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James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
One thing I've noticed about Pathfinder is that apart from the destitute, everyone seems to have really nice outfits. I'm talking stuff better than the best cosplay. How do they get made? And if the answer is "magic" then what are the fine details?

They get made by magic and by traditional methods, but it's a world without industrialization and mass-production programs, so as a result, things like clothing tend to be things that are made with more passion and love by their creators and, since they aren't mass produced, are customized and often built to last a lot longer.

It's also a case of "This is a fantasy setting and part of what makes it fun to escape to is that things are better there than they are for us in the real world."

But where do people get their reading and gaming material? I doubt even immortals will want to wait for the Netfinder era.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
One thing I've noticed about Pathfinder is that apart from the destitute, everyone seems to have really nice outfits. I'm talking stuff better than the best cosplay. How do they get made? And if the answer is "magic" then what are the fine details?

They get made by magic and by traditional methods, but it's a world without industrialization and mass-production programs, so as a result, things like clothing tend to be things that are made with more passion and love by their creators and, since they aren't mass produced, are customized and often built to last a lot longer.

It's also a case of "This is a fantasy setting and part of what makes it fun to escape to is that things are better there than they are for us in the real world."

But where do people get their reading and gaming material? I doubt even immortals will want to wait for the Netfinder era.

Book stores and curio shops and specialty stores, just like in the real world. But those stores are more like hole-in-the-wall family owned stores, not giant sprawling stores.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

What exactly was Nualia's miscarried child btw? Like were they tiefling, half fiend or something completely fiendish?

Radiant Oath

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

Will you be consulted when Starfinder starts doing stuff involving demons? I ask as they have a whole half-AP dedicated to kytons/velstracs (Signal of Screams), and devils got a prominient mention for adventure hooks in the newest rulebook Near Space, so I figured it's only a matter of time before YOUR favorite evil outsiders get some spotlight!


I had a question about sphinxes -- the 2 ed Bestiary lists them as sphinxes, simply, without the gyno/andro split from 1st ed and for that matter without the "x, y and z varieties are rumored to exist" teaser other monsters get to, I assume, leave the door open for including future variants or one that didn't make the first cut. My question is, then, whether the male/female sphinx division has been discarded or not -- and if it has, how likely are we to see female criosphinxes and hieracosphinxes in the future?


James,

In the Bull Rush rules, it provides an example of a fighter bull rushing two goblins up to 15ft because he's allowed to move up to his "available movement" (30ft for human) when performing a Bull Rush. So when the fighter uses Quick Bull Rush to replace his first BAB attack in a Full Attack Action, can he still move 15ft to Bull Rush the 2 goblins (up to 30ft), or does your "available movement" become 5ft because you can only take a 5ft step during a full attack action?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

CorvusMask wrote:
What exactly was Nualia's miscarried child btw? Like were they tiefling, half fiend or something completely fiendish?

Unrevealed.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Archpaladin Zousha wrote:
Will you be consulted when Starfinder starts doing stuff involving demons? I ask as they have a whole half-AP dedicated to kytons/velstracs (Signal of Screams), and devils got a prominient mention for adventure hooks in the newest rulebook Near Space, so I figured it's only a matter of time before YOUR favorite evil outsiders get some spotlight!

They already have. I wrote some of them for Starfinder, in fact. And yeah, Rob and I chat whenever either game starts doing something new that crosses flavor over with the other.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Theriocephalus wrote:
I had a question about sphinxes -- the 2 ed Bestiary lists them as sphinxes, simply, without the gyno/andro split from 1st ed and for that matter without the "x, y and z varieties are rumored to exist" teaser other monsters get to, I assume, leave the door open for including future variants or one that didn't make the first cut. My question is, then, whether the male/female sphinx division has been discarded or not -- and if it has, how likely are we to see female criosphinxes and hieracosphinxes in the future?

There's no longer any distinction between male and female sphinxes, and as such we've abandoned the andro/gyno split.

The other, animal-headed sphinxes are out there still but we just haven't updated them yet. And they won't have any rules-based or flavor-based gender differences either.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Ryze Kuja wrote:

James,

In the Bull Rush rules, it provides an example of a fighter bull rushing two goblins up to 15ft because he's allowed to move up to his "available movement" (30ft for human) when performing a Bull Rush. So when the fighter uses Quick Bull Rush to replace his first BAB attack in a Full Attack Action, can he still move 15ft to Bull Rush the 2 goblins (up to 30ft), or does your "available movement" become 5ft because you can only take a 5ft step during a full attack action?

