So, ever since the introduction of the Witch class, I have wanted to make a PC coven. There are several options in support of this, but some issues as well.
PC's with the ability to join covens include:
Witches (all archetypes) with the Coven Hex
Hexcrafter Magus with the Coven Hex
Accursed bloodline Sorcerers
Shaman with the Coven Hex
Blood Arcanists with the Accursed bloodline
Spirit Summoner with the Coven Hex
Any class with the VMC Witch with the Coven Hex
Any class wearing a Shawl of the Crone (UE, 16000gp)
But there is the caveat that the Coven must include at least one actual Hag. There are a great many Hags in PF.
Annis, Blood, Green, Mute, Night, Pit, Storm, Swamp, and Winter Hags; plus Graeae (Mythic). Swaithe demons and Witchfires can also join covens, though you still need a (living) Hag.
The Blood Hag is on the Monster Cohorts list, at an ECL of 16, so that is an option. I was hoping the new Cohorts and Companions book would offer additional options, but it seems that it has not. You can get around this requirement with an Iron Collar of the Unbound Coven (ACG, 23000gp).
So, what is the rules question, I can hear you thinking?
The Witch Hag of Gyronna archetype can summon a Night Hag, but only one a week for a few rounds. Would this be sufficient to form a coven? They would only be able to use the coven spells when the hag is present.
If you used Monstrous Physique to adopt the form of a Hag, would that be sufficent? Forming a coven isn't on the list of abilities it can grant, but then it also isn't an ability actually listed for hags either.
I wonder about using Planar Ally/Binding on a Night Hag but those spells are so much under GM determination it would be hard to discuss.
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Iron Collar of the Unbound Coven is what you need. It's a bit pricey - 46K, but that lets you form coven without a hag.
Link to d20pfsrd.
For your question I believe the answer would be yes, but only those rounds when Night hag is summoned.
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I actually built an NPC coven using the collar. I'm a huge fan of changelings, so I got together an actual witch, a hexcrafter magus, and a sorceress with the accursed bloodline. (Technically, the 100% RAW is debatable due to wording quirks.)
That said, the VMC Witch thing is pretty huge - looking forward to trying to do something with that. ^_^
Binding would almost certainly work if willing to pay the cost. Alternatively, if this isn't PFS, most GMs would be willing to work with you; I be you can get one to agree to a lesser hag a monster cohort. Alternatively, I suspect if you do enough work a GM would allow you to form a coven without a hag, seems like a silly restriction anyway.
But if you have a stickler for the rules I believe a summoned night hag would work while it is present or the iron collar. But under the RAW you will be waiting a while.
+1 for working with your DM.
Stuff like this is COOL. I would be under the opinion that if you provided the necessary effort in both out of game written backstory, in game effort, and in game role-play, 9 out of 10 DMs would work with you on where you want this to go and how far you're willing to take it.
They might not even charge you much in the gold department or require you to get a hag cohort.
If I were running your game and you spent several (in-game) weeks tracking down a hag and offering to band around it as it's coven, that hag would probably be willing to listen.
Iron Collar of the Unbound Coven is what you need. It's a bit pricey - 46K, but that lets you form coven without a hag.
Link to d20pfsrd.For your question I believe the answer would be yes, but only those rounds when Night hag is summoned.
I mentioned that in my OP, but for some reason listed the cost instead of the price. But thanks!
I actually built an NPC coven using the collar. I'm a huge fan of changelings, so I got together an actual witch, a hexcrafter magus, and a sorceress with the accursed bloodline. (Technically, the 100% RAW is debatable due to wording quirks.)
That said, the VMC Witch thing is pretty huge - looking forward to trying to do something with that. ^_^
I do wish changelings had some alt racial trait, or race trait, or racial feat, or......something, that would let them join a coven, regardless of class. And, hopefully, to count as the hag needed to form it.
Also, it would be cool if Mestama or Gyronna offered a boon to worshipers to join a coven.