I have a question about variant channeling.
An iconic ability of clerics is their power to channel positive or negative energy, whether for healing, for damage, or to turn or command the undead. However, given the great variety of deities and their divine portfolios, it naturally follows that some deities would endow their mortal servants with the power to channel energies in other ways that more closely mirror their particular focus. The following categories are examples of alternative channeling abilities based on the nature of a deity's power; for example, a fire deity's negative energy channeling may deal fire damage as part of or instead of the damage from channeling.
When you create a cleric character, decide whether she uses the standard form of channel energy or a variety presented here based on one aspect of her deity's portfolio.
(Emphasis mine.)
Sivanah, for example, has the following:
Portfolio: Illusions, Reflections, Mystery, Veils
Her domains include several that are listed as variant channeling options. Her portfolio, however, includes none. So strictly by RAW (i.e. for PFS purposes), does that mean deities with such portfolios cannot grant variant channeling?
I would say no. Their is no 'illusive', 'reflective', 'mysterious', or 'veilic' type of damage.
I would say no. Their is no 'illusive', 'reflective', 'mysterious', or 'veilic' type of damage.
That's not what variant channeling is about.
The variant channeling themes and the portfolio aren't going to match up because they don't write with the other in mind. The portfolios are going to be plain language. You're better off looking at the domains, which are standardized.
If you're not PFS (I don't know if Variant Channeling is permitted in PFS), work with your GM to determine which ones apply to the deity you have in mind. E.g. Deception/Lies, Magic, and Shadow would all seem reasonable.
I would say that the Inner Sea Gods was written after the Ultimate Magic and the available channel variations should get a revision.
Both Mysteries and Veils portfolios could probbaly qualify for Secrets.
And Illusions should qualify for Trickery.
But what you should be looking on are her Domains:
Domains Knowledge, Madness, Magic, Rune, Trickery
Those are all on the list of variant channeling.