Your GM knows better than me, and can give a better resolution to your question for your table than I can. I don't answer rules questions here, in any event, for either edition; sorry.


James Jacobs wrote:
Ryze Kuja wrote:

James,

In the Bull Rush rules, it provides an example of a fighter bull rushing two goblins up to 15ft because he's allowed to move up to his "available movement" (30ft for human) when performing a Bull Rush. So when the fighter uses Quick Bull Rush to replace his first BAB attack in a Full Attack Action, can he still move 15ft to Bull Rush the 2 goblins (up to 30ft), or does your "available movement" become 5ft because you can only take a 5ft step during a full attack action?

Your GM knows better than me, and can give a better resolution to your question for your table than I can. I don't answer rules questions here, in any event, for either edition; sorry.

I am the GM, and I'm discussing it with 5 other GM's and we can't come to an agreement. Thanks though.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Ryze Kuja wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Ryze Kuja wrote:

James,

In the Bull Rush rules, it provides an example of a fighter bull rushing two goblins up to 15ft because he's allowed to move up to his "available movement" (30ft for human) when performing a Bull Rush. So when the fighter uses Quick Bull Rush to replace his first BAB attack in a Full Attack Action, can he still move 15ft to Bull Rush the 2 goblins (up to 30ft), or does your "available movement" become 5ft because you can only take a 5ft step during a full attack action?

Your GM knows better than me, and can give a better resolution to your question for your table than I can. I don't answer rules questions here, in any event, for either edition; sorry.
I am the GM, and I'm discussing it with 5 other GM's and we can't come to an agreement. Thanks though.

Doesn't change the fact that I don't answer rules questions here, unfortunately. When I do, folks complain that I'm answering rules when I'm not on the Design team, pretty much.

For rules questions, the best bet is to ask them on the product threads and do what you're doing already; consult with other GMs and then use their feedback to make the right decision for YOUR game. Doesn't matter if any other GM doesn't agree with your decision in your game.


James Jacobs wrote:
Ryze Kuja wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Ryze Kuja wrote:

James,

In the Bull Rush rules, it provides an example of a fighter bull rushing two goblins up to 15ft because he's allowed to move up to his "available movement" (30ft for human) when performing a Bull Rush. So when the fighter uses Quick Bull Rush to replace his first BAB attack in a Full Attack Action, can he still move 15ft to Bull Rush the 2 goblins (up to 30ft), or does your "available movement" become 5ft because you can only take a 5ft step during a full attack action?

Your GM knows better than me, and can give a better resolution to your question for your table than I can. I don't answer rules questions here, in any event, for either edition; sorry.
I am the GM, and I'm discussing it with 5 other GM's and we can't come to an agreement. Thanks though.

Doesn't change the fact that I don't answer rules questions here, unfortunately. When I do, folks complain that I'm answering rules when I'm not on the Design team, pretty much.

For rules questions, the best bet is to ask them on the product threads and do what you're doing already; consult with other GMs and then use their feedback to make the right decision for YOUR game. Doesn't matter if any other GM doesn't agree with your decision in your game.

Yeah, I get why some people would feel that way about you answering rules questions. I respectfully disagree with them :P

I did some search-fu on google for this question and it's already been hashed out by multiple people on the Paizo forums and Reddit, and it's divided 50/50 on whether Quick Bull Rush allows you to move only 5ft or up to your base speed (30ft) and then finish your attacks.

Anywho, thank you for responding, I appreciate it. As a final follow-up question, do you think that the design team will be putting out any final FAQ's or Erratas out for PF1 in the near future? The reason I ask is because I have a feeling that people will still be playing PF1 for another 5 to possibly even 10 years (I know some groups haven't finished as many of the AP's as they would've liked, for example, I know my group would still like to do a Rise of the Runelords campaign), while most groups will be transitioning into playing PF2 full-time, so it would be nice to have some guidance from the design team for the "sunsetting" PF1 games. Thanks!

