Creative Director
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What, in your mind, separates an inspiring speech sort of thing as something handled by Diplomacy, something handled by Perform (oratory) and just something the player does?
More specifically, they're making an inspiring speech for the heck of it, or to look dramatic before they do something, rather than hoping to achieve an actual mechanical advantage.
I ask because you generally only have so many skill points to use, unless you're a bard or rogue, in which case this is a non-issue. But what about other classes, particularly those that don't get Perform as a class skill?
And on an unrelated note, how do the different Shoanti Quahs view "half-breed" types like half-elves and the like? I know half-orcs are generally killed at birth, especially among the Sklar-Quah, as the orcs of Belkzen are among their mortal enemies, but how do they feel about relationships with elves? About aasimars and tieflings? Or even just relationships with tshamek humans?
Perform skills, with the exception of how they're used for bardic performances, are generally in the same category as Craft and Profession—they're skills you use to make money. Perform (oratory) is acting. Diplomacy is the skill you use to actually have real applications toward influencing others. In almost every case, you'll want to use Diplomacy for this type of thing.
The Shoanti Quahs tend to view half elves with some levels of suspicion and mistrust, but no more so than they apply to humans of other ethnicities or elves. To the Shoanti, half-elves are no different than those others. Half-orcs they generally view with hatred and disgust unless the half-orc does a LOT to prove them otherwise. Aasimars are often regarded as frightening agents of the gods and are treated with fearful respect, and tieflings as dangerous agents of the fiends and are treated with respectful fear. And of course... on an individual level anything is possible.
Kinda the same way, I suspect.1)How does Desna view Iomedae?
2) How does Iomedae view Desna?
1) As a control freak and an upstart more interested in glory than in what's good for her worshipers.
2) As a hippie and weird old goddess more interested in making decisions without thinking through the consequences than planning for the long term.
1. How do you view Iomedae?
2. How would Iomedae view you?
Iomedae views you as a weird hippie goddess? o.0
Well... in fairness... Desna's a lot LOT older than Iomedae. Desna's had untold millions of years, if not more, to do stuff. She can recall a time when there were no demons at all, after all.
Does she rattle off tales of those elder days to the young'uns?
"Back in my day, we didn't even have demons. We had qlippoth, and we were darn grateful they were the worst thing we had to contend with! And we had to walk through the Astral Plane to get from one Outer Plane to another! None of this plane shift stuff you kids use nowadays..."
Hey James,
One of my players for the future Iron Gods game I'm running wanted to know some stuff about androids since he's playing one:
-How exactly do androids speak? Monotone, stilted, a bit of both? I assume they're just as capable as anyone else at laughing, crying, shouting in anger, etc. but it's just uncommon.
-What would be the best way to disguise themselves at level 1? This player is playing an android who barely escaped from the atrocities of the Technic League and is quite paranoid about who she reveals her nature to. The player believes a damphir would be the best thing an android can impersonate but I'd say no, at least not in regards to their eyes.
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Iomedae views you as a weird hippie goddess? o.0Kinda the same way, I suspect.1)How does Desna view Iomedae?
2) How does Iomedae view Desna?
1) As a control freak and an upstart more interested in glory than in what's good for her worshipers.
2) As a hippie and weird old goddess more interested in making decisions without thinking through the consequences than planning for the long term.
1. How do you view Iomedae?
2. How would Iomedae view you?
Hippie Succubi... Interesting.
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Hey James, :)
I have a few random questions that will all probably serve to inspire my next several game sessions in Rise of the Runelords, and especially the Lovecraftian/Dunsanian side-flavor I've got going on there. Forgive the couple 'stat' questions, but give me a personal answer if you can swing it (not looking for world-building here).
1) If you had to offer a Pathfinder-based class/level for Randolph Carter post-Dream Quest (moreso as the King of Ilek-Vad and less as whatever appears in 'Through the Gates of the Silver Key.), what would you offer?
2) Similarly, Keziah Mason. I am aware the Dimensional Occultist archetype was made with her in mind. What level would you give her?
3) Speaking of the Dreamlands: Is there any plan to include more information on them in a future product or AP? I am aware Leng has gotten a page in Into the Nightmare Rift, but it would be interesting to see something practical (and fluffy!) on the rest of the Lands of Dream at least how they relate to Golarion.
