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| Golarion | |
|---|---|
| Name | Golarion |
| Creator | Paizo Publishing |
| First appearance | Pathfinder Roleplaying Game |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Notable inhabitants | Iomedae, Nethys, Norgorber, Lamashtu, Asmodeus, Aroden |
| Major locations | Absalom, Cheliax, Taldor, Varisia |
Golarion Golarion is the primary campaign setting for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game published by Paizo Publishing, serving as a focal world for modules such as Rise of the Runelords, Curse of the Crimson Throne, Kingmaker (module), Skull & Shackles. It presents a layered cosmology tied to planar frameworks like the Great Beyond and institutions such as the Inner Sea polity network, populated by figures including Iomedae, Nethys, Asmodeus, Aroden and organizations like the Hellknights and Red Mantis Assassins.
The setting interweaves planetary lore with planar doctrines exemplified by the Great Beyond, Axis of Worlds, and the Worldwound conflict surrounding Baphomet and Demons. Cosmological events such as the Apocalypse, the disappearance of Aroden, and the opening of the Worldwound shaped institutions like the Order of the Torch and the Church of Asmodeus. Magical systems echo traditions practiced by figures like Nethys, codified in tomes such as the Inner Sea Magic compendia and institutionalized at centers like the Tian Xian Library and the Lunar Academy.
The planet features continents and regions including the Inner Sea basin, the northern frontier of Varisia, the imperial realm of Cheliax, the aristocratic Taldor, the frontier kingdom of Ragathol and the island chains of the Darklands and Mwangi Expanse. City-states and hubs such as Absalom, Numeria, Korvosa, Riddleport and Almas function as nodes for trade, intrigue, and adventure. Natural features like the Five Kings Mountains, the Mana Wastes, the Mouths of the Sea, and the haunted Stolen Lands host conflicts involving factions like the Aspis Consortium and Sczarni.
Power centers include empires and states such as Cheliax, Taldor, Andoran, Qadira, Osirion, Nex and River Kingdoms. Political actors include dynasties like the Medoriad family, revolutionary movements such as the Stormwall rebellion, and mercantile syndicates like the Aspis Consortium and Zamirian Exchange. Organizations including the Order of the Rack, the Hellknights, the Pathfinders Society, and guilds such as the Guild of Cartographers influence law, diplomacy, and espionage, while treaties like the Treaty of the Twelve and conflicts like the Fall of Aroden and the Second Worldwound War reshaped borders.
Pantheons and cults center on deities including Iomedae, Nethys, Sarenrae, Erastil, Desna, Lamashtu, Asmodeus, Pharasma, Zon-Kuthon and Zebulon (note: obscure local tutelaries), with institutions like the Church of Abadar and the Thurian Brotherhood administering rites and dogma. Religious conflicts such as the Sarenrae schism, the trials of Iomedae and the rise of infernalist factions in Cheliax involve orders like the Knights of Lastwall and theological centers such as the Sanctum of Thrune.
Inhabitants range from humanoid races like Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, Half-elves, Half-orcs to monstrous ancestries including Tieflings, Aasimar, Kobolds, Oreads, Suli and regional folk such as the Osiriani, Taldan nobles, Chelish courtiers, Varisian tribes and the Mwangi peoples. Linguistic diversity includes tongues like Common, Taldane, Osiriani, Chelaxian, Taldic, Varisian Cant and esoteric scripts used by groups such as the Numerian Technologists and occult schools like the KMS (Kiaransalee-Monastic Scriptorium). Cultural institutions such as the Pathfinder Society, the Red Mantis Assassin Brotherhood and festivals like the Harvesthome and the Festival of the Second Moon reflect local customs and mythic histories like the Age of Thrune.
Major epochs include the Age of Destiny, the rise and fall of the Arodenian Empire, the Lost Omens era after the Death of Aroden, the Fall of Thrune and regional conflicts like the Five Kings War and the Second Crusade against the Worldwound. Cataclysms and turning points include the Rise of the Runelords, the Battle of Bright Harbor, the opening of the Mana Wastes and incursions by planar forces such as the Inevitable Legions and Demonlords allied with Baphomet and opposed by coalitions including the Knights of Lastwall and Taldor's Imperial Host.
Magic manifests via traditions and schools like arcane practice exemplified by Nethys and divine channels of Sarenrae; relics and artifacts such as the Runewood Staffs and Numenian technology (notably the Novarian Device). Bestiary entries include creatures such as Dragons, Golems, Demons, Devils, Azarketi, Slaad and regional monsters like the Mummy Lords of Osirion, the Skum of the Darklands and the Runelord legions. Technological currents range from the clockwork devices of Jaltepo and the cybernetic aberrations of Numeria to maritime innovations used by the Skull & Shackles pirates and naval powers like Sovereignty of Lastwall.
Category:Fantasy worlds