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Paizo Employee Creative Director

Tirisfal wrote:

James,

I'm looking to get into the editing industry. I'm going back to college next year, and I'm thinking that communications with a minor in English would be a useful degree to use to that end.

What are some tips for someone seeking a career in editing?

Honestly... if you want to go specifically into editing, the best course would probably be to major in English and minor in something related. Editing is more about the fundamental structure of the language than writing and developing, and it's the discipline that needs a strong background in language's structure the most.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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The Thing from Beyond the Edge wrote:

Perhaps this was already asked and answered but I missed it.

I am getting ready to start playing the skull and shackles adventure path and I am strongly considering playing an alchemist.

1.Will an alchemist's bomb do structural damage when a structure is not targeted or determined to become the target of a missed thrown bomb?

IOW, will the splash damage affect a ship's deck in the spaces surrounding the target? Will it affect a wall/bulkhead that is adjacent to the target (i.e. the target is standing next to a wall and gets hit...)?

2. Will the direct hit bomb damage affect the deck in the square where the target is hit?

Note: I'm thinking there is something somewhere about instantaneous fire effects not doing structural damage but I can't place it. Of course, this would preclude lingering effects gained from discoveries...

Bombs do energy damage. As a general rule, energy damage is halved against objects (including structures) and then must penetrate the object's hardness to do its remaining damage. Some variants of bombs and some energy types are more or less effective against certain objects, of course.


Hey, James. I've been working on a campaign setting for Pathfinder. So far, I've done a lot of brainstorming, and I have a pretty good structure for my world in my head, but I'm having a really hard time getting it written down in a coherent form. Do you have this problem? Is there anything you know of to do about it?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Kelsey MacAilbert wrote:
Hey, James. I've been working on a campaign setting for Pathfinder. So far, I've done a lot of brainstorming, and I have a pretty good structure for my world in my head, but I'm having a really hard time getting it written down in a coherent form. Do you have this problem? Is there anything you know of to do about it?

The thing about a homebrew campaign setting is that it's not something you'll ever finish.

As such, don't worry about making it written down in a coherent form. Simply start writing. I've got files and files (and going back before computers, binders and binders) filled with various notes on my homebrew setting. I'd start somewhere, start writing, and generally switch to other topics as I grew bored. A LOT of my world design happened in the format of adventures—by writing an adventure set in your world, you have a built-in format for what you need to do and accomplish, and that really helps you focus and get things done.


Hello, I have not gone through all 619 thread pages for this thread, but I was hoping to get some clarification or insight on this particular question.

For the wood wizard spell list, it shows that at 4th level they get the spell Sirocco. The spell is a 6th level spell and I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a mistake and that wood wizards indeed do get Sirocco at 4th (I hope).

Quick Note: I'm getting this info from the SRD website as my DM has the books, but we play our sessions over skype. Thanks.


@Third Mind: I see you have already posted this among the rules questions several months ago. I clicked on it for a FAQ ruling. Hope it helps.

Mr. Jacobs, your diet regimen sounds hardcore. Congratulations on making the decision to pursue that goal and best of luck in achieving it. You will be glad you did. I'm curious, what sort of activity have they prescribed to accompany this diet - or is that coming in a later phase?


@AinvarG: Thanks. :)

I'd also like to apologize, it seems I posted in the incorrect thread. Reading through more of it, it seems it is of course (by what the title actually implies) meant for non-game questions.

So, to ask a question more suitable, but probably already asked, why did you go with a T-Rex as your avatar pic? Do you just like dinosaurs or are you a saurian druid in disguise?


James Jacobs wrote:
Tirisfal wrote:

James,

I'm looking to get into the editing industry. I'm going back to college next year, and I'm thinking that communications with a minor in English would be a useful degree to use to that end.

What are some tips for someone seeking a career in editing?

Honestly... if you want to go specifically into editing, the best course would probably be to major in English and minor in something related. Editing is more about the fundamental structure of the language than writing and developing, and it's the discipline that needs a strong background in language's structure the most.

Awesome. Thanks!

James Jacobs wrote:
Kelsey MacAilbert wrote:
Hey, James. I've been working on a campaign setting for Pathfinder. So far, I've done a lot of brainstorming, and I have a pretty good structure for my world in my head, but I'm having a really hard time getting it written down in a coherent form. Do you have this problem? Is there anything you know of to do about it?

The thing about a homebrew campaign setting is that it's not something you'll ever finish.

