>>Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!<<


Off-Topic Discussions

46,601 to 46,650 of 83,732 << first < prev | 928 | 929 | 930 | 931 | 932 | 933 | 934 | 935 | 936 | 937 | 938 | next > last >>

I am under the assumption that "Valkyries" and the ties to the old norse mythos is kind of split across the good aligned outer planes. Would that mean that they are somewhat of a "mercenary" aspect for whomever they might serve, or is it just a generalization of "soul recruiters" for the good aligned?

On another note: would it be a possibility that we can get some aspects based on the valkyries such as Magic, Bloodlines, Gear, Traits, Mysteries or similar?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:
The NPC wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:


Why do you think? Because it's a combination of subject matter that the game isn't really intended to support at its core and a subject matter that can edge into material that would make the more puritanical of our customers rise up with torches and pitchforks and because there are other books that are more interesting to them.
Why use puritanical as a pejorative?

Because I think that a puritanical viewpoint, especially one that embraces violence but vilifies sex, is not something to approve of or strive for or think of as a good thing. The connotations of "Puritanical" are not good ones.

The word essentially means excessively strict and moral, especially in a religious way. And it's my opinion that being too strict rigid when it comes to any world view is self-limiting and damaging to society.

If you're looking for a answer that's even closer to the source, I'd suggest you read Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter", which I believe is considered the first published American novel.

Shadow Lodge

James Jacobs wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
So James, with the release of the technology guide will I be able to make one of these?
Actually... nope. There are no rules for miniguns in the tech guide.

But there are miniguns in the giant annihilator robot T-T. Might we be getting minguns in the Iron gods book?

Radiant Oath

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

1) Looks like the best way to reconcile deity worship with totemism is to play an oracle, then. That sounds pretty BAMF actually. They sound more up my alley than druids. And the warpriest and shaman aren't out yet anyway. Thanks for the clarification! :)

2) I thought as much. What's the best way to mimic the real falchion with Pathfinder's weapons? A falchion's basically a like a machete or cutlass.

3) Thanks for the opinion!

4) I suppose that's true. A character probably takes Divine Source if they WANT to be a god, and they sort of KNOW what they want their favored weapon to be.

5) So, is that Shoanti in Birthplace of Legends with the whitish-blue tattoos an anomaly? Or was that just to show off the tattoos in the illustration.

6) Which I've no problem with. In fact, I think that adds to the drama for the character! Besides, my character in mind would have grown up in Korvosa and only really learned snippets of Shoanti lore from his exiled Shoanti mom.

Thanks for the answers, James! I will begin brainstorming more questions!


James Jacobs wrote:
Winfred wrote:

So if I was going to "use" your post in an ongoing argument I would say hey this is what James Jacobs said. He is not a part of the rules team so this well may be a house rule but I tend to find his responses to be level headed so any gms who need a decision right now could use this until the FAQ team gets around to it.

Now would you still be uncomfortable with that? If so I won't do it...Just trying to figure out what is helping other people vs making James mad!

In fact, that's precisely the type of use of my posts that makes me uncomfortable.

One of the things that bothers me the most is the implication that I know the rules of the game less than the design team, despite the fact that I've been using the rules for longer than most of the design team, and AS long as Jason has been... and in fact have much more experience in implementing the rules into the form of adventures than the rules team does... but somehow, my input on rules is deemed/interpreted as faulty or flawed by some. It's frustrating and kind of insulting, but I try not to let it get to me. One of the ways I try to not let it get to me, frankly, is by avoiding getting embroiled in topics or threads that give folks opportunities to take this stance against me.

The fact that I choose to spend a fair amount of my free time and a portion of my work hours online here answering questions is my own choice. The fact that the design team doesn't have as active a role on these forums is more an indication that they have busier personal lives than I do than any real desire for them to not take part in these threads.

AKA: I've been burned enough online by folks reacting poorly to my attempt to provide rules feedback, and have had some in-house blowback from management and the design team, that I'm just increasingly hesitant and uninterested in providing feedback, clarifications, and rulings on content that's appeared in the rulebook line.

