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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

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Theme Templates

Source Character Guide pg. 116 2.0
Even with these provided NPC statistics, it might still be challenging to flesh out the full ranks of a major organization, as you might need many different members of varying level and rank. The final part of this section presents a number of theme templates that you can apply to an existing creature or NPC stat block to help meet the need for your encounter or story. These templates are intended to provide a different set of abilities and equipment that grant a generic creature the appropriate flavor to present a character that is part of an organization without having to create a new set of statistics from scratch.

If you’d like to create your own theme templates, you can use these existing adjustments as a framework, though creating a creature or NPC from the ground up is recommended when possible and when time permits. These templates are fast and easy ways to make adjustments that are roughly balanced and that contain significant flavor of the organization.

Click here for the full rules on Theme Templates.

Aldori Swordlords

Source Character Guide pg. 128 2.0
Aldori swordlords are masters of combat trained in the Aldori dueling sword. They value honor above everything.

Aspis Consortium

Source Character Guide pg. 128 2.0
Members of the Aspis Consortium are always seeking ways to earn more coin. They are unscrupulous and aggressive in their methods, and put finances above morality.

Bellflower Network

Source Character Guide pg. 128 2.0
Members of the Bellflower Network fight against slavery where they can, liberating slaves and helping those in need.

Deity Worshiper

Source Gods & Magic pg. 10 2.0
Theme templates allow a GM to replicate creatures and NPCs that worship specific deities.

Eagle Knights

Source Character Guide pg. 128 2.0
The Eagle Knights are a military group dedicated to fighting tyranny and defending their homeland, Andoran. They risk their lives to fight injustice and champion the rights of the individual.

Firebrands

Source Character Guide pg. 129 2.0
Firebrands tend to be rebellious liberators or boastful daredevils. They seek to draw attention to themselves.

Hellbound Creature

Source Bestiary 3 pg. 64
Sadly, there's no shortage of people willing to trade all they have for the promise of power. Infernal contracts are the most common of such agreements, but powerful devils can offer even greater abilities at the cost of the mortal's soul and an obligation to advance Hell's infernal agenda. This mortal becomes a fiend known as a Hellbound creature.

Hellbound is a theme template applied to creatures and NPCs to reflect powers gained through a bargain with Hell. Theme templates provide additional abilities to the base creature based on its level. When you add any template that grants numerous additional abilities, you should strongly consider removing one or more of the creature's original abilities to compensate, or consider raising the creature's level by 1 and adjusting its other statistics accordingly.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Custom Contracts

You can modify the abilities in the Hellbound creature template to suit the devil granting them or the specific agreement. For example, a mortal seeking allure might gain Diplomacy rather than Deception and charm rather than burning hands.

Hellknights

Source Character Guide pg. 129 2.0
Hellknights are disciplined individuals who seek to maintain order and quell chaos. The myriad Hellknight orders are all highly structured and regimented. This template gives a low-level creature significantly more treasure than the normal maximum for its level, due to expensive armor; adjust the total treasure in your adventure accordingly.

Houses of Perfection

Source Character Guide pg. 129 2.0
The students of the Houses of Perfection are dedicated to the martial and mystical practices of Vudra. They are disciplined figures capable of improbable physical feats.

Knights of Lastwall

Source Character Guide pg. 129 2.0
Though their nation of Lastwall has fallen, the Knights of Lastwall remain vigilant against the undead. They are unwavering in their cause and fight with honor.

Lion Blades

Source Character Guide pg. 129 2.0
The Lion Blades are a secret organization in Taldor, protecting the nation via espionage, intrigue, and infiltration. They creatively use every tool at their disposal.

Pathfinder Society

Source Character Guide pg. 130 2.0
The Pathfinder Society recruits members of all kinds, so long as they are willing to report, explore, and cooperate. These like-minded adventurers and explorers travel the world to seek new knowledge and experiences.

Red Mantis Assassin

Source Character Guide pg. 130 2.0
The Red Mantis are assassins for hire who work under a strict code of rules and requirements. Once they are on the job, these tireless killers relentlessly pursue their targets.

The Magaambya

Source Character Guide pg. 130 2.0
The Magaambya is an academic institution dedicated to the study of magic, and its members are known for combining magical traditions in unique ways.

Whispering Way

Source Character Guide pg. 130 2.0
The Whispering Way is a cult of necromancers, nihilists, and undead intent on supporting Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant. They are zealous in their efforts to further the lich's goals.