As such, don't worry about making it written down in a coherent form. Simply start writing. I've got files and files (and going back before computers, binders and binders) filled with various notes on my homebrew setting. I'd start somewhere, start writing, and generally switch to other topics as I grew bored. A LOT of my world design happened in the format of adventures—by writing an adventure set in your world, you have a built-in format for what you need to do and accomplish, and that really helps you focus and get things done.

I agree with James; over the years, I've always worried about how my notes would look if I died or something and someone else suddenly owned my notes, and that...is really unproductive. My thumb drive is full of one-page word documents, and my desk is littered with notebooks - notes on everything from short stories, to novels, to planned Pathfinder campaigns. The best advice for any budding writer has always been "write - write every day". World building is quite the same; even if its a paragraph, or a sentence - just keep writing, and eventually you'll piece it all together :)

Silver Crusade

Third Mind wrote:

@AinvarG: Thanks. :)

I'd also like to apologize, it seems I posted in the incorrect thread. Reading through more of it, it seems it is of course (by what the title actually implies) meant for non-game questions.

So, to ask a question more suitable, but probably already asked, why did you go with a T-Rex as your avatar pic? Do you just like dinosaurs or are you a saurian druid in disguise?

From what I've seen in this thread I'm pretty sure JJ doesn't care all that much for dinosaurs .... :3

begins running for cover

Dark Archive

The name and the race Gillman, are they open content? I understand the setting specific stuff isn't. Just checking for a friend.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Third Mind wrote:

Hello, I have not gone through all 619 thread pages for this thread, but I was hoping to get some clarification or insight on this particular question.

For the wood wizard spell list, it shows that at 4th level they get the spell Sirocco. The spell is a 6th level spell and I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a mistake and that wood wizards indeed do get Sirocco at 4th (I hope).

Quick Note: I'm getting this info from the SRD website as my DM has the books, but we play our sessions over skype. Thanks.

That looks to me like it's an error. And as such should be posted on the rules forum with an FAQ to get it looked at.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

AinvarG wrote:

@Third Mind: I see you have already posted this among the rules questions several months ago. I clicked on it for a FAQ ruling. Hope it helps.

Mr. Jacobs, your diet regimen sounds hardcore. Congratulations on making the decision to pursue that goal and best of luck in achieving it. You will be glad you did. I'm curious, what sort of activity have they prescribed to accompany this diet - or is that coming in a later phase?

There's no exercise to go along with the diet.

Once I'm at my target weight, after that I'll probably be doing a lot more walking and exercise to STAY there, but that's not a diet thing.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Justin Sluder wrote:
The name and the race Gillman, are they open content? I understand the setting specific stuff isn't. Just checking for a friend.

The name and stats are open content. Their flavor content is not.


Mr. James Jacobs,

My roommate poses the question: Why haven't any of the Aboleths tried to use the Star Stone to ascend?

Another question: IS the power of ascendance a function of the stone itself or is the stone just the cause of the test and ascendance comes from another source?


Hello, James.

One (probably rather dumb-ish) question: Is there any connection between the 3rd ed Shami-Amourae and Pathfinder's Shamira?

Part of Name re-used? Transfer of character? (Well, their portfolios are not that similar to one another...)

Silver Crusade

Do Jezelda and Lamashtu get along at all?


I have a Starstone related question(or series of questions, rather), myself; Why is it that of the three(four if we count Aroden) gods who ascended due to the stone, they were all human?

Well, ok, we don't really know what Norgorber was, but human does seem the most likely candidate.

Was this an intentional decision or coincidence?

If an otherwise peaceful orc or fetchling or damphir walked into Absalom and tried to take the Test of Starstone, would it be allowed?


in pathfinder is deity both a race and a title?

in other words is being a diety a template one can acheive by either birth, deed or other means

Paizo Employee Creative Director

The NPC wrote:

Mr. James Jacobs,

My roommate poses the question: Why haven't any of the Aboleths tried to use the Star Stone to ascend?

Another question: IS the power of ascendance a function of the stone itself or is the stone just the cause of the test and ascendance comes from another source?

Two reasons:

1) The Starstone is quite difficult for aboleths to reach physically... even if it WASN'T at the heart of the largest city in the region, it's still above water on dry land.

2) Aboleths are not fond of deities, and would likely rather destroy the Starstone than use it.

The power of ascendance comes from the Starstone.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Midnight_Angel wrote:

Hello, James.

