Student of Perfection (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)
(art by sakuyasworld on DeviantArt)
We’ve referenced them before, but in the island nation of Jalmeray there is are the Houses of Perfection: a group of elementally-aligned monastic schools devoted to emulating the power of the four elements (or well, earth by way of metal now, as the schools were developed long before the return of the elemental planes of metal and wood returned to the fold, but that’s not a big deal. Heck, there wasn’t even a school of water until fairly recently in the timeline.
The point is, there were feats, archetypes, and prestige classes focused on the schools in First Edition, and so Second Edition has it’s own Student of Perfection archetype as well.
Much like the prestige class, this archetype is mostly meant to work with the monk class, but anyone with sufficient mastery of unarmed combat can make use of it, whether you are a member of Untwisting Iron, Unblinking Flame, Unfolding Wind, or Unbreaking Wave.
The base dedication of this archetype grants greater mastery of unarmed combat, as well as the ability to use one’s qi to to enhance one’s unarmed strikes, even if they are not a true monk.
Many also learn how to use their qi to attain a greater state of focus, letting them notice and correct flaws in their strikes as they happen, potentially turning a missed blow into a hit.
Some of these warriors learn how to use monk weapons as some monks do, and in doing so, how to apply that mastery to the abilities granted by this training.
Of course, many also learn the proprietary ki techniques of their individual schools. Those of flame learn to illuminate and dispel illusions, those of water push back foes with conjured waves of water, followers of wind leap and dance on the air, and those that tap into earthen power harden their bodies to absorb damage.
Their connection to the elements also means that many of these students have a natural resistance to spells and techniques associated with their element of choice.
Further into their mastery, these mystics learn even more techniques. Followers of flame channel their inner flame to heal, ward themselves against cold and sharpen their senses; those that follow water surround themselves reflexively in concealing mist to avoid attacks and outmaneuver foes; students of air hammer foes with a hail of strikes that can push back; and those of earth command the very earth below their foe’s feet to upheave, throwing them off balance and injuring them.
The trend of learning new techniques continues. Fire grants the ability to mark foes to help the student track them and also cause the target to combust when struck, water creates a circle of waves that push back foes that approach, Wind grants a brief moment of true flight as they spin and strike along the way, and earth enhances their strikes with metallic elements to overcome the resistances of their foes.
Finally, true grandmasters learn one final selection of qi techniques. Fire practitioners gain an aura of flame that reveals the truth and pierces darkness while also burning nearby foes and granting flight, water users bind and crush foes with tendrils of water, air users leap great distances and unleash a devastating downdraft when they land, hammering nearby foes. And finally, earth users either harden their body further or surround themselves in earthen material to create an ablative protection for themselves.
Obviously this archetype is mostly meant for monks, but it does have options for any other sort of martial artist character should you prefer it that way. While there is some overlap, the fact that the elements are not just all damage all the time is very fun (especially with fire, which is usually assumed to be the damage-dealing element, but mostly isn’t in this case.) No matter what, though, most of these abilities granted as focus spells, so they won’t completely overtake the rest of your build, just give a new set of fun options.
The Schools of Perfection are a fascinating look at how actual ascetics would apply elementalism to their traditions, seeing fire as a source of internal warmth and clarity rather than just blasting things, for example. I could go into detail there, but there are plenty of resources out there for researching this on your own, but consider what the elements mean to these monks and how they apply it. Also consider how they seek perfection, but never claim to attain it, not fully. It’s an ever-changing journey. And who knows, maybe even more schools will form reflecting the return of elemental metal and wood as well.
A sinkhole has suddenly opened up, swallowing half of the Elemental Compass Monastery and revealing a horrible new threat in the form of invaders from below. The exact identity of these attackers is unknown, but the brands they’ve marked their army of vermin pets with make it clear this is no infestation. The party will have to brave empress bore worms and worse to save their fellow students.
To the hobgoblin armies of Bogha, mastery of oneself is simply the first step to mastering the world, and so ascetic practice is quite common there. They say the vanguard of the grand general is made up of monks with a mastery over various elements, to better diversify their defense.
Temrin never trained in a monastery, never sought enlightenment, but his understanding of elemental water was second to none, and so he trained to focus on empowering his fists with the force of the depths, in hopes of being accepted into the order. Sadly, he never got the chance, and his ghost yearns to find that acceptance now.
