#phrenologist

[weirdyearbook]

Source details and larger version.

Though off to a bumpy start: my collection of vintage phrenology imagery is heads above the rest.

[mysteriousplanchette]

I love this old photograph of a boardwalk phrenologist lounging between clients. The mural is a little unusual, in that it has some pseudo-prognostic claims of ability that puts this more in the realm of fortune telling than the more scientifically-minded character assessment of typical phrenologists who, for all our hindsight of their quackery, tended to take themselves pretty seriously and not make claims of divinatory ability. Nevertheless, is a beautiful capture of not only a great mural, but a brief human moment. Enjoy. #phrenology #phrenologist #head #skull #fortuneteller #fortunetelling #pastpresentfuture #bump #boardwalk #folkart #mural #openbook https://www.instagram.com/p/BtimyLel6Zm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=39ecv3umb8t3

[yesterdaysprint]

The Tacoma Times, Washington, August 3, 1917

[mysteriousplanchette]

The #phrenologist at work. Hope you have a great weekend...ahead. 😂😂😂 💀 #phrenology #bumps #skull #bones #psyche #pseudoscience #head #cranium https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYW7lHlo62/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7rmr4xnx8tzf

[yesterdaysprint]

Evansville Press, Indiana, September 18, 1913

[mysteriousplanchette]

Close-up pic of an A.L. Vago & Co. phrenology bust I took last year for no real reason other than the light was particularly good that day thanks to an approaching storm. Not sure why I’ve been sitting on this one without posting for so long. Phrenology is one of those tangential pseudosciences that runs adjacent to those disciplines more immediately connected to my work, like galvanism and Mesmerism, and though early touring #phrenologist helped pave the way for later touring mediums, I pick stuff like this up because I like it, moreso than because it contributes to a greater understanding of my research. I hope you like it, too. #phrenology #quack #pseudoscience #head #skull https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs0X3nTFN3x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gf9iblia7hzj

[mysteriousplanchette]

A.L. Vago & Co. phrenology bust from my shelves. Phrenology is just one of those tangential pseudosciences that runs adjacent to those disciplines more immediately connected to my work, like galvanism and Mesmerism, and though early touring #phrenologist helped pave the way for later touring mediums, I pick stuff like this up because I like it, moreso than because it contributes to a greater understanding of my research. I hope you like it, too. #phrenology #quack #pseudoscience #head #skull https://www.instagram.com/p/BnoAJolF5sw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n6riq14oua49

[dailycharacteroption]

Phrenologist (Bard Archetype)

In the real world, phrenology was a pseudoscientific practice of feeling and measuring a person’s skull to read their personality traits. While the idea that certain areas of the brain do perform certain functions, the notion that the raises and dips of the skull could reveal these capabilities is complete bunk, with so-called “experts” in the field extrapolating greater meaning out of a lack of evidence and scientific methodology, and was even used by racists and sexists seeking a scientific basis for their bigoted beliefs.

The practice was popular among Victorian mentalists in addition to their other forays into the mysteries of the mind and the occult, so it’s no surprise that Pathfinder has tried to find a way to incorporate the practice into the aesthetic found in a lot of the occult-themed classes and archetypes.

In a world where actual magic abounds, the practice of phrenology may be less about measuring the skull with calipers, and more about sensing psychic emanations coming from different parts of the subjects brain. Then again, there’s always room for characters whose supposed knowledge is mixed heavily with nonsensical supposition, particularly when the occult is involved. As it stands, the occult skill unlock associated with this practice can be useful for learning more about the morality and capabilities of a target.

The phrenologist bard is a practitioner of this art, blending arcane knowledge with occult lore and perhaps a hint of a flair for the dramatic, plying their skills for the novelty factor of the masses, or to learn more about their enemies and friends.

It’s worth noting that evil characters may indeed use this practice to justify their hatred and bigotry, and while it is indeed possible to get some good characterization out of such behavior, remember to handle such subjects with the same amount of decorum as you would other such sensitive matters.

 Minor psychics in their own right, these bards can perform all sorts of occult tricks, though they are most skilled at reading skulls.

A unique thing that they can learn of others is how their minds respond to supernatural performance, allowing them to tailor theirs to better manipulate them.

As they grow in power, they become even better versed in the skull-reading arts.

Their cranial readings down stop at the esoteric, for they know all too well the resonate frequency of bone, and can use a performance to increase its susceptibility to sonic attack, dealing greater harm to foes blasted by damaging sound.

By creating a magical connection between their own thoughts and another’s, these alienists can send what they see and hear to their ally, allowing them to witness what they perceive while not being present, though this does leave them insensate to what is going on in their own environs.

More powerful phrenologists can read the skulls of others from afar if they can ensnare them in a fascination performance, reaching out with psychic sensory projections to fell the mental emanations of their target.

Really interested in the phrenology skill unlock, and with a bard that can set up a long-term or short term foe to become especially vulnerable to their hostile performances? This archetype may be what you’re looking for. Practically, the phrenology skill unlock is mostly useful for getting a read on a target’s alignment and capabilities, useful for screening would-be allies for potential traitors, as well as developing a greater understanding of how certain NPCs and foes will behave. Hold person, deep slumber, and other such spells are a must to build up such profiles, so definitely take those. Keep in mind this archetype works best with adventures where the first solution is not necessarily killing all the time, naturally.

 In a way, these bards almost bridge the gap between bardic magic and mesmerism. Whether that has any greater meaning varies by setting, but certainly both classes have an innate understanding of how to bend the senses and the will, something to keep in mind.

  A forerunner in the field of phrenology, Galbus Phinderotton earnestly believed that he had found the great solution to the mysteries of the mind. However, he was obsessed with finding the universal constant to apply his art to all creatures, not just those with heads. His skeleton now floats imbedded in a gelatinous cube, but if his notes are recovered, they would fetch a pretty price in the occult community.

 Recently, skull readings have become all the rage in the noble scene of Halmsvotr, with noble scions paying handsomely to have their craniums read (and even more so to make sure any apparent negative traits are never made public). Things take a turn for the uproarus when one such head-measurer claims the crown princess clearly has hobgoblin blood.

 In an attempt to vex a local phrenologist, a kitsune trickster showed up to his parlor several times in different shapeshifted guises, but each time, the alienist gave the same results, clearly working on some cues other than head shape. Not one to be vexed so easily, the vulpine lad has sworn to find a way to counfound his parlor tricks.