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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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

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Secrets of Magic / Magic Items

Fulus

Source Secrets of Magic pg. 158 1.1
These rectangular paper charms originate from the temples of Tian Xia, where priests provide them to ward a homestead or protect travelers on the road. Others use fulus in rituals, summoning spirits to aid them in cleansing evil.

Many regional variants of fulus, each of which carries a different name, exist throughout Tian Xia. The workings behind the writings remained a secret until scholars correctly deduced that the charms were, in fact, edicts that commanded magic to act in the fashion prescribed by the talisman. Deciphering these writings allowed for the creation of fulus that draw power from sources as diverse as a witch's patron, an arcane legacy, or the changing of the seasons. For the creative adventurer, this lightweight paper makes a versatile tool with many potential applications.

Creating your own Fulu

Many fulus replicate spell effects, functioning much like scrolls affixed onto the targets. As the GM, if you want to create a new fulu using this concept, in general, the number of fulus needed to replicate a spell is the same as the number of actions required to Cast the Spell. You can draw that full set of fulus into one hand with the same Interact action. While this means affixing time is equal to casting time, the fulus don't need to be affixed on the same turn, so take that into account when deciding whether or how to build a particular fulu. If a spell has more than three targets, such as a heightened remove fear, you might allow for the creation of a fulu that's affixed to the ground and that affects targets within a certain distance once a character places the last one.

Fulu Rules

Source Secrets of Magic pg. 158 1.1
Fulu: Fulus are small paper charms that can be affixed to a suit of armor, a shield, a weapon, a creature, or even a structure. Some fulus are composed of multiple such charms, taking effect only once all have been affixed. Normal fulus have effects immediately once affixed, while fulu talismans have an effect only once activated. Once a fulu has been activated, it lasts for the given duration and then burns out. Unless otherwise noted, fulus expire one year after being created, reverting to mundane paper.

All fulus have the fulu and consumable traits. Fulus also have a tradition trait—either arcane, divine, occult or primal—determined by the magical tradition of its creator. For example, a fulu created by a priest would have the divine trait, whereas a witch who dabbles in fate might create a fulu with the occult trait. Some fulus also have the talisman trait, if they work similarly to talismans (such as being affixed to a suit of armor, a shield, or a weapon.

Each fulu's stat block indicates the type of item or creature it can be affixed to. Affixing or removing a fulu requires using the Affix a Fulu activity, or the Affix a Talisman action instead if the fulu is also a talisman.

Using Fulus

Source Secrets of Magic pg. 158 1.1
Beyond fulu talismans, non-talisman fulus can be affixed or removed easily, though removing a fulu causes it to immediately burn out. The paper is fragile, easily destroyed by hazards such as water, fire, or an observant enemy when either unattended or affixed to the ground or a structure. Fulus that are also talismans use the normal rules for Affixing and removing talismans instead of the action presented here.

Affix a Fulu [one-action]

Manipulate 
Source Secrets of Magic pg. 158 1.1
You affix a fulu to an armor, weapon, shield, creature, or structure that's beside or in the same square as you. A creature can remove a fulu from itself or an unattended object in its reach with a single action.

Crafting a Fulu

Source Secrets of Magic pg. 158 1.1
Fulus can be created using the Crafting skill like any other magic item, and they have a batch size of four, meaning you can Craft four copies of the same fulu at a time. A fulu's script consists of symbols citing the person or place from which the fulu draws power, a symbol of command, details of the desired effect, and other formulaic elements to complete the charm. Each part is written as the crafter recites a spell mantra, with the crafter's powers and magic essences weaving into the ink and paper. As creating a fulu requires knowledge of these mantras, a fulu can't be disassembled to learn its formula like many other items—the formula for a fulu can be learned only firsthand.

Unlike most items, the ritualistic aspect of fulus' creation allows the creator to expedite the process, though doing so decreases the fulus' stability. A character with the formula for a fulu can Craft up to four fulus for their full price in a single day of downtime, rather than taking four days as normal for the Craft downtime activity. However, if they do so, the fulus only last for a month, rather than a year. This is perfect for fulus you expect to use soon after Crafting them, as in that case, there isn't much difference between a month and a year.

Related Rules

Chapter 11: Crafting & Treasure (Source Core Rulebook pg. 531 4.0)