Creative Director
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I have a hellknight/cheliax question and the creative process. In the fiction, they existed before cheliax became a devil worshipping nation. Was there an earlier iteration in the creative process where that was switched?Nope.
Cheliax's association with devils didn't just suddenly manifest when Thrune took over. Thrune was a powerful family in the nation for centuries before and their influence (and some others) had long associated Asmodeus with Cheliax... it wasn't in a state & church sort of way, but it was still there.
I was wondering more in the writer's room sense. Did it start with someone saying the devil nation should have knights from hell? Are the knights as a concept older than the idea of cheliax? We're they two independent ideas brought together?
My favorite part of threads like this are the insights into the creative process.
The idea for Hellknights came from Wes, and said idea came after we decided to have modern Cheliax be a devil-themed nation.
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Why do some people get so worked up about pizza toppings? I like the occasional ham and pineapple pizza, but on the internet some people seem to believe it's a Cthulhu-scale abomination (which is utter nonsense, Cthulhu probably prefers anchovies).
Because a lot of people are overly infatuated and delighted about opportunities to be antagonistic and confrontational. ESPECIALLY on the internet, where anonymity grants a significant bonus to abrasiveness and toxicity.
My favorite pizza topping is artichoke hearts, jalapenos, and garlic. Chicken optional. It's not the type of pizza that the typical pizza-warrior on the internet would condone, so I'm pretty good at tuning out pizza opinions overall these days.
Why do some people get so worked up about pizza toppings? I like the occasional ham and pineapple pizza, but on the internet some people seem to believe it's a Cthulhu-scale abomination (which is utter nonsense, Cthulhu probably prefers anchovies).Because a lot of people are overly infatuated and delighted about opportunities to be antagonistic and confrontational. ESPECIALLY on the internet, where anonymity grants a significant bonus to abrasiveness and toxicity.
My favorite pizza topping is artichoke hearts, jalapenos, and garlic. Chicken optional. It's not the type of pizza that the typical pizza-warrior on the internet would condone, so I'm pretty good at tuning out pizza opinions overall these days.
I just ate lunch but now I'm hungry again...
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Have you had a chance to see this one James?
I've seen a trailer for Alien: Covenant... enough to know I will see the movie. I don't need to see more, and in fact would prefer NOT to see more until I see the movie.
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Creative Director
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Can you give a detailed recap of the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign?
Did they find Orb of Golden Death?
Did they free the demon? Did the avatar of a god show up?
What were the classes of the party and who played whom?
Did anyone get killed?
No, because the game went for several years and that's far too much to give a detailed recap in the context of this post... especially considering that finishing this post is the only thing standing between me and going home from work for the evening.
Yes, in the very last session, the got the Orb from Hedrak and then destroyed it.
No, and no.
Rob McCreary: bard
Amanda Hammon Kunz: bloodrager
Adam Daigle: cleric
Mark Moreland: alchemist/barbarian
Crystal Fraiser: fighter
Owen K. C. Stephens: warpriest
Patrick Renne: paladin
Logan Bonner: unchained rogue
John Compton: wizard (abjurer)
Linda Zayas-Palmer: arcanist
Yes.
1. At first I thought that humanity has no chance against the Worldwound, because the abyss is literally infinite, and thus the number of the demons are literally infinite. But according to page 93 of Demon's Heresy, even without the PCs, the crusaders successfully defended Nerosyan against the army of the Storm King. Maybe they succeeded because, though there are many demons, not all of them serve Deskari or Baphomet? I'm curious. Are all demons in the Worldwound under Deskari's control? I mean, I know there are many demons that worship other demon lords in the Worldwound. But would they attack Mendev with Deskari's demonic horde? Or they would not, because those demon lords are not interested in conquering Golarion?
2. Why did Deskari allow these demons live in the Worldwound anyway? I thought he would gladly oust other demon lords' worshipers from his realm. Turns out demon lords can cooperate pretty well, maybe?
3. Wrath of the Righteous shows six demon lords in the bestiary section: Xoveron, Shax, Sifkesh, Nocticula, Baphomet, and Deskari. I can understand why you chose the latter three, because they have a very strong presence in the adventure path. But why did you choose the former three? Was it because these six demon lords have the most strong presence in the Worldwound? That other demon lords have no strong presence or are not interested in the Worldwound?
