|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
even though we still can’t pronounce it
"zihf-rihn" I really should have put this into the entry itself, sorry! :)
And, typically, I noticed this thread only today.
Which, bonus, inspired me to pick up Bastards & Bloodlines to remember all the cool hybrid races Owen Stephens came up with, back in the day. (Dwarf / gargoyle? Halfling / blink dog? Elf / naga?)
I am kicking myself for not making sure you knew about this. Sorry man. :(
Elf / naga?)
Oh man that is such a good book!
Ironically, we didn't know about it until we were about half way done writing it up. We totally grabbed one from ebay and fell in love! Love it!
I DID shudder a bit at the half gnome, half cloaker... WHO THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA! ;-)
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Elf / naga?)
Definitely, it's got some great stuff.
Most of the races are pretty cool. Fun stuff like Halfling/Harpy, Unicorn/Elf, Giant Eagle/Elf, Dwarf/Winter Wolf, Gnome/Pixie, etc.
Being 3.0 and pre certain beasties being removed from the OGL, it's even got a Humanoid/Mind Flayer hybrid, a Gnome/Kuo-Toa hybrid and a Gnome/Umber Hulk hybrid... (plus templates in the back for making half-medusa beasties or half-beholder beasties, etc.)
For hybridization in general, there are a few races that stand out as particularly appropriate, thematically;
Races that naturally interbreed with other races, such as Dryads, Satyrs, Nymphs and Hags.
Shapeshifting races that impersonate and live among humans or other humanoids, such as Ogre Magi, Dopplegangers, Lycanthropes, etc.
My preferences would be to use that sort of design space to allow playable versions of 'monster' races that I've always liked, such as Dark Folk (a dark creeper/halfling or dark stalker/human or elf combination?) or Spriggans (a spriggan/gnome crossbreed).
Or something crazy, like a gnoll/hyaenadon tauric critter. :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So here are the in-house hybrids has they currently stand:
- Muels (dwarf/ human)
- Fair Orcs (elf/orc)
- Dareogs (dwarf/orc)
- Alfar (elf/dwarf)
- Pale Elf (elf/drow)
- Ratlings (ratfolk/human)
- Humanzee (human/chimp)
- Half-Trolls (troll/human)
- Imperial Elves (elf/fey)
- Otium (angel/devil)
- Rust Caste (dromite/rust monster)
- Fakelings (doppleganger/human)
- Tohrlings (goblin/kobald)
- Barghob(barghest/hobgoblin)
- Deepbrood (aboleth/gillmen)
- Ular (human/nagaji)
- Half-Gnoll (gnoll/human)
- Davi (elf/tiefling)
- Galvani (human/thunderbird)
- Scintilla (protean/human)
- Pikos (stymphalides/tengu)
- Egrets (strix/tengu)
- Fangborn (elf/dhampir)
- Vembrances (zuvembie/halfling)
- Honegs (elf/mercane)*
- Luxaa (elf/mercane)*
- Hellwrit (tiefling/flail snail)
*Not an error that they have the same parents.
(Also, as a note if you submitted a race that had the same parents as an in-house contributor we did not take into account that it would be a duplicate.)
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Nicely done. Congratulations to the winners.
Oh, and by the way, androids are listed on d20pfsrd, so that would make them open content by definition.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
That last one Set is up in the air. It was submitted by a new contributor and we are kind of looking at it as I write this. There are a few questions we need to address before it gets the stamp of approval so to speak. But hey- 30 races are going to be in that doc in addition to the system for making hybrids and racial feats? This is shaping up to be an astounding book.
Also, in terms of artist we wanted to give a special thanks to Mike Morton, Steph Sadler, Nick Manning, and Emily Mayo for jumping on this.
We've also got our in house artists Andrew "Viking" Bortniak and Deanna Roberds as well as contributor Jack Holiday (see our DTO artwork) on board for this. I hope to see a wild array of artistic styles present and some very bizarre looking racial hybrids! :-)
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ziphryn (Gnome/Flumph): Hell, I think this made this top 3 because of the visuals alone. Written with a lot of humor (“the ziphryn are the children of gnomes and certain exceptionally adventurous and open-minded flumphs”... because we all know a gnome would be down for that) this half race was a welcome departure from the ordinary. It doesn’t just give gnomes a few tentacles, it reworks the two physically to be perfectly merged. We can’t wait to see the artwork that comes out for this race. On top of that they got some very unique racial mechanics (floating around, no falling damage, etc) that came from the unique physical aspects this race had and it was all wrapped up in a very cohesive package. Also, it was kind of nice to see a race that not everyone hates. But hey... they are gnomes so they are pretty stoked to see just about everyone/everything.
It's too bad ziphryn sound like they don't need a steed, 'cause these would be awesome to ride up on. Maybe the wavelings or sawuagin could ride a hippocampus version? :)
@Crispywaffles
Submissions ended last Friday night.
So here are the in-house hybrids has they currently stand:
Muels (dwarf/ human)
That's quite close sounding to WotC Dark Sun Muls...