I'm ABSOLUTELY WILLING to provide feedback and clarifications and...

But I like your rulings. You're the spirit of the rules guy to me. The entire fact that you've been using the rules longer than pretty much the entire design team is why I asked my previous questions. Please don't stop answering my questions if I ask them! At my table, I prefer to run by intent. I don't post on these forums often. And everyone at my Favorite Local Gaming Store value your knowledge and/or opinion on things we're unclear with because we respect you.


Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)


Alan_Beven wrote:
Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)

I guess i am rather "innocent" on the topic... but i was thinking that a "romance" book of the inner seas would be of the different cultures of romance and courting, and not so much as the "how to get laid" aspect.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Evan Tarlton wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
xavier c wrote:

I still think a "Romance of the Inner Sea" book would be cool too.I think you guys can Handel it maturity

Personally and i don't understand it.I mean there was three threads asking "where all the sexy men at" on these forums.All i was asking for was can we have a book talking about more then just sexuality on Golarion and. some People liked the idea and some People got all Defensive about it

I'm not the one you need to convince of this, so posting here isn't gonna do much. ;)

But the fact that people DO get all strung up and freaked out and weird about things concerning sexuality is the reason a book like this is a hard one to get approved. You need to convince the public that it's a good idea, frankly, and that's unlikely to happen anytime soon, given America's weird disconnect with acceptance of violence but shame about sex and romance.

Would it help if we got Mikaze on the case?

He's not already on the case?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Kilrex wrote:
James, when are you going to get someone to update your photo on the Pathfinderwiki?

Shrug.

I wasn't involved in the current photo being put there, actually. If someone wants to find a more recent one and put it up there, fine.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Lou Diamond wrote:

James, I have a question on animal companions. Are animal companions Separate form the PC that they are a part of? The reason that I am asking the somewhat obscure question is that Command word activation says the character must hold the item.

IF the AC is wearing a collar that requires a command word and is part of the character [does not Independently function w/o the character] the AC's master should be able to say the command word that activates the collar.

Could you tell me if I'm full of hooey on this.

An animal companion is played by the player of the character, but it is a completely separate creature. An animal companion wearing an item that needs to be activated by command word can't use that item unless you magic the animal up so it can talk.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Dracoknight wrote:

I am under the assumption that "Valkyries" and the ties to the old norse mythos is kind of split across the good aligned outer planes. Would that mean that they are somewhat of a "mercenary" aspect for whomever they might serve, or is it just a generalization of "soul recruiters" for the good aligned?

On another note: would it be a possibility that we can get some aspects based on the valkyries such as Magic, Bloodlines, Gear, Traits, Mysteries or similar?

At this point, we don't have many plans for valkyries beyond what we've done in the bestiary in which they appear. If we DO... they'll be linked to the Land of the Linnorm Kings, I suspect.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

doc the grey wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
So James, with the release of the technology guide will I be able to make one of these?
Actually... nope. There are no rules for miniguns in the tech guide.

But there are miniguns in the giant annihilator robot T-T. Might we be getting minguns in the Iron gods book?

Nope. The annihilator robot has them, but that doesn't mean PCs get them. There are no plans to add them to Iron Gods as separate items at this time.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Archpaladin Zousha wrote:

1) Looks like the best way to reconcile deity worship with totemism is to play an oracle, then. That sounds pretty BAMF actually. They sound more up my alley than druids. And the warpriest and shaman aren't out yet anyway. Thanks for the clarification! :)

2) I thought as much. What's the best way to mimic the real falchion with Pathfinder's weapons? A falchion's basically a like a machete or cutlass.

3) Thanks for the opinion!

4) I suppose that's true. A character probably takes Divine Source if they WANT to be a god, and they sort of KNOW what they want their favored weapon to be.

5) So, is that Shoanti in Birthplace of Legends with the whitish-blue tattoos an anomaly? Or was that just to show off the tattoos in the illustration.

