Creative Director
|
The AP actually never goes to Nerosyan.
That said... as far as "permanent bases" are concerned...
That certainly was a fast response! Thanks, James. :)
I hope you have a "dump-off" base planned in, where the PCs can sell off loot. Since the AP will go to the really high levels of the game, that can be a real problem with the purchase limits on smaller settlements than Nerosyan (or Egede).
Any chance for the PCs to visit Kenabres during the AP?
Ack, I totally missed that one. D'oh! Well, that will make my player happy who wants to play a witch-burning priest of Asmodeus. ^^
Thanks for the information!
Hoping for more info on my current favorite unknown diety / empyreal lord in Pathfinder, Pulura, and hoping that she's not gone all Zon-Kuthon evil-crazy.
-TimD
|
James,
Huge fan, loved I'll just say "Red Hand" and the Dragon Empires is the greatest Campaign setting of all time! I love playing dwarves, and I'm wondering, will dwarves fit nicely into the game, or will I have to think outside the box entirely and play a dual nunchuk wielding ulfen samurai from Kalasgard?
...I love playing dwarves, and I'm wondering, will dwarves fit nicely into the game, or will I have to think outside the box entirely and play a dual nunchuk wielding ulfen samurai from Kalasgard?
I'm not James, but I think a dwarven PC in Wrath of the Righteous should fit quite nicely.
Do you have any idea of how tough the life of a tiefling would be in this path?
I was thinking of playing a Demon-Spawn Tiefling Paladin of Iomedae and I was wondering what type of contortions in her background that I would have to make for this character to even survive up to the campaign's start.
Come what may, we shall endure.
|
Creative Director
|
James,
Huge fan, loved I'll just say "Red Hand" and the Dragon Empires is the greatest Campaign setting of all time! I love playing dwarves, and I'm wondering, will dwarves fit nicely into the game, or will I have to think outside the box entirely and play a dual nunchuk wielding ulfen samurai from Kalasgard?
Wrath of the Righteous is pretty standard when it comes to "who fits in." AKA: any core race and any base class should be fine. The crusades accept anyone who's willing to risk their life to fight demons, after all. Even those who SAY they're here to kill demons but are in fact here for other reasons.
In fact, most of our campaigns assume this. MOST of our Adventure Paths would be, in my opinion, better served by core characters than "dual nunchuk wielding ulfen samurai from Kalasgard." Since that kind of character is kinda nonsensical for a lot of reasons.
|
Creative Director
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Do you have any idea of how tough the life of a tiefling would be in this path?
I was thinking of playing a Demon-Spawn Tiefling Paladin of Iomedae and I was wondering what type of contortions in her background that I would have to make for this character to even survive up to the campaign's start.
That would be tough... but two of the big themes in the AP are:
1) Redemption
2) Evil is sometimes beautiful, while good is sometimes ugly.
So... yeah. A demon-spawn tiefling paladan should be loads of fun to play!
I'm actually looking forward to making the planned cleric of Asmodeus of one of my players fit in. I can already see the things which make it easier and harder to make him fit in that part of the world.
What we know is that...it's going to be expensive.... (if you buy everything that looks like it's going to be useful/helpful that is)
I count the following so far (I guess there could be more as the year is not finished yet)
AP 1-6 Plus the map pack.
Mythic rules
Mythic origins
Mythic realms
Worldwound
Demon hunters
Demons revisited
Chronical of the Rightous
Champions of Purity
Lords of Chaos
Possibly Knights of the Inner Sea too?
Does anyone know if all of these are needed to run the AP to its best or are there certina ones you could leave out if needs be?
Looking forward to it though :))
|
Creative Director
|
What we know is that...it's going to be expensive.... (if you buy everything that looks like it's going to be useful/helpful that is)
I count the following so far (I guess there could be more as the year is not finished yet)
AP 1-6 Plus the map pack.
