Silksworn (Occultist Archetype)
The occultist class hinges on the notion of psychic impressions and potential being found in objects, and for the most part, those impressions are fueled by the object’s history. However, not all are content with something as esoteric as the part.
Indeed, some occultists instead focus on the make of objects, drawing upon the mystical significance of the most expensive materials. Thus are the silksworn a valid course of development.
As their name suggests, these mystics adorn themselves with expensive clothing and jewelry to infuse themselves with magical might, which, by necessity, means they either come from the upper classes, or seek to join them.
An occultist that is powered by fancy clothes may seem silly, but there is no denying the sheer mystical power they wield, not to mention gravitas on the social battlefield.
Despite the occult nature of the class, these mystics actually utilize arcane magic with their spells, which may hint at the differences in what is valuable to each type of casting. This does mean that their spells require the classic verbal and somatic components, rather than thought and emotion.
Furthermore, rather than having individual implements, the occultist must adorn specific parts of their body in valuable and/or magical decorations in order to be able to cast their spells and invoke their various focused magics.
In addition to their great cunning, these mages also add their force of personality to the pool of energy they draw upon when infusing their jewelry and fancy clothing with power.
While not as skilled with strength of arms and armor like other occultists, the silksworn gain access to many more schools of magic, as well as a greater pool of energy to cast spells with, making them versatile spellcasters.
As one might imagine, they use the magic channeling through their opulent garb to bolster their social skills and confidence, the more they wear, the better.
Their extravagant clothing also helps conceal the gestures and words of their spells, making all but the most obvious spells hard to pin on them.
Additionally, while they can get by with expensive but nonmagical clothing, a silksworn can use magical articles and adornments to bolster the magic associated with that area of the body, making them harder to resist.
True to their mastery of more magics, silksworn that master the secrets of their vocation master not one but two different implement schools, becoming even more powerful in regards to those schools.
If the melee and magic circle aspect of occultists bores you, and you just want to play a mage with neat school-related powers and the charisma to deal with social situations, this archetype is probably right up you alley. Increased spell slots and spells known are your friend here, as is getting yourself a nice set of magic items in all your appropriate item slots. Beyond that, explore what this means for your build with the entirety of the occultist spell list.
Both extremely magical and extremely fashionable, the appearance of a silksworn is their life. As such, whether they are dilettante nobles or courtiers, or are court mages, they rarely go unnoticed. Conversely, they may also become extremely vulnerable if robbed or forced into destitution.
In the Croaking Courts, grippli discuss matters of rulership over the jungle below the treetop palace. The king’s advisor is a vibrant young man dressed in an outfit of the most bright and colorful feathers from the rainforest’s depths, which shimmers and shifts whenever he casts his magic.
The entire point of a masquerade party is anonymity, where anyone could be anyone, escaping from the clout and grandeur of one’s own life in favor of a temporary façade. However, one man at the party seems to have an irresistible pull on his fellow guests, one that may not be so innocent.
A strange visitor has come to the court of Queen Halsennia. The formian taskmaster known as Gildshell has come bearing gifts and treaties for trade routes along with his jewelry-adorned carapace. Some suspect the insectile visitor of trickery, but every spymaster finds their efforts stymied by the ant-folk’s magic.