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Ryze Kuja wrote:

Yeah, I get why some people would feel that way about you answering rules questions. I respectfully disagree with them :P

I did some search-fu on google for this question and it's already been hashed out by multiple people on the Paizo forums and Reddit, and it's divided 50/50 on whether Quick Bull Rush allows you to move only 5ft or up to your base speed (30ft) and then finish your attacks.

Anywho, thank you for responding, I appreciate it. As a final follow-up question, do you think that the design team will be putting out any final FAQ's or Erratas out for PF1 in the near future? The reason I ask is because I have a feeling that people will still be playing PF1 for another 5 to possibly even 10 years (I know some groups haven't finished as many of the AP's as they would've liked, for example, I know my group would still like to do a Rise of the Runelords campaign), while most groups will be transitioning into playing PF2 full-time, so it would be nice to have some guidance from the design team for the "sunsetting" PF1 games. Thanks!

Since some of the people you respectfully disagree with are quite vocal on these boards, and some of the other people are co-workers, there's not much I can do about it.

That said, if it's divided 50/50, I'm not sure my vote would end up mattering in the long run, to be honest. It'd just be another drop in the bucket if it's that big of a flashpoint for internet debate.

My personal take on these sorts of things is to generally err on the side of caution though and run with the less powerful option. There's already MORE than enough things in the game to optimize and enhance player choices.

As far as I know, we're not going to be producing FAQs or errata for 1st edition any more. We've pretty much moved on to 2nd edition now.

In any event... no, we won't be providing more FAQ or errata for 1st edition. We've moved on to 2nd—that's our official answer to things that were confusing in 1st edition, I guess. If you want to stick with 1st edition, that's great! You'll just need to be comfortable with making your own choices or respecting your GM's calls. AND if you actually do enjoy the rules debates, that's fine too... but we won't be a part of them going forward, as far as I know.

Silver Crusade

How far have you gotten in Nioh 2?


Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Just started Pathfinder Kingmaker and I'm having a blast. Do you have a favorite class or character for it?


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber

Is there any sort of in house/behind the scenes reason why Shalelu appeared in three adventure paths (more than any other NPC, to my knowledge). Love the character and not complaining... just wondering why she got more of a spotlight than anyone else.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Rysky wrote:
How far have you gotten in Nioh 2?

I'm about at the end of the third region, I think. Level 70 or close to it.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Ed Reppert wrote:
Just started Pathfinder Kingmaker and I'm having a blast. Do you have a favorite class or character for it?

I had fun with a bard.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Jareth Elirae wrote:
Is there any sort of in house/behind the scenes reason why Shalelu appeared in three adventure paths (more than any other NPC, to my knowledge). Love the character and not complaining... just wondering why she got more of a spotlight than anyone else.

Just worked out that way.


Dear James Jacobs,

As a GM that sometimes feels difficulty in assigning plot-driven penalties/death to a character, humbly request insight.

What was the 'easiest' death/penalty/etc that you've handed out as a GM?

As a follow-up, if permissible, what made it easy?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

GM Wageslave wrote:


Dear James Jacobs,

As a GM that sometimes feels difficulty in assigning plot-driven penalties/death to a character, humbly request insight.

What was the 'easiest' death/penalty/etc that you've handed out as a GM?

As a follow-up, if permissible, what made it easy?

I'm not sure what you're asking about. I don't do "killed by boxed text" or force penalties on PCs just to advance the plot. There's always a better way to advance the plotline, but I suspect I'm misunderstanding the question.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:
Rysky wrote:
How far have you gotten in Nioh 2?
I'm about at the end of the third region, I think. Level 70 or close to it.

Favourite Yokai so far?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Rysky wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Rysky wrote:
How far have you gotten in Nioh 2?
I'm about at the end of the third region, I think. Level 70 or close to it.
Favourite Yokai so far?

Hmmmmmmm. The kamaitachi was pretty great, but I think my favorite is the what-was-it snake boss thing with snakes for arms and a bunch of swords for a nose. If only because that's my go to yokai power now.

Silver Crusade

James Jacobs wrote:
Rysky wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Rysky wrote:
How far have you gotten in Nioh 2?
I'm about at the end of the third region, I think. Level 70 or close to it.
Favourite Yokai so far?
Hmmmmmmm. The kamaitachi was pretty great, but I think my favorite is the what-was-it snake boss thing with snakes for arms and a bunch of swords for a nose. If only because that's my go to yokai power now.