4) Last question for this evening, and I'll keep it on topic. Zura is the (presumably) Azlanti queen turned Vampire Demon Lord and mistress of all sorts of bloody, terrible hungry-dead relative things. Xura is the Land of Pleasures Unattained (a fantastical and presumably boundless area in the Dreamlands that appears in the White Ship and others). With all Lumley stuff disregarded for the moment, I'd REALLY enjoy using both concepts as existing in my Golarion (already have, really). I enjoy the Players getting slightly confused when they see one mention of Z/Xura as a dark and nightmarish place and another as a dark and nightmarish...person. However, being who you are, I have the respect and would really love to hear a thought or two on how you would have both concepts exist and possibly connect, if you were doing things.
Thanks mate. I really enjoy reading your posts and seeing your thoughts and answers. Later.
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Creative Director
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Iomedae views you as a weird hippie goddess? o.0Kinda the same way, I suspect.1)How does Desna view Iomedae?
2) How does Iomedae view Desna?
1) As a control freak and an upstart more interested in glory than in what's good for her worshipers.
2) As a hippie and weird old goddess more interested in making decisions without thinking through the consequences than planning for the long term.
1. How do you view Iomedae?
2. How would Iomedae view you?
HA
No. I should have clarified a bit more, I guess... but it's kind of a silly question in the first place so maybe a silly answer is okay.|
Creative Director
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Well... in fairness... Desna's a lot LOT older than Iomedae. Desna's had untold millions of years, if not more, to do stuff. She can recall a time when there were no demons at all, after all.Does she rattle off tales of those elder days to the young'uns?
"Back in my day, we didn't even have demons. We had qlippoth, and we were darn grateful they were the worst thing we had to contend with! And we had to walk through the Astral Plane to get from one Outer Plane to another! None of this plane shift stuff you kids use nowadays..."
Nope. She's an old deity, but in a lot of ways she acts younger than most deities.
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Creative Director
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Hey James,
One of my players for the future Iron Gods game I'm running wanted to know some stuff about androids since he's playing one:
-How exactly do androids speak? Monotone, stilted, a bit of both? I assume they're just as capable as anyone else at laughing, crying, shouting in anger, etc. but it's just uncommon.
-What would be the best way to disguise themselves at level 1? This player is playing an android who barely escaped from the atrocities of the Technic League and is quite paranoid about who she reveals her nature to. The player believes a damphir would be the best thing an android can impersonate but I'd say no, at least not in regards to their eyes.
Androids sound like regular people, but their voices aren't as emotional. They're really bad at emotions, and that means laughing, crying, shouting in anger, and the like would often feel like bad acting.
Androids look like humans; they're designed that way. The best way to disguise yourself to avoid the eyes of hunters is to avoid using your nanites in public (that's the only time your circuitry tattoos show up) and avoid being wounded in public (android blood is a lot more watery than human blood). Android eyes are another hint, but they're not obvious enough to give one away at a glance. All of this means it's a pretty easy disguise check to avoid discovery.
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Creative Director
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Hey James, :)
I have a few random questions that will all probably serve to inspire my next several game sessions in Rise of the Runelords, and especially the Lovecraftian/Dunsanian side-flavor I've got going on there. Forgive the couple 'stat' questions, but give me a personal answer if you can swing it (not looking for world-building here).
1) If you had to offer a Pathfinder-based class/level for Randolph Carter post-Dream Quest (moreso as the King of Ilek-Vad and less as whatever appears in 'Through the Gates of the Silver Key.), what would you offer?
2) Similarly, Keziah Mason. I am aware the Dimensional Occultist archetype was made with her in mind. What level would you give her?
3) Speaking of the Dreamlands: Is there any plan to include more information on them in a future product or AP? I am aware Leng has gotten a page in Into the Nightmare Rift, but it would be interesting to see something practical (and fluffy!) on the rest of the Lands of Dream at least how they relate to Golarion.
4) Last question for this evening, and I'll keep it on topic. Zura is the (presumably) Azlanti queen turned Vampire Demon Lord and mistress of all sorts of bloody, terrible hungry-dead relative things. Xura is the Land of Pleasures Unattained (a fantastical and presumably boundless area in the Dreamlands that appears in the White Ship and others). With all Lumley stuff disregarded for the moment, I'd REALLY enjoy using both concepts as existing in my Golarion (already have, really). I enjoy the Players getting slightly confused when they see one mention of Z/Xura as a dark and nightmarish place and another as a dark and nightmarish...person. However, being who you are, I have the respect and would really love to hear a thought or two on how you would have both concepts exist and possibly connect, if you were doing things.
