Creative Director
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Would you say those 20 languages from linguistics should be 'locked in' once chosen or created? Some people have theorized you could take it off, and then put it back on and learn 20 new languages the following day (since they don't become permanent until 24 hours have passed).
They would absolutely lock in, just as would any skill. Same reason that you can't change the skill ranks it grants.
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Creative Director
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Yeah, but why demon lord worshipers specifically? Most people who wanna play CN Nocticula/Socothbenoth worshipers seem to forget Calistria exists...Sort of a response to recent questions. What IS it with people wanting to play CN worshipers of demon lords?People like the bad guys. And CN demon lord worshipers are a way to do that without BEING a bad guy. In theory. And that's a pretty compelling option for a player who's playing in a game where evil isn't allowed.
Because demons are cool. I happen to agree. I can't explain that any more than explain why some folks like artichokes and some hate them. It's a matter of taste.
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Creative Director
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A lich, a nightmare lord and a dread mummy have each asked you out to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Which do you choose (if any), and why?
The nightmare lord, I guess, since the lich and mummy are gross and raspy and dead. But I'm not sure what kind of monster you're talking about when you say "nightmare lord."
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Creative Director
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Are 8th level Paladins immune to Enchantment (Compulsion) spells, or are they just immune to Enchantment (Charm) Spells and spell like abilities?
They're merely immune to charm spells. Enchantment (compulsion) spells work perfectly fine on them. And yeah... there's only a small fraction of charm spells compared to compulsion... that's specifically why the ability doesn't grant immunity to compulsions. That would be too good. As it stands, charm spells may be small in number but they (and their corresponding monster special attacks) are VERY common.
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Creative Director
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This is a similar vein to Icyshadow's question about writing. While I don't have any issues with writer's block, I have a hard time focusing on writing. I get easily distracted to the point where I will waste hours doing anything that isn't writing. Is there any way to combat that and focus?
Find a place to write that has fewer distractions. Writing at a coffee shop or a park or somewhere public can work quite well, especially if you have some music to listen to in order to block out distracting sounds. Just make sure the music is some that you've listened to so much that you're so familiar with it that it works as background noise.
And try to make the place and time that you write the same each day if you can so you can build it up to a routine or habit. That's something I still haven't managed to do.
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Creative Director
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Not a question James but something you may find amusing.
Mercury the kitten may only have two legs but he has adapted incredibly well and does the best damn t-rex impression you've can imagine on a kitty.
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Now the question, which if any of Baba Yaga's daughters have anything to do with the punishing winter New York and the rest of the East Coast is being pummeled with?
AAAAAWWW (sniffle)
None, she lives in Russia, remember?
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Creative Director
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Hey James, hope you're doing well! Question:
It gets increasingly hard for NPCs based on 0-hd creatures to hit the target CR numbers for hit points the higher level you try to make them, I try to give all my NPCs decent con scores, but it's not always thematically appropriate and sometimes I have to bump it up so much it makes their fort save really high. Do you have any tricks you suggest to counteract this or is it a non-issue?
That's why you see us often granting NPCs ability score boosting items or weapons/armor that's kinda boring since they only really work to up the damage and AC and saves and stuff. Still, it's not always possible to hit the numbers exactly, so just try to get as close as possible. Toughness is a great feat for NPCs for this reason, as is devoting all of their favored class points to hit points. You can also make use of their "before combat" tactics to let them use spell effects like false life or (if they're undead) desecrate to bolster hit points.
If you just can't get the hp where you want them, you can artificially just say "this guy has a unique effect that grants +50 (or whatever) hit points," or you can simply go with it and give the NPC some more bodyguards or healing support.
True about nightmare lords, forgot they where a template. Hm. Well, to the next question:
Your teleportation goes wrong and you find yourself in the middle of the ocean on the planet Castrovel (golarion's venus-analogue). You are equidistant from “The colonies”, “Sovyrian” and “Asana”. Which do you go to and why (note: you are still yourself, a human)? (This is very relevant, as I am currently trapped on Castrovel)
Castrovel has internet access?