Ratlings (ratfolk/human)
I'd consider renaming them - Pathfinder already have Lovercraft-inspired ratlings in AP #49 and in Bestiary 4.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'd be interested in seeing the Diavesper and Shai'ruk...
Alfar, Fakelings, Deepbrood, Barghob, Davi, Scintilla, Pikos, Egrets and Fangborn all sound very interesting!
Hellwrit, on the other hand, I have no idea what to expect... :)
yeeeeeeeeeee, Set likes 2 of my races :)...did i just rejoice for favor from the god of evil and darkness...
@Drejk
The mules are a different than muls. They are actually one of our fav. races. They are super depressed heavy handed human/dwarf hybrids. While mul's are slaves in their setting, mules are not but they are tireless workers who don't mind being the lowest man on the totem pull. They actually reduce morale penalties and bonuses upon them have have some real fun racial traits.
I wasn't aware of the name ratlings being used however. Looked them over, they are far from it and not lovecraftian at all. We can change the name though.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
First off, big congrats to the top three. Great job!
Sure can. Here is the list.
- Muddite (Oread/Undine)
- Quarlani(Android/Samsaran)
- Chylde (Changeling/Skinwalker)
- Kulit(Gnome/Wayang)
- Fauntaurs(Centaur/Faun)
- Shai'ruk (Orc/Oread)
- Waveling (Halfling/Undine)
- Diavesper (Tiefling/ Dhampir)
- Sawuagin (Elf/Malenti)
- Purrlings (Catfolk/Vanara)
And while I might not have made the top three, I'm glad to see that 4 of my 5 submissions made it to the honorable mention list.
EDIT: I'd be all for the honorable mention pdf.
I wasn't aware of the name ratlings being used however. Looked them over, they are far from it and not lovecraftian at all. We can change the name though.
Brown Jenkin was explicit inspiration for ratlings in Call Of Cthulhu and then Pathfinder - so it's not lovercraftian in sense of being alien aberration like mi-go or elder things but lovercraftian in sense of being inspired by Lovercraft like dreamlands.
Here is my take on the Dwelf, not mean to be an attractive choice.
Dwelf
Who among the wisest still living today can say what dark, twisted magics created these foul beings - a monstrosity so unimaginable and terrible that even the creatures themselves can not bear to gaze upon one another: the infernal and unnatural union of elf-kind and dwarf. Hardened of body and full of animal-like awareness, but stunted of mind, these creatures survive far from what is called civilization. For these reasons, the largely hideous and savage Dwelf is feared and hunted by the beings with which it shares ancestry. Gone are all the noble qualities inherent to it's parent races and what it left behind is leads most often to cruelty are pain.
They are taller than a dwarf but of greater girth than an elf. A dwelf's hunched and crooked body grows little hair on it's yellow-gray skin, and it is commonly a carrier of minor illnesses even when they themselves are not affected. It is not remembered how they were created, but today the Dwelf is sterile and unable to reproduce in the means of most creatures. Instead, when a Dwelf is physically ready to reproduce and in it's season, it implants an egg into the host body of a freshly deceased elf or dwarf. A larva soon hatches and feed on the body, later emerging when it is still small. In a matter of weeks it has consumed the corpse and is nearly full size. Because of the magics used to create the race it remembers not only speech and the other skills it needs to survive, but other qualities and habits of it's parents.
-Creature type: humanoid, with both the dwarf and elf sub-types. Although a dwelf is created and survives through wholly unnatural means, it still bears semblance of it's parent races. (0 rp)
-Size: medium. The creature is of the same general size as a dwarf or an elf. (0 rp)
-Speed: slow. It's hunched form can not move quckly. (-1 rp)
-Ability scores: +2 constitution, +2 wisdom, -4 intelligence. The mind of the dwelf is slow to adapt and react. It's form it attuned for bleak survival. (-1 rp)
-Languages: Dwelves begin play speaking Dwarven and Elven. Dwelves with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: common, gnome, sylvan, terran, and undercommon.
Racial Traits
Carrion Sense: Dwelfs are hunters and scavengers, willing to eat what they can. (1 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race have a natural ability to sniff out carrion. This functions like the scent ability, but only for corpses and badly wounded creatures (creatures with 25% or fewer hit points).
Elven Immunities: this supernatural resistance persists in a dwelf's blood. (2 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against enchantment spells and effects.
Greed: a bleak existance has only bolstered the dwelf's covetous nature. (1 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +2 bonus on Appraise checks to determine the price of non-magical goods that contain precious metals or gemstones.
Hatred: dwelfs despise the creatures that gave them life, but also need them to reporduce. (1 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against creatures with the dwarf or elf subtypes
Plagueborn (1 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against disease, ingested poisons, and becoming nauseated or sickened.
Skill Bonus (4 rp)
Benefit: Dwelves gain a +2 bonus to Perception and Survival skill checks.
Unnatural (2 rp)
Benefit: Members of this race unnerve normal animals, and train to defend themselves against the inevitable attacks from such creatures. Members of this race take a –4 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks to affect creatures of the animal type, and receive a +4 dodge bonus to AC against animals. Animals' starting attitude toward members of this race is one step worse than normal.
