So, there was a pretty big announcement on the Paizo blog a few weeks ago regarding the upcoming season, and some significant changes to available races. Of course, like everything else on the Paizo blog, it got buried quickly by new blog posts and one hundred lines of semi-related discussion. To help get the information out, I’ve summarized the major changes (coming into effect August 14) below:
Players may no longer make Tiefling or Aasimar characters.
Players may now make Nagaji, Kitsune, and Wayang characters.
These are pretty huge developments! Aasimar and Tieflings have been mainstays in the Toronto gaming scene, and I imagine their presence will be missed. But I’m not here to debate the merit of these new adjustments. Instead, I’m going to give a quick rundown of exactly what these new races are and what they are going to look like when they hit the gaming table.
Nagaji (AKA, Snake People)
Stat Line: +2 Strength, +2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence
Notable Abilities: Natural Armour, Low-Light Vision, Resistance to Poison/Mind-Affecting Abilities, Hypnotic Gaze
Likely Roles: Paladin, Samurai, Oracle, Druid (Naga Aspirant)
Advanced Race Guide Blurb
The nagaji are a race of ophidian humanoids with scaled skin that mimics the dramatic appearance of true nagas. Like serpents, they have forked tongues and lidless eyes, giving them an unblinking gaze that most other races find unnerving. Their physical forms are otherwise humanlike, raising wary speculation about their origins. It is widely believed that true nagas created them as a servitor race, through crossbreeding, magic, or both, and indeed nagaji revere nagas as living gods. Nagaji often inspire awe and fear among other humanoids, as much for their mysterious ancestry as for their talent for both swords and sorcery.
Bred in the ancient past by nagas seeking a servitor race that combined the loyalty of a slave with the versatility of the human form, the nagaji have long since developed into a vibrant and proud race.
Mike’s Notes
Essentially, nagaji are lizard men with a bit of an eastern vibe to them. They probably won’t see too much use beyond a tanking role, as their inherent traits are not especially versatile or powerful, but the Naga Aspirant Druid archetype does offer some intriguing options.
Kitsune (AKA, Fox People)
Stat Line: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Notable Abilities: Change Shape, Low-Light Vision, Kitsune Magic (Dancing Lights), Natural Weapons
Likely Roles: Rogue, Bard, Sorcerer, Oracle
Advanced Race Guide Blurb
Kitsune, or fox folk, are vulpine shapeshifters known for their love of both trickery and art. Kitsune possess two forms: that of an attractive human of slender build with salient eyes, and their true form of an anthropomorphic fox. Despite an irrepressible penchant for deception, kitsune prize loyalty and make true companions. They delight in the arts, particularly riddles and storytelling, and settle in ancestral clans, taking their wisdom from both the living and spirits.
Quick-witted and nimble, kitsune make excellent bards and rogues. It is not uncommon for one to pursue sorcery, while those few born with white fur and pale eyes usually become oracles.
Mike’s Notes
I’ve actually seen a lot of kitsune builds already in Toronto due to some racial boons that were tossed around last year. Although the strength dump is a bit killer, kitsune have a great stat-line for nimble characters and have a variety of fun racial traits. Their feat line can grant some intriguing novelty abilities too, such as the capability to turn into a fox or grow additional, magical tails.
Wayang (AKA, Gollum)
Stat Line: +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom.
Notable Abilities: Small Size, Darkvision, Shadow Magic (Ghost Sound, Pass Without Trace, Ventriloquism), Stealth Bonuses
Likely Roles: Rogue, Alchemist, Magus, Ranger, Wizard, Witch, Bard
Advanced Race Guide Blurb
The wayangs are a race of small supernatural humanoids who trace their ancestry to the Plane of Shadows. They are extremely gaunt, with pixielike stature and skin the color of deep shadow. Deeply spiritual, they follow a philosophy known as “The Dissolution,” which teaches that in passing they may again merge into the shadow. They readily express their beliefs through ritual scarification and skin bleaching, marking their bodies with raised white dots in ornate spirals and geometric patterns. Shy and elusive, they live in small, interdependent tribes. Wayangs rarely associate with outsiders.
Mike’s Notes
Probably the most interesting race of the lot, wayang can do a lot of different things. A small race with no strength penalty! A feat that lets you move full speed while using stealth! A favoured class option that allows Bards to learn Sorcerer/Wizard spells! No wonder I listed so many “likely roles” above! I expect to see a lot of these guys popping up at tables, especially as rogues and prepared casters.
