Paizo is changing the term "phylactery" to "soul cage."
Since these don't contain tiny but incredibly key documents, aren't worn obviously or related to faith, it seems like a weird choice of word in the first place. May as well call it a cheeseburger... or a soul cage.
I assume Gygax thought "phylactery" was a cool word like "fane" or "eyebite."
"Phylactery" seems like a weird place to try being sensitive, but; maybe it's one of those things that I got used to which is actually pretty bad.
Technically, a "phylactery" is a protective box.
Socially, the phylactery is associated with the Jewish faith, and some audiences were declaring they were uncomfortable with the implications of the name.
Since Pathfinder is a toy for amusement, they changed it. They've also removed 'race' and replaced it with 'ancestry'.
I'm just wondering when someone is going to figure out that D&D's foundations are objectivism, colonialism, and murder... and then finally question if *that* is what they want. 🍷
@xinjinmeng I literally didn’t know anyone else ever used the term prior to this morning, and was familiar with “little box of scrolls you strap to your forehead to pray” before learning the “some long-dead wizard keeps his weed in this” definition.
@Leucrotta
Most people know what "prophylactic" means. 😉