Totem Guide (Animal Companion Archetype)
Getting some closure with today’s entry, because this is actually one of two archetypes I missed in my first loop through the alphabet.
In any case, the totem guide, first printed in Animal Archive and then reprinted in Ultimate Wilderness, represents something of an even more mystical bond between a character and their animal/plant/vermin companion. While said guides are not that much smarter than other companions, they are bonded not just to the caster, but also to the forces of nature itself, embodying the wisdom and guidance of those spirits.
In this way, the character can look to their companion for wisdom and advice, as well as count on them in combat against otherworldly forces!
Thanks to their connection to nature spirits, these companions can provide useful supernatural guidance at any time. However, their real power comes from when the master channels their own power through the companion, resulting in even greater forms of magical blessings and guidance. Everything from sensing specific species of flora and fauna, looking briefly into the future, sending a guide to bring others to you (which could be in the form of the normal helping hand spell, or perhaps in the form of a spectral version of the companion), Reading the further future or fate, speaking to the natural world to learn about their surroundings, or finding the true path.
The guide can also speak with their master and others of their species through a bestial tongue, relaying information.
As they grow in power, these blessed beasts are blessed with natural weapons that pierce the eldritch as if magical and silvered.
Later on, this blessing even strikes true against the incorporeal, and their hide is proof against the otherworldly touch of such beings. What’s more, their spirits and bodies are warded against foul necromancy that would seek to turn the master’s dear ally against them as an undead.
A fun archetype which can give you a lot of useful divination utility on tap, not to mention the ability to strike true against DR and incorporeal resistances that animal companions normally struggle against. However, you will need to expend more resources to protect them against area effect and mind-affecting magics, so keep that in mind. You might also want to consider pairing this archetype up with animal companions that only have a single natural attack as well, since they wouldn’t be bothered by the lack of multiattack, but that remains up to you. Obviously this archetype works best for druids and hunters, since they can utilize the full suite of bonus spells available with this archetype, but in theory you could use it with limited results with other classes or archetypes.
Given their sacred nature, I can imagine that these companions may be the most commonly decorated companions out there, with their master or those devoted to the natural forces adorning them with jewelry, fine armor, body painting, and more. After all, to the nature-inclined, such guides are often seen as living avatars of the faith.
Something unnatural has awakened beneath Curnok Marsh, a force heralded by it adaptive ooze minions. While versatile in their arts, the druid Ustark and his wizened crocodile companion know they cannot face these creatures and their true master alone.
Far-removed from her people, Janria the lashunta druid follows the way of the Green One, forming a pact with a surprisingly wise juvenile treant named Barkscar, named for the lightning scorch mark on his chest.
While setting up camp, one member of the party sees a vision of a phantom triceratops, which clearly wishes for them to follow. If they do so, they will discover that a mighty druid has been watching from afar, and wishes to speak with them on a matter of great importance.
