Are there any specific details about Azlanti culture in print or on the web. I'm looking for anything from details on clothing, naming, architecture, religion, politics, customs and laws etc. My pc's are currently on an archaeological expedition in some Azlanti ruins and I want them to discover some interesting tidbits about the Azlanti to spice up the game.
From Shore to Sea is a good start, though I'm fairly certain there hasn't been a whole lot written about them. (There might be a few paragraphs written about them here and there in the Serpent's Skull AP as well.)
Sunken Empires would work pretty well as a third-party solution.
From Shore to Sea is a good start, though I'm fairly certain there hasn't been a whole lot written about them. (There might be a few paragraphs written about them here and there in the Serpent's Skull AP as well.)
Sunken Empires would work pretty well as a third-party solution.
Thanks :). Serpent skull is the Campaign I'm using this in. I think I have both Sunken Empires and from Shore to sea so I'll check those out. I'm also open for non-canon suggestions. I just want some interesting details to spice up my game.
That Liz is just too sweet for her own good! =-)
From Shore to Sea does indeed have a lot of aspect of Azlanti culture, including some great reworked magic items that are mechanically familiar but way different in execution from modern day items, and lots of neat knicknacks otherwise. It also give you a good idea of Azlanti architecture and hints at a lot of technology.
I write to mention that in my chapter in the upcoming Lost Cities of Golarion on the Sun Colony, I was able to take a lot of those themes we set up in From Shore to Sea and really run crazy with them, cracking the case wide open on some of that technology, so you get to see some stuff in action that FS2S only hinted at.
That, with what you've got in Serpent's Skull (plus any Thassilonian stuff, remember), about handles canon.
Sunken Empires, though, is chock-full of what you're looking for in the culture/flavor/religion/technology (a whole chapter!) areas, and I think it is probably closest to what you're looking for. In fact, some creative director cat whose initials may or may not be "J" and "J" had this to say about it:
"A great sourcebook for any Pathfinder game that's headed below the waves and seeking to explore the sunken realms, be they Azlanti ruins, aboleth cities, or something worse!"
I'll just leave it at that. =-) Crack it open and see what you can see!
That Liz is just too sweet for her own good! =-)
From Shore to Sea does indeed have a lot of aspect of Azlanti culture, including some great reworked magic items that are mechanically familiar but way different in execution from modern day items, and lots of neat knicknacks otherwise. It also give you a good idea of Azlanti architecture and hints at a lot of technology.
I write to mention that in my chapter in the upcoming Lost Cities of Golarion on the Sun Colony, I was able to take a lot of those themes we set up in From Shore to Sea and really run crazy with them, cracking the case wide open on some of that technology, so you get to see some stuff in action that FS2S only hinted at.
That, with what you've got in Serpent's Skull (plus any Thassilonian stuff, remember), about handles canon.
Sunken Empires, though, is chock-full of what you're looking for in the culture/flavor/religion/technology (a whole chapter!) areas, and I think it is probably closest to what you're looking for. In fact, some creative director cat whose initials may or may not be "J" and "J" had this to say about it:
"A great sourcebook for any Pathfinder game that's headed below the waves and seeking to explore the sunken realms, be they Azlanti ruins, aboleth cities, or something worse!"
I'll just leave it at that. =-) Crack it open and see what you can see!
I just gave from shore to sea and sunken Empires another read through and found a lot of useful stuff I'd forgotten about. I'm really looking forward to "Lost cities of Golarion" now :).
One thing I was curious about though. In sunken Empires the Atlanteans (which I guess the Azlanti is based upon)are described as taller than modern men with one less digit on each hand and slightly elongated skulls due to cradling the head. Does this physical description fit the ancient Azlanti as well or are they more like modern Azlanti in appearance?
Also does the concept of Vril mentioned in sunken Empires apply to Golarion?
One thing I was curious about though. In sunken Empires the Atlanteans (which I guess the Azlanti is based upon)are described as taller than modern men with one less digit on each hand and slightly elongated skulls due to cradling the head. Does this physical description fit description fit the ancient Azlanti as well or are they more like modern Azlanti in appearance?
Also does the concept of Vril mentioned in sunken Empires apply to Golarion?
Not necessarily. I wanted to set Atlanteans apart in some way physically, in much the same way as the Melniboneans in Moorcock's Stormbringer novels, and to give them that sort of otherworldly, alien feel that writers like Donnelly often attribute to them.
In canon, Azlanti were similarly beautiful and regal, if not quite so alien, with univerally dark hair characterized by a deep widow's peak. And purple eyes. Don't forget to peruse the listing on Azlanti in the Campaign Setting (page 18-19) for some of those physical tidbits and a few of the same cultural references that inspired elements of FStS and the upcoming Lost Cities.
Vril was all us, with some help from Bulwer-Lytton and the Theosophists. =-)
One thing I was curious about though. In sunken Empires the Atlanteans (which I guess the Azlanti is based upon)are described as taller than modern men with one less digit on each hand and slightly elongated skulls due to cradling the head. Does this physical description fit description fit the ancient Azlanti as well or are they more like modern Azlanti in appearance?
Also does the concept of Vril mentioned in sunken Empires apply to Golarion?
