So recently I've been paging through the Legendary Planet 3pp AP, as well as the 1e Distant Worlds book, everything about Numeria and its AP, and 2e's Doorway to the Red Star adventure, and I was wondering about writing up adventures and settings for ""sword and planet/sword and stars""-type adventures in Pathfinder.
I have always been very intrigued by the idea of interplanetary adventures in Pathfinder, and have always liked the inclusion of elements from scifi in the fantasy world of Golarion (and in fact in fantasy in general). For example, I've always been fascinated by the idea of ""naturalized"" alien races in fantasy worlds, and elves in Pathfinder are literally aliens from another planet! You can play a space alien right out of the corebook! This isn't even counting the plethora of ""construct"" ancestries in 2e.
In addition, the fact that Golarion is greatly post-apocalyptic helps as well, since there is the idea of fledgling societies forming around the ruins of the past in Golarion which I feel is conducive to the inclusion of weird and otherworldly pulp elements. Also, more specifically, Golarion has the status of being the Cage for Rovagug, which I feel is a great plot point for ""sword and planet"" type campaigns.
In these ways, I've been working on worldbuilding setting elements for such adventures. Currently, I'm working on a city set on a fantasy world in my personal setting that will be a major port for interworld adventure and such.
I'm very curious to hear what you all think about this. What are your general thoughts on the topic? Have you tried to include these aspects in your game?
edit: to note, I know Starfinder exists, but a. I personally dislike it since it simply doesn't work for me and b. it doesn't really fit the tone of the original scifi stuff in Pathfinder that I'm discussing in the post.
edit: to note, I know Starfinder exists, but a. I personally dislike it since it simply doesn't work for me and b. it doesn't really fit the tone of the original scifi stuff in Pathfinder that I'm discussing in the post.
I'm not sure what "simply doesn't work for me" means but are you aware that Starfinder 2e will use the Pathfinder 2e ruleset and will be cross compatible? Because the playtest for that seems like it would cover the mechanical aspects of interstellar travel. But I haven't touched it personally.
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I'm not sure what "simply doesn't work for me" means but are you aware that Starfinder 2e will use the Pathfinder 2e ruleset and will be cross compatible? Because the playtest for that seems like it would cover the mechanical aspects of interstellar travel. But I haven't touched it personally.
edit: to note, I know Starfinder exists, but a. I personally dislike it since it simply doesn't work for me and b. it doesn't really fit the tone of the original scifi stuff in Pathfinder that I'm discussing in the post.
I would assume "work" is also in reference to tone and general vibes don't appeal to D3stro, which would follow with the opinion that it doesn't fit the tone of Pathfinder's sci-fi. I'm imagining a lot of this is a preference for fantasy with sci-fi elements rather than sci-fi with fantasy elements.
I would assume "work" is also in reference to tone and general vibes don't appeal to D3stro, which would follow with the opinion that it doesn't fit the tone of Pathfinder's sci-fi. I'm imagining a lot of this is a preference for fantasy with sci-fi elements rather than sci-fi with fantasy elements.I'm not sure what "simply doesn't work for me" means but are you aware that Starfinder 2e will use the Pathfinder 2e ruleset and will be cross compatible? Because the playtest for that seems like it would cover the mechanical aspects of interstellar travel. But I haven't touched it personally.
edit: to note, I know Starfinder exists, but a. I personally dislike it since it simply doesn't work for me and b. it doesn't really fit the tone of the original scifi stuff in Pathfinder that I'm discussing in the post.
It's not really that; more a dislike of the execution of it in Starfinder.
Having said that, any opinions/ideas about the main topic of the post?
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Don't forget that Gatewalkers #1 has a really wonderful, substantial guide to Castrovel as a setting in the back.
Starfinder 2e is finally gonna give us 2e-compatible Lashunta! I'm excited for that alone, and to pilfer several of its classes for Numerian and planetary PF fun...
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Having said that, any opinions/ideas about the main topic of the post?
I have not read Legendary Planet 3pp AP or Distant Worlds for 1e. I also don't have enough time for creating a custom setting.
My thoughts on the matter are:
* I enjoyed the Starfinder setting. But I can see how that setting may not match what you are trying to build.
* Lore and setting is separated from mechanics. In the Pathfinder2e rulebooks the two are presented together and somewhat linked, but unlinking the two and re-theming the classes, feats, and items is not terribly difficult. Setting is even easier to unlink. The setting books from previous editions, such as Distant Worlds, can have the lore and narrative borrowed from them and imported into a PF2 game without much difficulty at all.