Mythic rules
Mythic origins
Mythic realms
Worldwound
Demon hunters
Demons revisited
Chronical of the Rightous
Champions of Purity
Lords of Chaos
Possibly Knights of the Inner Sea too?Does anyone know if all of these are needed to run the AP to its best or are there certina ones you could leave out if needs be?
Looking forward to it though :))
Of those books, the things you'll need to run the Adventure Path are:
AP 1–6
Mythic Rules
That is all.
If you want to expand things beyond the written adventure, or if you want to be prepared for if your PCs take things in an unexpected direction, the more of the above books you have to reference, the better, but the AP itself is being written with the assumption that you have the hardcover books (Mythic Adventures included) and the AP itself.
|
Creative Director
|
Dear James Jacobs,
I am curious...How long does an adventure path take to develop? When did work on Wrath of the Righteous begin? How much input does the public/player community have in this kind of project?
I ask as I wrote my own homebrew on this very subject matter. My players started at level 7, and I hope to take them to 20 so they are sufficient to face Baphomet..We are actually in our 7th session here in Cincinnati...I was actually gonna send in a proposal and then 6 months into my game, you announctd this AP. I wrote everything to fit into Paizo's timelines, storylines etc. Except my stuff is far more world changing than the preliminary facts given thus far.
I am really interested in your answers..Thanks for your time and consideration...
Mike
An adventure path takes about 9 months to a year to go from idea to publication. Work on Wrath of the Righteous started a few weeks before Gen Con last year with me generating ideas for the plots. Art and text started being ordered from the artists and authors a few months later, once the 18,000 word outline for the AP was done.
There's generally very little public/player community input into an AP at all. We listen to what APs folks want, and in this case the name for the AP was actually suggested by someone in the community... which probably makes it the MOST community sourced AP we've ever done.
In any event, we build our Adventure Paths 99.9999% in house—we aren't currently looking for AP proposals from outside Paizo.
As for how "world changing" the events of Wrath of the Righteous can be... they can be Very Significant.
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
If the PCs succeed in their quests, however, things on a global or Avestan/Garund scale largely return to the status-quo barring a few wrecked cities and disaffected tribes of giants or irate serpentfolk (Serpent's skull was a good'un). That said, Wrath of the Righteous looks to be taking stuff to the next level with mythic rules and correspondingly mighty enemies all rolled in with a wee bit of mass combat - really looking forward to it!
Reign of Winter might do the same. What'll happen to Baba Y's Irrisen if the PCs prevail?
I guess I'm wondering if something on the scale as Forgotten Realms' Time of Troubles is ever on the cards for Golarion? Maybe too big a question, and maybe the wrong thread for it. I have to stress I have mixed feelings about what that level of disruption does to such a well-crafted campaign setting such as Golarion, but just intrigued to see if there's anything huge on the horizon. Either way, keep up the great works.
Not every AP returns the world to status quo if the PCs are successful.
Jade Regent CERTAINLY doesn't return the world to status quo—it gives Minkai a brand new emperor and rescues the nation from evil rulers—this would be akin to a Cheliax AP that overthrows House Thrune and drives out the diabolists.
Skull & Shackles ends up with the PCs killing the leader of the region.
We're not afraid of having the repercussions of an AP change the world. We just don't assume any of these events happen at all. Because it's easier to use one book as a baseline for canon tracking or for a newcomer to learn about the world than it is to use hundreds that increase in number by 2-3 every month.
We aren't interested in doing something on the scale of the Time of Troubles or the Spellplague to Golarion, though. We've put too much work into the world and like it too much.
