Invigorator (Paladin Archetype)
Healing has been an important part of the paladin skill set for a long while in the world’s oldest roleplaying game, and by extension, pathfinder. There are a few healing and supporting paladin archetypes here and there, such as the hospitaler and the soul sentinel, but today we will be looking at a paladin that focuses on healing others to better fight against evil.
These invigorators, as they are known, recognize that while there is indeed glory to be won by facing down evil on one’s own, the annals of righteousness are littered with tragedies of would-be heroes slain by threats too strong for them. As such, they have been blessed by abilities to help keep their allies alive and confident, working with them to achieve victory.
As such, these paladins make for excellent commanders, marching alongside allies to make them stronger and more capable, shrugging off injury, unlike a hospitaler, who focuses specifically on healing.
Rather than charge their weapons with divine wrath, these paladins instead infuse raw hope into nearby allies, causing them to ignore pain and harm, resisting the attacks of their foes. Over time and development, this resilience grows in power. However, the power of this blessing can only be projected onto a limited number of allies at once, so the invigorator must carefully manage who is receiving it in order to make the most of it.
Using this same reserve of power, these paladins can also radiate an aura of healing, rapidly closing the wounds of allies nearby as long as they stay close.
The most powerful invigorators become champions of life, able to channel powerful revivication magic to resurrect the recently slain, or perhaps unleash a destructive smite upon the undead.
With so many abilities that also grant defensive bonuses to allies, not to mention the paladin spell list, this archetype seems perfect for creating a support paladin that fights alongside their fellows. I highly recommend picking spells and options based on bolstering both themselves and nearby allies to better face foes. The angelic bond from the same sourcebook as this archetype: Healer’s Handbook, works well with this, adding another layer of support to allies, though you can choose any that better fits your build and story.
While this archetype certainly lends itself to being part of a greater military force, it can be interesting to see what sort of origins one can come up with other than ex-military. Perhaps they are part of a professional adventuring company, or part of a church that aids the local guard against criminals and monstrous incursions alike?
While some paladins start as invigorators, those seeking to take on that role later in their careers can do so through a few methods, including the gauntlet of light, in which the paladin must survive along with their chosen companions as multiple summoned jyoti assail them, testing them to see if they are worthy of an increased connection to positive energy.
As a paladin of the Redeemer, Shamela is a striking figure, her natural strix anatomy making her the very image of an angel incarnate, a far cry from her role earlier in life, where she served as dark harbinger for syrinx masters. Her greatest challenge yet will be accompanying an assault against the owlfolk’s local slaver fortress.
The villainous party learn that their latest escapade has caught the attention of the local churches, and now a party of divinely blessed heroes is being assembled to hunt them down. This party includes a blessed arcanist from a college of magic blending arcane and druidic magic, a sanctified slayer wielding legendary twin katars, A priestess of the moon goddess, and their leader, an invigorator paladin whose divine power manifests as a blazing halo.