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Creative Director
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True about nightmare lords, forgot they where a template. Hm. Well, to the next question:
Your teleportation goes wrong and you find yourself in the middle of the ocean on the planet Castrovel (golarion's venus-analogue). You are equidistant from “The colonies”, “Sovyrian” and “Asana”. Which do you go to and why (note: you are still yourself, a human)? (This is very relevant, as I am currently trapped on Castrovel)
Having never been to Castrovel I would like to explore it. But I would head to Sovyrian first, since I feel my personality and interests would make me a better fit there.
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Creative Director
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but why Socothbenoth? isn't he the pedophile god?Because demons are cool. I happen to agree. I can't explain that any more than explain why some folks like artichokes and some hate them. It's a matter of taste.Yeah, but why demon lord worshipers specifically? Most people who wanna play CN Nocticula/Socothbenoth worshipers seem to forget Calistria exists...Sort of a response to recent questions. What IS it with people wanting to play CN worshipers of demon lords?People like the bad guys. And CN demon lord worshipers are a way to do that without BEING a bad guy. In theory. And that's a pretty compelling option for a player who's playing in a game where evil isn't allowed.
Among other things, yes. You'd have to ask the people who want to play CN clerics/worshipers of Socothbenoth. In my games, and in books I develop, I would probably not allow non-evil worshipers of him... or of MOST demon lords, for that matter. Exceptions in print, when they are made, are for specific story purposes.
Of all of the gods, is neutral aligned gods more inclined to have followers of differing alignments?
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Creative Director
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You own a very special top hat. A Slaad & a Modron offer to buy it off you for a fair (but equal) price. To which do you sell it (if at all) and why?
Neither. They're both non-open product identity and I naturally mistrust that they have my best interests in mind.
Haven't seen a new issue of the Pathfinder comics in a while, is that still going to continue or did it get cancelled (please god no)
on that note are there any plans to bring in the rest of the iconics into the comics? I like Valeros and company but I wouldn't mind seeing some of the others pop in and/or have an arc centered around them, Sajan, Feiya, and Alaharzra to name a few. For that matter are we ever going to see any novels dealing with the Iconics?
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Creative Director
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Haven't seen a new issue of the Pathfinder comics in a while, is that still going to continue or did it get cancelled (please god no)
on that note are there any plans to bring in the rest of the iconics into the comics? I like Valeros and company but I wouldn't mind seeing some of the others pop in and/or have an arc centered around them, Sajan, Feiya, and Alaharzra to name a few. For that matter are we ever going to see any novels dealing with the Iconics?
The comics are continuing; they just had a scheduling hiccup.
We'll slowly introduce new iconics now and then, but for the time being the current lineup isn't going to change.
We have no plans on doing novels about the iconics; their place is in more visual mediums, like comic books.
Facebook video of a real-life Sphere of Annihilation underwater?
Hi James,
A few questions on the theme of ascending to divinity on Golarion.
1.) Must a mortal be Mythic before attaining the godhead? Or can one skip to the end, so to speak?
2.) Is there, or could there be an alchemical means of divine ascension?
3.) Excepting the Starstone and being born a godling, what are a few cool ways for mortals to become Gods?
My thanks for your cosmic wisdom.
Hi James!
Ancient and Hellenistic Egypt played a huge role in the development of astrology in the West. I wonder: Did Osirion have a similar impact on the development of astrology in Golarion?
Thank you for your continued commitment to answering our endless questions!
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Creative Director
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Hi James,
A few questions on the theme of ascending to divinity on Golarion.
1.) Must a mortal be Mythic before attaining the godhead? Or can one skip to the end, so to speak?
2.) Is there, or could there be an alchemical means of divine ascension?
3.) Excepting the Starstone and being born a godling, what are a few cool ways for mortals to become Gods?
My thanks for your cosmic wisdom.
1) A mortal need not be mythic before becoming a deity, but the methods by which a mortal becomes a deity are left to your GM.
2) Anything is possible as far as gods are concerned.