@Ciaran Barnes
The contest closed Friday night. Thanks for the submission though.
|
|
Ziphryn (Gnome/Flumph): Hell, I think this made this top 3 because of the visuals alone. Written with a lot of humor (“the ziphryn are the children of gnomes and certain exceptionally adventurous and open-minded flumphs”... because we all know a gnome would be down for that) this half race was a welcome departure from the ordinary. It doesn’t just give gnomes a few tentacles, it reworks the two physically to be perfectly merged. We can’t wait to see the artwork that comes out for this race. On top of that they got some very unique racial mechanics (floating around, no falling damage, etc) that came from the unique physical aspects this race had and it was all wrapped up in a very cohesive package. Also, it was kind of nice to see a race that not everyone hates. But hey... they are gnomes so they are pretty stoked to see just about everyone/everything.It's too bad ziphryn sound like they don't need a steed, 'cause these would be awesome to ride up on. Maybe the wavelings or sawuagin could ride a hippocampus version? :)
They could actually still use mounts since they aren't capable of true sustained flight, and that image have me imagining some possibilities specific for them. :)
The shape of that cthulhupony's head has me thinking of ballooning aerial jellyfish things that they might ride on and/or inside... Hmmm....
What I'm curious about is just how the Nacritoi's "slipshape" works, and just what the molemen are and look like!
So the otium were our challenge to make a race that just REEKS of a 13 year old boy's emo dream and would serve as the basis for their "original character, do not steal" and turn it into something good. Yeah, you are going to be a bit of a special snowflake with those who things as your parents but you are still just a player race. You have some fun mechanics regarding your alignment (because technically you be a good and evil aligned outsider...) and you can really capitalize on that. They make very interesting paladins and clerics.
The fair orcs are kind of "ubermensch" ish. They have comparatively few racial traits but gain 2 ability score bonuses while lacking a penalty.
I was on both of those as well as the rust caste. Personally, I like the "pale elf"'s background. It's one of the cooler hybrids in the book.
I will probably expand the description of kulit and purrling, add some more racial feats and favored class options and put them on my blog some time in the (hopefully close) future.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
A bit expanded beyond what was in an actual submission (some additional pieces of description, racial feats and full selection of favored class options).
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
A bit expanded beyond what was in an actual submission (some additional pieces of description, racial feats and full selection of favored class options).
Getting serious Brian Froud vibes from that description. :)
They seem to pick up the slack in the "gobliny" fey race department too, certainly visually. Can easily see these folks being brought to life by Jim Henson's Workshop.
I hadn't thought about their visuals from that angle but that could certainly fit.
Sad to say, I missed out on this totally. Guess I'll polish up my ideas and wait for the next time.
A bit expanded beyond what was in an actual submission (some additional pieces of description, racial feats and full selection of favored class options).
Getting serious Brian Froud vibes from that description. :)
They seem to pick up the slack in the "gobliny" fey race department too, certainly visually. Can easily see these folks being brought to life by Jim Henson's Workshop.
Now I see! Goblin + wayang = shadow goblin!
Did anyone made gnome/goblin, by the way?
Purrlings' description slowly grows. I might post them later today or tomorrow. No promises, though.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
And now >purrlings< are available for everyone to see. Again, the material was expanded a bit beyond what I have sent as a submission.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If anyone would like to give us a hand with an editing pass we are pretty close to done on this one and I can start formatting it once we get the last bit of art in.
Sure. Send your copy over. Usual address. ;)
So it looks like Paizo is doing a half race book as well (Bastards of Golarion) so we will have to up our game too!
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Bastards of Golarion is just half-elvsies and half-orcsies, so that book and your book is kinda like comparing vanilla ice cream and triple-chocolate rocky road. And I like vanilla too.
The vanilla has sprinkles (or jimmies, depending on where you're from) on it. :)
I was referring to the "build your own half race" thing they have listed.
I was referring to the "build your own half race" thing they have listed.
yeah...My eye twitched a little when i spotted that.
I was referring to the "build your own half race" thing they have listed.I think the Bastards of Golarion one will probably be limited to Golarion-canon compatibilities. :)
funny thing is my deepbroods could totally be golarion canon, now that i think about it anyways.
Just out of curiousity, any idea the main product or the honorable mention pdf are coming out?
We are going to try to get the main book out by the end of the moth. Just waiting on some artwork.
~Red
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
So it looks like all the artwork is in. I did a formatting pass on the doc on Tuesday night and our editors have started their editing passes. I'm fairly confident that we will be able to launch this weekend :-)
In regards to the honorable mentions book, I'll talk with the team and see what shakes free in terms of a available production slot we can put it in.
w00-h00!
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
I lied. It will be next weekend. Our cover artist is yelling at me (rightly so) because I didn't give her enough time on the cover. More time will just make a better product.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I just personally wanted to say thank you to everyone who actively followed and participated in this, you all are awesome.
And thanks again to LRGG for the opportunity!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I, for one, am outraged. ;)