6) Which I've no problem with. In fact, I think that adds to the drama for the character! Besides, my character in mind would have grown up in Korvosa and only really learned snippets of Shoanti lore from his exiled Shoanti mom.

Thanks for the answers, James! I will begin brainstorming more questions!

2) Use the rules we've done for machetes or cutlasses then.

5) It's indication that what I think about Shoanti tatoos hasn't been properly dispersed to the art team. And that kinda means that I'm wrong, I guess.


What do you think the most difficult 'sub-system' developed for an AP was?

To clarify, I mean stuff like chase rules, kingdom building, convoy rules etc.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

H wrote:
But I like your rulings. You're the spirit of the rules guy to me. The entire fact that you've been using the rules longer than pretty much the entire design team is why I asked my previous questions. Please don't stop answering my questions if I ask them! At my table, I prefer to run by intent. I don't post on these forums often. And everyone at my Favorite Local Gaming Store value your knowledge and/or opinion on things we're unclear with because we respect you.

Thanks; that's nice to hear! :-)

I'll keep answering questions... but I just get hesitant when a question is phrased in a way that makes it sound like someone's trying to fish for ammo to try to force the PFS team or their GM to change their game is all.

It's best, in other words, to simply ask the question rather than try to over-complicate it... or at the very least include a "How would you rule this?" type element rather than using an implied "How is it supposed to work for all games?" element.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Alan_Beven wrote:
Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)

I hadn't seen it. Thanks for the link!

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Dracoknight wrote:
Alan_Beven wrote:
Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)
I guess i am rather "innocent" on the topic... but i was thinking that a "romance" book of the inner seas would be of the different cultures of romance and courting, and not so much as the "how to get laid" aspect.

That's part of the problem too. Everyone would want it to be something different.

It could be a book about relationships and family and social interactions.

It could be a book about how different races might cross-breed to produce hybrid races and be filled with templates or the like.

It could be, as you say, a "How to get laid" book with rules for sexual encounters.

Of those three topics, it's the first one that I'd be interested in seeing done as a book; a book that covers romance traditions and the like in the Inner Sea and perhaps explores things like the church of Calistria or whatever.

I'm not really interested at all in a book that does the second or third options above, and I get the feeling that a lot of folks who want this book want those options the most.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:
Dracoknight wrote:
Alan_Beven wrote:
Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)
I guess i am rather "innocent" on the topic... but i was thinking that a "romance" book of the inner seas would be of the different cultures of romance and courting, and not so much as the "how to get laid" aspect.

That's part of the problem too. Everyone would want it to be something different.

It could be a book about relationships and family and social interactions.

It could be a book about how different races might cross-breed to produce hybrid races and be filled with templates or the like.

It could be, as you say, a "How to get laid" book with rules for sexual encounters.

Of those three topics, it's the first one that I'd be interested in seeing done as a book; a book that covers romance traditions and the like in the Inner Sea and perhaps explores things like the church of Calistria or whatever.

I'm not really interested at all in a book that does the second or third options above, and I get the feeling that a lot of folks who want this book want those options the most.

I'd prefer a book on option 1, my imagination is perfectly capable of taking care of the other two.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Tels wrote:

What do you think the most difficult 'sub-system' developed for an AP was?

To clarify, I mean stuff like chase rules, kingdom building, convoy rules etc.

The kingdom building rules, with the mass combat rules coming in 2nd. I'm pretty happy with the kingdom rules. Not as much with the mass combat ones... but they're fine for quick battles.


Speaking about subsystems, I want to say that I love the library research rules from Mummy's Mask. I'm using them in my home game set in Korvosa.

On that note, what subjects are taught at the the University of Korvosa? Is it pretty much a liberal arts college?


James Jacobs wrote:


That's part of the problem too. Everyone would want it to be something different.

It could be a book about relationships and family and social interactions.

It could be a book about how different races might cross-breed to produce hybrid races and be filled with templates or the like.

