#Pathfinder 164 Hands of the Devil

[dailycharacteroption]

Eldritch Researcher (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)

(art by Henning Ludvigsen on Artstation, featured in Arkham Horror by Fantasy Flight Games)

 Two weeks ago we looked at the elder mythos scholar archetype, and now we find a spiritual successor of sorts in an archetype in second edition.

While not expressly dealing with elder mythos creatures, the eldritch researcher has a fascination for aberrations, oozes, and the poorly understood secrets of occult magic and how it intersects with arcane magic, which are exactly the sort of vibes we expect from a character that deals with horrors from beyond the stars and other dimensions.

In any case, eldritch researchers, regardless of their background, scoff at the idea of any knowledge being something mortals were not meant to know, risking their minds and bodies delving into secrets so that these terrifying unknowns can become knowns, and therefore less terrifying. Whether they succeed or their discoveries prove even more horrifying upon being revealed is another story.

Looking for an archetype that promises understanding of the occult and otherworldly with a smattering of magical defenses and abilities, this may be for you.

This archetype is also associated with the Abomination Vaults AP, but like all archetypes, it can easily be adapted to any campaign where cosmic horror and research into the unknown comes up.

 For their dedication feat, these researchers learn a minor arcane or occult cantrips as well as the basics for wielding that sort of magic, as well as expertise in the arcane or occult, particularly when it comes to identifying magic or investigation.

Though they do not possess divine magic, these researchers possess a fervor that they can bring to bear, fueling powers reminiscent to those possessed by the knowledge, secrecy, or truth domains, manifesting a personal eldritch sign if necessary. Whether these powers truly come from belief or are just occult secrets that bridge upon the divine is unknown.

They can also learn to tug on mystic threads of understanding, translating a touched body of writing for them, though they still have to decipher codes or hidden meanings. They can only do this once a day, though.

Their familiarity with aberrations and oozes gives them insight into how such beings attack, allowing them to reflexively move and dodge to mitigate harm.

Eldritch rituals are also a common focus of study for them, and many master the art of performing these rituals, making them much easier for them.

Oftentime, rare lore and artifacts are lost to time (until they are rediscovered and kick off a whole adventure, of course!), but many of these researchers are not content to let such lore be lost. As such, they learn divination magic that helps them locate objects to better recover such things for their research, though obviously this has limits.

More learned individuals have so much information at their beck and call that they often have a more comprehensive picture when they recall information.

Many also learn to expand their mastery of their pseudo-domain, gaining the greater magics assocated with them.

As their mastery of the occult grows, they learn the secrets of laying various curses on foes, most particularly those that affect the mind and behavior to make focusing on certain types of tasks harder.

Some of the most powerful learn how to conjure otherworldly aberrations to serve them, either to fight, or potentially ask questions of, though the answers they give are especially cryptic due to their alien mindsets (and possibly penchant for mischief).

Powerful researchers also often learn to recall vast amounts of information in an instant, which can be a boon when there are many mysteries on the table but also dangers abound.

While this archetype is available to all classes, it does require some familiarity with arcane and especially occult skills, not to mention intelligence for use with the various magical abilities granted by the archetype. This lends it best to classes like wizard, investigator, bard, and inventor, though nothing’s stopping you from building a high-intelligence fighter that also researchers the occult on the side. Indeed, the special abilities granted by this archetype are mostly utilitarian in nature, making it a useful way to provide knowledge utility to a party.

 With the lore of this archetype being what it is, it is likely that your character might be frustrating in-character for the rest of the party, what with their interest into poking their noses into the unknown and other things many would consider best left alone. Then again, they also likely appreciate your expertise as well. Remember though that this archetype represents someone of a decidedly scientific persuasion. Even when they are foolhardy, these characters should probably know at least a little about what they are doing.

  Living creatures, but at the same time formed from the very stuff of entropy and unlife, sceaduinar are considered by some researchers to be one of the great mysteries, and thanks to their recent reclassification as extraplanar aberrations, those who seek the eldritch have even more reason to understand them and their mysteries. However, the opinion these crystalline creatures have of natural life has not changed, and they still attack on sight unless bound by magic.

 For years, Leksha sought a way to cure her transformation into a fleshwarp, but it became increasingly clear that both in body and mind, this was her true form now. She has not given up hope, but in the meantime her studies have made her an incredible resource into occult knowledge, albeit a reclusive one that is rarely welcomed in most centers of learning.

 It is easy to assume that the eldritch entities that exist out there are all malign and hostile, having dark intentions. However, like any society, these entities have a variety of cultures and outlooks. Eager to document them is Dr. Pevara, who styles herself something of an elder mythos anthropologist, and she’s looking to organize an expedition to the various gug settlements of the inner world.