#tor linnorm

(art by Ageaus on DeviantArt)

One of my favorite things in Pathfinder is seeing archetypes or character options that actively encourage homebrewing just by existing, and there are few better examples than today’s subject.

Bargaining for power is nothing new in fiction and mythology. Certainly it happened enough times in the mythologies of various civilizations that it naturally would make the leap to Christianity, which in the 15th to 18th century got really on the idea of hunting down witches for daring to “deal with the Devil”, though to be clear, they were hardly the only ones doing it throughout human history. They were merely among the most infamous and ironic, given that the official stance of the church was that the Devil had no power on Earth, and that only God could theoretically grant magical to mortals if he desired such a thing. (Which makes the Malleus Malificarum, the text written by a notable misogynistic priest which was often cited by witch hunters, a heretical text. Food for thought.)

In any case, despite the dark reputation, not every such bargain is inherently ‘sinful’ or evil in nature. Mythos and fiction are full of stories of those that accept bargains with divine beings, or with nature spirits and fey.

All of this to say that the Pactbinder archetype offers a mechanical way to reflect said pacts beyond class abilities like the witch class and their patron. Anyone could entice a spirit to appear and offer a deal.

Such pactbinders may make bargains with one or more cosmic beings, carefully wording their deals to get what they want while offering something to the being that they desire, but has minimal (but not negligible) effect on the binder themselves.

However, like anything, there are limits to what one can do and how far one can stretch an agreement, and those that make too many bargains without consideration may be left a shadow of their former self.

So let’s look into it, shall we?

The first step to forming such pacts, the dedication requires study into how magical pacts operate. The character trains in diplomacy as well as the mystic field of their choice, and in turn they learn to perform basic magical vows with mystic consequences if they fail to uphold them. However, that dedication to the vow makes it easier to bargain with others in the pursuit of the vow’s goal.

One such pact these binders can call upon is a fey glamour that semi-permanently changes their appearance and lets them take on other magical disguises. However, in return, they must offer hospitality to nonhostile fey when they ask.

Back on the subject o their basic vows, some train to deepen them, increasing the diversity of social actions that benefit when they pursue the goal.

In exchange for collecting key treasures for a dragon, those that make the pact can call upon the elemental power in their breast, unleashing a mighty draconic breath upon their foes, the specifics being based upon the nature of the dragon in question.

And then there is the classic and most costly: the infernal pact. In the case of this pact, it grants a supernatural measure of luck, and makes accruing wealth through any task much easier. However, the cost is one’s very soul, and retraining away from the pact requires finding and destroying the original copy, which is no easy task.

Some instead bargain with psychopomps for an extended lifespan and a body that rises from the brink of death in extreme circumstances. The cost being that the binder agrees to be an agent of psychopomps on the material plane, offering respect for the dead and last rites when required, and of course destroying the undead.

Finally, we have a pact with a mysterious elder entity, allowing it to view the material world through the mortal’s eyes for its own sinister purposes (or maybe simply out of boredom and interest). While this normally just causes headaches and nightmares, this might get in the way during combat. However, in exchange, the mystic may gain glimpses of different lore which may be useful, and meanwhile, they can occasionally tap into the multifold gaze of the entity to summon multiple floating eyes to spy for them.

This is the sort of archetype that you can take one or two feats from and be done with, so if you’re interested in magical power that comes with restrictions on behavior as a consequence, this archetype might appeal to you, and pretty much anyone can make use of it.

What is most interesting about this archetype, however, is the fact that all of these pact feats listed are perfect examples for which to base your own homebrew pacts on! There are a myriad of magical beings, otherworldly and otherwise in Pathfinder, and limitless potential in what sort of powers a would-be occultist would want and what they’d be willing to give for it. If you’re looking to homebrew PF2E and are looking for a good starting point, this archetype and it’s feats may be a perfect place to start!

A nervous-looking fellow hires the party as bodyguards, hoping that they will keep him safe from his “debt collectors”. However, when said collectors finally show themselves, they are revealed to be a pair of kolyarut inevitables, citing that the party’s client broke a sacred pact, an error they aim to correct one way or another.

The Valewalker Farm has always had incredible crop yields, even when said fields should have been exhausted from overuse. The farm has long been the subject of debate among the surrounding halfling community, and some dare to suggest that it has to do with every young scion of the household “leaving to get married”, and that they are actually being offered to some powerful fey lord.

 When it comes to the natural world, few things compare to the vicious fury with which animals protect themselves when threatened. Even supposedly “meek” beasts can prove deadly when securing a meal, a mate, or just their continued survival against a predator.

No wonder then that many barbarians use a totem animal as their focus when raging.

In P2E, barbarians gain an “instinct”, which colors the nature of their fury and unlocks various potential barbarian feats. In particular, the animal instinct might represent a bond to an animal totem, similar to the beast totem powers of 1E, or even a lycanthropic heritage, much like the moontouched archetype of 1E.

If you’re looking for a clearly supernatural, shapeshifting barbarian, this instinct is a clear choice.

 To start off with, barbarians of this instinct pick an animal from a short list, gaining one or two types of natural attacks, many of which have a single special property in addition to being “unarmed.” Whenever the barbarian rages, they gain these natural attacks, growing claws, horns, and the like.

As they grow in power, these natural weapons improve, becoming more damaging, while certain ones gain additional reach.

Furthermore, these barbarians also become resistant to mundane attacks that pierce or cut.

As totemists of animals, it is against their beliefs to use weapons while in their rage, and to insult the animal they revere.

Additionally, the animal instinct also unlocks specific barbarian feats, namely “animal skin” which thickens their skin when unarmored and raging, the ability to shapeshift entirely into their favored animal with “animal rage”, and the ability to move and attack with the same action with “predator’s pounce”.

A great many more general feats also suit these barbarians, of particular appropriateness are acute vision, raging intimidation, acute scent, no escape, fast movement, swipe, wounded rage, sudden leap, terrifying howl, and so on.

Never worrying about being disarmed and being mobile, durable, and deadly attackers is certainly a good reason to pick this instinct. Consider carefully what animal they wish to emulate, and build based on what sort of fighting style their natural attacks favor.

 The list of animals for this option is somewhat limited, in part due to the fact that flying and swimming animals provide mobility not seen in terrestrial beasts. However, if you’re in a homebrew mood, consider expanding upon this list yourself.

  Beaumog Worg-fang is a fearsome and feral warrior, despite his stature. However, he has a bit of a strained relationship with most goodly religions on account of his goblin heritage and wolf totem makes him either secretly a barghest, or the spawn of one.

 Living in fearful reverence of the tor linnorm known as Palavakuns, the Flame Serpent tribe emulate the great dragon with fire magic and a devotion to either the dragon instinct or the snake instinct. Each year, however, his sacrifices become more and more costly, and it is an unspoken truth that many wish to be free of the beast once and for all.