4. I still have hard time understanding the importance of closing the Worldwound. Demons have many ways to come to the Material Plane, right? And powerful demons can make gates to transport their army, right? Then why would they need the Worldwound anyway? And even if the Worldwound is so important to demons, I still don't understand why Deskari wants to rip wide open the Worldwound. It has been there for almost a hundred years. What does widening the Worldwound have to do with the sudden expansion of the demonic presence in the world? The demons conquered almost half the Inner Sea region in this future.
5. If the heroes fail to close the Worldwound and Deskari starts the war to conquer Golarion, would other demon lords join him as well? And would some demon lords actively oppose him and fight alongside humans?
6. There is an illustration that depicts three human generals discussing about defense plan against demons in page 64 of City of Locusts. Where are they from? The left guy seems like from Cheliax, because of the black and red colors of his clothes. But I have no concrete clue about other two. Maybe Andoran and Mendev, respectively? What do you think?
7. Arueshalae was under Nocticula before her redemption. Then what would happen if Arueshalae go to the Midnight Isles with the PCs and meet Nocticula? Would the lady kill the traitor immediately? Would Nocticula warn the redeemed succubus not to come back again? Would Nocticula forgive Arueshalae generously?
8. The Worldwound and Cheliax are your pet nations, right? And you don't want Cheliax to fall because you like it so much, right? Then why did you let the Worldwound fall by the PCs by publishing Wrath of the Righteous? I like the adventure path, but I thought you don't want to officially delete the Worldwound from Golarion because you like it. But by defeating Deskari and closing the Worldwound, the land of demons is no more.
9. Mendev has been infiltrated by the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth very much. Then what about other nations? Did the Templars infiltrate into Taldan, Andoren, Kyonin, Numerian, and Chelish goernments and armies as well? Or they weren't because the Templars were paying their whole attention to Mendev?
10. Even after the wardstones lose their power, the demons only attacked Mendev and not Numeria, Ustalav, Belkzen, or the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. Is it because Deskari regarded the crusaders as the biggest obstacle against him and thus he thought eliminating the crusaders would be his top priority?
11. Page 46 of Lost Kingdoms said that after the death of Aroden, Deskari got emboldened and threw open the portal in Sarkoris. Does that mean, if Aroden didn't die, Deskari didn't dare to open the Worldwound because he was afraid that Aroden would come to the Material Plane again and smash the Lord of the Locust Host like he did in 4433 AR?
12. Has Deskari already existed before the publishing of Pathfinder? Or he didn't, and Paizo(maybe you?) created him?
13. Dagon is a demon lord. But I thought he and his wife Hydra are Cthulhu Mythos creatures. Shouldn't they be Great Old Ones? If you can take a time machine and go back to 2008, would you have changed them into Great Old Ones?
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Creative Director
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Spoiler:1. At first I thought that humanity has no chance against the Worldwound, because the abyss is literally infinite, and thus the number of the demons are literally infinite. But according to page 93 of Demon's Heresy, even without the PCs, the crusaders successfully defended Nerosyan against the army of the Storm King. Maybe they succeeded because, though there are many demons, not all of them serve Deskari or Baphomet? I'm curious. Are all demons in the Worldwound under Deskari's control? I mean, I know there are many demons that worship other demon lords in the Worldwound. But would they attack Mendev with Deskari's demonic horde? Or they would not, because those demon lords are not interested in conquering Golarion?2. Why did Deskari allow these demons live in the Worldwound anyway? I thought he would gladly oust other demon lords' worshipers from his realm. Turns out demon lords can cooperate pretty well, maybe?
3. Wrath of the Righteous shows six demon lords in the bestiary section: Xoveron, Shax, Sifkesh, Nocticula, Baphomet, and Deskari. I can understand why you chose the latter three, because they have a very strong presence in the adventure path. But why did you choose the former three? Was it because these six demon lords have the most strong presence in the Worldwound? That other demon lords have no strong presence or are not interested in the Worldwound?
4. I still have hard time understanding the importance of closing the Worldwound. Demons have many ways to come to the Material Plane, right? And powerful demons can make gates to transport their army, right? Then why would they need the Worldwound anyway? And even if the Worldwound is so important to demons, I still don't understand why Deskari wants to rip wide open the Worldwound. It has been there for almost a hundred years. What does widening the Worldwound have to do with the sudden expansion of the demonic presence in the world? The demons conquered almost half the Inner Sea region in this future.
5. If the heroes fail to close the Worldwound and Deskari starts the war to conquer Golarion, would other demon lords join him as well? And would some demon lords actively oppose him and fight alongside humans?
