Questions / Pathfinder Campaign Setting - Inner Sea World Guide

[eliteman]

I am a complete newb to the Pathfinder rules, books and setting. However at first glance I have a question. It seems the newest Campaign Setting book is the "Inner Sea World Guide."

Is my understanding correct that the Inner Sea is just a region in the central continent of Golarion? Is the campaign setting in this associated book only covering this region? What about the rest of Golarion? Does this book cover it as well? Why was it named Inner Sea World Guide and not Golarion Guide?

Please educate me.

[Liz Courts]

The latest Pathfinder Campaign Setting release is actually the Shattered Star Poster Map Folio, but yes, the Inner Sea is a small portion of the world of Golarion. The Inner Sea World Guide does mention places beyond the Inner Sea, such as the realm known as the Dragon Empires. Golarion refers to the whole planet that the campaign setting takes place in (mostly). For other worlds in Golarion's solar system, you'll want to check out Distant Worlds.

[bugleyman]

The ISWG is heavily focused on the Inner Sea Region, but being the only (first?) book to bear the title "World Guide," it includes a brief overview of other continents. It is the place to start.

To my knowledge, the closet thing for Tian Xia is The Dragon Empires Gazetteer. Presumably there may someday be a "Tian Xia/Dragon Empires World Guide" should demand warrant it.

[The Dread Pirate Hurley]

On top of that, the Inner Sea Region is the most heavily fleshed-out region. Nearly all published material currently takes place in the ISR; it's not just "a small portion of the world" as Liz indicated. While it may take up only a small portion of geographical area on the globe, it's still almost the entire campaign setting at the current time. Aside from the aforementioned Dragon Empires books, the ISWG is Golarion, or at least the part of it that's been detailed for use.

[Jeven]

eliteman wrote:

I am a complete newb to the Pathfinder rules, books and setting. However at first glance I have a question. It seems the newest Campaign Setting book is the "Inner Sea World Guide."

Is my understanding correct that the Inner Sea is just a region in the central continent of Golarion? Is the campaign setting in this associated book only covering this region? What about the rest of Golarion? Does this book cover it as well? Why was it named Inner Sea World Guide and not Golarion Guide?

Please educate me.

The Inner Sea World Guide covers all the countries of one and a half continents.

The northern continent called Avistan has many fantasy-European-type countries, including one overrun by demons, another ruled by winter witches, a crumbling Byzantine-like empire, orc and elf and dwarf kingdoms, and so on.
The southern one is called Garund and is includes a desert fantasy counterpart of North Africa, an African jungle region (with dinosaurs), and many more fantastic countries.
The Guide also describes a couple of countries from a third continent. One is pseudo-Arabian land, and another island has an Indian (Asian) culture.

Its pretty huge.

[Adam Daigle]

In addition to what has been said above, here's a rough map of the rest of the planet.

[Azaelas Fayth]

@Liz Courts: Wow honestly you were the last person I expected to make a wise*** remark like that...

On-Topic: The Inner Sea World Guide is an excellent book to start with. Though I personally started reading about Golarion with Land of the Linnorm Kings. Mainly since we were running a similar setting.

Weregild is confusing when you are starting with it or haven't messed with it in a while.

[eliteman]

Thanks guys, you definitely helped answer my question!