Annoyed at "Pratchett" NPC [Thread contains spoilers]


Agents of Edgewatch


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So, Terry Pratchett writes some of the best fantasy books ever written, many of them focusing on the city and guard of Ankh-Morpork (the Discworld's Absalom). One of these novels, Night Watch, has opposition to torture as a major theme.

In return, Paizo names the murderous sadistic villain of Book 1 of the AP after him (and no one can tell me that they didn't know what they were doing when they used this name). It may not be a big thing, but it comes as across as really tacky and petty.


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.


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Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Personally, I find "some of the best fantasy books ever written" highly disputable in this case.

Also, the OP could really have benefitted from some spoiler protection.


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Huh. I always assumed the name was a reference to Doctor Rebecca Pratchett, a senior lecturer at Swansea University; [https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/human-and-health-sciences/interprofessional-health-studies/pratchett-r/].

I mean, I was already annoyed that Paizo would dare besmirch the good name of a fine woman with a PGCert in teaching in Higher Education and a Fellow of the HEA, but now...! So annoying!!!


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GreatGraySkwid wrote:
...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.

OK, I've got an idea for a NPC named "Sutter," so the players will be surprised when he turns out to be an intelligent and clever writer.


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pjrogers wrote:
GreatGraySkwid wrote:
...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.
OK, I've got an idea for a NPC named "Sutter," so the players will be surprised when he turns out to be an intelligent and clever writer.

I have no Idea who that is and you ser are reading wayyyyyy too much into this....

I ust thought Hendrid Pratchett sounded like Hatchet cause... H. Pratchet.... Hatchet.... I don't know, it worked for me.

I have a tendency to rename NPC's to famous names in order to help my PC's remember who's who. Name him Terry Pratchett and they'll never forget him?

Silver Crusade

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pjrogers wrote:
GreatGraySkwid wrote:
...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.
OK, I've got an idea for a NPC named "Sutter," so the players will be surprised when he turns out to be an intelligent and clever writer.

Wow this is sad.

Dark Archive

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Honestly without evidence to prove otherwise I would assume this is all just coinsidence and even if it's not I really dont get what the big deal is?


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Rysky wrote:
pjrogers wrote:
GreatGraySkwid wrote:
...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.
OK, I've got an idea for a NPC named "Sutter," so the players will be surprised when he turns out to be an intelligent and clever writer.
Wow this is sad.

I'm glad you agree that mocking an actual person in this manner is a petty move, and I apologize for having done so in regards to John Sutter.

Kevin Mack wrote:
Honestly without evidence to prove otherwise I would assume this is all just coinsidence

I'm not sure which would reflect more poorly on Paizo, deliberately naming the NPC in this manner or not being aware of who "Pratchett" is in a fantasy context.

OK, I've had my say and stand by everything I've written here, even if I'm the only person on Roundworld who feels this way.


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

So are all names of people off the table?


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H2Osw wrote:
So are all names of people off the table?

Ser, I find your name to be annoying and disparage the great amalgama of molecules that we on this fine earth call water !!!

How dare you! It deserves your respect !

Silver Crusade

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pjrogers wrote:
I'm glad you agree that mocking an actual person

Why are you convinced it’s purely to mock Pratchett the writer?

And not, ya’know, just a cool shoutout?


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Ironic that there's a couple of Reddit posts about this, but with the exact opposite opinion where people are praising Paizo (and James) for the "fun nod".

Personally, I don't see this as a hill worth fighting for. I agree that this Pratchett is indeed referencing Terry, but don't see this as mocking in any way. A reference to the author of "Guards! Guards!", and not an attack at a deceased author.


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
pjrogers wrote:
Rysky wrote:
pjrogers wrote:
GreatGraySkwid wrote:
...I don't think it's a slight? It's not uncommon for a reference to be valence flipped just to throw people off scent on a character.
OK, I've got an idea for a NPC named "Sutter," so the players will be surprised when he turns out to be an intelligent and clever writer.
Wow this is sad.

I'm glad you agree that mocking an actual person in this manner is a petty move, and I apologize for having done so in regards to John Sutter.

For anyone who didn't get this at first glance, either, the author of "Devil at the Dreaming Palace" is James L. Sutter.

John Sutter appears to be a colonialist a+!#*#+ of note from California's history.


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Using the surname "Pratchett" for a villain as a bluff to hide the villain's motives and using the surname "Pratchett" to disparage a beloved comedic-fantasy writer are not the same thing.

Your post is either incredibly reactionary or made in bad faith. Either way, grow up.

Lantern Lodge Customer Service & Community Manager

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Just gonna wrap this thread up.

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