6. There is an illustration that depicts three human generals discussing about defense plan against demons in page 64 of City of Locusts. Where are they from? The left guy seems like from Cheliax, because of the black and red colors of his clothes. But I have no concrete clue about other two. Maybe Andoran and Mendev, respectively? What do you think?
2) Because there's no sin to foster in mortals in demon lord realms.
3) Because of a combination of their themes being appropriate for Wrath (ruins for Xoveron, murder for Shax, heresy for Sifkesh), and because they were demon lords I wanted to stat up.
4) The events that led up to the creation of the Worldwound are not an "Everyday" event, nor is it something a demon lord can make happen whenever they want. It was the result of hundreds of years of work and at least one significant false start. When someone gets cancer, it doesn't automatically happen everywhere in the body, but it can spread. Why and where it starts is fate, and if you don't fight it, it will kill you. Same with something like the worldwound.
5) Up to the GM. I'd say that yeah, several more demon lords would join and then Golarion would be destroyed soon enough and you'd need a new setting to play your game in. So if your players fail to win the best choice is for your next game to simply assume the previous events didn't happen. Reboot your version of Golarion, in other wods
6) Just random people; they're not intended to be anyone other than random generals in the war.
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Creative Director
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Spoiler:7. Arueshalae was under Nocticula before her redemption. Then what would happen if Arueshalae go to the Midnight Isles with the PCs and meet Nocticula? Would the lady kill the traitor immediately? Would Nocticula warn the redeemed succubus not to come back again? Would Nocticula forgive Arueshalae generously?8. The Worldwound and Cheliax are your pet nations, right? And you don't want Cheliax to fall because you like it so much, right? Then why did you let the Worldwound fall by the PCs by publishing Wrath of the Righteous? I like the adventure path, but I thought you don't want to officially delete the Worldwound from Golarion because you like it. But by defeating Deskari and closing the Worldwound, the land of demons is no more.
9. Mendev has been infiltrated by the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth very much. Then what about other nations? Did the Templars infiltrate into Taldan, Andoren, Kyonin, Numerian, and Chelish goernments and armies as well? Or they weren't because the Templars were paying their whole attention to Mendev?
10. Even after the wardstones lose their power, the demons only attacked Mendev and not Numeria, Ustalav, Belkzen, or the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. Is it because Deskari regarded the crusaders as the biggest obstacle against him and thus he thought eliminating the crusaders would be his top priority?
11. Page 46 of Lost Kingdoms said that after the death of Aroden, Deskari got emboldened and threw open the portal in Sarkoris. Does that mean, if Aroden didn't die, Deskari didn't dare to open the Worldwound because he was afraid that Aroden would come to the Material Plane again and smash the Lord of the Locust Host like he did in 4433 AR?
12. Has Deskari already existed before the publishing of Pathfinder? Or he didn't, and Paizo(maybe you?) created him?
13. Dagon is a demon lord. But I thought he and his wife Hydra are Cthulhu Mythos creatures. Shouldn't they be Great Old Ones? If you can take a time machine and go back to 2008, would you have changed them into Great Old Ones?
8) Nope. Neither is my "pet" nation. Both were invented by Erik, as far as I can recall, but he regards neither as his sole territory. I didn't want Cheliax to fall because it's too uniquely Golarion to throw away. The Worldwound being closed is a different story—the whole POINT of that region is to give powerful characters a goal like stopping the flow of demons. Cheliax was invented to give us a long-standing nation of bad guys. The Worldwound was not; it was invented specifically to allow us to tell the story we wanted to tell in Wrath of the Righteous.
9) Not really.
10) It's because the crusaders are the ones who have most been infected with sinful acts as the result of the long war, and by focusing their attacks on them Deskari hopes to foster more sin. And because killing or corrupting lawful good folks is more delicious than other folks to demons, and there are more lawful good folks to kill or corrupt there than in Numeria or the other places you list.
11) No, but it would have taken Deskari longer.
12) No; he was invented by Erik in the first Gazetteer we created for Golarion.
