Rivethun Involutionist (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)
(art by JaqenArt on DeviantArt)
And now we have the third and final Rivethun archetype this week, a more spell-focused form of mystic in the form of the involutionist!
Now, the word “involution” means “intricate or complex, including in the mathematical context, where it can refer to an operation that, when applied to itself, results in the original number”.
Given what we know about the beliefs, methods, and goals of the Rivethun philosophy, we can infer that this name imples that these mages not only leverage their connection to the spirit world, but use their own capacity for self-examination in order to develop their spellcasting abilities.
Why this results in having a spiritually-empowered companion is not entirely clear, but let’s be honest, everyone needs an emotional support critter.
The base dedication for this archetype comes with training in nature and religion, as well as a handful of cantrips.
They also can learn the basic, expert, and master spellcasting benefits, gaining a handful of spell slots and divine spells to use with them.
Involutionists often attract a companion to their side that acts as a conduit and vessel for the spiritual power they invoke. This also gives them the benefit of being able to become partially spiritual alongside their companion, striking at the very soul of their foes. If they already have a companion, it gains these blessings instead.
Naturally, they also have feats for improving their animal companion, maturing them and granting them other benefits.
Where things get interesting is when they choose to specialize the companion. They gain access to a unique specialization, causing the companion to be able to reach into the spirit world, able to strike incorporeal beings. They can still take other specializations with more investment of training, but the first must be this blessing.
This archetype is arguably the most simple of the Rivethun archetypes. It grants divine spellcasting on the one end and a companion creature on the other. In theory you could use the archetype for just the spellcasting, but at that point you might as well do a divine caster multiclass like cleric or oracle. Indeed, what sets this archetype apart is the companion options, with the ability to shift to spirit damage and the long-term reward of being a ghost hunter. Definitely invest in the companion feats at least somewhat, but you can go as deep or shallow into the spellcasting as you wish. A class and build that is at least somewhat competent in a fight is preferable if plan to stay close to your companion and fight alongside them.
Much like the other Rivethun archetypes, it can be fun to come up with personalities for the spirits you invoke. Of course, one must also answer the question of whether their animal companion has a separate persona from the spirit, or whether it itself is a spirit given corporeal form, if it even is an animal at all.
As a place where the dead are laid to rest, the Catacombs of Kortress have had their share of hauntings over the years. As such, expeditions are sometimes mounted to the deepest parts to try and put to rest. The leader of one such expedition, Dralthar, is looking to recruit adventurers to join him and his elk companion in the depths.
A longtime practitioner of spirit magic, the kholo Emjati sees to the needs of her clan, but will also provide spellcasting and advice to outsiders in need as long as they can pay. In a pinch they also will fight as well, standing alongside her lion companion Little Sun.
Normally the Vashuun Conclave deals in earthy spiritual matters, but when a morrigna psychopomp makes itself known and starts asking questions, it is clear that matters are far beyond their normal scope, especially when the spirit reveals that she is hunting a thief of souls.
