James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Isn't that a just a hypothetical sort of set-up?** spoiler omitted **
I'm trying to figure out whether writing up a Kingmaker player character as an unknowing Rogarvia descendant is a good idea, or if that's not really appropriate for Kingmaker...
That depends 100% on where your GM wants to go with that story... but that said, Kingmaker is NOT a Brevoy adventure path. It starts there, but it doesn't ever really go back there and there aren't Brevoy plots. It's very much all about the PCs building their own kingdom and dealing with River Kingdom politics and dangers. So ANY type of PC background should work (since the River Kingdoms attract folks from all over), but there's not really one background that really ends up being the "secret background to unlock the secret story" element really.
Talk to your GM, in other words, about what is and isn't appropriate for a detailed character background/genesis... and if you can't do that and it's an AP, go with what's in the player's guide. Or both.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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James,
Have you ever ran a "total Golarion experience" kind of game that contains pretty much all facets of the world? To give a product tie (as that's how I understand the setting unlike you, most likely), that would be occult stuff, horror stuff, sleeping (or not) runelords, mythic stuff, etc. all in one campaign? Or, do your campaigns usually have a more narrow focus? What do you see as the unique challenges to such a campaign?
Happy Friday
A campaign that includes everything is not a campaign; it's a campaign setting. I much prefer to pick one story and a few sub plots and stick with them. AKA: What you see in our adventure paths is pretty much 100% how I run my campaings, and have been, for a few decades now. Even when they're 100% open sandboxes, I have a few main stories that play out and help to bring the campaign into focus depending on what and where the PCs go.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Dear James,
my question comes after this scenario:
vigilante stalker is after his target. target is completely unaware. Stalker uses his surprise round to special charge for some hidden strike (or if u have the talent up close and personal use that) damage. he has leave an opening talent as well. say they roll initiative and the prey goes first. the preys turn starts and the stalker gets an AOO from leave an opening.the question then becomes does the stalker get the lowered hidden strike dice on this AOO and is the target flat footed since it "has not acted yet"?
That's a pure rules question and should be addressed in the Ultimate Intrigue forum (since it's a vigilante question).
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Out of curiosity: if you ran FotSG and they managed to stealth all the way past the trolls and into the library level would you award them XP for the enire level? Or only for the encounters they bypass along the "branch" of the caverns they took?
I would grant them XP for the specific encounters they bypassed. Whether or not the PCs manage to kill trolls or sneak past them or recruit them or bribe their way past them, if the point of the encounter is to make it through the room to the other side, HOW the PCs do it is kind of meaningless.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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So with Ruins of Azlant announced, are we finally going to find out about the eyeless krakens?
This is Adam's AP and his idea that he's running with, and it's set thousands of miles away from Absalom, and the eyeless krakens is still sort of something that I've got my own marker on, so I really really really doubt there'll be anything at all to link to those eyeless krakens. That plot is still far down the line, if I ever do anything at all with it in the first place.
Justin Franklin |
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Justin Franklin wrote:So with Ruins of Azlant announced, are we finally going to find out about the eyeless krakens?This is Adam's AP and his idea that he's running with, and it's set thousands of miles away from Absalom, and the eyeless krakens is still sort of something that I've got my own marker on, so I really really really doubt there'll be anything at all to link to those eyeless krakens. That plot is still far down the line, if I ever do anything at all with it in the first place.
Ok that is even better!
Darrell Impey UK |
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Wanted to thank you James for two specific entries in the recommended viewing lists in Horror Adventures; and to ask what you particularly like about them:
Troll Hunter, which is a criminally under-circulated film, and The Quatermass Xperiment, which had a distant relative of mine in.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Wanted to thank you James for two specific entries in the recommended viewing lists in Horror Adventures; and to ask what you particularly like about them:
Troll Hunter, which is a criminally under-circulated film, and The Quatermass Xperiment, which had a distant relative of mine in.
ooooh! Cool! Who was your distant relative in Quatermass Xperiment? That movie was one I saw late one night as a kid on TV with terrible reception so some of the scenes got difficult to make out and that kinda made the movie even more horrifying. When it came out on DVD several years back I leapt at the chance to snatch it up and was delighted at how well the movie aged... Good stuff!
But yeah, my dad and I called it the "cactus-hand monster" movie for the longest time, since we couldn't remember the name of the movie (which was, of course, complicated by the fact that the US release renamed it to something like the Creeping Terror or Creeping Unknown or something...).
As for what I like about Trollhunter? The fact that it's found footage first of all... one of my favorite genres. The fact that it's found footage with some kick-ass and outlandish special effects helps, as does the fact that it's about trolls, which aren't monsters you see a lot in horror movies. And on top of all that... it's just an excellently made movie all around.
Darrell Impey UK |
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Ah poohy; double checking and it's one of those UK/US title things.
