Ursine Avenger Hood (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)
(art by Seraph777 on DeviantArt)
So, a while back we did the gelid shard archetype, which represented one of two (now three!) archetypes tied to a specific unique magic item, though unlike the gelid shard, today’s subject doesn’t have the same tragic loss of self that the icy implement has.
Instead, today’s subject revolves around an heirloom item passed from one user to the next in a long chain, gaining a legacy of it’s own.
I would be remiss to not note the parallels between this artifact archetypes and relic items, but these archetypes require a dedication of time and training by taking feats rather than simply growing with the character at the mechanical cost of less treasure being rewarded.
In any case, the ursine avenger hood item is a helm and hood made from the skull and skin of a cave bear, which the ulfen Baruk crafted from his kill, only to later fall in battle to a mightly linnorm in a battle of mutually-assured destruction. The combination of Baruk and the linnorm’s blood, plust perhaps a bit of ursine spiritual resonance and Baruk’s lingering love for his daughter, transformed the item when she took it up after him, powers that would remain as different warriors took it up.
The hood itself has the base powers of granting the wielder greater authority over animals (especially bears), though the user becomes withdrawn and antisocial if they don’t periodically spend time in the wilderness.
The real power, however, comes when the bearer begins investing their time and energy into mastering the hood, as we’ll soon see!
The base dedication of the archetype let’s the wearer partially merge with the hood, granting them the mighty jaws and claws of the bear, though a bear’s mouth cannot speak language.
For some, the transformation also grants the enhanced senses of a bear as well.
Bears are powerful grapplers, and so these Ursine Avengers develop a technique for pulling foes into their grasp with their claws and locking them in.
Some instead tap into the magic of the hood to call upon ursine allies, with the exact size and power of such beasts growing with their mastery.
Naturally, some learn to communicate with bears as well.
With mastery, some take on the bulk and stature of a bear as well, adding to their might. Another feat lets this improve further into truly titanic size.
With a mighty bellowing roar upon transforming, these warriors can send their foes scampering away.
Their natural weapons continue to improve, becoming even more deadly as well.
Some of the most powerful become infused with primal vitality when they transform, rapidly healing from their wounds.
Naturally, this archetype is a good fit for combat classes that maybe want a taste of bestial primal power, making fighter and especially ranger good choices, though any can take it, including casters that desire a little extra might they can switch to when magic runs dry. Druids probably will avoid it though since they’ve already got their own summoning and transformation tricks.
Now, as you’re all well aware at this point, I dislike the idea of archetypes as story rewards most of the time, but I honestly don’t mind how artifact archetypes work for the most part. As long as they’re handled well, they might be a brilliant way to represent a destined hero whose fate is tied to a powerful artifact without the mechanical cost to the whole party that you get with relic items. As such, all the artifact archetypes make for a good template for homebrewing your own!
The cabin of Kolkovac is indeed as haunted as people say, the abandoned frontier domicile having been the home of a greedy hunter that enviously coveted the power of a magical bear hood owned by one of his peers. However, after murdering the owner to steal the hood, he never got the chance to put it on, the treacherous hunter’s bone’s reaching mere inches from where the hood still lays.
The Great Lion Cowl is a legendary item considered sacred to catfolk-kind, but for ages, it seems to have been cursed to never find it’s way into ammurun hands, passing between big game hunters and curio collectors. However, stories persist that one day a worthy member of the feline ancestry will come to claim it when it is needed most.
On one world, the legend of the Ursine Avenger tells of how the warrior drove off a terrible night hag, ever to return to haunt the dreams of their land. However, one should be careful when using absolute language with immortals, for the night hag has returned, but where is the hood of legend?