One (probably rather dumb-ish) question: Is there any connection between the 3rd ed Shami-Amourae and Pathfinder's Shamira?

Part of Name re-used? Transfer of character? (Well, their portfolios are not that similar to one another...)

Other than I named Shamira for my homebrew campaign after being inspired by the name "Shami-Amourae" when it first appeared in a VERY early Dungeon magazine... and other than them both being powerful succubi-themed demons... nope. Different creatures with different personalities and different abilities.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:
Do Jezelda and Lamashtu get along at all?

Not really... but neither are they at war. Jezelda mostly stays out of Lamashtu's way.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

FormerFiend wrote:

I have a Starstone related question(or series of questions, rather), myself; Why is it that of the three(four if we count Aroden) gods who ascended due to the stone, they were all human?

Well, ok, we don't really know what Norgorber was, but human does seem the most likely candidate.

Was this an intentional decision or coincidence?

If an otherwise peaceful orc or fetchling or damphir walked into Absalom and tried to take the Test of Starstone, would it be allowed?

Intentional... because the vast majority of the humanoids who live in the Inner Sea Region are human.

An orc or fetchling or dhampir or dragon or demon or neothelid or grippli or intellect devourer or robot or whatever who manages to make it to the Starstone has a chance of passing the tests and becoming a deity. Peaceful has nothing to do with it. Of course, REACHING the Starstone Cathedral is easier if you're not a monster...

Paizo Employee Creative Director

ikarinokami wrote:

in pathfinder is deity both a race and a title?

in other words is being a diety a template one can acheive by either birth, deed or other means

No such thing as a "deity template."

It's neither a race nor a title. It's a state of existence, like "mortal" or "undead."

Silver Crusade

Thankies for the answer.

Hmm okay then, is there any chance of us getting a web of connections for all the demon lords? Or are we gonna have to make one ourselves?

Do you have a web of connections for demon lords or other creatures set up?

Liberty's Edge

James Jacobs wrote:
ikarinokami wrote:

in pathfinder is deity both a race and a title?

in other words is being a diety a template one can acheive by either birth, deed or other means

No such thing as a "deity template."

It's neither a race nor a title. It's a state of existence, like "mortal" or "undead."

That is very interesting. The difference between mortal and undead is the energy they require for existing (Positive for the mortal, Negative for the Undead).

Maybe the deities require yet another kind of energy for existing. In which case, the Mythic characters just might be similar to the Dhampir : an exception to the rule, a creature infused by an energy it is not supposed to thrive on. In this case, mortal or undead creatures "tainted" with the energy that ensures the existence of the deities.


James Jacobs wrote:

Two reasons:

1) The Starstone is quite difficult for aboleths to reach physically... even if it WASN'T at the heart of the largest city in the region, it's still above water on dry land.

2) Aboleths are not fond of deities, and would likely rather destroy the Starstone than use it.

The power of ascendance comes from the Starstone.

Follow up questions Mr. James Jacobs.

What about a Veiled Master? They walk with equal ease between land and water.

They hate deities but they love power. Why would that stop them or one?

Silver Crusade

oh also,

A team of Elves are hunting Drow in the Darklands and the party's Cavalier (a devout follower of Calistria) gets killed and so the party's Druid reincarnates him and we get... Troglodyte.

Funny or no?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:

Thankies for the answer.

Hmm okay then, is there any chance of us getting a web of connections for all the demon lords? Or are we gonna have to make one ourselves?

Do you have a web of connections for demon lords or other creatures set up?

If by "web of connections" you mean a visual representation of demon lord alliances and rivalries, then no... there's not one of those around at this point, and we don't have plans to build one.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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The NPC wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

Two reasons:

1) The Starstone is quite difficult for aboleths to reach physically... even if it WASN'T at the heart of the largest city in the region, it's still above water on dry land.

2) Aboleths are not fond of deities, and would likely rather destroy the Starstone than use it.

The power of ascendance comes from the Starstone.

Follow up questions Mr. James Jacobs.

What about a Veiled Master? They walk with equal ease between land and water.

They hate deities but they love power. Why would that stop them or one?

A veiled master could make its way to the Starstone with relative ease. But they're even MORE anti-faith than regular aboleths. They have plenty of power already, and they (or even greater creatures in the "aboleth family") can do things that rival or exceed godlike power already (such as throwing asteroids at planets. AKA: They are unlikely to want the Starstone power, because they're already plenty powerful.