Betty Impey played "Kelly", one of the pub-goers in Quatermass II (as it's apparently generally known), rather than the Quatermass Xperiment. :(
Did you ever see the 2005(?) TV remake, which was originally transmitted live on Christmas day by the BBC?
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Ah poohy; double checking and it's one of those UK/US title things.
Betty Impey played "Kelly", one of the pub-goers in Quatermass II (as it's apparently generally known), rather than the Quatermass Xperiment. :(
Did you ever see the 2005(?) TV remake, which was originally transmitted live on Christmas day by the BBC?
Never saw the remake; it is elusive.
Cole Deschain |
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Were you the sole architect of the recommended inspiration list in Horror Adventures?
And if not, who do I thank for putting The Red Tree on there, 'cause I went and read it based on the strength of the parts of the list I knew, and was not disappointed.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Were you the sole architect of the recommended inspiration list in Horror Adventures?
And if not, who do I thank for putting The Red Tree on there, 'cause I went and read it based on the strength of the parts of the list I knew, and was not disappointed.
I built the initial list, then asked around for some suggestions for certain categories that ended up short/double checked to see if anyone else at Paizo who was into horror felt something got left off. I don't remember who suggested "The Red Tree" (it was Jessica I think, or maybe Judy), but I'm glad they did! I've read a lot of Kiernan's short stories and love them, but I've never read one of her novels. I'll be starting soon with "Threshold" though! "The Red Tree" is on the short list after that.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Question about the newly released Horror Adventures book:
Are the fleshwarping implants/elixers legal for society play?
As well, are the prices for things like retractable spines per limb or are they the price for both limbs?
Questions for society play should be directed to the PFS folks, not to me.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Did you know Hulu has Cloverfield now?
I saw it the other night, it's an exceptional movie, very, very good.
I did not, but then I've seen the movie many, many times... it's in my movie collection so I don't need no silly Hulus or Netflixes... I can watch it all the time! It's one of my favorite movies, in fact.
Tacticslion |
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Crossposted in AMA threads: it's a Paizopaloozaganza!
James.
Jaaaaaaaammmeeeesssss.
Super-serious series of questions*:
* Nnnnnnope.
If you could have 1d4 ⇒ 1 different super-powers, what would they be and why?
(Assume corollary powers required to make a given power work are part of it; i.e. Since you'd need super tensile strength/durability to, you know, not-die when you made use of your super-strength power, you get them both when you say "super strength" as a singular option.)
Why?
If, instead, you could be a gestalt of 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 super heroes, who would you gestalt to be yourself? Why? Which comic universe would you run around in? Would you prefer to be in that one, or this one?
On the other hand: BAM! You just gained 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) + 2 = 13 levels in a Pathfinder class (or classes)! Which class(es) do you pick, and why? Incidentally, if you could spontaneously switch races, would you? And if so, to which?
Similarly, you won the super-lottery, and gained mythic tiers! 3d3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 1 = 7 of 'em! (And you gain class levels to match; please feel free to change your previous answer if this does so for some reason.) What path do you take? (Alternate option: substitute a single tier for a simple mythic template.)
Yet another query: you monster. Specifically, you CR: 1d30 ⇒ 7 (or less) monster! Which are you?! ... and would this have been your first choice? If not, which would be?
But the wheels of fate-time have spun again, and your everything has been transposed into that of someone else! You've just become a prepublished NPC from an official source! Which prepublished NPC is it?
What campaign setting do you run around in? Why?
As a final thing: blend any and/or all of the above questions into a single ginormous question: an optional blend of a prepublished NPC, monster, and some superheroes all walk into a bar... and out comes you, as a gestalt of those guys, the race you choose, some extra superpowers, and have extra class levels and mythic tiers on top! What are you?! (Other than "awesome" - naturally.)
Equipment is a non-issue (like adjunct super-powers; what you need to do <X> is assumed). Also note that any significant others can be brought with you.
"Official" and "Pre-published" are loose terms, but general expect something that has a solid publishing company and identifiable map/world/conceits behind it (like WotC for Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Dark Sun, Greyhawk, etc; or Green Ronin for Blue Rose, but not "True20"; or Paizo for Golarion, or the Maelstrom, or the upcoming Starfinder; but not "the Bestiaries" or "the Planes" or things like that - basically things that people can find and nerd out about with you). Similarly, if it has a solid AP out for it, that, too, is acceptable (like Legendary Planet; or any of Paizo's APs). It should probably be a d20 variant, but it can be whatever you like of those many variants (True20, Blue Rose, Paizo, 3.5, 3rd; etc.). That said, if a Homebrew or otherwise "weak" entry just needs to be there due to compelling reasons... okay. Similarly other systems. Let us know why! Computer and video game translations of such (Neverwinter Nights and/or expansions/sequels; PFO; etc) are acceptable as interpretations as well.