It could be, as you say, a "How to get laid" book with rules for sexual encounters.

Of those three topics, it's the first one that I'd be interested in seeing done as a book; a book that covers romance traditions and the like in the Inner Sea and perhaps explores things like the church of Calistria or whatever.

I'm not really interested at all in a book that does the second or third options above, and I get the feeling that a lot of folks who want this book want those options the most.

I surely hope you are wrong about that last bit, but I suspect you are not. I thought I would post this link here which is an excellent review of the previous PDF, showing that a book on the topic of love AND sex can be written, and written well. http://feministing.com/2014/04/09/shattering-the-sexual-skyhook-a-review-of -numeneras-love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/

The world (and most fiction) revolves about money, power and love/sex. RPGs seem to only ever focus on two of those three, which is a shame.


James Jacobs wrote:


That's part of the problem too. Everyone would want it to be something different.

It could be a book about relationships and family and social interactions.

It could be a book about how different races might cross-breed to produce hybrid races and be filled with templates or the like.

It could be, as you say, a "How to get laid" book with rules for sexual encounters.

Of those three topics, it's the first one that I'd be interested in seeing done as a book; a book that covers romance traditions and the like in the Inner Sea and perhaps explores things like the church of Calistria or whatever.

I'm not really interested at all in a book that does the second or third options above, and I get the feeling that a lot of folks who want this book want those options the most.

I suspect you have to find another title for the book, and not include "romance" in the title due to the bastardization of the word these days.

Maybe sell the idea as "Social interaction of the inner sea" or "Social Culture of the inner sea" or something that is way more neutral than you would like it to be.

*sigh* It kinda feels the problem is people who hope for a "Pathfinder: Porn edition"...

Shadow Lodge

James Jacobs wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
So James, with the release of the technology guide will I be able to make one of these?
Actually... nope. There are no rules for miniguns in the tech guide.

But there are miniguns in the giant annihilator robot T-T. Might we be getting minguns in the Iron gods book?

Nope. The annihilator robot has them, but that doesn't mean PCs get them. There are no plans to add them to Iron Gods as separate items at this time.

You are crushing my dreams sir. I was already at a loss for what to make the giant sunglasses now I must figure out what to give my giant T-Rex in place of gatling gun arms? I mean how else can I make the mecha creative director boss battle?

*kicks rock*

Guess I'll have to hope for some stupid laser machine guns...

Shadow Lodge

Ohh switching gears to another topic that seems to be cropping up here in the vein of romance and other things that can be entailed therein, do you think that lycanthrope can be transmitted like an STD?


Pacific Rim 2 thoughts?


Pathfinder LO Special Edition Subscriber

Hello James!

Could use a bit of advice and (hopefully) some potential resources and sources of inspiration.

Basically, about a month ago I started a Roll20 campaign based around a planes-hopping theme, centered around the idea of the World Serpent Inn. I ended up with a fantastic assortment of characters from all sorts of settings which has been a blast to game with. Each gave me a basic character idea, some background NPCs, and goals their character was pursuing.

Five of the six characters I have a lot to work with and good knowledge to make some compelling and fun storylines. The sixth...is a bit outside my expertise. To do a quick summary, he's a human from 1940's Earth who had a brush with the cults of the Old Ones (Cthulhu specifically). I saw a lot of potential in the character and couldn't say no...

Which is where I need the help. I know the one adventure path incorporated a trip to Earth before, though I don't know which module specifically. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to make it work well based on what happened in that adventure path and your experience helping with it?

Secondly, any materials or books would you recommend to look over for inspiration or ideas (on Lovecraft, Cthulhu, Elder Cults, and so on)? Any ideas you'd suggest personally would be much appreciated as well.

Sorry this got so long and thanks for your time!

*edit* Just a quick note to say I ran the possibility of the party eventually stopping on 1940s Earth by all the players and they all loved the idea. Love this group.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Dracoknight wrote:

I suspect you have to find another title for the book, and not include "romance" in the title due to the bastardization of the word these days.

