Shadowcaster (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)
(art by Andrej Z. T. on Artstation)
Shadow magic: the art of using illusion magic to draw upon the shadowy power of the Netherworld, also known as the plane of shadow, to create half-real replications of other spells that might be just as strong, or abysmally weaker depending on the awareness of the target. The real power of this art is it’s versatility.
However, there are whispers of deeper secrets still in the depths of the shadows, greater power if one is willing to sacrifice for it.
And the ones who follow such rumors do indeed sacrifice, for the ones called shadowcasters willingly sacrifice a portion of their own spirit to pursue such art, turning from the light. The exact ramifications of which are left ambiguous, but we’ll explore that below.
It’s worth noting that second edition shadow spells work a bit different than in 1e. In First Edition, shadow spells were almost universally divided up into “replicates spells of a specific school of a certain level or lower” with the caveat that said spells would be drastically weaker if the targets succeed a saving throw.
Meanwhile, in Second Edition, shadow spells are much more their own thing, though there is an evocation-themed shadow spell that lets you pick the damage type and the area as an homage to the shadow evocation of old as well as spells that conjure vague or specific minions to fight for you. However, they also cover some unique territory compared to the old paradigm that really fills out the whole “shadow magic” vibe, toying with the line between real and illusion, and so on.
With that in mind, let’s see what shadowcasters have to offer!
The basic dedication of this archetype requires that a spellcaster give up the light in their spirit, severing their connection to light energy as a concept, which means that they cannot cast spells of light, and not even learn any focus spells that do so either. In exchange, however, they can conjure a cloak of shadow to hide their exact position, though in bright light the area of shadow is fairly obvious.
Shadowcasters also have the option to take a familiar even if their normal training doesn’t, including the option to enhance them later on.
Many shadowcasters also can learn plenty of shadow spells, including those outside their tradition.
Many learn to also use shadow to cloak themselves in an aura of deception and mystery.
By subtly manipulating the shadows used in the spells, these mages can cause them to cling to a target even after the spell has ended, either enshrouding them to aid in hiding, or engulfing their senses to hinder them.
Shadowcasters are perhaps most iconic for storing spell knowledge within their own shadows, which whispers the secrets of these magics to them, allowing them to cast them. (albeit with the chance to be disbelieved). At first, these spells are not among their strongest…
…but later, they can get closer, only a little below their full power. What’s more, the shadowy power marks them, making them resistant to void energies (or positive energies if they are undead).
Some borrow secrets from the shadowdancers, able to dance an area of shadow into existence or use shadows to teleport. Though they gain one or the other, they can train to get the other later.
Also like shadowdancers, they can learn to conjure shadowy illusions of creatures or objects that prove stronger than other combat illusions.
Powerful mages even learn to conjure the darklight, a darkness that even those with night vision struggle with, and harms the body and soul with oppressive force and soul-sucking hunger.
Finally, while many can cast shadow blast through their normal spells, many also gain a reserve to cast it once a day with power that increases with their mastery.
The shadowcaster archetype has plenty of fun shadow abilities, ranging from synergy with spells of that type to borrowing magic from shadowdancers, to gaining a reserve of extra spells known that they can make good use of. Obviously some spellcasting classes are more thematic than others here, with primal casters probably being the strangest option, but not unheard of. So if you want to wrap foes in shadow to bring them down or enshroud yourself and your allies in greater dark protection, this archetype has a lot to offer.
Now, like I said earlier, the shadowcaster requires one to sacrifice, and I quote, “a piece of one’s own spirit” in order to learn the secrets of this magic. Whether this is a specific price asked for by the dubious powers of the Netherworld or if that piece simply makes learning the magic impossible is not clear, but the ramifications are left ambiguous. It doesn’t feel like the character is at risk of losing their soul entirely, either in life or on the way to judgement after death, but it’s probably not an insignificant lost. One way you might reflect this is give the character a shift in personality once they take the archetype, signifying that they’ve lost something of themselves, or else been affected, by the change.
They say that the monuments of Boltas are seven in total, and each one is linked to a powerful cosmic force. However, they are not all well-known, with one being called the Inverted Pillar of Shadow. If it were found, it would surely grant great power over shadow magic to whomever mastered it’s secrets.
Formerly called Brix the Scamp due to the way his diminutive size made others mistake him for a fire scamp, the ifrit gnome is now known as Brix the Smothered, his flame being a smokey slow burn now. This came about after he began delving into shadow magic, the sprightly fellow becoming dour and serious, and many worry that he has become a bleachling on top of all that.
While unsettling, the process of becoming a shadowcaster doesn’t take too much from the soul of the aspirant, but an enterprising piscodaemon seeks to change that, devising a “superior” method that offers greater power to the users as the unwittingly sacrifice more and more of their souls to the magic, dooming them long before they are dead.