It'll be interesting to see how the next campaign setting book looks for Pathfinder 2.0, many years down the line. ^^
"In this nation, there's a ruler. Whom we can't tell you about, because it might upset people who played that AP which changed out the prior ruler. And in that other nation, the same. Also, something happened in the Worldwound. Nobody knows details. Irrisen? Something something Baba Yaga. Or maybe Rasputin." :p
|
Creative Director
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
It'll be interesting to see how the next campaign setting book looks for Pathfinder 2.0, many years down the line. ^^
"In this nation, there's a ruler. Whom we can't tell you about, because it might upset people who played that AP which changed out the prior ruler. And in that other nation, the same. Also, something happened in the Worldwound. Nobody knows details. Irrisen? Something something Baba Yaga. Or maybe Rasputin." :p
If we advance the timeline for Golarion at some point in the future, I'll decide how the canonical endings for each AP play out and will assume those are the official endings. Not all APs will result in an assumed player win, though.
And yes, that WILL mean some campaigns will need to either retcon themselves or retcon the published world to fit themselves... but there is NO WAY AROUND THAT if we advance the timeline.
I'm not gonna be wishy-washy about deciding how APs played out though, I can guarantee that.
It'll be interesting to see how the next campaign setting book looks for Pathfinder 2.0, many years down the line. ^^
"In this nation, there's a ruler. Whom we can't tell you about, because it might upset people who played that AP which changed out the prior ruler. And in that other nation, the same. Also, something happened in the Worldwound. Nobody knows details. Irrisen? Something something Baba Yaga. Or maybe Rasputin." :p
If we advance the timeline for Golarion at some point in the future, I'll decide how the canonical endings for each AP play out and will assume those are the official endings. Not all APs will result in an assumed player win, though.
And yes, that WILL mean some campaigns will need to either retcon themselves or retcon the published world to fit themselves... but there is NO WAY AROUND THAT if we advance the timeline.
I'm not gonna be wishy-washy about deciding how APs played out though, I can guarantee that.
That is the most awesome answer I could have possibly expected. Much love from me. :)
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
We're not afraid of having the repercussions of an AP change the world. We just don't assume any of these events happen at all. Because it's easier to use one book as a baseline for canon tracking or for a newcomer to learn about the world than it is to use hundreds that increase in number by 2-3 every month.
I view each AP as a complete campaign. That is, if I ever finish an AP with a group (I haven't been playing Pathfinder long enough to do that) and start a new one, I'll "reset" Golarion to what it was. After all, once you've played through a single AP, characters are most of the way through a complete level progression. If they want to reach level 20, you can extend things a bit. But when you're starting with new characters at level 1, you may as well start with a "fresh restart" of Golarion.
That seems to match the publication.... APs can change the world a lot, but they all start from more or less then same baseline Golarion. (I know that Shattered Star deliberately started as a sequel, though.)
When the time for Pathfinder 2.0 starts drawing near, years in the future, I'll be starting to take bets which APs were officially "won" and which were "lost". ;)
Won't be that hard to guess. Those with world-shaking/planet-destroying consequences will be won, the rest will be lost.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Won't be that hard to guess. Those with world-shaking/planet-destroying consequences will be won, the rest will be lost.Don't be so certain.
I, for one, would look forward to the full return of Ydersius. The snake-god and serpentfolk are due for an uprising. And imagine what that might do to foster humanity banding together again...including, perhaps, a risen Runelord or two? ;-)
I, for one, would look forward to the full return of Ydersius. The snake-god and serpentfolk are due for an uprising. And imagine what that might do to foster humanity banding together again...including, perhaps, a risen Runelord or two? ;-)Won't be that hard to guess. Those with world-shaking/planet-destroying consequences will be won, the rest will be lost.Don't be so certain.
Sorry Toadkiller Dog, I'm glad James called that out. That struck me as "tempting God."
Neil, that's cool. My Serpent's Skull campaign has been on hiatus, but its scheduled to come off hiatus soon. The players hasv't quite unlocked the mystery of Ydersius because they're just going into Chapter Three (heaven help me). Once they get the "big picture" I intend on boraching it in these terms:
"If he returns, it won't be the End of the World, but it might be World War III!"