Maybe sell the idea as "Social interaction of the inner sea" or "Social Culture of the inner sea" or something that is way more neutral than you would like it to be.

I would call it something like "Families of the Inner Sea" and have it encompass more than just courtship, make it more about the whole range of a Player Character's important social ties to various NPCs. Perhaps include a number of prominent tribes, bloodlines, and noble families that the player can be a part of and have traits that represent their upbringing. Courtship would naturally fit into the book as a means by which families form and grow, and as a way for players to form new ties to important NPCs.

I for one would greatly appreciate details on Wedding and Funeral traditions across the Inner Sea. How many novels and movies include a prominent scene at one of these two events? It's practically a given.


James I am generally not a fan of sci-fi technology in my fantasy settings. However i am also open minded and because I enjoy everything pathfinder thus far (and own it all) I am willing to give it a chance. Plus given the amount of quality rpg products paizo has produced over the years I owe them as much to give it a chance. Do you think that The Numeria Campaign setting book, Technology Guide, and Iron Gods AP will win me over?

Liberty's Edge Contributor

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Turey wrote:
Dracoknight wrote:

I suspect you have to find another title for the book, and not include "romance" in the title due to the bastardization of the word these days.

Maybe sell the idea as "Social interaction of the inner sea" or "Social Culture of the inner sea" or something that is way more neutral than you would like it to be.

I would call it something like "Families of the Inner Sea" and have it encompass more than just courtship, make it more about the whole range of a Player Character's important social ties to various NPCs. Perhaps include a number of prominent tribes, bloodlines, and noble families that the player can be a part of and have traits that represent their upbringing. Courtship would naturally fit into the book as a means by which families form and grow, and as a way for players to form new ties to important NPCs.

I for one would greatly appreciate details on Wedding and Funeral traditions across the Inner Sea. How many novels and movies include a prominent scene at one of these two events? It's practically a given.

What about "Customs of the Inner Sea"? Seems like it would fit better as a Player Companion book, but it might be fun to flesh out the peculiarities of some of the region's different nations. The crunch would focus on feats, archetypes, etc. that are geared more toward social campaigns.


James Jacobs wrote:
Dracoknight wrote:
Alan_Beven wrote:
Hi James. On the topic of a romance book, have you by chance seen this? http://www.montecookgames.com/product/love-and-sex-in-the-ninth-world/ It to me is the perfect treatment of the topic for a RPG (well the most perfect I have read to date)
I guess i am rather "innocent" on the topic... but i was thinking that a "romance" book of the inner seas would be of the different cultures of romance and courting, and not so much as the "how to get laid" aspect.

That's part of the problem too. Everyone would want it to be something different.

It could be a book about relationships and family and social interactions.

It could be a book about how different races might cross-breed to produce hybrid races and be filled with templates or the like.

It could be, as you say, a "How to get laid" book with rules for sexual encounters.

Of those three topics, it's the first one that I'd be interested in seeing done as a book; a book that covers romance traditions and the like in the Inner Sea and perhaps explores things like the church of Calistria or whatever.

I'm not really interested at all in a book that does the second or third options above, and I get the feeling that a lot of folks who want this book want those options the most.

I like the first option and not asking for new rules

As will as new player options like the love or lust oracle mystery and new archetypes or a new Prestige Class

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Haladir wrote:


On that note, what subjects are taught at the the University of Korvosa? Is it pretty much a liberal arts college?

It's a pretty standard university, really; does good in most venues but is hardly a world leader nor does it have something it's particularly known for... maybe history and similar fields. It's not really a liberal arts college though.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Dracoknight wrote:

I suspect you have to find another title for the book, and not include "romance" in the title due to the bastardization of the word these days.

Maybe sell the idea as "Social interaction of the inner sea" or "Social Culture of the inner sea" or something that is way more neutral than you would like it to be.

*sigh* It kinda feels the problem is people who hope for a "Pathfinder: Porn edition"...