OMG the snek power is so awesome.

What’s your current build, still going Kusarigama? (I think that’s what you said your go to was).

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Rysky wrote:
What’s your current build, still going Kusarigama? (I think that’s what you said your go to was).

Yup, very much focused on kusarigama and ninjitsu. I feel kinda guilty every time I level up and just drop the point into Dexterity by now...


James Jacobs wrote:
GM Wageslave wrote:


Dear James Jacobs,

As a GM that sometimes feels difficulty in assigning plot-driven penalties/death to a character, humbly request insight.

What was the 'easiest' death/penalty/etc that you've handed out as a GM?

As a follow-up, if permissible, what made it easy?

I'm not sure what you're asking about. I don't do "killed by boxed text" or force penalties on PCs just to advance the plot. There's always a better way to advance the plotline, but I suspect I'm misunderstanding the question.

More along the lines of "This is a general direction the story is moving in. I've given the players a *lot* of indications of this, they've acted and reacted appropriately so it's not a communications breakdown, and now this one character is attempting to do something that as has been indicated by the progression of the story will get them QUITE dead (or worse). And they seem very set on this course of action even after talking outside of the box."


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After Taldan, what would you say would be the most commonly spoken language in Vyre?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Kaladin_Stormblessed wrote:
After Taldan, what would you say would be the most commonly spoken language in Vyre?

Varisian, I suppose.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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GM Wageslave wrote:
More along the lines of "This is a general direction the story is moving in. I've given the players a *lot* of indications of this, they've acted and reacted appropriately so it's not a communications breakdown, and now this one character is attempting to do something that as has been indicated by the progression of the story will get them QUITE dead (or worse). And they seem very set on this course of action even after talking outside of the box."

Ah; well, conversation with the player in question to let them know what's going on is key. But that said, I have to look at how the player is behaving and base that on what I know about them. If I suspect they're eager to give the campaign a significant story pivot with their PC becoming a martyr, I'll roll with it and try to orchestrate things so that the PC's death or curse has some other benefit at some point to bolster the story.

If I feel like the player is being stubborn or trying to play chicken with me, I'll take them aside and say "Hey, this is gonna get your character killed; do you want that?" I'll try to find out if they've got some other issue with the game; maybe they're tired of their character. If they're really just doing it to be stubborn, I'll be more likely to uninvite them from the game.

That said, this has never really come up for me, since I generally don't run games with these themes and have had the good fortune to avoid long campaigns with disruptive players to this extent. I've had plenty of problems in the past with other player issues, but not this one.


Appropriate inappropriate wordplay aside, the impression I get from the Arshean faith is that it's very Touched by an Angel; i.e., helping with personal problems and generally being sentimental. So how would a hardcore introvert, like a dark vigilante or mysterious wizard, work as one?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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AlgaeNymph wrote:
Appropriate inappropriate wordplay aside, the impression I get from the Arshean faith is that it's very Touched by an Angel; i.e., helping with personal problems and generally being sentimental. So how would a hardcore introvert, like a dark vigilante or mysterious wizard, work as one?

They wouldn't be part of a group of worshipers. And that's not an Ashava thing. That's a organization thing. A hardcore introvert wouldn't be part of any organization, I think, where they'd need to be out there in the public pushing an agenda, be it a religion or a political movement or a mercantile company or the like. An introvert can still certainly worship Ashava, but would not be likely to be part of the organized clergy; a cleric of Ashava who was an introvert would either be a behind-the-scenes member of their church or a lone worshiper who tends a small personal shrine or something like that.

Nothing in Ashava's edicts or anathemas require a devout follower to be part of a big group or to work with large numbers of people. You can still help individual people and be an introvert. Speaking as an introvert, I do this all the time so it's perfectly plausible. ;-)


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James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
Appropriate inappropriate wordplay aside, the impression I get from the Arshean faith is that it's very Touched by an Angel; i.e., helping with personal problems and generally being sentimental. So how would a hardcore introvert, like a dark vigilante or mysterious wizard, work as one?