Thanks mate. I really enjoy reading your posts and seeing your thoughts and answers. Later.
1) I'd probably make him a sorcerer with the dreamspun bloodline.
2) She'd be a witch with the dimensional occultist archetype, yes. She'd have to be high enough level to cast plane shift and teleport at least, so minimum of 13th level. I'd probably make her 20th level, actually, so she could serve as an AP boss.
3) No plans publicly announced at this point for more Dreamlands stuff.
4) You've found an easter egg! Apart from being pronounced the same, though, Zura and Xura don't have any links at all.
More questions for you!
1. Where would you draw the line between Bestow Curse and the Greater variant? Would cursing a spellcaster to feel anything harmful it does to another with magic (mechanically, affecting the caster with any debuff it casts) be within the limits of Bestow Curse?
2. Have you seen the movie "Ella Enchanted"? Would the physics defying curse she has to obey anything she's told to do (including freezing in mid-air) be possible with Greater Bestow Curse?
3. Is there a way to make a Geas(/Quest) instantaneous, permanent, or otherwise impossible to remove until the conditions have been met? How could a geas that would take several months to complete be done mechanically, since the duration is counted in days?
4. What, as far as alignments are concerned, is free-will? Is free-will a Good thing? Chaotic? Is it unaligned? If something strips away someone's free-will, is that an evil act? In other words; is mind-control magic and the like morally reprehensible (for mechanical purposes) or morally neutral and its use can be justified based on personal ethics?
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Creative Director
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More questions for you!
1. Where would you draw the line between Bestow Curse and the Greater variant? Would cursing a spellcaster to feel anything harmful it does to another with magic (mechanically, affecting the caster with any debuff it casts) be within the limits of Bestow Curse?
2. Have you seen the movie "Ella Enchanted"? Would the physics defying curse she has to obey anything she's told to do (including freezing in mid-air) be possible with Greater Bestow Curse?
3. Is there a way to make a Geas(/Quest) instantaneous, permanent, or otherwise impossible to remove until the conditions have been met? How could a geas that would take several months to complete be done mechanically, since the duration is counted in days?
4. What, as far as alignments are concerned, is free-will? Is free-will a Good thing? Chaotic? Is it unaligned? If something strips away someone's free-will, is that an evil act? In other words; is mind-control magic and the like morally reprehensible (for mechanical purposes) or morally neutral and its use can be justified based on personal ethics?
1) If I had any concerns about where a curse should fall on the bestow curse and greater variant... I'd have them always go to the greater one.
2) Haven't seen it.
3) Break the geas/quest up into multiple steps so that each time one stage is done (within the spell's limit), you can start the next one with a fresh casting. Or otherwise use a wish or miracle to do a superpowerful long duration geas/quest.
4) Free will is the ability to choose what alignment you are, and as such, is not itself associated with any of the alignments. Mind control, like fireballs or lightning bolts, is not inherently associated with any alignment. It's how you use the spells that matters.
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Creative Director
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A few questions about Irrisen:
When Baba Yaga shows up to replace the queen, the new one is already grown and has children. Where do they grow up? How does Baba Yaga have children at her immortal-but-still-old age?
In Irrisen-Land of Eternal Winter, its stated the country depends heavily on trade with other countries for food and other supplies due to the winter. Most towns focus largely on trade routes. How was Elvanna planning to run a frozen planet in Reign of Winter if she needs outside help to maintain Irrisen?
For that matter, why was the winter put into place to begin with? Even from an evil perspective, crippling your own nation like that just makes you (the ruler) poorer. The Jadwiga are well off, but they'd do even better if the country was in better shape (so they could get more in tribute/taxes).
You might want to check out the Reign of Winter Adventure Path for more information. And if there are still questions unanswered, you should ask Rob McCreary, since he's the one who did the Reign of Winter AP and knows a LOT more about it and Baba Yaga than I do.
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I have seen a few questions recently regarding morale and similar things, and I was wondering if you might offer your two cents worth on an issue of roll vs role play.
There are all manner of creatures out there that are immune to fear or mind affecting, and there are all manner of PCs that can throw down Intimidate and Diplomacy checks that would seem almost magical in their potency.
When an entity cannot have it's mind forcefully changed by a magical effect, are they subject to their mind changing through Diplomacy or Intimidate? Here is where the Role seems more relevant to the Roll, even if it is in the 50+ range.
Would a "successful" intimidate check against a creature with immunity to fear make them shaken?
