Archives of Nethys
Source Cheliax, Infernal Inheritence pg. 32
Once human and now something apart, fetchlings display the Netherworld's ancient influence through monochrome complexions, glowing eyes, and the casting of supernatural shadows. These lithe and shadowy beings seem to sink and vanish into the gloom. They see in darkness, exercise control over shadows, and have strange occult powers.
Some fetchlings develop their powers enough to pass between the Netherworld and the Universe, leaving other ancestries to whisper about figures that emerge from shaded corners and then vanish without a trace. Through magic and other means, they've spread across Golarion and the planes beyond, as adaptable as the humans they once were.
The first fetchlings were refugees. Ages ago, when Earthfall destroyed ancient Azlant and cast the world into darkness, one small group of Azlanti pleaded for rescue. A mysterious hooded figure known as the Widow answered their call, slicing open a passage into the Netherworld. The Azlanti stepped through, trading the darkness of Earthfall for a deeper shadow. As they navigated the plane's strange environs and dangerous inhabitants, its nature slowly worked monumental changes on the survivors.
If you want a character more at home in a mirror world of shadow, infused with umbral gloom, and who embodies the dualities of light and darkness, you should play a fetchling.
You Might...
- Live and work in gloomy areas of dim light with plenty of shadows, only providing bright light when expecting visitors.
- Look to people's shadows as a way of identifying them, alongside features like stature or facial structure.
- Maintain composure when faced with strange creatures and circumstances.
Others Probably...
- Believe you have shadowy powers, such as the ability to consume light as food, melt into darkness, or travel between planes.
- Expect you to be cautious, reserved, and a loner.
- Express interest in your ancestral physiological connection to the Netherworld.
Physical Description
Most of the Netherworld appears as an altered version of the Universe but leeched of color. These same forces in the Netherworld have touched fetchlings, whose skin Fetchling tones fall on a monochromatic scale from stark white to deep black, and all the shades of gray between. Their bodies are just as diverse in shape and size as humans, though most display a certain fluidity of motion reminiscent of shifting shadows. Fetchlings’ reflective, pupilless eyes can pierce darkness. A fetchling’s most notable feature is their shadow, which almost never faithfully reflects their body. Instead, fetchling shadows might have incongruous shapes or sizes, while others flicker, move of their own accord, or imitate the shadow of another nearby creature.Society
Most fetchlings remain close to thin spots between the Universe and the Netherworld, either forming majorityfetchling communities or forging solitary paths. Groups on both planes tend to be insular; many fetchling cultures preserve memories of their early, perilous days confronting the Netherworld's hostile or beguiling denizens. Their predilection for forming tight communal bonds and adapting to local customs has spread to become part of broader fetchling culture, reinforced by two major fetchling groups—the Estlaris and Sharedars—who live in the shadow of more powerful entities.Names
Fetchlings adapted to a new world, and their names do the same. These names commonly include phonetic qualities from multiple languages or are simply local cultural names that fetchling families find compelling. Other dominant naming conventions include flowing sounds, harsh or hissing consonants, and surnames that refer to important relatives or community traits.Sample Names
Amelisce, Ashka, Drosil, Eomva, Ikyamek, Inva, Jegan, Lirtae, Meotrai, Sorsul, ZokaratzOther Information
Fetchling Adventurers
Fetchlings have a well-earned reputation as travelers. Their merchants and emissaries ply many roads, while nomads and sailors seek what lies over the next horizon. Charlatans, criminals, and street urchins carve livelihoods from inhospitable environs. Many fetchlings leverage their natural litheness as swashbucklers or rogues. The Netherworld's caress awakens hidden power in many fetchling bards or sorcerers (especially those of the shadow bloodline) or drives them to study deeper mysteries as witches or wizards.Fetchling Settlements
Many fetchlings congregate in these two cities.Beacon (Shadow Absalom): Estlaris ignore their city's common name on Golarion and instead call their home Beacon. Velstracs and intelligent undead prowl the city's sparsely traveled streets, but business thrives behind closed doors and in towering d'ziriak hives. Ships cross the parched Bay of Dusk to bring diverse wares that fuel warring factions, while the Glare at Beacon's heart can send visitors back to the exact spot from which they entered the Netherworld.
Candlease: This island of terrace farms, natural spires, and colorful woven bridges floats in the sky beneath Shadow Golarion's moon. In the Tallow amphitheater, the timely gleaming of obsidian standing stones helps predict the Lacrimosas that both take and replace Somal's Tears. Candlease also hosts storytelling contests and Brightsorrow moots.
Kayal
Many fetchlings refer to themselves as kayals, an Aklo-derived word with a meaning akin to “shadow people.” Most kayals reject the term fetchling, which they see as imposed on them by individuals bound too closely to the Universe. The word has uncertain origins, but its use is widespread in Nidal. To kayals in Nidal, their name grounds and uplifts them as a worthy people forging their own paths, not as servitors of darkness. Skeptics consider kayal to be a superficial affectation.The Widow
The Widow was one of the Forsaken— sinister demigods who once watched over the Netherworld. It heard an Azlanti call for rescue, lifted its shivering sickle, and tore a passage into darkness; those it ushered into the Netherworld became the first fetchlings. Few remember anything beyond the Widow's name, and fewer still offer it prayers. It grants power to no fetchling priests.Fetchling Mechanics
Hit Points
8Size
MediumSpeed
25 feetAttribute Boosts
DexterityFree
Languages
CommonShadowtongue
Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from Aklo, Draconic, D'ziriak, Necril, Sakvroth, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
Darkvision
You can see in darkness and dim light just as well as you can see in bright light, though your vision in darkness is in black and white.Shelyn's Corner
×Classic Feel
Classic Feel
Classic Feel
The classic look for the Archives of Nethys.
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Book Feel
Book Feel
Book Feel
An alternative feel, based on the Rulebooks.
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Round Feel
Round Feel
Round Feel
A rounded, modern look for the archives.
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Slim Feel
Slim Feel
Slim Feel
A variant of the Round feel, more compact.
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