No... the problem is people who assume it's a "Pathfinder: Porn edition" and who would freak out if it were.

If we do this book, hiding its purpose with an obfuscating title isn't something I'm interested in.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

doc the grey wrote:
Ohh switching gears to another topic that seems to be cropping up here in the vein of romance and other things that can be entailed therein, do you think that lycanthrope can be transmitted like an STD?

In some stories it can be, so there's certainly a precedent. That's left up to the GM to determine. In my games, yes, it can be.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Tels wrote:
Pacific Rim 2 thoughts?

Cool!

With 2 caveats.

1) I hope they take some cues from Godzilla and film/edit the movie in a way that lets you enjoy the movie rather than run to catch up and never get a good look at the monsters.

2) Not cool if that means we're another few years away from del Toro doing Mountains of Madness.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Aleron wrote:

Hello James!

Could use a bit of advice and (hopefully) some potential resources and sources of inspiration.

Basically, about a month ago I started a Roll20 campaign based around a planes-hopping theme, centered around the idea of the World Serpent Inn. I ended up with a fantastic assortment of characters from all sorts of settings which has been a blast to game with. Each gave me a basic character idea, some background NPCs, and goals their character was pursuing.

Five of the six characters I have a lot to work with and good knowledge to make some compelling and fun storylines. The sixth...is a bit outside my expertise. To do a quick summary, he's a human from 1940's Earth who had a brush with the cults of the Old Ones (Cthulhu specifically). I saw a lot of potential in the character and couldn't say no...

Which is where I need the help. I know the one adventure path incorporated a trip to Earth before, though I don't know which module specifically. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to make it work well based on what happened in that adventure path and your experience helping with it?

Secondly, any materials or books would you recommend to look over for inspiration or ideas (on Lovecraft, Cthulhu, Elder Cults, and so on)? Any ideas you'd suggest personally would be much appreciated as well.

Sorry this got so long and thanks for your time!

*edit* Just a quick note to say I ran the possibility of the party eventually stopping on 1940s Earth by all the players and they all loved the idea. Love this group.

The AP that incorperated a trip to Earth was...

Spoiler:
Reign of Winter. In particular, the 5th adventure, "Rasputin Must Die!"

I'd grab that adventure and use some of the rules and equipment in there to perhaps supply the character with at the start, but beyond that I'd keep in mind that you're running a Planar campaign, not a time travel or Earth-based one, and the other players in your game didn't sign up for that, so resist the urge to let one player's outlandish choice overwhelm the entire story.

The 4th volume of Carrion Crown, "Wake of the Watcher," has an article about the Old Cults. You might also want to check out the adventure in that volume to see how we combine Lovecraft with fantasy. I wrote the article but didn't work on that adventure; to see in particular how I would develop a Lovecraft story into an adventure for Pathfinder, see "Carrion Hill."

Beyond that, the absolute best way to see Lovecraft's stories translate into RPGs is Chaosium's game, "Call of Cthulhu." And of course, you should go to the source and read Lovecraft. The best stories to read to prepare for a campaign like this would probably be Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath, Dunwich Horror, Shadow Over Innsmouth, Mountains of Madness, and Shadow out of Time. Those have a fair amount of action in them, cover big giant themes that would fit into a planar campaign, and have a good cross section of the types of things that go on in Lovecraft stories.

EDIT: Looks like you've run the ideas of Earth involvement by the group; that's a good thing. Managing player expectations is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than keeping secrets from them as a GM. ;-)

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Turey wrote:
Dracoknight wrote:

I suspect you have to find another title for the book, and not include "romance" in the title due to the bastardization of the word these days.

Maybe sell the idea as "Social interaction of the inner sea" or "Social Culture of the inner sea" or something that is way more neutral than you would like it to be.