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How much would you like to make Keziah Mason an AP End Boss?
I know we've had Wake of the Watcher, Carrion Hill, and Into the Nightmare Rift (and soon the Valley of the Brain Collectors) but what about a whole Mythos AP? Are you interested in doing such a thing?
Is anybody else at Paizo interested in doing such an AP?
Another couple of questions for you, these will be my last for today though.
1. If it turns out that Ayavah is right and Nocticula is trying to become a Good Goddess, what sort of impact would that have on succubi as a whole? Would they cease to be evil as well since their "mother" changed? Would current succubi remain as they are, but no more are created? Or would succubi continue on as the demons they've always been and Nocticula will just have to create a new "species" to be the Queen of if she wants to keep that title?
2. Would you ever allow a (low tier, probably capped at tier 1) Mythic character in a non-mythic campaign and/or party? Mythic adds a substantial amount of power. Would it be reasonable for a mythic character to take part in a non-mythic adventure path with other, non-mythic heroes if they had a level deficit? Say, a Level 5/Tier 1 amongst a party of level 6s.
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Creative Director
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I have seen a few questions recently regarding morale and similar things, and I was wondering if you might offer your two cents worth on an issue of roll vs role play.
There are all manner of creatures out there that are immune to fear or mind affecting, and there are all manner of PCs that can throw down Intimidate and Diplomacy checks that would seem almost magical in their potency.
When an entity cannot have it's mind forcefully changed by a magical effect, are they subject to their mind changing through Diplomacy or Intimidate? Here is where the Role seems more relevant to the Roll, even if it is in the 50+ range.
Would a "successful" intimidate check against a creature with immunity to fear make them shaken?
Diplomacy effects are not technically mind-affecting, and as such you can diplomacy against creatures that can understand you and realize what you're doing. The target needs to be intelligent enough to understand you of course. Intimidate to demoralize is indeed a fear effect, and thus creatures immune to fear or mind-affecting effects can't be demoralized by this skill.
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Creative Director
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How much would you like to make Keziah Mason an AP End Boss?
I know we've had Wake of the Watcher, Carrion Hill, and Into the Nightmare Rift (and soon the Valley of the Brain Collectors) but what about a whole Mythos AP? Are you interested in doing such a thing?
Is anybody else at Paizo interested in doing such an AP?
I've wanted to do a full-on Lovecraft adventure path since the start. It's been up there with Jade Regent and Iron Gods on my "want to do someday" list. Both of those eventually got made, but they took a while to get to a point where they COULD be made. Make of that what you will.
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Creative Director
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Another couple of questions for you, these will be my last for today though.
1. If it turns out that Ayavah is right and Nocticula is trying to become a Good Goddess, what sort of impact would that have on succubi as a whole? Would they cease to be evil as well since their "mother" changed? Would current succubi remain as they are, but no more are created? Or would succubi continue on as the demons they've always been and Nocticula will just have to create a new "species" to be the Queen of if she wants to keep that title?
2. Would you ever allow a (low tier, probably capped at tier 1) Mythic character in a non-mythic campaign and/or party? Mythic adds a substantial amount of power. Would it be reasonable for a mythic character to take part in a non-mythic adventure path with other, non-mythic heroes if they had a level deficit? Say, a Level 5/Tier 1 amongst a party of level 6s.
1) As far as I know, I've never said Nocticula is trying to become a good deity. If anything, she's trying to become a chaotic neutral one. If she becomes chaotic neutral, that wouldn't really have an impact on succubi at all... there are a LOT of replacements for her role as the boss succubus waiting in the proverbial wings.
2) Probably not. That's the kind of thing that makes players jealous of other players, and that doesn't promote teamwork or cooperation. It's poison to it, in fact.
Androids sound like regular people, but their voices aren't as emotional. They're really bad at emotions, and that means laughing, crying, shouting in anger, and the like would often feel like bad acting.
Follow up question...
Do androids have emotion and just can't express them...or are they completely with out emotions?
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Creative Director
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Androids sound like regular people, but their voices aren't as emotional. They're really bad at emotions, and that means laughing, crying, shouting in anger, and the like would often feel like bad acting.Follow up question...
Do androids have emotion and just can't express them...or are they completely with out emotions?
They are pretty much without emotions. They understand the science of it, if you will, but not the art of it. They appreciate the things that cause emotions, but don't actually have emotions themselves. Usually. There are exceptions. Some androids can gain the ability to feel emotions, but it costs them a feat.
