Archives of Nethys
Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48An imposing marble structure, crumbling ever so slowly into ruin, stands near the Startstone Cathedral in the Ascendant Court. The abandoned Sanctuary of Prescience was meant to be a temple dedicated to the Mwangi mathematician Mbali Xohosta after her success at the Test of the Startstone made her a god of advance planning and foresight. Mbali prepared for her ascension meticulously, including designing the temple and directing her many adherents to build it. But instead, she failed the test and disappeared forever. The nearly completed temple was duly abandoned, yet Mbali's exacting legal provisions have rendered the Absalom authorities powerless to demolish or transfer ownership of the large building. So it remains, a palpable warning to presumptuous overachievers—a warning that Startstone aspirants pointedly ignore.
When told that they're impressive enough to be gods, Startstone aspirants don't dismiss the comment as mere flattery. Instead, they internalize yet another token of encouragement for what they know in their heart of hearts to be their ultimate fate: apotheosis. In striving to join the ranks of the Ascended (those gods who achieved their divine status through the mysterious power of the Startstone), Startstone aspirants believe that they'll continue to be exceptions, ever counted among those few individuals so favored by fortune that, no matter the odds, they'll triumph.
While deification through the Test of the Startstone is better attested than any other of the myriad paths that have led a handful of individuals to immortality and eternal power, even this route is unique—no two aspirants ever arrive at the doors of the Startstone Cathedral having made the same choices. For some, the transition to godhood is sudden and unexpected, as famously happened with Cayden Cailean; for others, it's the result of decades of study and preparation, of undertaking colossal tasks and nurturing a following, such was the case for Iomedae. For those willing to embark on a long and intentional journey, dedication to the path of Startstone aspirant has the potential to bring them one step closer to their lofty goal. But like with so many ventures, it isn't a guaranteed road to success.
While this archetype doesn't allow you to achieve full godhood, it serves as an excellent precursor to the godling mythic destiny if your GM decides to use the mythic rules. Whether you eventually assume godhood because you passed the Test of the Startstone or through other means is up to you, your GM, and your campaign!
Starstone Aspirant Dedication Feat 2
Uncommon Archetype Dedication Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Divine glory awaits! You embrace your longing to make a true and lasting difference in the Universe by embarking on the path to apotheosis. You dedicate yourself to this journey, striving to overcome all your imperfections. Each day during your daily preparations, choose a skill you're untrained in. You can attempt skill actions that normally require you to be trained in that skill, and you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to checks with that skill until your next daily preparations. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +2, and at 15th level, this bonus increases to +3.
For the Fallen! [one-action] Feat 4
Archetype Flourish Press Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
So many other hopefuls have attempted the Test of the Starstone before you and failed. Whether they were killed or disappeared, you vow to honor their memories by succeeding where they failed. This drive allows to push forward after you've already made an attack. You Step and then Strike.
Minor Deific Power Feat 4
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
Your mental, physical, and spiritual training have granted you access to divine magic that doesn't rely on any other deity or patron. Choose a common divine cantrip and one common 1st-rank divine spell. You can cast the cantrip as a divine innate spell at will and the 1st-rank spell as a divine innate spell once per day.
Norgorber's Secret Feat 4
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
Being the god of secrets, Norgorber has erased all traces of his life before his ascension so that his every mortal act and even his identity remain unknown and unknowable. Something about this path intrigues you, and you've trained your own mind to defy intrusions. You gain mental resistance equal to half your level and a +2 circumstance bonus to saving throws against effects that attempt to read your mind or discern your location.
Cayden's Freedom Feat 6
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
Even if you've never downed a tankard of ale nor indulged in a night of rowdy revelry, you appreciate the dedication to freedom from Cayden Cailean and his worshippers. After much physical practice, you've become difficult to restrain, and if you're ever grabbed, you can access a little bit of the Accidental God's luck. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to your Fortitude DC when resisting an opponent's attempts to Grapple you or Swallow you Whole. In addition, you gain the Liberate Self action.
Liberate Self [one-action]
Divine FortuneSource Hellfire Dispatches pg. 48
Frequency once per day
Requirements You're grabbed, immobilized, or restrained
Attempt to Escape, rolling the check twice and taking the better result.
Iomedae's Valor [reaction] Feat 6
Archetype Divine Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Frequency once per day
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
Trigger You would be reduced to 0 Hit Points but not immediately killed.
Though you might not be walking the virtuous path of honor and justice most often associated with Iomedae, you have studied her mortal bravery and can emulate it when you're on the brink of defeat. You avoid being knocked out and remain at 1 Hit Point. You also gain a number of temporary Hit Points equal to your level that last for 1 minute and a +1 status bonus to AC for 1 round.
Advanced Deific Power Feat 8
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Minor Deific Power
Like a muscle, the more you flex your divine power, the stronger it gets. Choose two common divine spells, one of 2nd rank and one of 3rd rank. You can cast each of these spells as divine innate spells once per day.
Aroden's Innovation Feat 8
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication
As befits the god of humanity and innovation, Aroden left teachings that continue to inspire. You've studied his works, and you understand the need to constantly reinvent yourself to meet new challenges. Each day during your daily preparations, choose a general feat of 3rd level or lower. If you meet the feat's prerequisites, you gain the benefits of that feat until your next daily preparations.
Gather Disciples Feat 10
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Starstone Aspirant Dedication; master in Religion
Gods need followers, and you know that its best to gather a flock in the present to support you in your endeavor. Of course, you'll reward their faith in you in the future when you become a true deity. You can spend 1 week of downtime in a settlement to evangelize your coming godhood and establish a small group of disciples to your faith. Once this group has been established, these disciples are always helpful to you. You can use Religion to Request something of them, though your request must be able to be performed by the type of people who would follow you, at the GM's discretion. If you critically succeed at this check, your disciples give a piece of helpful advice or let you in on a small secret, granting you or a member of your party a +2 circumstance bonus to the first skill check you attempt when acting on the favor. If you critically fail this check, your disciples' attitude toward you doesn't worsen.
You can have three groups of disciples at any one time (or five if you're legendary in Religion). If you exceed this number, the oldest group disbands and must be established again if you return to that settlement.
Greater Deific Power Feat 12
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Advanced Deific Power
Divine power continues to fill you. Choose two common divine spells, one of 4th rank and one of 5th rank. You can cast each of these spells as divine innate spells once per day.
Major Deific Power Feat 18
Archetype Source Hellfire Dispatches pg. 49
Archetype Starstone Aspirant
Prerequisites Greater Deific Power
As your apotheosis into living godhood approaches, you accrue the strongest of divine power. Choose three common divine spells, one of 6th rank, one of 7th rank, and one of 8th rank. You can cast each of these spells as divine innate spells once per day.
Shelyn's Corner
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The classic look for the Archives of Nethys.
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