I would call it something like "Families of the Inner Sea" and have it encompass more than just courtship, make it more about the whole range of a Player Character's important social ties to various NPCs. Perhaps include a number of prominent tribes, bloodlines, and noble families that the player can be a part of and have traits that represent their upbringing. Courtship would naturally fit into the book as a means by which families form and grow, and as a way for players to form new ties to important NPCs.

I for one would greatly appreciate details on Wedding and Funeral traditions across the Inner Sea. How many novels and movies include a prominent scene at one of these two events? It's practically a given.

Let's take the discussion to another thread and keep things to questions here, please.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

The Minis Maniac wrote:
James I am generally not a fan of sci-fi technology in my fantasy settings. However i am also open minded and because I enjoy everything pathfinder thus far (and own it all) I am willing to give it a chance. Plus given the amount of quality rpg products paizo has produced over the years I owe them as much to give it a chance. Do you think that The Numeria Campaign setting book, Technology Guide, and Iron Gods AP will win me over?

Yes.

If you've liked all of what we've done so far, the things that are going on in Iron Gods and the support books are in large part the same kinds of stories.

And if you end up just absolutely hating the idea of an item called a laser rifle that shoots a beam of heat as a ranged weapon and that it came from a crashed spaceship... you can always change it into a firebolter that shoots a beam of heat as a ranged weapon and that it came from a planarly displaced ship from the Great Beyond.

Because the rules for technology were built using the same rules we use to build magic stuff.

That said... that totally changes the theme and nature of Numeria, so I hope you like what we did enough to enjoy the mixing of sci-fi with the world.


Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Has Paizo ever considered purchasing a Nissan Pathfinder as a company car, to help promote brand synergy?

In a more serious question regarding Rasputin Must Die

Spoiler:
does the event in this book mean that the pathfinder year of 4713 correspond to 1917(? I can't remember the exact year off the top of my head) on earth or did the interstellar travel allow for forays into both earth's past and future from this date?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

j b 200 wrote:

Has Paizo ever considered purchasing a Nissan Pathfinder as a company car, to help promote brand synergy?

In a more serious question regarding Rasputin Must Die

Spoiler:
does the event in this book mean that the pathfinder year of 4713 correspond to 1917(? I can't remember the exact year off the top of my head) on earth or did the interstellar travel allow for forays into both earth's past and future from this date?

Nope.

Spoiler:
Yes; the year on Golarion roughly equals 1917–1918 in Earth. And we haven't said where the ship in Numeria is from yet. There are more worlds out there than Golarion and Earth.

Scarab Sages

James,

Is there a list of imported/exported products or trade routes for Golarion in any of the Paizo books. Other than a small section talking generically about the trade routes in the Inner Sea Guide, I have not been able to find anything. I was hoping there might be something like there was in the Forgotten Realms book, which showed products and where they went.

There is a little bit here and there when a specific area is discussed (like the River Kingdoms individual writeups), but I wondered if there was anything resembling a consolidated list or map. If not, is there any plans to explore this more? Even a series of lists, like the top 3 wine countries, highest quality iron mines, or the like would be very helpful. My Kingmaker players are keeping me on my toes, and having to create all this material from scratch is a bit time consuming :)

Paizo Employee Creative Director

redcelt32 wrote:

James,

Is there a list of imported/exported products or trade routes for Golarion in any of the Paizo books. Other than a small section talking generically about the trade routes in the Inner Sea Guide, I have not been able to find anything. I was hoping there might be something like there was in the Forgotten Realms book, which showed products and where they went.

There is a little bit here and there when a specific area is discussed (like the River Kingdoms individual writeups), but I wondered if there was anything resembling a consolidated list or map. If not, is there any plans to explore this more? Even a series of lists, like the top 3 wine countries, highest quality iron mines, or the like would be very helpful. My Kingmaker players are keeping me on my toes, and having to create all this material from scratch is a bit time consuming :)

We have not yet created a list like that. Folks have asked for one before, but it's never been high on our priorities nor is it something we have a great book to show such a map in.

Scarab Sages

Wow Thanks for the quick response. I was hoping it might have been something slipped in around the Skull and Shackles AP era, since it seemed to thematically fit.