Do androids dream of electric sheep? What about Harrison Ford?
Did you hear about the recent SCOTUS decision regarding Cthuhlu and JCPenney's?
I return, a bit earlier than I anticipated, but I have thought of another pair of questions!
1. Since True Names haven't really been fleshed out too much yet, how would you currently rule they could be used once discovered? Could using a True Name compel a creature to do something like an instant Geas (like their use in NeverWinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark)? Or maybe something like work as a way to Call an outsider without having to go through elaborate rituals?
2. What other sorts of games and challenges are there in Golarion besides Towers, Blood Pig, and Knivesies? Is there any sort of challenge or test of skill that can be two-player lurking around in one of the APs or other books? (This one I ask because a game I'm in has slowed to a temporary crawl due to player unavailability so me and another are discussing what our characters could be doing to pass time. Problem is that those are the only 3 games I know of, but the last two are really kind of...bloody and not something that friends who don't want to hurt each other would really play)
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Creative Director
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Did you hear about the recent SCOTUS decision regarding Cthuhlu and JCPenney's?
I did.
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What, in your mind, separates an inspiring speech sort of thing as something handled by Diplomacy, something handled by Perform (oratory) and just something the player does?
More specifically, they're making an inspiring speech for the heck of it, or to look dramatic before they do something, rather than hoping to achieve an actual mechanical advantage.
I ask because you generally only have so many skill points to use, unless you're a bard or rogue, in which case this is a non-issue. But what about other classes, particularly those that don't get Perform as a class skill?
And on an unrelated note, how do the different Shoanti Quahs view "half-breed" types like half-elves and the like? I know half-orcs are generally killed at birth, especially among the Sklar-Quah, as the orcs of Belkzen are among their mortal enemies, but how do they feel about relationships with elves? About aasimars and tieflings? Or even just relationships with tshamek humans?
Perform skills, with the exception of how they're used for bardic performances, are generally in the same category as Craft and Profession—they're skills you use to make money. Perform (oratory) is acting. Diplomacy is the skill you use to actually have real applications toward influencing others. In almost every case, you'll want to use Diplomacy for this type of thing.
The Shoanti Quahs tend to view half elves with some levels of suspicion and mistrust, but no more so than they apply to humans of other ethnicities or elves. To the Shoanti, half-elves are no different than those others. Half-orcs they generally view with hatred and disgust unless the half-orc does a LOT to prove them otherwise. Aasimars are often regarded as frightening agents of the gods and are treated with fearful respect, and tieflings as dangerous agents of the fiends and are treated with respectful fear. And of course... on an individual level anything is possible.
Wait, if Perform (oratory) is acting, then what purpose does Perform (act) have?
The general vibe I'm getting is that the Shoanti don't really trust anyone but each other, and even among the Shoanti themselves there's trust issues. Would that be an accurate assessment of the Shoanti mindset?
Would this be close to what a Shoanti might look like?
What, in your opinion, would be a more disturbing "final enemy" for an AP or something: a "final boss" that constantly laughs hysterically throughout the fight, or one that constantly screams incoherently throughout the fight? In both scenarios, the enemy doesn't make speeches or bluffs or something, and does fight tactically, but while constantly laughing/screaming.
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Creative Director
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I return, a bit earlier than I anticipated, but I have thought of another pair of questions!
1. Since True Names haven't really been fleshed out too much yet, how would you currently rule they could be used once discovered? Could using a True Name compel a creature to do something like an instant Geas (like their use in NeverWinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark)? Or maybe something like work as a way to Call an outsider without having to go through elaborate rituals?
2. What other sorts of games and challenges are there in Golarion besides Towers, Blood Pig, and Knivesies? Is there any sort of challenge or test of skill that can be two-player lurking around in one of the APs or other books? (This one I ask because a game I'm in has slowed to a temporary crawl due to player unavailability so me and another are discussing what our characters could be doing to pass time. Problem is that those are the only 3 games I know of, but the last two are really kind of...bloody and not something that friends who don't want to hurt each other would really play)
1) We've covered true names in Ultimate Magic. Beyond that, I'd probably say that finding a true name should work as an additional spell component for things like planar binding or binding or geas/quest or the like as a saving throw modifier. That's the simple solution of course... there's all sorts of game design space out there to go all over with the concept.
2) Lots of them. Stuff like chess and checkers and poker exist, for one thing. Others appear now and then in the Adventure Paths... we had a few in the first Second Darkness installment for example, and periodically throw other games in as well.