13) The demon lord Dagon in Bestiary 6 is not the same Dagon as appears in Lovecraft's stories, and neither of those are the same Dagon as the real-world mythological deity. Dagon has been categorized as a demon lord in the game from as far back as 1st edition D&D, where his name was listed in a list of other demon lords drawn from mythology and Gary Gygax's imagination in the introduction to demons in the 1st edition AD&D Monster Manual II. Keeping Dagon as a demon lord is something of an easter egg to D&D and a nod to nostalgia. There can still exist the Lovecraft Dagon and Hydra (who aren't really husband and wife), but in my mind, those two exist on Earth, not Golarion, and their interests are local to Earth, and thus that Dagon has no real impact on Goalrion. If I had a time machine to go back to 2008, I would keep Dagon as a demon lord, but I would have pushed harder to include the Outer Gods and Great Old Ones in Golarion from the start rather than a gradual introduction. I've always felt that those entities are a PERFECT match for Golarion, and the fan response to us including them is overwhelmingly positive, but in those early days most of the rest of the folks at Paizo didn't feel that way and they needed to get used to the idea slowly over time.
I've decided to start leveling my Hunter in WoW (currently 100 with the BM artifact weapon) but I never played Hunter much other than getting him to 100 last expansion. Other than a devilsaur, what pet would you recommend for aesthetics and for effect?
My current project in mounts is the Ghost Moose from digging in Tauren archeological sites. Any mount you're shooting for?
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Creative Director
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My current project in mounts is the Ghost Moose from digging in Tauren archeological sites. Any mount you're shooting for?
Nope. I think I'm done with Warcraft, actually... I re-upped my sub for the latest expansion and played for 2 months after paying for a transfer to a new server to rejoin some friends there, but the combination of them not being as active online as a guild and other things made me quickly lose my interest and I cancelled the sub again. I'm pretty sure for good this time. Can't really afford to maintain the subscription if I don't play enough to justify it.
Does anyone at Paizo like Alain, or is he just intentionally designed to be despised?
My favorite is the art with Amiri in Horror Adventures...
How would you go about redeeming Laori? Even without using the redemption rules in p.18-19 of Champions of Purity, her praying to Zon-Kuthon would be a problem, and going without spells for more than a week would be a bigger one.
John,
I love the system, the world, the stories. Thank you so much for Wrath of the righteous, it was like it was written for my Mythic Bard, Cavalier, Battle herald, Evangelist! Never thought I'd say that was the perfect fit lol. Simply put, the End of book 5 was the best tabletop RP experience of my life. Twas Gloriously Epic!
Anyway I have a question that came up during my Rise of the Runelords campaign during the skinsaw murders.
How does arcane healing work? "Conjuration: Healing: Certain divine conjurations heal creatures or even bring them back to life."
Seems like this is an odd school for a healing subschool when necromancy says "Necromancy spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force."
This seems to imply something more than what is written. Wouldn't the life force be the way to heal someone? We see that certain items can that use necromantic spells Martyr's Tear for one. (my paladin player just tried to buy this and use it only he found out it was necromancy and panicked)
But you have to take life away to give it with necromancy and yet conjuration just gives it. It also says it is from a "Certain divine Conjuration" seemingly implying there is NO WAY for the arcane to do any real healing. ALL healing is divine in origin and you simply conjure a divine healing mcguffin and use it to fix whatever ails you. This leads to the conclusion that necromancy is the arcane attempt to wield godly power or a counterfit to divine healing and thus a total perversion of divine power! A veritable attempt to play god as a school of magic. We can clearly see opposites in raise dead and animate dead, two seemingly similar spells that are from TOTALLY different schools and with WAY different results.
So whats the real implication? The party lead in my campaign is a Necromancer given diplomatic protection by the pure legion to go and raise evil men to undeath to serve purgatorial sentences because they don't believe those men will ever pay for their crimes due to a lack of belief in the gods. I call him a Soul Warden. He has recently been shaken in his belief that necromancy is a tool without a moral inclination by the events at the misgivings and during a side quest where they followed a map left on traver's desk to a location on grubber's hermitage and found the first section of the gluttonous tome hidden in a former mountain top ruin beneath the church there (seems like V was trying to find another way to fix the family error he made).
Anyway Necromancy is clearly a huge theme from here on out with the possibility of Zutha on the horizon and the party just keeps digging for answers into the schools of magic and the moral nature of the school at large. I think it could be ok for a paladin to use a matyr's tear to siphon his own health to give to others. It could also be perceived as an evil perversion of divine healing. I haven't made a ruling on it yet. The necromancer of the pure legion uses wands to heal people, but if it is indeed from a divine source then is he actually violating his belief system? He doesn't know yet, and its gonna be a great story to see unfold.
I have plans for what they could find in the ruins of thassalon concerning these things but I am eager to know if you have an official explanation or any fragments of one before I make up my own. Lord Zutha needs to know his stuff MUAHAHAHAHAA!
