The race traits in Humans of Golarion give the races as the racial group - Chelaxian for example. Does that mean that only Chelaxian Humans can take that trait? What about a Chelaxian Half-Orc?
The trait I am interested in is Operatic (from Humans of Golarion) for a Half-Orc bard. Nice trait. But is it legal for a non-human (or half-human) of Chelaxian blood.
Being a race trait, it is a legal option for the Adopted trait. And flavorwise, growing up in that area makes sense for adopted.
And then with the adopted trait, does it count as one of your two traits? In which case I would only have Adopted and Operatic. Which is ok, but I am wondering about options.
And then with the adopted trait, does it count as one of your two traits? In which case I would only have Adopted and Operatic. Which is ok, but I am wondering about options.
I've always interpreted adopted as giving you the race trait, rather than allowing you to take it. The text is "...may immediately select a race trait...".
And then with the adopted trait, does it count as one of your two traits? In which case I would only have Adopted and Operatic. Which is ok, but I am wondering about options.
No, Adopted is like a "slot" for a trait you wouldn't normally be able to take. It's like if you had an Elven character who grew up among Chelish humans having "Adopted - Chelish trait X" as his first trait and your second trait can be an Elven trait like Forlorn.
I guess I wondered if anybody Paizo ever ruled on the Adopted trait. If it lets you have a race trait without choosing it as your second trait then doesn't it really mean that anybody can take a race trait from another race at no real additional cost?
Why not just say in the trait rules that you can take any race trait from another race and justify it by saying that your character was adopted. Why bother to create a quasi-trait to justify a rules matter?
That wouldn't be the only decision they didn't think through very well in the transition from 3.5e to Pathfinder...
Correct: taking the "Adopted" trait gives you a 3rd trait, as long as that 3rd trait is a race trait of a race other than your actual race.
Why'd we do it this way, rather than say "you can pick ANY race trait?" Because traits are supposed to tie in to and define your character's background, and by setting "Adopted" up as a social trait that anyone can take, it drives home the fact that you're adopted without any question or doubt.
It's mostly flavor. We tailor the race traits so that they make sense for the race or ethnicity they're meant to be for, after all. An elf trait might grant a +2 bonus on Knowledge (nature) and initiative checks in the woods... that flavor of trait wouldn't make sense for a dwarf, who might get a trait that gives him a +2 damage bonus against orcs and giants.
The adopted trait lets you get a trait that's normally outside of your options, since this trait's a bonus trait, it doesn't really cost anything extra to take the adopted trait, so yeah it's primarily for flavor. Which is the whole point of the trait system, really... to give characters flavor.
Thanks for finding those James Jacobs posts.
Are the James Jacobs posts official rulings on this trait?
Are the James Jacobs posts official rulings on this trait?
It depends on what you mean by "official".
You asked if "anybody Paizo ever ruled on the Adopted trait" and James is from Paizo.
James Jacobs is the Creative Director. He works for Paizo, he writes books, he essentially created Golarion.
He didn't write the rules. His posts are (generally) not binding in a rules sense, but they do often give insight as to the intent behind the rules. He often says that he's not making rule decisions, just answering questions about how he runs things at his table (especially now that someone got him in trouble for answering questions).
As for official, you can't often get more official than the printed book, barring unpublished errata or a FAQ entry.
Adopted: "You were adopted and raised by someone not of your actual race, and raised in a society not your own. As a result, you picked up a race trait from your adoptive parents and society, and may immediately select a race trait from your adoptive parents' race."
You "may immediately select a race trait." That means it grants you a race trait. It doesn't merely qualify you to take a race trait if you were otherwise able to take a trait in general.
So we know what the rule is, and we have fairly good authority (via JJ) that the intent matches the rule. So unless you have a reason why you think the intent is otherwise, it's pretty safe to say you know how it works. This doesn't mean you can't change it at your table to suit the style of play that your gaming group enjoys.
Hi Grick
I like your reasoning. I do have a reason to think otherwise and that is just that a GM and friend of mine thinks that the wording does not imply that you add a trait for taking the Adopted trait.
I guess if I were to look at it immediate does not imply extra. As with so many parts of the rules, the wording is strange.
Anyway, as you say, the James Jacobs words help to explain the intent which seems to be adding flavor to a character.