That said... what's to say one hasn't done so already?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:

oh also,

A team of Elves are hunting Drow in the Darklands and the party's Cavalier (a devout follower of Calistria) gets killed and so the party's Druid reincarnates him and we get... Troglodyte.

Funny or no?

Certainly awkward. Kinda funny, unless you're looking at it from the cavalier's player's viewpoint, at which point it feels tragic and not funny at all.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:

A veiled master could make its way to the Starstone with relative ease. But they're even MORE anti-faith than regular aboleths. They have plenty of power already, and they (or even greater creatures in the "aboleth family") can do things that rival or exceed godlike power already (such as throwing asteroids at planets. AKA: They are unlikely to want the Starstone power, because they're already plenty powerful.

That said... what's to say one hasn't done so already?

Puts on conspiracy hat

Sooooo....what you're saying is that Aroden was actually a veiled master ascended to godhood and his 'death' was actually a part of their plan?

:p

Silver Crusade

Xzaral wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

A veiled master could make its way to the Starstone with relative ease. But they're even MORE anti-faith than regular aboleths. They have plenty of power already, and they (or even greater creatures in the "aboleth family") can do things that rival or exceed godlike power already (such as throwing asteroids at planets. AKA: They are unlikely to want the Starstone power, because they're already plenty powerful.

That said... what's to say one hasn't done so already?

Puts on conspiracy hat

Sooooo....what you're saying is that Aroden was actually a veiled master ascended to godhood and his 'death' was actually a part of their plan?

:p

... that actually sounds rather enticing.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:
Rysky wrote:

oh also,

A team of Elves are hunting Drow in the Darklands and the party's Cavalier (a devout follower of Calistria) gets killed and so the party's Druid reincarnates him and we get... Troglodyte.

Funny or no?

Certainly awkward. Kinda funny, unless you're looking at it from the cavalier's player's viewpoint, at which point it feels tragic and not funny at all.

Getting a date with the Stench monster ability is not easy. (but if he could the fact his CON went up 6 points will come in handy :3)

I'm the player btw, and I find it hilarious, my troggy elf... not so much.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Xzaral wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:

A veiled master could make its way to the Starstone with relative ease. But they're even MORE anti-faith than regular aboleths. They have plenty of power already, and they (or even greater creatures in the "aboleth family") can do things that rival or exceed godlike power already (such as throwing asteroids at planets. AKA: They are unlikely to want the Starstone power, because they're already plenty powerful.

That said... what's to say one hasn't done so already?

Puts on conspiracy hat

Sooooo....what you're saying is that Aroden was actually a veiled master ascended to godhood and his 'death' was actually a part of their plan?

:p

Not at all.

Aroden actually never took the test of the Starstone—the act of raising the Starstone and the Isle of Kortos was part of his ascencion into mythic demigodness.

Silver Crusade

Does Kotschie have any allies?

I actually liked him when all I knew about him was that he was a Demon Lord of Revenge, Murder, and Giants but after reading his article in RoW 3 I despise the Bastard.

Silver Crusade

Also do you know any specific Mythos books with good illustrations? I'm okay with reading just plain text but when I buy a book I really like it to have good artwork to go with it.

Silver Crusade

Also, favourite sigil: The Yellow Sign or The Crimson Eye ?


James,

Would a potion brewed in the Mwangi Expanse have the same color, smell and taste as the same type of potion brewed in say, Tian-Xia, given that Potions & Oils are just liquid forms of spells and so require the same material components? I wasn't sure if it made more sense to assume that like Potions & Oils had the same look and/or flavor, regardless of where or by whom they were made, if nothing else but for the sake of simplicity, or if cultural or environmental differences made slight differences in the finished potions.

Also, will the GameMastery Item Cards ever be offered in PDF form? Seeing as how just about everything else for Pathfinder can be bought in print or PDF, is this something you guys have considered?


Hi James, I haven't been able to read through all of the pages on here and I have searched other threads for this question, but decided it would be time to finally ask for your opinion on this.

I have recently been accepted for a campaign and been told to use a Magus, which is something I don't mind, but I am considering going down the BladeBound path to get the Black Blade. My question is, can you enhance a Black Blade like any other normal magical weapon? For an example could I put the Defensive ability onto the sword as well as other enchantments, as long as they don't increase the enchantment bonus above +10?

I know a lot of people say you can't as it levels up with you, but I can't find any rule that says you can't. But I don't want to over power the sword if it was not to be used in that way.