They wouldn't be part of a group of worshipers. And that's not an Ashava thing. That's a organization thing. A hardcore introvert wouldn't be part of any organization, I think, where they'd need to be out there in the public pushing an agenda, be it a religion or a political movement or a mercantile company or the like. An introvert can still certainly worship Ashava, but would not be likely to be part of the organized clergy; a cleric of Ashava who was an introvert would either be a behind-the-scenes member of their church or a lone worshiper who tends a small personal shrine or something like that.

Nothing in Ashava's edicts or anathemas require a devout follower to be part of a big group or to work with large numbers of people. You can still help individual people and be an introvert. Speaking as an introvert, I do this all the time so it's perfectly plausible. ;-)

And...would this apply to Arshea as well? (See Rysky's post below.)

Silver Crusade

Um, she was asking for Arshea, not Ashava :3

Edit: ninjaed by the original asker heh

For Arazni, what are ways she might show interest/annoyance in her followers aside from the boons/curses in the G&M supplement. Basically nearly non-mechanical minor things.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
Appropriate inappropriate wordplay aside, the impression I get from the Arshean faith is that it's very Touched by an Angel; i.e., helping with personal problems and generally being sentimental. So how would a hardcore introvert, like a dark vigilante or mysterious wizard, work as one?

They wouldn't be part of a group of worshipers. And that's not an Ashava thing. That's a organization thing. A hardcore introvert wouldn't be part of any organization, I think, where they'd need to be out there in the public pushing an agenda, be it a religion or a political movement or a mercantile company or the like. An introvert can still certainly worship Ashava, but would not be likely to be part of the organized clergy; a cleric of Ashava who was an introvert would either be a behind-the-scenes member of their church or a lone worshiper who tends a small personal shrine or something like that.

Nothing in Ashava's edicts or anathemas require a devout follower to be part of a big group or to work with large numbers of people. You can still help individual people and be an introvert. Speaking as an introvert, I do this all the time so it's perfectly plausible. ;-)

And...would this apply to Arshea as well? (See Rysky's post below.)

In this case, it doesn't make a difference whether it's Ashava or Arshea. (That was part of the point of my reply in that being a hardcore introvert works against you being in a role that helps or leads lots of people, but not being in a role in which you help individuals.)

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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Rysky wrote:
For Arazni, what are ways she might show interest/annoyance in her followers aside from the boons/curses in the G&M supplement. Basically nearly non-mechanical minor things.

Arazni's a complicated character. I've gone into the story before—but the short version is I invented her, never had the chance to tell the story I wanted to tell about her, and then that story got told during an adventure path I wasn't directly involved in, so at this point, while what's in my head about her and what's in print are pretty much the same, I don't feel like the expert in her story anymore. There's been a fair number of misunderstandings in her story over the years as well (we at one point set her up as a mummy after she'd been already presented as a lich, for example), and I did a terrible job at setting up her whole redemption arc (I intended to do something similar to what happened with her story in Tyrant's Grasp but never had a chance to so as I kept getting pulled in other directions by other projects, and it languished long enough that some folks started thinking the whole point of her was to show a woman with no agency over her fate—which was NOT my original intent) and making it clear to others that what we knew about her in print was jsut setting up a more empowering story about her.

That said, I believe we published an article about her during Tyrant's Grasp, but I wasn't part of that AP's direct production so I can't say for sure; I'd go there to look for inspiration if I were you.


James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
Appropriate inappropriate wordplay aside, the impression I get from the Arshean faith is that it's very Touched by an Angel; i.e., helping with personal problems and generally being sentimental. So how would a hardcore introvert, like a dark vigilante or mysterious wizard, work as one?

They wouldn't be part of a group of worshipers. And that's not an Arshea thing. That's an organization thing. A hardcore introvert wouldn't be part of any organization, I think, where they'd need to be out there in the public pushing an agenda, be it a religion or a political movement or a mercantile company or the like. An introvert can still certainly worship Arshea, but would not be likely to be part of the organized clergy; a cleric of Arshea who was an introvert would either be a behind-the-scenes member of their church or a lone worshiper who tends a small personal shrine or something like that.

Nothing in Arshea's edicts or anathemas require a devout follower to be part of a big group or to work with large numbers of people. You can still help individual people and be an introvert. Speaking as an introvert, I do this all the time so it's perfectly plausible. ;-)

Good to know. : )

But...how would said introvert work as an adventurer?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

AlgaeNymph wrote:
But...how would said introvert work as an adventurer?

