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So I have a vague character concept, and I'm just wondering if there is a good way to do it in pathfinder (and PFS in specific). I'll preface this with my standard preface that I do not need this character to be super-strong mechanics wise, just 'competent.' Able to pull her weight at her level. I do not need to be crazy optimized, just good enough not to be 'the load' in a game.
(nothing against people who like to play that way, it's just not a prerequisite for me. I'm willing to give up some power for the flavor of the character.)
Thumbing through the gods of pathfinder, I came across Thisamet, the Empyrial lord of celebrations, feasts, and holidays. Basically the god of having fun and partying . . . and it got me thinking.
I've seen a lot of dour religious characters in pathfinder, heck, it is basically a class feature for most inquisitors, and a good number of paladins. I thought it would be fun to play a character with just as much religious fervor as any dawnflower cultist or Asmodian cleric, but her dedication in life was to spread happiness and joy (through parties) with any who looked down and disappointed.
Essentially a religious zealot, but all her creative energies are directed towards making people happy and upbeat, and she would be more than willing to crush those who sought to quash or damage such festivities.
1) Now the first idea is, of course, the bard. The ability to sing or tell jokes or whatever to make people better is a no-brainer, and the charisma-based build would fit with a person who is trying to make friends and help people out. Downside is that there's no religious component other than normal worship, and a straight bard seems kind of a boring build.
2) An Evangalist cleric also seems like it might work. Charisma based, able to perform to make everyone happier, and a divine source of power. However, every time I sit down to make an evangalist cleric, I dunno, but build just seems . . . well, not all that fun to play.
3) An inquisitor seems like it might work. It would certainly give me the ability to 'smite party-poopers' which is the kind of thing I'd love to do and the conversion inquisition allows me to be really good at diplomacy (because I use my wis instead of my chr), or revelry sub-domain would be appropriate. Problem is I wouldn't be able to spread joy (provide bonuses to my friends) as much as bard/evangalist.
4) Warpriest also is a solid choice, but I already have a warpriest and there would probably be a problem with being as charasmatic as I'd like.
Any other ideas/ways to make my presented builds work better?
If you like the bard, you can always take the Deific Obedience feat and possibly the Evangelist prestige class to make it feel more religious. Or the Celestial Obedience feat, if you want it to be specifically Thisamet. I don't remember boons off the top of my head, but you might find something you like, and that way you're drawing benefit from your faith.
There are bards who are very devoted to Sarenrae - two different archetypes for it. If she might support your campaign for fun you've got your religious angle. Alternately the silver balladeer archetype, while it has no explicit religious connection, seems like it should have.
What makes a build fun to play to you? I can't guess what exactly about the evangelist it is you don't like, so I can't see how to fix it.
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Rennaivx: Thisamet is an empyrial lord, so I can't take deific obedience for him, meaning that I can't go into that PrC. Additionally, there is so little information on him that there is't even a celestial obedience for him.
Avr: I was really hoping to play a worshiper of Thisamet. As for what makes things fun for me to play? Hmmm.
I guess I like to play people who break the mold a bit. I like finding fun and interesting ways to do things or use class abilities. I mean, I dunno. I like three things
1) a character that has one thing that they can do exceedingly well (not just hit enemies, but things like, I have a find/remove traps guy, a super knowledge guy, a guy who gets rid of deeper darkness)
2) A character that plays against type. I have a dex barbarian, a melee mesmerist, an occultist knight, a mounted summoner.
3) A character whose abilities and personality compliment each other in a theme. I have a goth void kineticist, an animist shaman based on a Shinto priest, a sailor-moon styled magical child vigilante.
My problem with the evangalist cleric is that I don't really see anything fun to do except start singing and then wait to cast a few spells. Additionally, they can't spontaneously convert cure spells, they are bad at channel energy, and they have few skill ranks a level, so I wouldn't be a terribly effective cleric. Lastly, the vague build I have in my head relies on me having a decent number of skill points, so I could throw a few out for RP purposes to things like perform: dance or profession: party planner. I want diplomacy, knowledge-local, (probably spellcraft just for spellcasting purposes). Y'know, things that would make me good at throwing parties and making friends.