Thanks
Dear James,
I am running a Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign (started with the original version converted to Pathfinder and now switched to the Hardcover since it came out) and we are having a blast. It is truly the most immersive Adventure Path I have experienced yet and the connection my players feel to the story, the city and the NPCs in the campaign is so strong that it is my favorite campaign ever.
I mostly ran with everything as written, except that I made one tiny change recently:
Now my question is this: When would be the best moment to reveal Kazavon's draconic nature in your opinion?
I was originally planning in letting the Sun Shaman tell the PCs. But since I realized that Kazavon is mostly depicted in his human guise in Scarwall, I thought I'd keep it a secret for a bit longer.
Maybe Belshallam could tell them? But I'm afraid they might attack before it gets out. Any other opportunities to use it for full dramatic effect that you see?
Here's a question.
If a Elder Deep One (the CR14) damages something that has regeneration (deific) does that regeneration get suppressed?
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Creative Director
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How would you go about redeeming Laori? Even without using the redemption rules in p.18-19 of Champions of Purity, her praying to Zon-Kuthon would be a problem, and going without spells for more than a week would be a bigger one.
I wouldn't. She's more interesting as is.
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Does anyone at Paizo like Alain, or is he just intentionally designed to be despised?
My favorite is the art with Amiri in Horror Adventures...
I don't know everyones likes or dislikes. I only really know mine. You'd have to ask the others if they like or dislike him. I think his ART is great though.
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Creative Director
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John,
I love the system, the world, the stories. Thank you so much for Wrath of the righteous, it was like it was written for my Mythic Bard, Cavalier, Battle herald, Evangelist! Never thought I'd say that was the perfect fit lol. Simply put, the End of book 5 was the best tabletop RP experience of my life. Twas Gloriously Epic!Anyway I have a question that came up during my Rise of the Runelords campaign during the skinsaw murders.
How does arcane healing work? "Conjuration: Healing: Certain divine conjurations heal creatures or even bring them back to life."
Seems like this is an odd school for a healing subschool when necromancy says "Necromancy spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force."This seems to imply something more than what is written. Wouldn't the life force be the way to heal someone? We see that certain items can that use necromantic spells Martyr's Tear for one. (my paladin player just tried to buy this and use it only he found out it was necromancy and panicked)
But you have to take life away to give it with necromancy and yet conjuration just gives it. It also says it is from a "Certain divine Conjuration" seemingly implying there is NO WAY for the arcane to do any real healing. ALL healing is divine in origin and you simply conjure a divine healing mcguffin and use it to fix whatever ails you. This leads to the conclusion that necromancy is the arcane attempt to wield godly power or a counterfit to divine healing and thus a total perversion of divine power! A veritable attempt to play god as a school of magic. We can clearly see opposites in raise dead and animate dead, two seemingly similar spells that are from TOTALLY different schools and with WAY different results.So whats the real implication? The party lead in my campaign is a Necromancer given diplomatic protection by the pure legion to go and raise evil men to undeath to serve purgatorial sentences because they don't believe those men will ever pay for their crimes due to a lack of belief in the...
Necromancy is indeed the logical choice for healing magic, but when 3rd edition was designed, for whatever reason, those designers decided to move healing magic OUT of necromancy and into conjuration. (Healing magic WAS necromancy in 1st and 2nd edition D&D.) When we created Pathfinder, we wanted to preserve as much backward compatibility with 3.5 D&D as possible, so we didn't change healing magic back to necromancy.
The quote that healing magic is always divine is blatantly wrong, though. It's usually divine, but not always. Bards and witches can cast healing spells, and they're still arcane spellcasters.
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Creative Director
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Dear James,
I am running a Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign (started with the original version converted to Pathfinder and now switched to the Hardcover since it came out) and we are having a blast. It is truly the most immersive Adventure Path I have experienced yet and the connection my players feel to the story, the city and the NPCs in the campaign is so strong that it is my favorite campaign ever.
I mostly ran with everything as written, except that I made one tiny change recently:
** spoiler omitted **
Play it by ear. If they get all the way to the last encounter before they discover it... that can be fun too.
...
Necromancy is indeed the logical choice for healing magic, but when 3rd edition was designed, for whatever reason, those designers decided to move healing magic OUT of necromancy and into conjuration. (Healing magic WAS necromancy in 1st and 2nd edition D&D.) When we created Pathfinder, we wanted to preserve as much backward compatibility with 3.5 D&D as possible, so we didn't change healing magic back to necromancy.The quote that healing magic is always divine is blatantly wrong, though. It's usually divine, but not always. Bards and witches can cast healing spells, and they're still arcane spellcasters.
