Next week I'm scheduled to prepare the outline for Andoran, Spirit of Liberty.
What would you like to see in it?
Typically we do:
* an overview article of the whole country
* an article on the main city
* a Social category article (traits, feats, etc.)
* a Faith category article (religions, religion-themed magic items or spells, etc.)
* a Magic article (spells, magic items, a prestige class, etc.)
* a Combat article (new weapons, combat feats, a prestige class, etc.)
* a Persona article (previously a write-up of the country's leader, but now skewing more toward NPCs that the PCs might interact with on a regular basis, or NPCs the PCs could hire, or NPCs that players could use as PCs for a pick-up game, but it could also be something like "personality hooks for Andoran-native characters of each class").
Remember that the Pathfinder Companion line is supposed to be geared toward players, so this book shouldn't include anything the GM would want to keep secret from the players (such as so-and-so is actually a vampire, the mayor is a member of a death cult, etc.).
Any suggestions about content you'd like to find in this book, I'd love to hear it in this thread. Thanks!
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Persona: the leader of the Eagle Knights
the Eagle Knights defined and either a PrC or feats to use with them, the best classes to use along and where are they based.
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
Regional Traits! a couple of Feats... they social and political system
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I'd like to see stuff on the Eagle Knights. This could be a feat or two, special equipment, a prestige class, as well as more description on their organization, the types of missions they go on, and how to use them as NPCs or how to use them for PCs that want to join (yet still adventure with their other, non-Eagle Knight companions.)
Also, it would be good to see information on the abolitionists (presumably ones that raid Cheliax and other nations to free slaves), and what the lives of recently freed slaves in Andoran are like compared to native born Andorans.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Persona: the leader of the Eagle Knights
the Eagle Knights defined and either a PrC or feats to use with them, the best classes to use along and where are they based.
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
Regional Traits! a couple of Feats... they social and political system
Great minds think alike. I'd rather see stats for a mid level (8th-10th level or so) Eagle Knight that could get used as a PC ally than their leader.
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I know it's probably a given, but I'd love to see an Eagle Knight P-class. Also, some sort of p-class devoted to freeing and repatriating slaves. Something about the Andoran navy (the Gray Fleet?) and the heirarchical structure of the army & navy. Maybe some examples of rank insignia (could be rows of feathers on a wing or something). This falls outside of the normal Companion design, but I'd like to see an example of typical Andoran attitudes toward different nationalities. How does the average Andoran on the street react when I tell her I'm from Cheliax or Taldor? Also, some Andoran superstitions would be cool. And common expressions among the people, like "Git 'er done!" or "Y'all come back now, y'hear?" How you could spot an Andoran in a crowd of other nationalities. What kind of clothing do they wear, patterns they favor, hats, capes, and so forth. I'm just throwning it out there. Really I just want to see a cool Eagle Knight prestige class and I'll be satisfied.
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Great minds think alike. I'd rather see stats for a mid level (8th-10th level or so) Eagle Knight that could get used as a PC ally than their leader.
i would like to read about the leader, mostly ebcause through his eprsonality I can see where the group is headed...
NPCs we ca have many... but the eladers, the leaders define, they are an example to follow :)
and yes... some suppertitions.. i believe there are a lot of interesting and dark places to see...
Director of Brand Strategy
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We have more information on Andoran than we do any other region besides Varisia at this point, because of the saturation of the Darkmoon Vale region with the Guide and (by my count) 8 modules. I would like more information on the non-Darkmoon Vale portions of the country--those areas that feel completely different. I agree with above requests for info on the Eagle Knights, and would prefer to see them be the focus of the Organization section over the Lumber Consortium or another (primarily evil and non-PC-friendly) group. There's also a lot about Andoran besides freedom and democracy, so I'd hope the book is well-rounded enough that it's not just about their political uniqueness and ideology.
The players should get a good feel for what it is to be Andoran. With this in mind, I would like to see typical clothes, architecture, attitude, typical sayings, favorite food and drink, etc.
Thanks!
Persona: I'd like you to change the concept for this bit again :p
This might be because I see the Companion-books as mostly a player resource, so rather than just a prominent NPC, I'd like to see an NPC that would be a useful cohort (almost wrote consort there...) for a PC with the Leadership feat.
Persona: I'd like you to change the concept for this bit again :p
This might be because I see the Companion-books as mostly a player resource, so rather than just a prominent NPC, I'd like to see an NPC that would be a useful cohort (almost wrote consort there...) for a PC with the Leadership feat.
Hmm, you realize this is what we're doing for the Cheliax book?
F
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Actually, what I would love to see, not just in Andoran, are some local Color type stuff.
- regional customs
- fashions
- cuisine
- etc.
You know, the kind of stuff that makes the region differnt from other areas of the world.
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The players should get a good feel for what it is to be Andoran. With this in mind, I would like to see typical clothes, architecture, attitude, typical sayings, favorite food and drink, etc.
