Class Feature Friday: Lust Phantom (Spiritualist Phantom Emotional Foci)
We’ve talked about seven deadly sin phantoms in the past, so we all knew this one was coming eventually. On Golarion, these are indeed the phantoms of people of Thassalon that followed Sorshen, the runelord of lust, and like the other “sin phantoms” they sought to escape Earthfall and final judgement by becoming phantoms.
However, outside of Varisia and/or the Golarion setting, these phantoms could arise in a variety of ways, such as being the souls of those whose death was caused by their desires, cheating spouses or the subject of said indiscretions and the like. Or they might be simply individuals who in life were famous (or infamous) for their passions, which need not even be sexual in nature, though similar passions might fall under the purview of gluttony or greed, depending on the nature of it. The one unifying factor is that lust-bound figures choose pleasure over practicality.
(It really shows how decidedly Catholic the entire concept of the 7 Deadlies is when you think about it. Wrath is a sin, sure, but hate? Not on the list. Sloth? Poorly understood depression symptoms being written off as a sin. It probably says something about me that I specifically bring up how nonsense the concept is during the LUST entry of all things, but moving on…)
Typically, the ectoplasm of lust phantoms is a rosy color, and their forms are idealized and sensual, though I imagine those that have diverged into very monstrous mindsets might sport more exotic, yet disturbingly sensual, forms.
Rather than growing in agility, these phantoms become even heartier, able to endure much.
Using supernatural allure, these phantoms can draw the focus of foes to them, making themselves the target of the foe in combat for a brief period.
The possessiveness they feel towards their spiritualist can also be used to protect them, their will pushing back against hostile mental effects targeting the mystic.
They can also project an aura of euphoria to overwhelm foes, making them struggle to focus on what they are doing.
The most powerful can even tap into the primal desires of foes to try and control their actions.
With a mixture of being an hp tank and debuffer, these phantoms play a more defensive role than most, keeping their spiritualist safe and leaving foes reeling at higher levels. If that appeals to you, this focus may be what you’re looking for. I recommend packing plenty of heals, temp hp buffs, and defensive spells so your spiritualist and phantom can stay up longer, and perhaps some debuffs to reduce the effectiveness of foes further.
The relationship between spiritualist and phantom here may end up being… interesting. With that in mind, I’d make sure to read the room and discover both the party and GM’s comfort level. When it doubt, I’d limit things to flirtacious dialogue, with anything else happening “off-stage”, as it were.
Once a courtesan to the Emperor of Flames, Jahna was a fiery beauty of unparalleled grace. Seeking to preserve the ifrit for all time, the emperor had an aspect of her soul, her unbridled passions, turned into a phantom. Now, long after the fall of the empire, she waits for a new master, but also longs for the missing parts of her existence.
The party has finally discovered the true nature of the slaver and trafficker known as the Dark Embrace. A large, sinister male shadow giant and spiritualist, he is never seen without his disturbing phantom, an amalgamation of sensual limbs made from porcelain-like ectoplasm that his underlings call “The Doll.”
Not every lust phantom directs their passions outward. Indeed, the entity known as The Lovers was once two star-crossed lovebirds whose lives were cut short in tragedy, now becoming inseperable, practically (and literally) fused at the hip, locked in an endless, tormented embrace.