I'm not seeing how that makes any difference.


James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
But...how would said introvert work as an adventurer?
I'm not seeing how that makes any difference.

I don't follow; could you explain? Yes, I know an introvert can be an adventurer, Raistlin pulled it off well enough, but I mean what specific things could an introverted Arshean do? Besides follow along with an adventure path's plot, I mean (p.487 of the 2E core notwithstanding). If not as an adventurer, what sort of behind-the-scenes are we talking about here?

I know I ought to keep it simple, but maybe this'll clarify things? Assuming you're familiar with the alignment grid of pop psychology, the MBTI. How would an INTx (i.e., coldly analytical) Arshean go about adventuring, particularly in a way that supports their faith (which comes across as very ESFx, or sociably sentimental)?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
But...how would said introvert work as an adventurer?
I'm not seeing how that makes any difference.

I don't follow; could you explain? Yes, I know an introvert can be an adventurer, Raistlin pulled it off well enough, but I mean what specific things could an introverted Arshean do? Besides follow along with an adventure path's plot, I mean (p.487 of the 2E core notwithstanding). If not as an adventurer, what sort of behind-the-scenes are we talking about here?

I know I ought to keep it simple, but maybe this'll clarify things? Assuming you're familiar with the alignment grid of pop psychology, the MBTI. How would an INTx (i.e., coldly analytical) Arshean go about adventuring, particularly in a way that supports their faith (which comes across as very ESFx, or sociably sentimental)?

I'm not familiar with it beyond only the bare essentials, but I don't think a coldly analytical Arshean would make too much sense to me. That said, often what draws people to play a certain type of character is that they're the exact opposite of the expectation.

I guess an Arshean like that would be like a hedonistic android, perhaps? Someone who understands the theory of passion but doesn't understand it? Dunno. I'm pretty sure I can't answer the question the way you want me to answer it though. Part of the issue is, I guess, that I really don't know that much about Arshea. I didn't invent the character and I've never written about them. I'm not sure who did, initially... I suspect it was Wes though since he did the lion's share of the work on setting up Empyreal Lords.

So I don't really have a lot of hidden insights into Arshea. In fact, I suspect you know more about Arshea than I do.

I've got a better grip on Ashava and Sarenrae and a few others that I've specifically worked on, but I don't know how to answer you question about an introverted Arshean without potentially saying something that would disappoint you. Sorry!


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James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
But...how would said introvert work as an adventurer?
I'm not seeing how that makes any difference.

I don't follow; could you explain? Yes, I know an introvert can be an adventurer, Raistlin pulled it off well enough, but I mean what specific things could an introverted Arshean do? Besides follow along with an adventure path's plot, I mean (p.487 of the 2E core notwithstanding). If not as an adventurer, what sort of behind-the-scenes are we talking about here?

I know I ought to keep it simple, but maybe this'll clarify things? Assuming you're familiar with the alignment grid of pop psychology, the MBTI. How would an INTx (i.e., coldly analytical) Arshean go about adventuring, particularly in a way that supports their faith (which comes across as very ESFx, or sociably sentimental)?

I'm not familiar with it beyond only the bare essentials, but I don't think a coldly analytical Arshean would make too much sense to me. That said, often what draws people to play a certain type of character is that they're the exact opposite of the expectation.

I guess an Arshean like that would be like a hedonistic android, perhaps? Someone who understands the theory of passion but doesn't understand it? Dunno. I'm pretty sure I can't answer the question the way you want me to answer it though. Part of the issue is, I guess, that I really don't know that much about Arshea. I didn't invent the character and I've never written about them. I'm not sure who did, initially... I suspect it was Wes though since he did the lion's share of the work on setting up Empyreal Lords.

So I don't really have a lot of hidden insights into Arshea. In fact, I suspect you know more about Arshea than I do.

I've got a better grip on Ashava and Sarenrae and a few others that I've specifically worked on, but I don't know how to answer you question about an introverted Arshean without potentially saying something that would disappoint you. Sorry!

No, that's actually an informative answer. And flattering, too. ^_^

(As proof by example, the old Gods & Magic explained the reason for their favored weapon being the flail: it symbolizes striking back at slavers with their own scourges.)