Thanks for the response!
Any insight into what is being conjured to provide the healing? Or are you saying that the subschool description for healing in the core rulebook is so wrong that the arcane casters don't actually conjure anything at all to heal and it just was placed under conjuration for mechanical compatibility?
So to clarify:
[It just works, it is true arcane healing, not a divine conjuration, and there's not really any implication here just a mechanical choice] is what i'm getting.
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Creative Director
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...
Necromancy is indeed the logical choice for healing magic, but when 3rd edition was designed, for whatever reason, those designers decided to move healing magic OUT of necromancy and into conjuration. (Healing magic WAS necromancy in 1st and 2nd edition D&D.) When we created Pathfinder, we wanted to preserve as much backward compatibility with 3.5 D&D as possible, so we didn't change healing magic back to necromancy.The quote that healing magic is always divine is blatantly wrong, though. It's usually divine, but not always. Bards and witches can cast healing spells, and they're still arcane spellcasters.
Thanks for the response!
Any insight into what is being conjured to provide the healing? Or are you saying that the subschool description for healing in the core rulebook is so wrong that the arcane casters don't actually conjure anything at all to heal and it just was placed under conjuration for mechanical compatibility?
So to clarify:
[It just works, it is true arcane healing, not a divine conjuration, and there's not really any implication here just a mechanical choice] is what i'm getting.
The idea is that when you heal something, you're conjuring raw life from the positive energy plane to restore health, I guess. Which could be the same way you describe negative energy effects like inflict wounds and enervation, so that's a 100% arbitrary and difficult decision to justify... but it's the decision they made back in the day.
Hey James! Got a question for you about planar-touched races.
So essentially every plane on the Pathfinder canon has some form of human-that-has-been-altered-by-a-plane race:
- The Plane of Fire has Ifrit
- The Plane of Water has Undine
- The Plane of Earth has Oreads
- The Plane of Air has Sylph
- The Shadow Plane has Fetchlings
- The Good-Aligned Outer Planes have Aasimar
- The Evil-Aligned Outer Planes have Tieflings
- The Maelstrom has Ganzi
...which is a pretty solid list. However, some of the planes lack representation:
- The Ethereal Plane (although since Night Hags are native residents, by my understanding, Changelings could fill this spot if they were Native Outsiders like the others. Doesn't seem to be many other reasonable outsider residents for this plane, so this one kinda makes some sense)
- The Positive Energy Plane (Jyoti might be a bit of a stretch with their xenophobic attitudes, but Manasaputra might be more willing to exist around mortals)
- The Negative Energy Plane (although since Undead inhabit this plane, Dhampir could be seen as the representatives of this plane even though they aren't native outsiders, especially with their negative energy affinity... seems like a more plausible option than Nightshades or Sceaduinar.)
- The Lawful Neutral plane, Axis
- The True Neutral plane, The Boneyard
Have I just missed the Outsider player races for these somewhere? Or is there a in-world reason that inhabitants of these planes don't have humanoid races? The Ganzi kind of present the idea that energy leeching off from another plane can influence the development of the Materiel Plane's inhabitants, so actual reproduction doesn't seem to need to be a defining factor?
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Creative Director
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Hey James! Got a question for you about planar-touched races.
So essentially every plane on the Pathfinder canon has some form of human-that-has-been-altered-by-a-plane race:
- The Plane of Fire has Ifrit
- The Plane of Water has Undine
- The Plane of Earth has Oreads
- The Plane of Air has Sylph
- The Shadow Plane has Fetchlings
- The Good-Aligned Outer Planes have Aasimar
- The Evil-Aligned Outer Planes have Tieflings
- The Maelstrom has Ganzi
...which is a pretty solid list. However, some of the planes lack representation:
- The Ethereal Plane (although since Night Hags are native residents, by my understanding, Changelings could fill this spot if they were Native Outsiders like the others. Doesn't seem to be many other reasonable outsider residents for this plane, so this one kinda makes some sense)
- The Positive Energy Plane (Jyoti might be a bit of a stretch with their xenophobic attitudes, but Manasaputra might be more willing to exist around mortals)
- The Negative Energy Plane (although since Undead inhabit this plane, Dhampir could be seen as the representatives of this plane even though they aren't native outsiders, especially with their negative energy affinity... seems like a more plausible option than Nightshades or Sceaduinar.)
