My roommate Beth wants to play a Ss'ressen Arcane Caster (either Eldritch or Primal). The book says males cannot take the Arcane or Divine Archetypes. But the Shaman Initiate background seems to exclude females and there is no other background that works for a Ss'Ressen caster. I would love some clarification on this murky issue. The gender issue is not a problem for her but she would like to play an Arcane caster if possible, in a manner that makes sense for the race and the campaign setting.

I don't have the book handy, but what in the Shaman Background excludes Females? Also, a female Arcane Archetype with either Primal or Eldritch is (last I looked) perfectly legal. The problem comes with males because they can't become Eldritch (eggs didn't get incubated at the right temp or they were killed after hatching), and can only become Primal "the hard way" through backgrounds and paths.

Shaman Initiate backround says under "Nationality" "...or Milandir (male Ss'Ressen only)" Does this mean that female Ss'Ressen can't take the background? As for Eldritch casters the only applicable background is Sanctorum Mage which just did not make sense to me.

The Disciples of Jeggal Sagg are male only. This is a cultural thing like Illiirite priests. Little Boy Ssressens cannot take the Arcane archetype, but can take Expert plus the Adaptable Talent in step 1 to qualify for Shaman Apprentice/Initiate (or whatever the background is called). At present this is the only way I know for Ssressen to become Shamans...and the only way for males to become arcane casters.

Little girl Ssressen can become eldritch (not elder) casters normally.

Can females become primal casters? I just want to be clear on this so I can explain what her options are to her.

Background does not affect Archetype. She can be a Arcane Primal Mercenary and that is fine.

No but some backgrounds make more sense than others if you want to be a better caster. Otherwise you are at least one skill rank behind. Not the end of the world but still frustrating. Case in point...for divine casters its Initiate of the Gods, for Eldritch Sanctorum Mage, for Elder Elder Sorcerer's Apprentice, Psionic Awakened Scion, and Primal Shaman Initiate. I may have missed some but you see my point. Now that said I would be surprised if there's not some Ss'Ressen scaly goodness in the new book and we're all waiting for that. But in the meantime she to be the best arcane caster she can and doesn't want to be a priestess of the Fire Dragon. So we're trying to find ways to get here there. Any and all help/advice appreciated.

I think I found a Background that might work: Exile/Expatriate. She can get a rank in Arcanum from it plus it might explain why she left the Sulfur Marshes. I suspect Eldritch casters there do not get a warm welcome, even if they are Ss'Ressen.

Michael,

Am I missing something here?

A ss'ressen female can be an arcane caster without having to be a priestesss of the Fire Dragon.

No we got that, I was just saying she didn't want to be a divine caster. Sorry if that wasn't made clear. Beth basically wants to be a Ss'Ressen arcane caster and we are exploring all the options that might be open to her. And she's okay with either gender.