Similarly, for comics, it needs to be superheroes that people can reasonsonably be expected to come across - "that one I made up with my cousin as a kid" is an awesome answer, and worth noting and why, but prrrrooooobabaly isn't the best choice, unless it's just so powerful that you've GOT to. In which case: sure, but bring us along for the ride! Related, the super need not come from one of the "big two" in comics, so long as the people and world is both recognizes me and accessible - choosing The Incredibles world is valid (and awesome), as is Spawn (blech); you're not just limited to Marvel or DC. Similarly "standard" powers need not apply - so long as it is clearly communicable, it's fine (even if all the field specifics aren't clear, that's okay - knowing you're powered by our yellow star is fine; you don't need to know this, but it's acceptable if you do).
Finally, presume you have the basics necessary for a happy life. Your spouse, best friend, and so on, can all be considered to "come with you" (should they choose to do so) wherever it is that you go.
Oh, and one more thing: if you lived through a Legend of Zelda (as one of the Links); which would it be, and why?
Thanks! Enjoy!
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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...threw down a wall of text...
Ummmmm... It's best to keep your questions relatively short; if there's a lot of them and they do require lots of words... post as separate posts. It's awkward referencing questions and answering them if the post is so long.
Especially if they're not numbered, since that makes replying to them and being clear about what I'm replying to awkward as well.
I'll do it this once, but it will be, as I said... Awkward.
Time travel, because I wanna see a dinosaur.
Death from the Vertigo comic Sandman and Black Widow, because Death + Assassin = people would take you VERY SERIOUSLY.
Cleric. Elf.
Trickster.
Doppelganger, because presto, no body issues.
Shensen. (also, the word "prepublished" is kinda meaningless. Just say "published.")
Golarion. Because it's the best one.
Desna.
Never played any of the Zelda games really, except for half of the very first one back in 1989 and I didn't finish it.
I'm sure I missed about 20 questions there... but again. Awkward.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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2 questions.
1. Your thoughts on Stranger Things? Special focus on the show's admittedly poor knowledge of 2nd ed D&D rules.
2. What's your favorite archetype in Horror Adventures?
1) Loved it; best thing Netflix has done yet (dethroned Jessica Jones as the previous best for me). And considering it was set about 6 years before 2nd edition D&D came out, I think it did fine.
2) I don't keep track of archetypes that way.
Snowsarn |
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Hi James
Some general numbered questions:
1. What has made you the happiest this past week? :-)
2. Do you (still) get massive food cravings after your weight loss?
3. If you do, how do you stop yourself from giving in to them?
4. I believe some time ago, someone asked you if there were questions you've kinda been waiting to get asked by us but haven't. You replied that there were at the time. Have these questions been asked since?
5. If they have, what were these questions? At the time you didn't want to give hints as to what we hadn't asked you yet ;-)
Wraith235 |
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I realize your at GenCon but how would you handle this
a large building is the location of a Hallow and Forbidance Spells
a Graveknight walks in (Desecration Aura)
My initial thought is that the Hallow would suppress the desecration since they are in the same Realm of functionality but after readinfg Im doubting it (since its a constant effect)
or at least limit the effect to the graveknight himself
Tacticslion |
Tacticslion wrote:...threw down a wall of text...Ummmmm... It's best to keep your questions relatively short; if there's a lot of them and they do require lots of words... post as separate posts. It's awkward referencing questions and answering them if the post is so long.
Especially if they're not numbered, since that makes replying to them and being clear about what I'm replying to awkward as well.
I'll do it this once, but it will be, as I said... Awkward.
Time travel, because I wanna see a dinosaur.
Death from the Vertigo comic Sandman and Black Widow, because Death + Assassin = people would take you VERY SERIOUSLY.
Cleric. Elf.
Trickster.
Doppelganger, because presto, no body issues.
Shensen. (also, the word "prepublished" is kinda meaningless. Just say "published.")
Golarion. Because it's the best one.
Desna.
Never played any of the Zelda games really, except for half of the very first one back in 1989 and I didn't finish it.I'm sure I missed about 20 questions there... but again. Awkward.
Thanks! Fun seeing your answers!
Sorry for the awkward wall of text - I really try to be good about it, but it slips away from me sometimes. I think it's a continuous SLA for me, or something - I've managed to trim it down, though.
Is there any other preference you have about how questions are asked or what kind?
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hi James
Some general numbered questions:
1. What has made you the happiest this past week? :-)
2. Do you (still) get massive food cravings after your weight loss?
3. If you do, how do you stop yourself from giving in to them?
4. I believe some time ago, someone asked you if there were questions you've kinda been waiting to get asked by us but haven't. You replied that there were at the time. Have these questions been asked since?