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Creative Director
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Wait, if Perform (oratory) is acting, then what purpose does Perform (act) have?
The general vibe I'm getting is that the Shoanti don't really trust anyone but each other, and even among the Shoanti themselves there's trust issues. Would that be an accurate assessment of the Shoanti mindset?
Would this be close to what a Shoanti might look like?
What, in your opinion, would be a more disturbing "final enemy" for an AP or something: a "final boss" that constantly laughs hysterically throughout the fight, or one that constantly screams incoherently throughout the fight? In both scenarios, the enemy doesn't make speeches or bluffs or something, and does fight tactically, but while constantly laughing/screaming.
Perform (act) is when you play a role not your own. It's what actors do when they play a role.
Perform (oratory) is when you play yourself. It's what politicians do when they debate.
Shoanti are pretty insular, yes. They've got thousands of years of external groups, from Thassilon to Cheliax, being jerks to them to give them plenty of reasons to be wary.
It depends on the location. A constant laugher is, for example, creepier in an asylum than it is in a circus. Also, it depends on WHAT the boss is. A laughing mummy is creepy in ways that a laughing nymph is not.
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Wait, if Perform (oratory) is acting, then what purpose does Perform (act) have?
The general vibe I'm getting is that the Shoanti don't really trust anyone but each other, and even among the Shoanti themselves there's trust issues. Would that be an accurate assessment of the Shoanti mindset?
Would this be close to what a Shoanti might look like?
What, in your opinion, would be a more disturbing "final enemy" for an AP or something: a "final boss" that constantly laughs hysterically throughout the fight, or one that constantly screams incoherently throughout the fight? In both scenarios, the enemy doesn't make speeches or bluffs or something, and does fight tactically, but while constantly laughing/screaming.
Perform (act) is when you play a role not your own. It's what actors do when they play a role.
Perform (oratory) is when you play yourself. It's what politicians do when they debate.
Shoanti are pretty insular, yes. They've got thousands of years of external groups, from Thassilon to Cheliax, being jerks to them to give them plenty of reasons to be wary.
It depends on the location. A constant laugher is, for example, creepier in an asylum than it is in a circus. Also, it depends on WHAT the boss is. A laughing mummy is creepy in ways that a laughing nymph is not.
Wow. That was quick. Thanks! :)
Have you any opinion on The Witcher series of video games, especially given Wild Hunt, the trilogy's grand finale, is on the way?
What's your favorite non-dinosaur animal?
Do you think the Age of Lost Omens will end at some point, or is it essentially going to go on forever, since with prophecy no longer working, the future is constantly in flux?
When you play bards, what's your favorite perform skill to have them use? Do you think lutes are overused as bardic instruments?
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Creative Director
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Have you any opinion on The Witcher series of video games, especially given Wild Hunt, the trilogy's grand finale, is on the way?
What's your favorite non-dinosaur animal?
Do you think the Age of Lost Omens will end at some point, or is it essentially going to go on forever, since with prophecy no longer working, the future is constantly in flux?
When you play bards, what's your favorite perform skill to have them use? Do you think lutes are overused as bardic instruments?
I love the Witcher games. In fact, that's pretty much why there's an alchemist in Pathifnder... because I was inspired by the Witcher to come up with something similar for Pathfinder. There were, of course, other inspirations as well when I wrote up the first draft for the Alchemist, but the Witcher is a huge one.
My favorite non-dinosaur? A tie between alligator lizard and housecat.
All Ages come to an end. I doubt we'll see the end of the Age of Lost Omens anytime soon, and probably not until there's a major changing of the guard at Paizo or some major event like that. Us current employees aren't immortal yet, after all!
My favorite perform skill is Perform (dance). My second favorite is Perform (sing). Third favorite is Perform (string), but with violins or the like. As far as my characters are concerned, and as far as bards I've put in print, lutes are not overused at all.
All Ages come to an end. I doubt we'll see the end of the Age of Lost Omens anytime soon, and probably not until there's a major changing of the guard at Paizo or some major event like that. Us current employees aren't immortal yet, after all!
Real-Life GM is keeping you guys stuck on that 8th Mythic Tier huh?
My favorite perform skill is Perform (dance). My second favorite is Perform (sing). Third favorite is Perform (string), but with violins or the like. As far as my characters are concerned, and as far as bards I've put in print, lutes are not overused at all.
