Venture-Captain, Mississippi–Hattiesburg
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So I was thinking of creating a new character (At the moment my lowest non-Core character is level 5.) and settled on creating a Rahadoumi Pure Legionnaire. The build involved him being a Daring Champion Cavalier with Order of the First Law and Slashing Grace with a scimitar then sliding into the Pure Legion Enforcer prestige class. He was going to be sweeeeeet! Here I am getting all pumped up for some fun and interesting role-play opportunities and able to hold my own in combat situations... then I see that Order of the First Law (from People of the Sands) is not PFS legal. Noooooooooo! My world is crushed. Well... it really took the wind out of my sails.
So I guess the question is, why is this order not sanctioned?
Is the order's abilities too strong? I've never really played a cavalier before so I'm not too knowledgeable on their overall power depending on the order. The Order of the First Law gives 1 temporary hit point on his turn every round he makes an attack against the target of his challenge. This ability increases by 1 for every 4 levels he possesses and any temp hit points go away after 1 hour. Sounds great and maybe a little powerful, but since you are unable to benefit from any divine magic (healing), does it balance out? Or is the way it is written not give any real drawbacks if you do not adhere to the Law of Man?
Or did I answer my own question?
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
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I assume it's less about power and more about the HUGE potential for PvP. A member of the Pure Legion would find it hard, if not impossible, to follow the motto of the Society when partnered with divine casters.
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Most things are banned because they do not fit the flavor of Golarion as it is currently and/or PCs who would be agents of the Society -or- for mechanical reasons. In this case, it is probably the former. Here are some likely reasons why:
A) Rahadoum, and in turn the Order of the First Law/Pure Legion, are aggressively secular and against any form of divine spellcasting (but especially spellcasting from Deities). This immediately puts them into direct opposition to many of their fellow Pathfinders.
B) The Pure Legion's primary function is to ensure that no religious contraband enters Rahadoum's borders and in turn enforce the Laws of Man within the nation's borders, specifically the First Law. This further complicates an Order of the First Law/Pure Legion character becoming a globetrotting, artifact recovering adventurer who engages in regular smuggling of said artifacts. Many of which may have divine origins.
C) Traditionally, the Society is NOT welcome in Rahadoum. Scenarios taking place there have made this clear. It would make no sense for agents to come from or belong to the ranks of the Pure Legion or later join them. Port Godless & The Heresy Of Man Series both involve the Society having to sneak into the nation.
In all, I don't think this is a mechanical issue at all, just a flavor one where they can't reconcile these rules options with the premise of PFS.
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I tried an OotL Cavalier in a homegame who was a hired mercenary, refused healing and buffs from divine casters. Problem is when your character keeps resisting any divine assistance, even if beneficial, you get this odd clash with other players at the table. Specifically other players will try and forcefully heal you with divine magics.
Its really no different than playing a Hallit character whose traditions instill into themselves a hatred towards magics, when it comes to roleplaying anyway.
Which again, players will forcefully try to help you with divine/arcane magics.
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Venture-Captain, Mississippi–Hattiesburg
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@countchocula - Razmir?!?! What heretics! (I'm actually going through Masks of the Living God in Core mode with my Level 4 Cleric of Asmodeus... one more fight to go!)
@Bazaar - Yeah, I could see how that would be weird with the other players as well. Creates a dissonance with people!
@Nohwear - I know :( I was wondering if it was the mechanics and realized it was the theme.
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Plus it would be fairly entertaining, at least to me, to roleplay as a PLE. When your PLE character meets the divine caster of the party you can always handout a business card that states he is "atheistic mercenary for hired". On the back of the card is the following:
"Dear god-lover,
We can get along in this mission as long as you:
1) Don't heal or bolster me with your foul magic.
2) Don't talk to me in anyway about your faith.
3) If you can selectively channel, exclude me always.
Otherwise there shouldn't be a problem between us. Have a nice day."
Why is a PLE not at home in Rahadoum? Taking a vacation from work or maybe exiled from Rahadoum for a crime the PLE had committed.
Why is the PLE at the Society while exiled/on-vacation? Mutual benefits.
"In addition to getting payed, I won't kill your divine-casters. In exchange I will kill other divine-casters."
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You are welcome in my house. We can break bread together and delve into ancient tombs to recover relics.
We can stand side by side as we work to close the World Wound or defeat Runelords from ages past.
All I ask, is that you not proselytize to myself or my children.
Find your followers elsewhere.
-Hassam al-Rashid
Rahadoumi archaeologist and Pathfinder.