In 1st Edition the Archetypes and Prestige Classes included a lot of great Golarion lore. However, the lore used to explore Archetypes, and occasionally Prestige Classes, had a tendency to only scratch the surface. When looking at related Archetypes and Prestige Classes we can get a deeper look at the lore surrounding different topics. Additionally, when looking at other game elements that mix both lore and rules a topic can be even further explored. These game elements often include specific Equipment, Magic Items, Spells, Feats, and Traits. If you want to explore any of the rules elements mentioned below, I recommend visiting the Archives of Nethys website: https://www.aonprd.com/.
To maintain a consistent standard I have approached each Archetype or Prestige Class with the following questions.
Archetype/Prestige: What is its name?
Religion: Is it associated with a particular religion?
Institution: Is it part of a specific institution? (Examples: Magaambya, Government of Absalom, Local Town Guard, etc.)
Structure: How is the institution structured or arranged? (Examples: Hellknight Ranks, arranged according to customs of local town guard, etc.)
Location: Where is it located?
Ancestry: Is it associated with a particular Ancestry or cultural group?
Lore: What do we know and/or not know about it?
See Also: Where are additional lore elements included in things like Feats, Magic Items, etc.?
2E Note: Has this appeared in 2E and if so, how has it been updated?
If you know of anything I missed (magic item, spell, feat, trait, etc.) please let me know!
Archetype/Prestige: Aeromancer
Religion: Any
Institution: No specific institution but is taught in schools that study the Shory and their lost arts.
Structure: Dependent on individual organization, otherwise independent practitioners.
Location: Shory Empire originally, now wider spread
Ancestry: Any
Lore: Few who study aeromancy today can rival the abilities of the Shory Aeromancers. Those who do study the ancient practice of Shory aeromancy have uncovered enough information they have slowly recreate the traditions of the Aeromancer. These modern Aeromancers often continue to seek out and gain new knowledge of the Shory Aeromancer traditions.
See Also: Ancient Tradition: Shory (Feat), Truth-Seeker (Story Feat), Pharaoh’s Key (Magic Item), Shory Acolyte’s Staff (Magic Item), Blight Siphoner (Magic Item), Jungle Seeker’s Monocle (Magic Item), Scion of the Shory (Trait) Unerring Compass (Magic Item).
2E Note: Not updated at this time.
Archetype/Prestige: Aerochemist
Religion: Any
Institution: No specific institution but is taught in schools that study the Shory and their lost arts.
Structure: Dependent on individual organization, otherwise independent practitioners.
Location: Shory Empire originally, now wider spread
Ancestry: Any
Lore: Aeromancy was only one approach to air magic that was utilized by the Shory. Aerochemistry played an important role in the technologies used that would eventually raise and keep afloat the sky cities of the Shory. Just as Aeromancers seek to recreate the magical practices of the Shory, Aerochemists seek to recreate the alchemical practices of the Shory. While not quite as advanced in the recreation of Shory practices as the Aeromancers, the Aerochemists are just as eager discover and research Shory traditions.
See Also:
2E Note: Not updated at this time.
Archetype/Prestige: Aerial Assaulter
Religion: Any
Institution: No specific institution but is taught in schools that study the Shory and their lost arts.
Structure: Dependent on individual organization, otherwise independent practitioners.
Location: Shory Empire originally, now wider spread
Ancestry: Any
Lore: While not as ardently researched as aeromancy and aerochemistry, the combat techniques of the Shory have started gaining greater interest as a field of study. The unique tactical advantages gained by the Shory in both small and large scale combat are starting to be recognized for their advantages. Those who have begun to recreate the techniques of the Shory’s Aerial Assaulters have only increased the interest in this ancient combat style.
See Also:
2E Note: Not updated at this time.