* I agree with Captain Morgan that Starfinder2e is going to be fantastic for your game mechanics needs. Even if you don't use the setting of that game, having the ancestries, classes, starships and other interplanetary transport mechanics, items, and weapons available will be very useful.
And I feel like this is what several other people have already said. So while it may not be the answer that you wanted, it is certainly the answer that we are able to give. And it may be a more helpful and correct answer than you are expecting.
Doesn’t an Age of Ashes books visit one of the other planets?
I agree that the tone of Starfinder is much different, and I would rather have a dark fantasy setting with sci-fi elements sprinkled in than a straight up science fiction and added swords.
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In my opinion Starfinder isn't science fiction at all, it's space fantasy
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In my opinion Starfinder isn't science fiction at all, it's space fantasy
I agree, but I also think it just really doesn't work for me, having read through several of its books and adventures. I suppose, to me, it's a combo of just feeling really unfinished and being really restrictive and confusing.
Doesn’t an Age of Ashes books visit one of the other planets?
I agree that the tone of Starfinder is much different, and I would rather have a dark fantasy setting with sci-fi elements sprinkled in than a straight up science fiction and added swords.
Could not say anything about Age of Ashes, unless someone else wants to clarify this specific point.
I would argue that it's basically space fantasy, and that your example describes a different setting much better (ie something like W40k lol, which I'm incidentally also working on working into my setting), but it's because of feeling really undeveloped and restricting at the same time that really causes me to dislike it.
Having said that, any opinions/ideas about the main topic of the post?I have not read Legendary Planet 3pp AP or Distant Worlds for 1e. I also don't have enough time for creating a custom setting.
My thoughts on the matter are:
* I enjoyed the Starfinder setting. But I can see how that setting may not match what you are trying to build.
* Lore and setting is separated from mechanics. In the Pathfinder2e rulebooks the two are presented together and somewhat linked, but unlinking the two and re-theming the classes, feats, and items is not terribly difficult. Setting is even easier to unlink. The setting books from previous editions, such as Distant Worlds, can have the lore and narrative borrowed from them and imported into a PF2 game without much difficulty at all.
* I agree with Captain Morgan that Starfinder2e is going to be fantastic for your game mechanics needs. Even if you don't use the setting of that game, having the ancestries, classes, starships and other interplanetary transport mechanics, items, and weapons available will be very useful.And I feel like this is what several other people have already said. So while it may not be the answer that you wanted, it is certainly the answer that we are able to give. And it may be a more helpful and correct answer than you are expecting.
I think this is a pretty decent answer considering what we have and can expect from Paizo. I'm personally planning to take advantage of your second point to incorporate a bunch of stuff from my own scifi media collection for worldbuilding.
...I was wondering about writing up adventures and settings for ""sword and planet/sword and stars""-type adventures in Pathfinder.
...
In these ways, I've been working on worldbuilding setting elements for such adventures. Currently, I'm working on a city set on a fantasy world in my personal setting that will be a major port for interworld adventure and such.
I'm very curious to hear what you all think about this. What are your general thoughts on the topic? Have you tried to include these aspects in your game?
edit: to note, I know Starfinder exists, but a. I personally dislike it since it simply doesn't work for me and b. it doesn't really fit the tone of the original scifi stuff in Pathfinder that I'm discussing in the post.
This is not something that has received a lot of development outside of the Iron Gods AP, to my knowledge. Some thoughts:
1) Leverage the rules in Guns & Gears and some of the items (starguns and lesser magical variations, alchemical devices, etc.) in Treasure Vault, possibly with some elements from Starfinder, to help flesh out a High Science Fantasy setting.2) The PF1 tech equipment from the Technology Guide, although not compatible with PF2, can possibly be used with selected Starfinder tech/hybrid items for inspiration and/or reflavored for inclusion.
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In my opinion Starfinder isn't science fiction at all, it's space fantasy
It's explicitly calling itself science fantasy, so that's to be expected
Age of Ashes didn't. It travelled all over the locality but not off-world, but The Seventh Arch has part of it set on Castrovel and Doorway to the Red Star partially takes place on Akiton.
I don't recall any other planet hopping in 2E
Hopefully that changes. There's tons of potential.
Hopefully that changes. There's tons of potential.Age of Ashes didn't. It travelled all over the locality but not off-world, but The Seventh Arch has part of it set on Castrovel and Doorway to the Red Star partially takes place on Akiton.
I don't recall any other planet hopping in 2E
Still holding out for the PF 2e tech guide/distant worlds analogues.