Have you heard of Lindsey Stirling then? If so, what's your opinion?
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Creative Director
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All Ages come to an end. I doubt we'll see the end of the Age of Lost Omens anytime soon, and probably not until there's a major changing of the guard at Paizo or some major event like that. Us current employees aren't immortal yet, after all!Real-Life GM is keeping you guys stuck on that 8th Mythic Tier huh?
My favorite perform skill is Perform (dance). My second favorite is Perform (sing). Third favorite is Perform (string), but with violins or the like. As far as my characters are concerned, and as far as bards I've put in print, lutes are not overused at all.Have you heard of Lindsey Stirling then? If so, what's your opinion?
I have heard of her, and while I've not listened to much of her music... but she sounds like she knows what she's doing!
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Hi James im sorry if this post brings anyone down..my wife passed away on the 2nd..she lost the battle with cancer that had been going on for so long.things are really hard right now..but im glad shes at peace..the main thing i wanted to say is that in the last few days she was making her wishs known, one of the things she said to me was "thank that guy james you talk about" and i said why baby and she said " because his books make you so happy" so from jerry (spelled like a guys name) thank you james...
sorry if spelling is sloppy gotta go for now everyone if you have someone in your life that you really love..i pray that you tell them and tell them often
robert
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I can't decide between playing The Witcher games in preparation for Wild Hunt or the Dragon Age games in preparation for Inquisition! Any opinions in that regard?
If drow now revere demons in general in Golarion, as opposed to Lolth like in Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms, why do they still become driders and gain spider components, since spiders no longer hold the same cultural significance as they did in previous settings? I can see Mammez cultists appreciating the spider stuff, but it seems that there's still something that connects drow and spiders, as it sounds like fleshwarping drow ALWAYS results in them taking on spidery attributes and becoming driders. Correct me if I'm wrong in that regard, please.
Why do people opposed to societal change seem to believe that instead of just wanting their rights, minorities want revenge for their mistreatment by the majority's hands?
They are pretty much without emotions. They understand the science of it, if you will, but not the art of it. They appreciate the things that cause emotions, but don't actually have emotions themselves. Usually. There are exceptions. Some androids can gain the ability to feel emotions, but it costs them a feat.Androids sound like regular people, but their voices aren't as emotional. They're really bad at emotions, and that means laughing, crying, shouting in anger, and the like would often feel like bad acting.Follow up question...
Do androids have emotion and just can't express them...or are they completely with out emotions?
Nice teaser there for what to come.
Or is that feat all ready in print?
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Creative Director
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Hi James im sorry if this post brings anyone down..my wife passed away on the 2nd..she lost the battle with cancer that had been going on for so long.things are really hard right now..but im glad shes at peace..the main thing i wanted to say is that in the last few days she was making her wishs known, one of the things she said to me was "thank that guy james you talk about" and i said why baby and she said " because his books make you so happy" so from jerry (spelled like a guys name) thank you james...
sorry if spelling is sloppy gotta go for now everyone if you have someone in your life that you really love..i pray that you tell them and tell them often
robert
Oof... so sorry to hear that! And I'm glad I was able to help if even in a small way... take care of yourself and we'll all be thinking of you here at Paizo!
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Creative Director
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I can't decide between playing The Witcher games in preparation for Wild Hunt or the Dragon Age games in preparation for Inquisition! Any opinions in that regard?
If drow now revere demons in general in Golarion, as opposed to Lolth like in Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms, why do they still become driders and gain spider components, since spiders no longer hold the same cultural significance as they did in previous settings? I can see Mammez cultists appreciating the spider stuff, but it seems that there's still something that connects drow and spiders, as it sounds like fleshwarping drow ALWAYS results in them taking on spidery attributes and becoming driders. Correct me if I'm wrong in that regard, please.
Why do people opposed to societal change seem to believe that instead of just wanting their rights, minorities want revenge for their mistreatment by the majority's hands?
I fully intend to play both. I'm looking forward to Dragon Age more; I like the gameplay and story in Dragon Age more, and Dragon Age is a lot less backwards when it comes to diversity, so it's the one that wins out in the end... but still. Both will be played.
(Lolth is a demon, by the way. At least, she was originally!) Mazzmez cultists are still very much into spiders, though, and are there to scratch that itch.
Because they fear losing their power.