And yes, Arshea was Wes's creation; the idea came about at a con when a gamer expressed desire for someone relatable. The same article mentions the empyreal lords were created to make good deities diverse and engaging, which bears mentioning since that philosophy strongly influenced my sharp critique of their stats in 1E Bestiary 4, which I’m bringing up since it influenced Mark Seifter before they joined Paizo. You might remember them as the fellow who started up Arshea to my satisfaction. : )

Since my posts are supposed to ultimately questions…is it okay if I brag a bit?


How would you make Tammy for 2nd edition?

By the way, thank you for everything you do, we really appreciate 2nd edition and Starfinder they are a blast to play, and has been especially useful for relieving stress.

Thank you for making these dark times brighter.


Hi James, is there anything you could share on the targets of the Red Mantis or Acheakek who got close to divinity? I am curious about that since I wanted to elaborate the history of the Red Mantis and Acheakek to my players, especially very high profile assassinations. Thanks!


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Did qlippoth stand near the portal at the devouring court before demons were created?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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AlgaeNymph wrote:

Since my posts are supposed to ultimately questions…is it okay if I brag a bit?

I'm okay with bragging, but adding a tiny question at the end of a long wall of text with quotes causes the same problems on my end in replying to questions while providing quotes as context; the messageboard truncates quotes, so I have to manually go back and scroll up to grab the text, and when that text is on a previous page in cases where a lot of questions (particularly long ones) have built up it creates a noticeable "speed bump" in my ability to answer questions here efficiently.

My request to keep questions short and not do long posts isn't an attempt to squash bragging or the like. It's purely an attempt to keep this thread manageable at my end.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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captain yesterday wrote:

How would you make Tammy for 2nd edition?

By the way, thank you for everything you do, we really appreciate 2nd edition and Starfinder they are a blast to play, and has been especially useful for relieving stress.

Thank you for making these dark times brighter.

The same way I make all unique NPCs. By designing a custom monster with custom abilities. Gone are the days where we have to shackle creativity and imagination to "how can this be a legal character from a player character standpoint."

And it's always good to know that I'm helping the dark times be a bit brighter... they still look plenty dark at my end, but if I helped someone on the other side feel better, that does help.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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tet325 wrote:
Hi James, is there anything you could share on the targets of the Red Mantis or Acheakek who got close to divinity? I am curious about that since I wanted to elaborate the history of the Red Mantis and Acheakek to my players, especially very high profile assassinations. Thanks!

Not at the moment, no. There's not been many things out there in the first place that have gotten "close to divinity" overall to begin with, and the subset of those who were also targets at some point by the Red Mantis is, as far as I know, pretty much zero. There's a bit more information about this topic coming soon in Pathfinder Legends. One fun rumor you can toy with is that Blood Mistress Jakalyn assassinated Aroden, though.

Shadow Lodge

What did the organization that led the revolution in Vidrian call itself?

What was the organization in Galt that first proclaimed itself affiliated with the Firebrands called?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

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zimmerwald1915 wrote:

What did the organization that led the revolution in Vidrian call itself?

What was the organization in Galt that first proclaimed itself affiliated with the Firebrands called?

Vidrian is a brand new element that was spearheaded by Eleanor and Luis. If anyone knows wha the organization was that led up to that revolution is, it'd be them. It's likely that the name hasn't been invented yet though. Either way, I don't have a name for it off the top of my head, and I'd like Eleanor and Luis to be involved in that (if not be the deciders for it!) when the time comes to make that decision.

Same with the Firebrands thing in Galt.

Shadow Lodge

James Jacobs wrote:
zimmerwald1915 wrote:

What did the organization that led the revolution in Vidrian call itself?

What was the organization in Galt that first proclaimed itself affiliated with the Firebrands called?

Vidrian is a brand new element that was spearheaded by Eleanor and Luis. If anyone knows wha the organization was that led up to that revolution is, it'd be them. It's likely that the name hasn't been invented yet though. Either way, I don't have a name for it off the top of my head, and I'd like Eleanor and Luis to be involved in that (if not be the deciders for it!) when the time comes to make that decision.

Same with the Firebrands thing in Galt.

What is the bird on Vidrian's flag? I'm pretty sure it's a phonenix, but it's not entirely clear.

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