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Still holding out for the PF 2e tech guide/distant worlds analogues.Hopefully that changes. There's tons of potential.Age of Ashes didn't. It travelled all over the locality but not off-world, but The Seventh Arch has part of it set on Castrovel and Doorway to the Red Star partially takes place on Akiton.
I don't recall any other planet hopping in 2E
The writeups of Akiton and Castrovel in those 2e AP backmatter articles are both significant expansions on the content in Distant Worlds. You're really missing out if you haven't grabbed them.
If anything, Starfinder 2e sharing a ruleset with PF2 is going to make building these kinds of stories much much easier. It'll just be a question of what does/doesn't belong in Sword and Planet stuff.
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If anything, Starfinder 2e sharing a ruleset with PF2 is going to make building these kinds of stories much much easier. It'll just be a question of what does/doesn't belong in Sword and Planet stuff.
But if you want something for your PF2 Sword and Planet that SF2 will not provide, it seems unlikely that you will get it soon. For the exact same reason you state.
If anything, Starfinder 2e sharing a ruleset with PF2 is going to make building these kinds of stories much much easier. It'll just be a question of what does/doesn't belong in Sword and Planet stuff.But if you want something for your PF2 Sword and Planet that SF2 will not provide, it seems unlikely that you will get it soon. For the exact same reason you state.
Yeah I suppose I'll homebrew in my own stuff, since Starfinder has left me disappointed.
Can I ask what you think PF2 is missing to execute on this idea? It feels like you've got nearly every piece already.
Can I ask what you think PF2 is missing to execute on this idea? It feels like you've got nearly every piece already.
I'm not expecting PF2 itself to fill in anything since it's overall meant to be a ""standard"" fantasy setting.
I think Starfinder (the 2e of which seems to be compatible with PF2) is what's problematic, which is why I accepted the advice given by some posters here, and plan to homebrew my own stuff.
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Can I ask what you think PF2 is missing to execute on this idea? It feels like you've got nearly every piece already.I'm not expecting PF2 itself to fill in anything since it's overall meant to be a ""standard"" fantasy setting.
I think Starfinder (the 2e of which seems to be compatible with PF2) is what's problematic, which is why I accepted the advice given by some posters here, and plan to homebrew my own stuff.
Okay. What's problematic about it?
I mean, I feel like "carefully loot the stuff that fits" ought to do it? If you're going with Sword and Planet, you probably want mostly (or exclusively) PF2 classes, but go through the SF2 ancestries for the extra aliens and yoink the gear and spells that fit while leaving the ones that don't. It'll be a bit patchwork, but that actually makes sense for a Sword and Planet game.
Obviously you'll have to build your own game universe and campaign to get the right feel of the thing, but I don't think that's what you're talking about? People don't generally describe that as "homebrew". Similarly, the fact that it's not going to be out for something like two years is potentially a problem, but it doesn't really sound like that's your issue either.
I'm clearly nto getting it. Could you please try to explain?
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D3stro 2119 may have a different opinion, but a Sword and Planet game would be a lot closer to High Science Fantasy to me than "normal" Starfinder. Starfinder pretty much has more or less omnipresent high-tech, just with magic included (closer to Star Wars than Barsoom).
It's probably less about the rules than the feel; for example, the thasphalt weapons from Drift Crisis, along with the various living weapons in the Starfinder Armory, fit in much better with a Sword and Planet setting than most standard Starfinder guns/weapons.
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I'm currently running Legendary Planet (from Legendary Games) and it is absolutely one of my favorite APs. It's absolutely up to Paizo standards (the individual book authors are all freelancers who have written Paizo AP books) so if it sounds at all interesting to you, I heartily recommend you check it out.
To answer the original question, in addition to the other answers you've gotten, I think you could absolutely reflavor Reign of Winter to be Sword & Planet.
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D3stro 2119 may have a different opinion, but a Sword and Planet game would be a lot closer to High Science Fantasy to me than "normal" Starfinder. Starfinder pretty much has more or less omnipresent high-tech, just with magic included (closer to Star Wars than Barsoom).
It's probably less about the rules than the feel; for example, the thasphalt weapons from Drift Crisis, along with the various living weapons in the Starfinder Armory, fit in much better with a Sword and Planet setting than most standard Starfinder guns/weapons.
A mix of this and the fact that the Starfinder setting just really doesn't work for me. I guess it just feels to me like a somehow less coherent Shadowrun lol. Although I would argue that Starfinder's problem is that it IS ""high science fantasy"" but in a really awkward mishmashy way with no discernible themes or tone.
It's in terms of this point basically that I'm planning to homebrew.