the more I read about Thassalon the more I like it. An ancient empire ruled by mad arch wizards who used magic based around the 7 deadly sins? oh yeah! what's not to like about that concept?
From what I gather, some of the Runelords aren't entirely dead either, they could be waking up. which gives me an excuse to further develop/expand on 'sin magic' for my game.
It's Thassillon and yes, the runewells may nurture them.
At least two Runelords are only 'Mostly Dead'
On a less pedantic note, though, welcome to the ruins of Thassilon. If you're not currently playing in the Rise of the Runelords adventure path, more information on Thassilon can be found scattered through issues #1 to #6 of Pathfinder, although some of that information may since have been superceded as the setting has matured since the heady days when the Runelords AP was released under the 3.5 D&D rules.
A ruined Thassilonian city, Xin-Shalast, is also one of the locations featured in Lost Cities of Golarion, though I post that with the caution that it's possible that there may be some inevitable Rise of the Runelords spoilers contained in that article.
I have some of the stuff from earlier pathfinder issues, including that short PDF on 'sin magic'. I'm thinking that with the new Ultimate Magic rules I'll brainstorm some more 'sin magic' spells over the next couple/few weeks.
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I have some of the stuff from earlier pathfinder issues, including that short PDF on 'sin magic'. I'm thinking that with the new Ultimate Magic rules I'll brainstorm some more 'sin magic' spells over the next couple/few weeks.
Definitely looking forward to seeing them!
While spells that just make people greedy, wrathful, etc. are an option, it's more fun to tie the school with the sin, so as to come up with a spell that's both an evocation spell and has something to do with wrath, such as one that causes someone to 'burn with anger' and gain the effects of rage, but also do +1d6 fire damage with their melee attacks (or to anyone grappling them) while affected. (Or a foe-affecting spell that causes them to burn with feverish heat, and suffer damage, on any round that they don't behave calmy and moderately, causing them to be effectively staggered, as they take damage on any round they move too quickly or forcefully and take a full attack or full round action.)
Death knell can serve as a spell that is both necromantic, and can be associated with gluttony, or you can make a spell that starves an enemy, causing them to suffer nonlethal damage, become fatigued, and assume a skeletal emaciated appearance for the spell's duration, causing them to make a Will save each round or spend a full round devouring anything edible in sight, in an attempt to quell the hunger pangs. After they spend a full round eating, they get another save to end the effect.
Fun stuff.
Creative Director
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As far as chatroom gossip and other sources seem to indicate, my impression is that Ultimate Magic didn't go Thassilonian because Ultimate Magic was supposed to be free of world-specific content; however, it's possible that the Campaign Setting line might revisit Runelord magic at some point in the future. Keep an eye on the blog for teaser and spoiler posts for the Campaign Setting line...
This is correct.
Thassilon and the Runelords are very much a part of Golarion. As such, they're world-specific flavor, and aren't allowed into the rulebook line at all.
This is one of many reasons we're doing Inner Sea Magic later this year at Gen Con, in fact—so we CAN talk about things like the runelords in the context of rules.
As far as chatroom gossip and other sources seem to indicate, my impression is that Ultimate Magic didn't go Thassilonian because Ultimate Magic was supposed to be free of world-specific content; however, it's possible that the Campaign Setting line might revisit Runelord magic at some point in the future. Keep an eye on the blog for teaser and spoiler posts for the Campaign Setting line...
This is correct.
Thassilon and the Runelords are very much a part of Golarion. As such, they're world-specific flavor, and aren't allowed into the rulebook line at all.
This is one of many reasons we're doing Inner Sea Magic later this year at Gen Con, in fact—so we CAN talk about things like the runelords in the context of rules.
THAT would be totally awesome!
I'd like to clarify - I was in no way complaining about Ulitmate Magic. I think it's a great product. My goal is/was to use the rules presented in that book to cook up some Thassilon style magic to use in my current Pathfinder campaign. I'll throw them out to the Pathfinder forum denizens for review and/or brutal no holds barred designer feedback (and then go cry in my rum and coffee while I read the replies). however....knowing that more Runelords style goodies are on their way intrigues me to no end and I, for one, and very much looking forward to seeing what ya go in mind!
And on the subject of Azlant, yes - I've a couple thoughts on Azlanti style magic, but I have to go dig up that old article from the WoTC Aberrant critter book. there was a write up that touched on Aboleth rune magic that might serve as useful background/source material. As I understand it, the Azlanti stole/borrowed/learned a lot of things from the Aboleth. It follows that Azlant style magic would proceed from that knowledge base. the question is how to give Azlanti style magic that 'alien' and/or amoral vibe...but I'll let my subconscious ponder that for a while. I have about a brazillon things to do prior to GenCon and i'm certianly not on any timeline.
I wonder if there was a discussion about whether or not to actually *measure* a character's sin... for the purposes of boosting Sin magic? Perhaps as a meta-magic feat that 'takes note' of acts the mage devotes to this purpose?
I think the 'rise of the runelord' AP had a concept called 'sin points', but I'd have to go dig up the details since I don't remember how that system worked.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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And on the subject of Azlant, yes - I've a couple thoughts on Azlanti style magic, but I have to go dig up that old article from the WoTC Aberrant critter book. there was a write up that touched on Aboleth rune magic that might serve as useful background/source material. As I understand it, the Azlanti stole/borrowed/learned a lot of things from the Aboleth. It follows that Azlant style magic would proceed from that knowledge base. the question is how to give Azlanti style magic that 'alien' and/or amoral vibe...but I'll let my subconscious ponder that for a while. I have about a brazillon things to do prior to GenCon and i'm certianly not on any timeline.
I kind of use Azlant for a catch all...
Psionics aren't common on Golarion, being more the domain of the Green World. When the Starstone stuck Golarion, many Azlanti tried to escape, some went to Castrovel. To survive they became the first elans.
I have been a Thassilonian fan since RotRL and really hope they get their own pathfinder campaign setting book soon!!!