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Occult Messenger (Familiar Archetype)

(art by MikeJordana on DeviantArt)

Pathfinder sure does enjoy it’s magical girl tropes. From the chosen one archetype for paladins to the actual magical child archetype for vigilante, to the fact that witches as a whole are imbued with an otherworldly power that doesn’t necessarily “belong” to them.

So it only makes sense that there would be a familiar archetype dedicated to helping futher replicate that feeling!

These so-called “occult” messengers were explicitly sent by a mysterious power to aid their master, though this is also true for plenty of other familiars, so mechanically the difference is only in the unique powers they bring to the table. Divine classes and archetypes might have had them sent by their deity or spirit, while arcane casters might have especially potent patrons in the case of witches, or mysterious otherworldly benefactors in the case of wizards or magi. You could also theoretically get these familiars with certain psychic casters, though they wouldn’t benefit that much.

And the reason for that is their association with occult power, so let’s look at what exactly they get!

With their psychic power, these familiars transfer a bit of that power while within arm’s reach of their master, allowing their master to pick up on psychic energies and make use of occult applications of various skills.

Additionally, that proximity also enhances the master’s ability to perform such minor occult tricks as the mysterious patron subtly coaches them through the process or perhaps even is the source of the divinatory answers in some cases.

A simple archetype, but one that is useful for giving a familiar that “grants power from beyond” vibe that certain folklore and fiction has. Just remember that you’re giving up the ability to deliver touch spells, so your familiar doesn’t have quite the same combat utility as others, exchanging it for pseudo-magical utility.

Much like the witch class in general, the presence of these familiars invites the question of what the nature of the being that sent the familiar is, and moreover, what the difference between such an entity and other patrons is if you wish to play that up.

If there is anything that Verrak hates, it is not being in control, and yet that is where the reptoid wizard finds himself when a familiar arrives and bonds with him unbidden in the last days of his training. Not wanting to be seen as a liability, he has hidden this fact from his superiors, and spends as much time as he can spare from his mission on finding out the truth behind this mysterious gift.

Arguably the least of all monstrous threats, dire rats are often dealt with by novice adventurers or city guards, barely beneath the notice of more powerful heroes. However, when a novice witch emerges from such a den without a scratch clutching on small seemingly ordinary rat… well, most think it odd but not otherwise noteworthy, but those with an eye for the mystic take notice.

There is a rumor among the member of the order of the True Eye that sometimes a rare novice with potential will be chosen by a special familiar, one that offers secrets of the occult not normally seen in the arcane magic. Where exactly this familiar comes from is unknown, but the prevailing theory is that it is a servant of the sentient platonic idea of divination itself.

#pathfinder #archetype #familiar #occult messenger #reptoid #dire rat #Wilderness Origins

13: rabid rat

Feel free to use this image however you like. 🙂

#monsterdrawingclub

#dnd #d&d #ttrpg art #ttrpg #dire rat #rat #morkborg #mork borg

The start of a bestiary for the Mork Borg jam I’m working on.

#mork borg #rpg #rats off to ya #ratborg #rat borg #skaven #dire rat #giant rat

UGH I can’t believe I finally got this to an acceptable definition of “done”!! Even tho I’m defo immediately working on backgrounds/playing with lighting. But yeah!! They all here now!!!

It’s my pathfinder party!

From left to right: Jemini M. Wickard, belongs to @weaverfromthenorth (AKA m BF)

Kaandra al-Khijri, belongs to Amos (dunno where to tag)

Lukas Strundyh, belongs to Will (dunno where to tag)

Peas and Carrots and Beans (goblin + rodents), belong to me!

Timaeus Woodsworth, belongs to @ameliarollsforinitiative!

#pathfinder #pathfinder playtest #doomsday dawn #ocs #katsplats #goblin #druid #fighter #barbarian #wizard #alchemist #dire rat #elf #peas n' carrots

Daily D&D Monster: Dire Rat [NEW]

While Deinogalerix haven't had hundreds of years of human interaction, they can be tamed like other animals. Though, the process is pretty difficult with a low success rate. But, when it happens once in a blue moon, they become just as faithful as the best dog. Stories exist of some odd occurrences happening when the owner has an accident... -- [UPDATE: 8/29/2018]: ...

#d&d #pathfinder #daily dnd monster #dire rat #deinogalerix #rekkr #alvin #update