#gearsman

 Many powerful spellcasters are famous for their control over the weather, most notably with the creation of storms, raining destruction down on foes.

That concept comes to a head today with a literal summoner of storms. These storm callers channel the element of air to gain the aid of various aerial and air-element allies, including their eidolon, but they are also capable of conjuring localized electrical storms.

With this power, such summoners are a force to be reckoned with, and are typically associated with air and storm-associated cultures, or with regions wracked by inclement weather, particularly in the Sodden Lands in the Golarion setting.

This archetype is suitable for both normal and unchained summoners as well, so that’s a fun addition.

 Due to the nature of the powers they draw upon, the eidolons of these summoners must be mystically aligned with the forces of air, being either resistant or immune to electricity. Standard eidolons must have one of those or else be weakened by the disharmony, while unchained eidolons must be of a type that naturally grants either of those, most notably certain variations of elemental or genie eidolons, though others may exist.

The natural summoning power of these conjurers is so ingrained with the air that their non-spell summoning is limited to flying creatures and elementals tied to air and lightning. However, they can also expend the energy for such summons to summon a lightning storm, calling down bolts of lightning on their foes. What’s more, they add the spells that summon similar storms to their potential spells they can learn.

That’s not the only way they can use this power, however. When their eidolon is present, they can expend this energy to cause a powerful arc between them, catching all foes in between with damaging electricity. What’s more, the summoner gains the eidolon’s protections from electricity when it is nearby.

These summoners also gain swift and easy access to flight through the same method other summoners use to siphon evolutionary potential from their eidolon, though this is in addition to that. At first, this robs the eidolon of the ability to fly, but later, both master and eidolon can fly, and later still, without any cost to the eidolon.

This is a fun archetype for combining a bit of area damage to a class normally associated with supporting a pet, allowing them to benefit from a variety of thematic summons or calling down lightning bolts on foes as needed, as well as catching foes with electric power when the eidolon is in play. The fact you’re expected to send the eidolon far afield to use with that ability means that bodyguard and flanking builds are maybe not the best option. Instead, consider a mobile combatant build that sports enough defense and agility to not take much lasting harm from foes. Perhaps a flyby build and the like. Also consider how playing either a standard summoner or the unchained variant changes the class, such as the latter having much more damaging spells than the former. Also recall that barring learning the spell versions, they don’t get as much utility variety out of their summons, limiting their versatility.

 It probably goes without saying, but the vast majority of these summoners are devotees of deities minor and major of storms, the air, and weather. Those that are not nevertheless have a great respect for those forces, perhaps with a scientist’s fascination and awe for the potential within them.

  Chosen by what he calls a “spirit of tide and storm”, Ikkusbad the grindylow has quickly risen to the status of new chieftain thanks to his burgeoning power over summoned beasts of air and storms. Drunk on his newfound power, he grows increasingly brazen in his raids on passing ships and aquatic caravans, threatening the locals.

 Appearing as a strange hybrid of cloud dragon and sky dragon, the eidolon of Neran Skycaller is a sight to behold, soaring over battlefields against the orc hordes. However, both he and the eidolon are much less effective when his foes bring summoned demons into the fray, the two staying near the back of the lines.

Music Monday-Secret of the Master Gearsman

Need some new tunes for the new week? Look no further. Today Einar Mercier is sharing his musical inspiration for Secret of the Master Gearsman with us!   These songs from my Secret of the Master Gearsman playlist were common tunes while I sat at my laptop, envisioning the fantastic Gears & Gunfighters world and the people in it! 1. “Roundtable Rival,” by Lindsay Sterling. In truth, all of her…