3) Drowning and being reborn in the blood of a dead god. Falling into the deepest rift of the Abyss and coming out the other side a god. Being ascended to divinity by a god who's fallen in love with you. Being ascended to a deity by a strange orange mote of light that drifted up out of the sea while you dreamed. Anything that's mysterious and thought-provoking and compelling is a good reason to build a story where someone becomes a god.
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Creative Director
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Hi James!
Ancient and Hellenistic Egypt played a huge role in the development of astrology in the West. I wonder: Did Osirion have a similar impact on the development of astrology in Golarion?
Thank you for your continued commitment to answering our endless questions!
We've got more to say soon about Golarion astrology; don't wanna say too much about it yet.
We have no plans on doing novels about the iconics; their place is in more visual mediums, like comic books.
And Audio plays.
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James,
Question from a ninja player. How many ki points are ninjas allowed to spend a round for abilities? Is it like being a wizard where you can only cast one spell a round, so a ninja can only use one ninja trick a round? Or are you allowed to use multiple ninja tricks that take up different kinds of actions (swift, standard, etc).
Who are you favorite Hero and Heroine and why? A list of runner ups are also appreciated...
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Howdy James! First off I'd like to thank you for answering my earlier questions (and everyone elses!) It's certainly appreciated and definitely cool.
Now for another question..
What exactly is your job at Paizo? Does being a Creative Director mean you write guidelines and projects that other writers flesh out? Do you sit in a handsome chair and think what would be cool for Golarion? Do you have a luxurious cat whom you pet while thinking what would be destructive for Golarion?
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so the cleric just puts the offering on a altar and it just disappears?and when a cleric makes a offering(gift) to there god does the god receive the offering(gift)? if so how does the god receive the offering(gift)?The god does receive it, but how it's received is unrevealed to us mortals.
I'm not James Jacobs, but I'd imagine it's different for each deity. Followers of Sarenrae might leave an offering in the sunset, then returning the next dawn to find it missing. Cayden Cailean might consider a toast or a round of drinks in his name as "good enough" and not actually interact with any offerings.
Just my 2cp.
Was Urgathoa acquainted with Charon (or other members of the Four Horsemen) while she was still mortal?
I noticed that recently Amazon allows to write fan fiction of copyrighted material, and a fee is paid to the original copyright owner. "The vampire diaries" is an example. I believe it is called "Kindle worlds". Is there any chance we might see this happening for Pathfinder and/or Golarion? (Sorry for my bad English, I am not a native speaker!)
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James, I'm planning to run a game soon based on the assassination of an Elven king in Sovyrian, and I'm brainstorming things to include/deal with. PCs are all level 8, and NPCs are between level 6 and 12.
1. What tools could the assassins use to help ensure that the king can't be resurrected?
2. What ideas might the assassins come up with to frame the PCs (strangers from another planet, there for research) for the assassination? They would need to work against 10th-12th level security measures.
3. What could be some good ways for the PCs to find clues that connect the real assassins to the mastermind -- an ambitious nobleman -- while they evade capture by the authorities?
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Creative Director
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In Herald of the Ivory Labyrinth, when it refers to Alderpash and his inability to achieve mythic status:
1) Igramalash is not only MR 7, he's an actual quasi-deity as part of it. Alderpash's creation of him seems to have manipulated mythic power on a most-definitely-not-inconsequential level, and yet Alderpash himself is still very much not mythic, or even in possession of the Mythic Companion feat (not mythic, but "has a place" in the mythic world). How exactly did that wind up happening? Was Igramalash just a once in a lifetime lucky success that he could never replicate? He did, after all, create an actual quasi-god out of it.
2) When Alderpash is angry at Xanderghul and Sorshen for "becoming mythic" while he was unable to, how would he refer to their achievement in a conversation? You've mentioned in the past that "mythic power" can be any one of many different things, but is it actually referred to by in-world NPCs as "mythic power" in a catch-all sense? How would Alderpash reference what Xanderghul and Sorshen achieved?
1) The fact that Alderpash helped create Igramalash but is unable himself to become Mythic is in fact one of the ways that his inability to become mythic is frustrating to him. It was a combination of luck and the fact that Igramalash was destined for what he became.