/goes back to the "odd things my PCs want to know about the world" drawing board


Pathfinder LO Special Edition Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:

The AP that incorperated a trip to Earth was...

** spoiler omitted **

I'd grab that adventure and use some of the rules and equipment in there to perhaps supply the character with at the start, but beyond that I'd keep in mind that you're running a Planar campaign, not a time travel or Earth-based one, and the other players in your game didn't sign up for that, so resist...

Excellent advice! Thanks for the help and I'll definitely look into your suggestions.


Hello, James!

1) Do moths and butterflies have different symbolic meanings to the faithful of Desna?

2) What are a few gemstones sacred to Desna? I was thinking rose quartz, turquoise, and maybe moonstones.

I'm in the process of moving my drow worshiper of Eilistraee to Golarion, but figured I would make an elf instead of a drow, and replace Eilistraee with Desna. With that in mind...

3) Using the human ethnicities of Golarion as a guide, what's the darkest skin tone you suspect a non-drow, full-blooded elf would be capable of having while still retaining silvery-white hair?

I really like Desna, and in a lot of ways she reminds me of Eilistraee. Her Deific Obedience even includes dancing beneath the light of the stars. So, thanks for her!


I see that you get asked lots of silly questions here. Which type of silly questions do you enjoy answering most?

Examples: Bizarrely specific ruling questions that have no pay off, movie trivia, random preferences, questions that are just absolute nonsense and require a creative answer, etc etc.


James Jacobs wrote:
Alaushinyrra is supposed to be one of the largest cities in the outer planes, and that means there's not many more its size or larger.

Why's that? If the population of the outer planes is in the trillions I think it is, particularly since outsiders come from the souls of material plane inhabitants, why would there be so little urbanization?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Varisian Wanderer wrote:

Hello, James!

1) Do moths and butterflies have different symbolic meanings to the faithful of Desna?

2) What are a few gemstones sacred to Desna? I was thinking rose quartz, turquoise, and maybe moonstones.

I'm in the process of moving my drow worshiper of Eilistraee to Golarion, but figured I would make an elf instead of a drow, and replace Eilistraee with Desna. With that in mind...

3) Using the human ethnicities of Golarion as a guide, what's the darkest skin tone you suspect a non-drow, full-blooded elf would be capable of having while still retaining silvery-white hair?

I really like Desna, and in a lot of ways she reminds me of Eilistraee. Her Deific Obedience even includes dancing beneath the light of the stars. So, thanks for her!

1) Yes; moths are the night and butterflies the day. They're both more or less equally important though.

2) None in particular.

Sarenrae is in fact the deity most inspired by Eilistraee, but Desna's a good choice too.

3) An elf can be as dark in skintone as you want, frankly.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
IQuarent wrote:

I see that you get asked lots of silly questions here. Which type of silly questions do you enjoy answering most?

Examples: Bizarrely specific ruling questions that have no pay off, movie trivia, random preferences, questions that are just absolute nonsense and require a creative answer, etc etc.

Questions that require creative answers that don't require a lot of brand-new world design work.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Alaushinyrra is supposed to be one of the largest cities in the outer planes, and that means there's not many more its size or larger.
Why's that? If the population of the outer planes is in the trillions I think it is, particularly since outsiders come from the souls of material plane inhabitants, why would there be so little urbanization?

Because Alaushinyrra is one of the only places in the entire Abyss that isn't entirely immediately hostile to trade and visitors, for one. And because it caters to a lot of what other cities can't or don't cater to for another.

It's still a tiny dot when compared to Axis, though.

RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16

1 person marked this as a favorite.

If you were to study at one of Golarion's institutions of magical learning, which would it be and why?

46,601 to 46,650 of 83,732 << first < prev | 928 | 929 | 930 | 931 | 932 | 933 | 934 | 935 | 936 | 937 | 938 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Gamer Life / Off-Topic Discussions / >>Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!<< All Messageboards