- The Lawful Neutral plane, Axis
- The True Neutral plane, The Boneyard
Have I just missed the Outsider player races for these somewhere? Or is there a in-world reason that inhabitants of these planes don't have humanoid races? The Ganzi kind of present the idea that energy leeching off from another plane can influence the development of the Materiel Plane's inhabitants, so actual reproduction doesn't seem to need to be a defining factor?
We haven't really been intentionally trying to build a zero HD race for every plane. They happen sporadically as authors are inspired to do so, but the existence of a few does not guarantee there'll be some for every plane.
We haven't really been intentionally trying to build a zero HD race for every plane. They happen sporadically as authors are inspired to do so, but the existence of a few does not guarantee there'll be some for every plane.Hey James! Got a question for you about planar-touched races.
So essentially every plane on the Pathfinder canon has some form of human-that-has-been-altered-by-a-plane race:
- The Plane of Fire has Ifrit
- The Plane of Water has Undine
- The Plane of Earth has Oreads
- The Plane of Air has Sylph
- The Shadow Plane has Fetchlings
- The Good-Aligned Outer Planes have Aasimar
- The Evil-Aligned Outer Planes have Tieflings
- The Maelstrom has Ganzi
...which is a pretty solid list. However, some of the planes lack representation:
- The Ethereal Plane (although since Night Hags are native residents, by my understanding, Changelings could fill this spot if they were Native Outsiders like the others. Doesn't seem to be many other reasonable outsider residents for this plane, so this one kinda makes some sense)
- The Positive Energy Plane (Jyoti might be a bit of a stretch with their xenophobic attitudes, but Manasaputra might be more willing to exist around mortals)
- The Negative Energy Plane (although since Undead inhabit this plane, Dhampir could be seen as the representatives of this plane even though they aren't native outsiders, especially with their negative energy affinity... seems like a more plausible option than Nightshades or Sceaduinar.)
- The Lawful Neutral plane, Axis
- The True Neutral plane, The Boneyard
Have I just missed the Outsider player races for these somewhere? Or is there a in-world reason that inhabitants of these planes don't have humanoid races? The Ganzi kind of present the idea that energy leeching off from another plane can influence the development of the Materiel Plane's inhabitants, so actual reproduction doesn't seem to need to be a defining factor?
Alright, that makes sense. Do you have any info on stuff in the works for any Inevitable or Psychopomp descended races for Axis and the Boneyard? To at least complete the options for descendants from the Outer Planes?
How would you go about redeeming Laori? Even without using the redemption rules in p.18-19 of Champions of Purity, her praying to Zon-Kuthon would be a problem, and going without spells for more than a week would be a bigger one.I wouldn't. She's more interesting as is.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I love her personality and interests, which is all the more reason it'd be a shame if she went to a bad place, or hurt an innocent. Also, CotCT p.451 gives pretty strong hints pushing redemption.
So, besides being a friend, what else would you recommend?
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How would you go about redeeming Laori? Even without using the redemption rules in p.18-19 of Champions of Purity, her praying to Zon-Kuthon would be a problem, and going without spells for more than a week would be a bigger one.I wouldn't. She's more interesting as is.Oh, don't get me wrong, I love her personality and interests, which is all the more reason it'd be a shame if she went to a bad place, or hurt an innocent. Also, CotCT p.451 gives pretty strong hints pushing redemption.
So, besides being a friend, what else would you recommend?
Show her a better option to worship than Zon-Kuthon that still allows her freedom of expression and curiosity, but do so in a way that's respectful of her and not bossy.
Just a quick warning for you: I know you've been avoiding all of the ME:A media so far, but it's starting to get super spoilery at this point, so be extra careful. Even I, the rabid fan, have started to shy away from the news about the game at this point.
Oh, and a question: is there anything non-spoilery you would like to know about the game (mechanics and such) before it comes out? I might be able to find a few links for you, or just summarize the information.
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Creative Director
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Just a quick warning for you: I know you've been avoiding all of the ME:A media so far, but it's starting to get super spoilery at this point, so be extra careful. Even I, the rabid fan, have started to shy away from the news about the game at this point.
Oh, and a question: is there anything non-spoilery you would like to know about the game (mechanics and such) before it comes out? I might be able to find a few links for you, or just summarize the information.
I've been avoiding Mass Effect: Andromeda information for months, and will continue to do so. I'll be buying it as "sight unseen" as possible because I don't want spoilers, nor do I want my opinion of the game to be unduly influenced by other factors. I've no need to know more about it at this time.