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I, for one, would look forward to the full return of Ydersius. The snake-god and serpentfolk are due for an uprising. And imagine what that might do to foster humanity banding together again...including, perhaps, a risen Runelord or two? ;-)Won't be that hard to guess. Those with world-shaking/planet-destroying consequences will be won, the rest will be lost.Don't be so certain.
It would be like a Golarion version of Watchmen...
In the Ask James Jacobs thread he said in his home campaign Jade Regent/Ameiko aren't canon...he might not be attached to her enough to have her survive :p
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm finding the speculation as to what may be the Cannon endings to APs very interesting but to avoid taking this thread jack any further I created a new thread here for those who would be interested.
I, for one, would look forward to the full return of Ydersius. The snake-god and serpentfolk are due for an uprising. And imagine what that might do to foster humanity banding together again...including, perhaps, a risen Runelord or two? ;-)Won't be that hard to guess. Those with world-shaking/planet-destroying consequences will be won, the rest will be lost.Don't be so certain.
I, for one, feel humanity would benefit from welcoming their new serpentine overlords.
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In the Ask James Jacobs thread he said in his home campaign Jade Regent/Ameiko aren't canon...he might not be attached to her enough to have her survive :p
Actually... while Ameiko isn't canon from my home game, she IS based on a PC I played for a year or two in a Planescape game. Which kinda makes me more attached to her than if she were just an NPC.
I deliberately held my tongue on Toadkiller Dogs comment, because I wanted to see what James had to say. But I also thought that Ydersius returning would make for a great story development.
And I'm happy to hear that Ameiko will likely rise to her new station ( at least I hope that this is what I read ^^ ), because I must admit that I've grown very attached to her, too, during my time as a GM for the campaign.
|
Creative Director
|
| 5 people marked this as a favorite. |
Will there be anything like a Fallen Celestial template?
Nope. We considered a fallen celestial and a risen fiend template, but decided templates would not do them justice. These characters are SO unusual and rare that they should be built by hand as unique creatures.
Will some new Celestials be featured in the bestiaries of this adventure path James?
|
Just got an Adventure Path subscription today, because of this AP (well, and the husband wants the rest of the Reign of Winter AP). I'm really excited about Wrath of the Righteous though--it seems perfectly suited to the Dragon Age game I've always wanted to run. This will give me plenty of time to work on the necessary conversions. =) WotR has all of the classic themes I just love in an rpg.
Unlikely... but we'll see.
Thanks for the response. I'll just hope we get at least one new celestial for each of the four Celestial races (aka Agathions, Angels, Archons, and Azatas).
|
Creative Director
|
1) So, in preparation for this new AP, will we be seeing anything on the road to Sarkoris?
2) Alot of crusaders come to Mendev through parts of Numeria, so maybe a bit of that in this AP? (waay too much to hope for, but you never know)
3) Also, any idea on new archtypes we might be getting thrown our way? Evil or anti-paladin types maybe?
4) Will this be the campaign or series of books where the Qlippoth subdomain is actually defined?
5) Will the Qlippoth have a role in this AP as another enemy to worry about popping up?
6) Will we see any news of that badass Khorramzadeh of Iz, the Storm King?
Answers below...
2) Numeria does not play a role in this AP.
3) The Player's Guide will have some info on this, so that rangers can select their favored enemies, but for now, you can bet on there being a LOT of demons and a LOT of demon cultist types—which does indeed include antipaladins.
4) Nope.
5) There might be a qlippoth encountered here or there, but this is not a story that involves them in a significant role at all.
6) Oh my, yes. In fact, pretty much ALL of the significant NPCs mentioned in the Inner Sea World Guide entry for the Worldwound play a SIGNIFICANT role in this AP.
Although I like the Qlippoth and would love to see more done with them, what I'm really excited about is that we'll be getting a whole adventure path about Demons and Demon-Lords designed by James Jacobs and written by some great authors.