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Creative Director
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They are pretty much without emotions. They understand the science of it, if you will, but not the art of it. They appreciate the things that cause emotions, but don't actually have emotions themselves. Usually. There are exceptions. Some androids can gain the ability to feel emotions, but it costs them a feat.Androids sound like regular people, but their voices aren't as emotional. They're really bad at emotions, and that means laughing, crying, shouting in anger, and the like would often feel like bad acting.Follow up question...
Do androids have emotion and just can't express them...or are they completely with out emotions?
Nice teaser there for what to come.
Or is that feat all ready in print?
Not in print yet. But... soon!
I have a few design questions:
In the design of a Player character or a paizo iconic: what is the most important headlines that a writer should bring up, and how in-depth should it be at a minimum and when is it too much?
Character design in general for either minor or major characters i have the same question, but in terms of a game. What kind of headlines/details would have the most impact?
And in all of the above situations, how much room is it reasonable/needed to leave "open" for others to pick up on or fill in depending on their usage? ( especially in case of player characters, not so much in major NPCs. )
I am a tad inexperienced in the field of character making, but some of my notes goes around Background, "Why are you now here" and future motivation. Sadly the iron curtain comes along when i am staring at a blank paper when it comes to where i should start.
Do androids dream of electric sheep? What about Harrison Ford?Nah. Nah.
Not even Mareep?
1) I'd probably make him a sorcerer with the Dreamspun bloodlineHey James, :)
1) If you had to offer a Pathfinder-based class/level for Randolph Carter post-Dream Quest (moreso as the King of Ilek-Vad and less as whatever appears in 'Through the Gates of the Silver Key.), what would you offer?
On this note, would you be willing to suggest some Pathfinder options (feats, archetypes, prestige classes, etc.) that would make sense for a sorcerer that sees themselves as a priest of the Dark Tapestry entities?
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I can't decide between playing The Witcher games in preparation for Wild Hunt or the Dragon Age games in preparation for Inquisition! Any opinions in that regard?
If drow now revere demons in general in Golarion, as opposed to Lolth like in Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms, why do they still become driders and gain spider components, since spiders no longer hold the same cultural significance as they did in previous settings? I can see Mammez cultists appreciating the spider stuff, but it seems that there's still something that connects drow and spiders, as it sounds like fleshwarping drow ALWAYS results in them taking on spidery attributes and becoming driders. Correct me if I'm wrong in that regard, please.
Why do people opposed to societal change seem to believe that instead of just wanting their rights, minorities want revenge for their mistreatment by the majority's hands?
I fully intend to play both. I'm looking forward to Dragon Age more; I like the gameplay and story in Dragon Age more, and Dragon Age is a lot less backwards when it comes to diversity, so it's the one that wins out in the end... but still. Both will be played.
(Lolth is a demon, by the way. At least, she was originally!) Mazzmez cultists are still very much into spiders, though, and are there to scratch that itch.
Because they fear losing their power.
I'm aware Lolth was a demon, and that's cool.
I was more speaking about drow who DON'T venerate Mazzmez who get fleshwarped. Wouldn't their punishment forms be different to properly reflect their own master's displeasure, like tentacles for Abraxas, or rotting fungus for Cyth V'sug? Why is it ALWAYS spider transformation 100% of the time?
Iomedae views you as a weird hippie goddess? o.0Kinda the same way, I suspect.1)How does Desna view Iomedae?
2) How does Iomedae view Desna?
1) As a control freak and an upstart more interested in glory than in what's good for her worshipers.
2) As a hippie and weird old goddess more interested in making decisions without thinking through the consequences than planning for the long term.
1. How do you view Iomedae?
2. How would Iomedae view you?
HA
No. I should have clarified a bit more, I guess... but it's kind of a silly question in the first place so maybe a silly answer is okay.
Half silly. My feeling is that you may be prone to reinforce the negative stereotypes of lawful good, not unlike how others negatively portray elves. Don't you think that alignment deserves better? Given that (for example) I keep seeing paladins of Arshea pop up on these boards, I feel that Paizo's audience'll be receptive to lawful good being portrayed as something other than mean, stupid, or both.
Now that you actually have enough iconics to pull it off, will we ever see an Adventure Module or, Desna help us, Adventure Path with an all-Small-sized party?
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Is it possible to have just one Preview thread that doesn't turn into a bunch of the OP crowd arguing?
Secondly, am I the only one who gets annoyed by the OP crowd and think they suck too much of the fun out of the game?
I wonder, I know the inner sea campaign is your baby. But have you thought about any other campaign settings you'd like to do, and if so, give us a veiw of your creative imagination!