5. If they have, what were these questions? At the time you didn't want to give hints as to what we hadn't asked you yet ;-)
1) Not going to Gen Con.
2) Yes.
3) Willpower, combined with making sure I eat in a pattern by trying to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at about the same time each day. The BIGGEST trick though was to make sure I ate a healthy breakfast, since that really helps to slow the hunger for the remainder of the day.
4) Some yes, some no. I don't actually keep a list of "Questions I hope I'm asked" so it's kinda hard to say.
5) Unknown. See #4 above.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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I realize your at GenCon but how would you handle this
a large building is the location of a Hallow and Forbidance Spells
a Graveknight walks in (Desecration Aura)My initial thought is that the Hallow would suppress the desecration since they are in the same Realm of functionality but after readinfg Im doubting it (since its a constant effect)
or at least limit the effect to the graveknight himself
I'm not at Gen Con this year. I get my first Gen Con off after going to 12 or so in a row. WOO!
As for your situation; hallow and unhallow are the two that cancel each other out, but they're also pretty cloudy in their rules text. I'd say, in any event, that the combination of hallow and forbiddance is enough to suppress the graveknight's desecration. And since that makes, in world and in story, the graveknight hesitate and be cautious about entering a forbidden hallowed area, that's the rules supporting the flavor perfectly.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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Is there any other preference you have about how questions are asked or what kind?
I prefer single questions or, if there's several, numbered lists. And I prefer single sentence questions for those numbered lists. The less time it takes me to figure out what your question(s) is/are, the less time it takes me to post a reply, and with a thread this size, that's my preference.
The NPC |
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The NPC wrote:Mr. James Jacobs,
If someone was making a class or alternate class that focused on changing the character into one of the outsider types (Angel, Demon, Daemon, etc.) would the spell casing of that class be divine or arcane in your estimation? Also, which class spell list would it use?
I wouldn't make that a spellcasting class at all.
The druid does something similar; it has spellcasting and can change shape. It's an exceptionally powerful class with a lot of versatility AND very complicated.
IF I were to build a class that was about becoming an outsider, it would not cast spells. It would be a full BAB class, most likely, that would gain as its class abilities new powers and themes along the lines of what outsiders get. Among those would be a SMALL number of spell-like abilities.
Two further questions: Would you have 2 good saves and 1 bade save or would it go like a normal outsider and have all good saves?
Also, would you have the class as a whole be proficient in martial weapons?
Archpaladin Zousha |
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Are there elves who enjoy less high-minded or noble leisure activities such as gambling and stuff (in mainstream elf society anyway, obviously Merisiel would likely enjoy a good game of cards)? Or is it all music, hunting, magic practice, poetry and frolicking in Kyonin?
The NPC |
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Mr. James Jacobs,
What do you call that feeling you get when you realize that you set up a situation in game that if things get fubared enough or if the players try hard enough they could literally change the face of the planet and kill millions of people... Or worse?
On a related note: What effect would Avistan suddenly disappearing have on the rest of the planet?
Turaidis Silverhelm |
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Mr. Jacobs,
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I can't find a definitive answer, but is the Archon's Aura of Menace ability supposed to stack with other Archons Aura of Menace? My GM thinks so because it's an untyped bonus, but it seems a little ridiculous when fighting say 5 hound archons, and the fighter failed all 5 saves, so he's sitting at a -10 to D20 rolls and AC.
CorvusMask |
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So uh, party was somewhat interested in investing money in fixing up Shadowclock(I'm not sure if they want to turn it into base or club or something O-o). How expensive that would take? I already know it would take months, but not sure how costly it would be
Mogloth |
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Mr Jacobs,
I am looking at designing a Katana for a player in my Wrath game. I want to give it a name that is tied to Golarion somehow. Is there a famous Samurai in Golarion that I could use in the name of the weapon? Or something similar?
I'm not asking for stats or anything. Just a name.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |
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James Jacobs wrote:The NPC wrote:Mr. James Jacobs,
If someone was making a class or alternate class that focused on changing the character into one of the outsider types (Angel, Demon, Daemon, etc.) would the spell casing of that class be divine or arcane in your estimation? Also, which class spell list would it use?
I wouldn't make that a spellcasting class at all.
The druid does something similar; it has spellcasting and can change shape. It's an exceptionally powerful class with a lot of versatility AND very complicated.
IF I were to build a class that was about becoming an outsider, it would not cast spells. It would be a full BAB class, most likely, that would gain as its class abilities new powers and themes along the lines of what outsiders get. Among those would be a SMALL number of spell-like abilities.
Two further questions: Would you have 2 good saves and 1 bade save or would it go like a normal outsider and have all good saves?
Also, would you have the class as a whole be proficient in martial weapons?
This is starting to divert into "Design game rules for me for free" territory, and that's not a precedent I am willing to set for this thread.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
James Jacobs Creative Director |