Thank-you for taking the time to read this and I hope you can shed some light on the subject for me.

Silver Crusade

Did you get to watch the pilot of Defiance?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:

Does Kotschie have any allies?

I actually liked him when all I knew about him was that he was a Demon Lord of Revenge, Murder, and Giants but after reading his article in RoW 3 I despise the Bastard.

Then Sean did his job perfect. Kostchtchie isn't supposed to be a likeable fella.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:
Also, favourite sigil: The Yellow Sign or The Crimson Eye ?

The Yellow Sign.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:
Also do you know any specific Mythos books with good illustrations? I'm okay with reading just plain text but when I buy a book I really like it to have good artwork to go with it.

My favorite Mythos art book is a bit expensive... but it's also one of my favorite belongings.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Gregory Clark wrote:

James,

Would a potion brewed in the Mwangi Expanse have the same color, smell and taste as the same type of potion brewed in say, Tian-Xia, given that Potions & Oils are just liquid forms of spells and so require the same material components? I wasn't sure if it made more sense to assume that like Potions & Oils had the same look and/or flavor, regardless of where or by whom they were made, if nothing else but for the sake of simplicity, or if cultural or environmental differences made slight differences in the finished potions.

Also, will the GameMastery Item Cards ever be offered in PDF form? Seeing as how just about everything else for Pathfinder can be bought in print or PDF, is this something you guys have considered?

That's up to the GM. My preference is yes, they would have the same properties, because we don't have different Spellcrafts for different regions of the world. I'm not sure what complicating magic item identification would add to the game other than frustration.

The PDF question is one for other folks... but frankly, I don't see the point. A huge part of cards being cards is the physical quality of the card itself.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Faelar Braegen wrote:

Hi James, I haven't been able to read through all of the pages on here and I have searched other threads for this question, but decided it would be time to finally ask for your opinion on this.

I have recently been accepted for a campaign and been told to use a Magus, which is something I don't mind, but I am considering going down the BladeBound path to get the Black Blade. My question is, can you enhance a Black Blade like any other normal magical weapon? For an example could I put the Defensive ability onto the sword as well as other enchantments, as long as they don't increase the enchantment bonus above +10?

I know a lot of people say you can't as it levels up with you, but I can't find any rule that says you can't. But I don't want to over power the sword if it was not to be used in that way.

Thank-you for taking the time to read this and I hope you can shed some light on the subject for me.

That's something you'll need to ask your GM about. My preference is that the whole POINT of the weapon is that it levels up with you, and therefore you get to spend the money you'd normally spend on weapons on other stuff.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Rysky wrote:
Did you get to watch the pilot of Defiance?

I did. It held my attention for about 25 minutes and then I wandered off to do something else.


Oh man you missed the good stuff. I am curious on the game. Guess I need to contact them and have the Authenticator removed...


James Jacobs wrote:
Gregory Clark wrote:

James,

Would a potion brewed in the Mwangi Expanse have the same color, smell and taste as the same type of potion brewed in say, Tian-Xia, given that Potions & Oils are just liquid forms of spells and so require the same material components? I wasn't sure if it made more sense to assume that like Potions & Oils had the same look and/or flavor, regardless of where or by whom they were made, if nothing else but for the sake of simplicity, or if cultural or environmental differences made slight differences in the finished potions.

That's up to the GM. My preference is yes, they would have the same properties, because we don't have different Spellcrafts for different regions of the world. I'm not sure what complicating magic item identification would add to the game other than frustration.

Personally I'd say that potions would probably taste different depending on where they were made and what materials were available but that the components are only a small part of the potion or oil - what a Spellcraft check is looking at is the magic inside the potion or oil, like how some objects is space are analysed by observing the radiation they give off. For non-spellcasters with the skill, I'd say they'd have to use some external implements for it but small, common stuff not worth tracking on the sheet (just consider them part of the skill ranks) and watching how they react to what's inside the bottle to try and determine its effects.

That's just how I've always seen it working at least so take it for what you will. Doesn't change anything mechanically and adds a bit of extra flavour to the skill.

Dark Archive

James, I am considering making a house rule that Fighters do not suffer BaB penalty on their iterative attacks. Do you think that this would make Fighter unbalanced compared to other classes?


Are there Mythic Veiled Masters?

Also, are there "rogue" Veiled Masters that have broken with Aboleth society as a whole?

For that matter, will we get to learn more about Aboleth society, schemes and so forth at some point? Such as through an AP where they are the main enemies?

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