Thanks!
I second this and the many requests for Eagle Knight info. And more details about the navy would be great too.
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I second this and the many requests for Eagle Knight info. And more details about the navy would be great too.The players should get a good feel for what it is to be Andoran. With this in mind, I would like to see typical clothes, architecture, attitude, typical sayings, favorite food and drink, etc.
Thanks!
agreed!
+1 o both things|
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I agree with Kevin and Montalve regarding traits. If PFRPG is going to stick with the trait concept, there needs to be a handful for every nation.
An Eagle Knight PrC would go down a treat, and if we're sticking with the Persona concept JoleF847's suggestion of a 10th level Eagle Knight patron/cohort would do well - useful for low-level players *and* high-level players.
Darkmoon Vale should get a paragraph, at most. It has an entire book to itself, a book with a page count higher than this Companion, and there's surely more to Andoran than Darkmoon Vale.
Local Familiars. I think it really helps nail down the character, both societally and ecologically, of a nation to give it a custom list for things like Summon Familiar, or "exotic" weapons that are not exotic to a native.
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Local Familiars. I think it really helps nail down the character, both societally and ecologically, of a nation to give it a custom list for things like Summon Familiar, or "exotic" weapons that are not exotic to a native.
or animal companions for the druid and ranger
I myself want to see how religions are threated
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Ok, maybe this is odd, but how about the suggested average level of technology. I know that Glorion has a wide range of types of society and Taldor is more like Europe in the 1800s(?). So a few blurbs on how to people dress, what do the building look like. What kind of machines are there. I'm not expecting a big write up on guns, but do the Andorians have the printing press? That sort of thing.
Hmm, you realize this is what we're doing for the Cheliax book?Persona: I'd like you to change the concept for this bit again :p
This might be because I see the Companion-books as mostly a player resource, so rather than just a prominent NPC, I'd like to see an NPC that would be a useful cohort (almost wrote consort there...) for a PC with the Leadership feat.
Nope, I hadn't read anything about that one. But assuming you're not lying ;) *gives Swedish elk-meatball to the nice editor*
(And that's not the kind of elk ball we sell to the german dummko... er I mean tourists).
With or without gout? :)
With or without gout? :)
With, but controlled ::laughing:: It wouldn't be Ben without the sometimes complaint of his old joints while eyeing the young ladies :)
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Not sure if anyone mentioned this but how about a sidebar that has some common terms or sayings that are indigenous(sp?) to the region?
*Local myths or common rumors?
*Relations or views/biases towards other nations and/or ethnicities?
*Local food and drink
*Dress and Customs
Of course this may already be included in the sections you mentioned above. But anything that would help a player add color to their charcater would be nice.
Just my 2 coppers
If the companion contains a prestige class, I'd prefer to see a 3 or 5 level class, such as those presented in the Cayden and Abadar articles or the Brightness Seeker PrC and as opposed to a full 10 level class.
Perhaps some plot hooks to do with the Andoran colony in Arcadia.
Information on relations with neighboring nations, especially Isger and Druma, less so Cheliax.
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If the companion contains a prestige class, I'd prefer to see a 3 or 5 level class, such as those presented in the Cayden and Abadar articles or the Brightness Seeker PrC and as opposed to a full 10 level class.
Perhaps some plot hooks to do with the Andoran colony in Arcadia.
Information on relations with neighboring nations, especially Isger and Druma, less so Cheliax.
This. This would make the Companion awesome for me and I would be tempted to re-start a game in Andoran, and get one of these for each of my players.
Return of Taldan control? Runs.
I'd like to see info on any organizations unique to the region. I'd rather not see a prestige class unless it's something truly unique/special. Perhaps some info on local industries and the sorts of things that are hard to get except through the black market.
Why hasn't anyone asked what kind of music/entertainment is popular within a certain country?
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
Page reference, please?
BTW great suggestions, everyone. :)
Page reference, please?
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
"Gray Corsairs", maybe?
Hardcover, p. 4 and again on p. 86.
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Page reference, please?
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
"Gray Corsairs", maybe?
Hardcover, p. 4 and again on p. 86.
ugh
those should be :PI have being calling them Gray Sail for a long time :P
i might be wrong then, but more information on Andoran Navy versus slavery would be nice.
I'd certainly like information on the Eagle Knights, I had a player who was playing one such knight for a time, and while he's no longer with the group I imagine there will be interest in the future. That being said while I understand that the werewolf elements of Andoran happen to be more focused around Darkmoon Vale it would be nice to get some player crunch related to that. In my 4th edition Golarion game I've advanced the timeline in such a fashion that Andoran now hosts the largest Shifter population in the world... granted that's the nation where shifters originated from in that particular campaign but *shrug*.
Just my two bits. Though the Eagle Knights and some traits are a definite!