2) He'd basically complain that the manipulation of magic always came easier to them, that their achievements were more famous and more impactful, and that their followers and power was just more than his even though he fought tooth and nail for it. He's pretty close to have been a runelord of envy... but he was too angry for that.
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Creative Director
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1) Given the treatment of kitsune as a player race, and that we know catfolk exist in the Valashmai Jungle, would your personal preferences for a nekomata be: a) a unique magical beast with the shapechanger subtype, b) the term used in the Dragon Empires to refer to catfolk in general, c) as B, but specifically referring to catfolk who have a bloodline related to fire or necromancy, who often grow a second tail, d) an oni that is to catfolk what nogitsune are to kitsune and yamabushi are to tengu?
2) Given that Earth is actually supposed to be in the same setting as Golarion, does it ever get confusing trying to make the distinction between 'creatures we base off of Earth mythology/occultic lore', and 'creatures which are a part of Earth mythology/occultic lore because they interacted with Earth'? I mean, we have myths about dwarves, elves, kitsune, tengu, and other such on Earth, does that imply that they once dwelt on the planet, or is it essentially coincidental, mythology that converges with reality elsewhere, or even something more odd, like gathering glimpses of reality on different planets via the Dimension of Dream while sleeping? Aeons/Monad in gnosticism, demon lords, and a lot more...you've said Lamashtu and Pazuzu once had their fingers dabbling about on Earth, so I guess it just seems very chicken and the egg on a meta level as to which is supposed to have come first in the context of the setting on Earth, monsters inspired by myth, monsters inspiring myth...
3) The text for the shadow walk spell says, "Shadow walk can also be used to travel to other planes that border on the Plane of Shadow, but this usage requires the transit of the Plane of Shadow to arrive at a border with another plane of reality." Exactly which planes are considered to border on the Plane of Shadow? I would guess the Dimension of Dream, the Ethereal Plane, the First World, Leng, the Material Plane, the Negative Energy Plane? Not sure if the Plane of Air should count, or the Astral Plane...and is there a reason that the possible planes aren't specified in the spell?
1) I'd rather not muddy the waters with new variants of catfolk or kitsue. We've got those in the game already, and neither's been all that well expanded or explored yet... introducing new versions of the same thing before we give those two the attention they deserve isn't something I'm eager to do. So for now, I just wouldn't have the word "nekomata" appear in the game at all.
2) Earth is in the same universe as Golarion. That's not the same setting. It doesn't get confusing making the distinction between Earth myths and Golarion myths, especially if you consider that there could well have been travelers from Golarion where those myths are real who came to earth and told stories and "infected" our mythology with those tales, transposing Golarion reality into Earth mythology.
3) The Material Plane and Ethereal Plane and Negative Energy plane all border the Plane of Shadow. Beyond that, the Dimension of Dreams and Leng would certainly be logical extensions to that list. The elemental planes do not, and neither does the First World or the Positive Energy plane or any of the outer planes, with the POSSIBLE exception of the Astral Plane.
You'd have to ask the people who want to play CN clerics/worshipers of Socothbenoth. In my games, and in books I develop, I would probably not allow non-evil worshipers of him... or of MOST demon lords, for that matter. Exceptions in print, when they are made, are for specific story purposes.
I have a theory that one of the differences between 'proper' deities and the demigods that work 99% the same from a Cleric's perspective is that true deities, having more power and broader portfolios, can appeal to a wider range of worshipers. Asmodeus can have LN followers as the God of Contracts, and Lamashtu can have CN followers as the Goddess of Mutation. But if you try to worship a mere Demon Lord with a CN or NE alignment, you're not close enough to actually draw clerical power.
That is, the weaker the deity, the harder they are to 'tune into'.
(Inversely, this explains how the greater deities can have schisms where power sides retain cleric powers, but lesser gods/demigods can't rise above cult status.)
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Creative Director
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James,
Question from a ninja player. How many ki points are ninjas allowed to spend a round for abilities? Is it like being a wizard where you can only cast one spell a round, so a ninja can only use one ninja trick a round? Or are you allowed to use multiple ninja tricks that take up different kinds of actions (swift, standard, etc).
Same as for a monk or rogue, whatever that would be.