I guess I like to play people who break the mold a bit. I like finding fun and interesting ways to do things or use class abilities.
Are you me?
I would definitely say a bard is your best way to go here. The Arcane Healer archetype, while not making you a religious character per se, would let you play one on TV. Songhealer would be similar.
Aside from that, you might also consider an Order of the Star cavalier. This would give you some of the "smite party-pooper" abilities of an inquisitor, and would let you boost your Charisma for a mechanical advantage. You lose most of the religion-based magic of your other options, though (you'd have to multiclass into them).
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I may not be you, but I think we are on the same wavelength.
well, I found out that I could be a Zelot vigilante and get divine spells as well as a smite, but that seems fairly MAD, as the smite is charisma based, and the spells are wisdom based.
I guess I wanna know is if there is a divine caster that can hand out buffs (preferably morale buffs other than the normal spells like bless) and can work with this kooky 'party time" build? I guess a revalry cleric gets good hope at five. . .
Still, I was hoping for an inquisitor or something.
I think you said it best yourself - you wanna play a religious zealot? Why not go for a Zealot Vigilante? Your social persona would be a fun-loving bar owner who is well loved among the populace for their generosity and easygoing spirit (along with all the parties they host), while by night (or by day, considering the parties?) they are Thisamet's voice - a protector of the people, taking on the criminals and beasts so that the people can be free to dance and sing and party until the sun rises.
Judging by Thisamet's portfolio I think you could swing the Ale/Bravery/Freedom/Wine Inquisition choices, and Conversion is a pretty good pick. Alternatively you could focus on inspiring allies and pick up the Valor inquisition to deal with Fear effects.
A Vigilant Defender inquisitor might fit your needs - the shared judgement is a buff you can pass around.
If you want skill points on a cleric you do need to go with a different archetype. Cardinal gets 6 base (but isn't the type to be smiting anyone), Herald Caller gets 4.
One more idea: a lore shaman can steal a few spells from the sorc/wiz list which could include good hope and/or other enchantments.
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Well, here's what I'd really like to do. I guess it's not possible within PFS, but if anyone has any ideas about any work-arounds, or something that could be similar, I'd love to hear them
I'd like something equivalent to Bardic Performance, divine spellcasting, some skill points, and a good charisma, and possibly the ability to smite some enemies but good. I know that's asking a lot, but that's I feel, at the heart of the build.
An evangalist cleric technically gives me all of that, including good hope if I take the revelry sub-domain, except their performance MUST be oratory (not sing, or dance, or whatever). And I can't change that because of PFS.
A zelot vigilante with the alternate multiclassing (bard) gives me that, but I don't have the PFS boon for it.
Avr: The Vigilant Defender would actually be great if the bonus didn't last for only a single round . . . that's pretty lame.
PCScipio: Technically, the Shaman, while a divine caster, doesn't get her spells from a god. Though a spirit Guide Oracle does get what I want from that, and nets me a good charisma to boot. However, none of the mysteries really speak to me (though I suppose Life is good), and none of the spirits really work for a partier either.
I suppose I have to bite the bullet and decide what I want to cut.
One more idea. A medium is a sort-of divine caster when they want to be, has 4 base skill points (+2 when they're a trickster), uses charisma and can hit their enemies pretty well. Now the hard part: either you take the storyteller archetype who gets bardic performance (act, comedy or oratory) but can't change which spirit they channel so they either fight or cast cleric spells or get +2 skill points on any given day. Or, you take the spirit dancer archetype and can change the spirit on the spur of the moment but you don't get bardic performance (though you can still share the seance boons.)
It's not strictly devoted to any one god, true.
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Been messing around with possible builds. I'love be posting a few of them one at a time.
Zelot vigilante (human)
Str 9, dex 16, con 14 Int 13 wis 13 chr14
Level 1: fast learner, weapon finesse
Level 2 smithing vigalante talent (zelot unique)
Level 3 dervish dance
Level 4
Level 5 improvisation
What it can do: There are a few morale buffs in there including (at level 7, contagious zeal, which isn't great, but is better than nothing). Doesn't 'feel' right, but it's got a lot of skills to throw around and allows me to smite anyone who's lawful or chaotic. Damage output is lacking though.