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I'd like to see what some of the "old guard" in Andoran feel about the reform-minded, equality-driven regime.
The Pathfinder Campaign Setting implies (on p. 19) that Andoran models itself after old Azlant in architecture, politics, styles, etc, comparable to early America's fixation on the classic Greeks/Romans.
It goes on to say that these Azlanti-blooded "old guard" figures are the more conservative minded of the regime. I'd like to see why that is.
Perhaps you could have an Azlanti-blooded group of politicians that form a shadow government in the nation's political structure, kind of a Masonic organization tied to Azlanti mysticism that sees the burgeoning democracy and political structure as a way to covertly manipulate whatever agenda they may have amongst them.
These individuals would make an excellent conspiracy in an otherwise goodly government for PC's to cross paths with. Particularly if they had enough power and clout in the government to be above the PC's accusations.
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* an overview article of the whole country
Could this include some kind of history of the revolution? Where was the Andoran Tea Party?
* an article on the main city
Somewhere properly unique, where some of the social norms associate with Taldor are completely rejected. Perhaps even standing at odds with the more conservative rural areas of the country.
A lack of tightly packed slums with homes on roofs and streets that see no sunlight - if we have to have a slum can it be sprawling shanty-town instead.
* a Social category article (traits, feats, etc.)
It would be interesting to see poor Andorans, especially rural folk, for whom the revolution simply feels like a change of tax-collector.
* a Faith category article (religions, religion-themed magic items or spells, etc.)
I'd like to see some seriously evil cults who regard Andoran as an opportunity.
* a Magic article (spells, magic items, a prestige class, etc.)
Make-do-and-mend magic. Spellcasters feeling pressured to 'play their part' and 'help their fellow man' producing spells that fix the thatch.
* a Combat article (new weapons, combat feats, a prestige class, etc.)
Something about guerrilla warfare or hit-and-run anti-slavery ships.
* a Persona article.
A subtle duplicitous politician.
I have a concern about this book. Even though Paizo has done a good job of keeping Korvosa, Taldor, etc. from feeling one-dimensional I am worried about Andoran.
My fear is that we'll be reading a political subtext that constantly spills forth. That this book might spill-forth into either rootin'-tootin' American patriotism or, perhaps more likely, a lament for what America could have been if Columbia Triumphant In Peace was the national anthem.
Please, please keep away from the cumbersome notion of analogue and create a unique nation with an invigorating mix of good and bad in all things.
I have a dream!
I might be nekkid in it. But still, a dream!
Well, traits are a must.
Give me freedom or give me death! - A series of feats (or magic items) that allow you to escape unwanted situations (like paralysis) at the cost of taking damage.
Social: Burdens of Rulership/The People have spoken. Something about democracy and how the average citicen can take an active role. Could work as feats maybe?
PrC: Eagle Knight. Need I say more?
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As per the Katapesh chronicles books, Grey Corsairs attack Katapeshian slave galleons and sink them. I look forward to read about them in the Andor book (assuming they have been covered).
Regardless, a question comes to mind:
When they go about sinking a slave ship, don't the slaves die as a result of being chained to the oars??? O_o (deters slavers from doing it again I guess... even if they survive the sinking, they have spent the money on slaves already, and therefore are being hurt where they hurt the most: their coin purse...)
Or do they wait for the return trip, once they have unloaded the slaves? (serves next to no purpose)
Or do they do a big swashbuckling boarding, liberate the slaves, THEN sink the slaver ship! (preferred option)
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Realistically, the Katapesh ships would probably be seized and refitted, but sinking them after rescuing the slaves sends a message too. Although if they are really using oared galley's the Andorans probably have no use for them.
Leading into the 17th century, galleys were still a viable part of many navies, especially in the Mediterranean. I don't see why the Andorans wouldn't take advantage of them if they captured them, even if they were relegated to coastal patrols/combat.
Andor
Andoran. Sounds funny, but that's how the country's called.
The basic thing I would want out of a companion book on this country would be how to run a revolutionary campaign. How do they spread the word about democracy? How do they get resources when other countries (surely) blockaded them? How are their cells in other countries organized and connected? How do they protect themselves against Cheliax? How do lawful alignments work in a country where the laws are grounded in the will of the people rather than the divine right of kings or the judgment of the people's betters, aka aristocrats? Who are their internal enemies? What are their military strengths and weaknesses?
Basically, you've got a chance to do an extraordinary mini-setting here. In companions about the elves, you're basically describing the origins of Golarion, its past more than its present. Yes, I want you to sketch out what living in a country that changed Golarion means. But more than that, I want you to give me guidance on what this country's future is.
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Persona: the leader of the Eagle Knights
the Eagle Knights defined and either a PrC or feats to use with them, the best classes to use along and where are they based.
obviously religion, reltionships with the exterior... information in the "Grey Sails"
Regional Traits! a couple of Feats... they social and political system
+1