There's a lot to be happy about with Wrath of the Righteous, so the Qlippoth will just have to wait their turn, it's the Demons' time to shine (or should it be "darken"?)
|
Creative Director
|
While I did say that WotR doesn't focus on qlippoth... I also didn't say there'll be absolutely NO qlippoth. I wouldn't be surprised to find some of them showing up here and there, since they ARE from the Abyss and WotR is as much an "Abyss adventure path" as it is a "demon adventure path."
|
|
It'll be interesting to see how the next campaign setting book looks for Pathfinder 2.0, many years down the line. ^^
"In this nation, there's a ruler. Whom we can't tell you about, because it might upset people who played that AP which changed out the prior ruler. And in that other nation, the same. Also, something happened in the Worldwound. Nobody knows details. Irrisen? Something something Baba Yaga. Or maybe Rasputin." :p
If we advance the timeline for Golarion at some point in the future, I'll decide how the canonical endings for each AP play out and will assume those are the official endings. Not all APs will result in an assumed player win, though.
And yes, that WILL mean some campaigns will need to either retcon themselves or retcon the published world to fit themselves... but there is NO WAY AROUND THAT if we advance the timeline.
I'm not gonna be wishy-washy about deciding how APs played out though, I can guarantee that.
If you ever did advance the timeline.
What would you see as the advantages for me, a long-time Pathfinder Superscriber?
|
Creative Director
|
| 5 people marked this as a favorite. |
If you ever did advance the timeline.
What would you see as the advantages for me, a long-time Pathfinder Superscriber?
I'm honestly not sure there's any advantage for advancing the timeline for a long-time subscriber. In fact, I'd think most such folks would consider a timeline advance as a turn-off.
And I still think you overestimate that danger. ;) Every consumer of other serial media manages to live with things not staying static. Gamers are no more conservative than comic fans in my estimation.
|
Creative Director
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
And I still think you overestimate that danger. ;) Every consumer of other serial media manages to live with things not staying static. Gamers are no more conservative than comic fans in my estimation.
I know you do. But since dozens of people's salaries rely upon Pathfinder's and Golarion's continued popularity and success... Well, I'd rather overestimate the dangers.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
In fact, I'd think most such folks would consider a timeline advance as a turn-off.
It was certainly a TURN OFF for me via 4th edition and Forgotten Realms. (grumble grumble SPELL PLAGUE grumble grumble SUN ELVES ARE NOW ELADRIN grumble grumble DISREGARDING ALL PREVIOUS MATERIAL grumble grumble NEVER GOT A DAMNED GUIDE TO DAMARA AND VASSA grumble grumble)
And I still think you overestimate that danger. ;) Every consumer of other serial media manages to live with things not staying static. Gamers are no more conservative than comic fans in my estimation.I know you do. But since dozens of people's salaries rely upon Pathfinder's and Golarion's continued popularity and success... Well, I'd rather overestimate the dangers.
I know that. But, OTOH, if you fear change that much, I think that this will negatively impact on the costumer base, too, if not now, then in a few years when people want something new. I just think that you are underestimating the adaptability of your costumers on this issue.
Oh, well. It's your product.
In fact, I'd think most such folks would consider a timeline advance as a turn-off.It was certainly a TURN OFF for me via 4th edition and Forgotten Realms. (grumble grumble SPELL PLAGUE grumble grumble SUN ELVES ARE NOW ELADRIN grumble grumble DISREGARDING ALL PREVIOUS MATERIAL grumble grumble NEVER GOT A DAMNED GUIDE TO DAMARA AND VASSA grumble grumble)
I think "advancing the timeline five to ten years, so that the storyline can progress a bit" is by far not as egregious than "advancing the timeline a hundred years, ripping up whole continents, changing out entire races, dumbing down the pantheon and in the process killing off almost all human characters the players knew".
I'm 100% with you on having been deeply disappointed and dismayed with what happened to the Forgotten Realms, which priorily were my favorite fantasy setting.