I've stopped playing WoW at Cataclysm as I no longer enjoyed it as much, but I loved a lot the storyline and a lot of great characters from the game, specially everything involving Arthas and Sylvanas.
Which is your favorite WoW storyline? Do you have any favorite official characters?
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I've stopped playing WoW at Cataclysm as I no longer enjoyed it as much, but I loved a lot the storyline and a lot of great characters from the game, specially everything involving Arthas and Sylvanas.
Which is your favorite WoW storyline? Do you have any favorite official characters?
My favorite storyline is the original one for World of Warcraft and what came just before with the Night Elves returning to the world, but I also like the story of the Burning Crusade and the introduction of draenei.
My favorite character in-game is probably Yrel, but C'thun and Yogg-Saron are both fun as well. Jainia Proudmore and Tyrande Whisperwind are cool too.
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I've been avoiding Mass Effect: Andromeda information for months, and will continue to do so. I'll be buying it as "sight unseen" as possible because I don't want spoilers, nor do I want my opinion of the game to be unduly influenced by other factors. I've no need to know more about it at this time.Just a quick warning for you: I know you've been avoiding all of the ME:A media so far, but it's starting to get super spoilery at this point, so be extra careful. Even I, the rabid fan, have started to shy away from the news about the game at this point.
Oh, and a question: is there anything non-spoilery you would like to know about the game (mechanics and such) before it comes out? I might be able to find a few links for you, or just summarize the information.
Well, the training hub is up, it has some light spoilers, but if you watch all the videos you get a helmet and a skin.
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How do you diet without feeling miserable? I know I need to do it but then part of my brain goes "IF I DON'T HAVE THE G+!!#$N SUGAR I WON'T BE ABLE TO SWALLOW THE G+%+!&N COFFEE I NEED TO KEEP FROM FALLING ASLEEP AT WORK!!!"
Helps being used to feeling miserable, I guess?
But also, it helps to know that losing weight makes you feel LESS miserable.
And also ALSO helps to get used to coffee without sugar.
But the biggest thing that helped me? The two biggest things? Working with a diet coach/nutritionist and tracking what I eat.
Another big thing is to let yourself eat something you DO like now and then... not all the time. Once a week or so treat yourself.
Two Gladiatorial questions:
1)Are there any places in Golarion with large scale arenas?
2)What sort of places have sketchy underground pit fights?
1. Is it possible to leave behind an object with astral projection? Say I project to the other side of the planet, leave an astral version of something there, and end the spell. Did I move the actual object, or does the astral copy wink out of existence?
2. When yithians mind swap, can they bring any tools with them?
3. How do yithians move through time? Inherent ability? Mythostech?
Suppose a person's stuck in a yithian body:
4. What personal growth (i.e., class levels) can they accomplish while there?
5. How could a person's mind escape the time, place, and body of their yithian confinement
Hi James,
Did you see the zombie shark in the new trailer for the next Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.
Hi James!
Are you still running Horror on the Orient Express? If so, how's it going?
Have a great Sunday!
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I know it's way early to be asking about Ruins of Azlant, but I reread the page for the first book and I got confused: I was under the impression that the PCs in RoA were Pathfinders sent from the Pathfinder Lodge in Andoran on an archaeological expedition. The page for The Lost Outpost one the other hand, indicates the PCs are being sent in an official capacity to investigate why a colony has gone silent. Did I just imagine the whole "PCs are Pathfinders" thing or something? I just remember reading announcements about this AP and going "SWEET! IT STARTS IN ANDORAN! FINALLY I HAVE AN EXCUSE TO PLAY AN EAGLE KNIGHT!" but now I'm wondering if that was just me being delusional.
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1. Is it possible to leave behind an object with astral projection? Say I project to the other side of the planet, leave an astral version of something there, and end the spell. Did I move the actual object, or does the astral copy wink out of existence?
2. When yithians mind swap, can they bring any tools with them?
3. How do yithians move through time? Inherent ability? Mythostech?
Suppose a person's stuck in a yithian body:
4. What personal growth (i.e., class levels) can they accomplish while there?
5. How could a person's mind escape the time, place, and body of their yithian confinement
1) The astral copy vanishes as soon as the spell ends.
2) No. It's purely mental. See "Shadow out of Time" by Lovecraft.
3) Inherent ability.
4) As many as they want, but those levels are theirs, not the host's.
5) Magic, patience, or luck.