Not necessarily. I wanted to set Atlanteans apart in some way physically, in much the same way as the Melniboneans in Moorcock's Stormbringer novels, and to give them that sort of otherworldly, alien feel that writers like Donnelly often attribute to them.
In canon, Azlanti were similarly beautiful and regal, if not quite so alien, with univerally dark hair characterized by a deep widow's peak. And purple eyes. Don't forget to peruse the listing on Azlanti in the Campaign Setting (page 18-19) for some of those physical tidbits and a few of the same cultural references that inspired elements of FStS and the upcoming Lost Cities.
Vril was all us, with some help from Bulwer-Lytton and the Theosophists. =-)
I thought perhaps the head binding and such could be old Azlanti customs that fell out of fashion. I really wanted to give the ancient Azlanti a more alien feel, and I really liked the artwork of the Atlanteans in sunken Empires :).
By the way which real world ruins would come the closest as to depict how Azlanti ruins might appear? Aztec? Mayan? Something Mediterranean perhaps? Or are the architecture and art of the Azlanti unlike anything seen on the real Earth? I would really like to show my players some pictures of bas-relifs and such for inspiration but I am unsure if I can find any that really resemble what could be close to what the Azlanti made.
For some reason I imagine their structures like something from the background of a Michael Whelan painting or a Yes album cover.
Any specific ones that comes to mind?
Michael Whelan's art is awesome btw.
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Awww, Mona's a hack. Disregard anything he has to say on this matter. Not like he came up with the Azlanti or anything! =-)
The natatorium in FStS was directly inspired by the stepwells of India. Do a google search and you'll see what I mean. I also think pictures of ruined ancient Indian architecture will serve you well at the gaming table. While the most direct correlation for that stuff on Golarion would most likely be ancient Vudran ruins, I feel that us Westerners aren't as familiar with Indian architecture as, say, Ancient Greece or Roman, so it has an otherworldly feel to it. I also referenced a lot of Mayan and Arabic architecture in my turnover. It just feels a little more foreign to Western eyes for some reason.
Concepts that drive my own Azalanti themes that show up in the pieces I've done are the alternating streets of curved and linear architecture, which I think looks neat on the map. Curved or spherical buildings are centers of learning, and linear structures are for living. I also dig using the Fibonacci number and some sealife like nautilus shells to inspire those angles and curves.
Also, the concept of laziness on the part of this culture in its latter days. Inspired by their invention of ioun stones, I figured they couldn't be bothered to really touch anything, which is why a lot of things float and orbit both personally and architecturally. Many of the reworked magic items in FStS still work the same and take up the same slots, but hover just a few inches away from the user, because you've got to be comfortable when you've been told your whole life you're god's greatest gift. =-)
I'd google around a bit and see what you get. Start off with the stepwells in India (like Chand Baori) for some great shots of the natatoriums (and while you're at it, look up how important bath houses were to Roman culture, because Azlantis were just as dependent on them as civic centers, and the aboleths who lurked below used them for brainwashing and influencing important personages). Then find some great shots of Mayan ruins and Indian architecture, and you should have some fantastic visual aids!
For some reason I imagine their structures like ... a Yes album cover.
This. =)
Awww, Mona's a hack. Disregard anything he has to say on this matter. Not like he came up with the Azlanti or anything! =-)
The natatorium in FStS was directly inspired by the stepwells of India. Do a google search and you'll see what I mean. I also think pictures of ruined ancient Indian architecture will serve you well at the gaming table. While the most direct correlation for that stuff on Golarion would most likely be ancient Vudran ruins, I feel that us Westerners aren't as familiar with Indian architecture as, say, Ancient Greece or Roman, so it has an otherworldly feel to it. I also referenced a lot of Mayan and Arabic architecture in my turnover. It just feels a little more foreign to Western eyes for some reason.
Concepts that drive my own Azalanti themes that show up in the pieces I've done are the alternating streets of curved and linear architecture, which I think looks neat on the map. Curved or spherical buildings are centers of learning, and linear structures are for living. I also dig using the Fibonacci number and some sealife like nautilus shells to inspire those angles and curves.
Also, the concept of laziness on the part of this culture in its latter days. Inspired by their invention of ioun stones, I figured they couldn't be bothered to really touch anything, which is why a lot of things float and orbit both personally and architecturally. Many of the reworked magic items in FStS still work the same and take up the same slots, but hover just a few inches away from the user, because you've got to be comfortable when you've been told your whole life you're god's greatest gift. =-)
I'd google around a bit and see what you get. Start off with the stepwells in India (like Chand Baori) for some great shots of the natatoriums (and while you're at it, look up how important bath houses were to Roman culture, because Azlantis were just as dependent on them as civic centers, and the aboleths who lurked below used them for brainwashing and influencing important personages). Then find...
Thank you, this will be very helpful :).
I figured that bathing was very important in the Azlanti culture so I'll make sure my players stumble upon some ancient bathhouses.
I really like the floating magical item stuff from Fsts, this adds some wonder and weirdness to otherwise mundane magical items and I will make sure that any Azlanti relics found by my players will have some of these properties.
I noticed that many of Michael Whelan's paintings included nautilus-like sculptures and shapes, maybe that's why he associated them with the Azlant?