from the music of their souls, or is it supposed to be something else?
2) In Golarion, can anyone of sufficient intelligence become a wizard, or does it require them having some form of innate magic? I always thought possessing innate magic was what separated sorcerers from wizards, who just learned to manipulate existing magic, but I've heard some people assert pretty strongly that only those who already have magic can actually become a wizard...so I thought I'd ask you?
3) Succubus swashbuckler pirates attacking people on the high seas, good or bad idea?
3a) Do succubi ever worship chaotic neutral gods, like Besmara or Calistria?
1) Bards are arcane spellcasters, so their source is the same as other arcane spellcasters—they have the ability to directly manipulate magic to create effects. Wizards do so thanks to their studies, sorcerers via innate inborn talent, witches by being taught secrets by their patrons, and bards by their sheer force of creative talent and will—they sort of combine the way wizards and sorcerers do it, in other words. Doesn't have anything to do with their souls.
2) Anyone can become a wizard, yes. The more intelligent you are, the better you'll be at it, of course. Likewise, anyone can become a sorcerer, but the more charismatic you are, the better you'll be at it. We don't require every character to decide at the moment of creation whether or not they have the innate bloodline chops to become a sorcerer or not. That's too much paperwork. And bloodlines can manifest from hidden wells of power previously unguessed at, of course.
3) Good idea.
3a) It's possible, but the succubus would still be chaotic evil.
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Creative Director
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Have you ever had a gunslinger player do Ash Williams' "This is my BOOMstick" speech? That seems like something every gunslinger should do at some point.
In addition, what do you think of Balazar/Padrig's origin story? All I could think was "Big Damn Heroes," and it actually led me to create this TV Tropes page. Now if I only had more moments...
Nope.
As for Balazar's origin story, I love it.
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Creative Director
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What would be some good spells for Baphomet to have running as his "standard" set of ongoing buff spells? This mainly comes from me having players of mid to high optimization skill and noticing his use scroll power was woefully under utilized.
Normally, he wouldn't have any extra spells running apart from his constant spell-like abilities. If he found someone who could challenge him, he may well teleport away to use his scroll use power and resources to buff up, of course.
Now... you'll note that Baphomet has an Intelligence of 37. That's significantly higher than you and me. One way to model that in game is to let Baphomet use metagame knowledge. He's absolutely smart enough to know all of the PCs tactics, as if he'd been watching their every act from 1st level on up, and so he (and thus you as the GM) know what spells would work best to protect him from the group. If you know your PCs can hit AC 45 with ease, then Baphomet knows that as well and he should prep with barkskin and shield and mage armor (which would increase his AC by 13 points to AC 58). If you know your PCs use a lot of sonic damage, Baphomet would certainly cast resist energy (sonic) on himself. And so on.
As designed, Baphomet should be MORE than enough to significantly challenge any group that encounters him at the end of the adventure, but as with all encounters, we don't know your group at all, whereas you do. His scroll use ability was specifically put in there to give him a lot of options for preparing for battle and the like, and it's there for you to use as you wish so you can make him as powerful and as complex as you want. It's absolutely not necessary for every group, but it's there if the GM needs it.
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Creative Director
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How do the paladins of the world treat one another? Do they sort of recognize one another as part of a universal brotherhood despite the differences in the gods they worship?
That's like asking "How do the police officers of Earth treat each other." It depends on countless variables—personality, proximity, history, religion, region, race, etc.
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Creative Director
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Your friend wants to GM an AP for you and your buddies.
Do you already have a character concept and you try to show horn it into the AP?
Or do you read the player companion and start building one using the information provided?
Any other considerations you make?
I never try to shoehorn a PC into an AP. That only leads to frustration for me and for the GM, and it's an immature and willful way to play the game.
I'd read the player companion, or at the very least would talk to the GM. I want to build a character who will fit perfectly into the AP's themes, because that leads to the most satisfying game play experience.
Quick question on the AP's.
When it says to award the characters Story XP for something, is that per person or divided among then like combat xp?
Is the sin energy used by the ancient runelords the same thing used to create demons in the abyss? If so, were they actually preventing the creation of fiends?
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How do the paladins of the world treat one another? Do they sort of recognize one another as part of a universal brotherhood despite the differences in the gods they worship?That's like asking "How do the police officers of Earth treat each other." It depends on countless variables—personality, proximity, history, religion, region, race, etc.
Do people in Varisia use Chelaxian nomenclature in regards to coinage (pinch, sail, crown etc.)?
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James, rule question that I think you can resolve without generating fuss [and that change a lot how a succubus work so, so you are interested in resolving it :-) ].
There are 2 different text for the casting time of SLA:
CRB magic chapter:
A spell-like ability . In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.Bestiary - Universal monster rules:
Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity.I (probably influence by how they worked in the 1st and 2nd edition) have always used the Bestiary rule, having them require a standard action unless the monster ability explicitly said the SLA had a different casting time.
I had missed the first version until reading about it in another thread today.
Several GM that I know do the same.So, what version of the text is correct? CRB or Bestiary?
How do you run it in your games?
You can contact someone to make an errata so that both text say the same thing?
I suspect I have always played it wrong :(
Those aren't 2 different texts for casting times of a spell-like ability. They're different situations.
Activating a spell like ability is a standard action UNLESS there's unusual circumstances. In the case of a constant SLA, activating it after it's been dispelled or whatever is a swift action.
The Bestiary rule is correct; the reason swift action for constant SLAs isn't mentioned in the core rulebook is due to the fact that there's nothing in the core rulebook that has constant SLAs. That was an innovation we came up with for the Bestiary.
My problem isn't the swift action it is the bolded part of the text in the phrase: "has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description".
If a succubus is casting Dominate person as a SLA, it has a casting time of 1 standard action or 1 round?
I have posted the question in the rule forum and I see that at least a few person are as confused as me.
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Creative Director
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Is the sin energy used by the ancient runelords the same thing used to create demons in the abyss? If so, were they actually preventing the creation of fiends?
Sort of. The runelords actually don't use "sin energy." If you're talking about the greed that Karzoug uses to fuel his runewell in "Rise of the Runelords," that's actually soul energy, in which case the answer is yes. What's preventing the runelords from creating demons is the fact that they're not the Abyss.
Is the sin energy used by the ancient runelords the same thing used to create demons in the abyss? If so, were they actually preventing the creation of fiends?Sort of. The runelords actually don't use "sin energy." If you're talking about the greed that Karzoug uses to fuel his runewell in "Rise of the Runelords," that's actually soul energy, in which case the answer is yes. What's preventing the runelords from creating demons is the fact that they're not the Abyss.
Thank you, yes, that was what I meant, sorry for getting the terminology slightly wrong.
I've posted on the rules forum, but I'd like your opinion, and I know it's an opinion.
If you look at the warden in Wrath otR #5, she's using +1 Defending Swords.
It specifically says in her tactics that if she loses her armor, she'll take all the defending bonuses from her swords and apply them at the same time.
Which meant that the defending bonuses from multiple weapons STACK, which I never thought was the case.
1) Was this an editing miss, or is it an official ruling?
2) I don't consider it unbalanced, per se, but I'd make it a unique ability of the warden, not a standard rule.
Your thoughts?
==Aelryinth