In anticipation of the new Absalom book, I went through the old 1E Archetypes and Prestige Classes to see what have been talked about in the past and get an idea of what we might see updated in the new book.
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!
CITY OF ABSALOM
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Arcanamirium Crafter
Religion: Any
Institution: Arcanamirium College
Structure: Loosely organized, individual graduates in the study of Arcanamirium Crafting.
Location: Absalom, et al
Ancestry: None
Lore: The Arcanamirium College is a prestigious arcane school in Absalom that was originally founded by the Arclords of Nex. The school is particularly well known for its studies in the crafting of items imbued with arcane magic. Additionally, the school has a strong focus on teaching universalist magic. As a result Arcanamirium Crafters are highly sought after for their ability to craft a wide range or arcane magical items.
See Also: Arcanamirium Crafter Focus School, Utilitarian Rod, Arclord of Nex (NPC), Arclord of Nex (Prestige Class), Arcane Reinforcement (spell)]
2E Note:
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Vessel of the Failed
Religion: Spirit worship of the Failed (similar to Ancestor worship)
Institution: Shrine of the Failed
Structure: Moderately organized to unorganized. Vessels of the Failed working officially for the Shrine of the Failed appear to be moderately organized based on duties and requirements of the Shrine of the Failed. Those who develop a spiritual connection to the Failed but are not working with the Shrine of the Failed are mostly unorganized.
Location: Absalom
Ancestry: None
Lore: The Shrine of the Failed is a temple near the Starstone Cathedral dedicated to those would be gods that failed the test of the Starstone. While the mortal bodies of the Failed did not survive the test of the Starstone, their strong spirits can still be called upon by those who find meaning in the causes they championed. List of Known Failed: Demuren, Gobru, Mbali, Mellag, The Muted God, Oggo, Panelle, Plokkis, Sir Reinhart, Silmor, Spuchasta, Thaldei, Veelich, Vonthos, Yepyari, Zimpar (Unclear if Vonthos has failed or is still awaiting the test)
See Also: Echo of Divinity’s Promise (Magic Item)
2E Note: The following 2E creature and magic item also have a connection to the Failed. Abandoned Zealot – Liturgies of the Lost (Creature), Vontho’s Golden Bridge (Magic Item)
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Tempered Champion
Religion: Primarily followers of Iomedae, also Abadar, Irori, Shelyn, and Deities opposed to evil generally
Institution: Tempering Hall
Structure: Highly organized religious combat training school
Location: Absalom
Ancestry: None
Lore: The Tempering Hall focuses on instructing warriors in the use of a deity’s favored weapon, along with other offensive and defensive training. Traditionally, the Tempering Hall has been associated with Iomedae, but has opened their training to the followers of Abadar, Irori, and Shelyn. Recently, they have begun accepting followers of other deities that have a focus on opposing evil.
See Also: None
2E Note: None
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Wave Rider
Religion: None
Institution: Branch of Absalom Military (Kortos Military?)
Structure: Highly organized military organization, specific internal ranks unknown.
Location: Absalom (Headquarters), Kortos Archipelago (Generally)
Ancestry: None
Lore: The Wave Riders are the sea cavalry of Absalom that patrol the waters of the surrounding isles. While not exclusively operating in Absalom’s harbor, some amount of Wave Riders are permanently stationed there in defense of Absalom. (Note: In earlier references the Wave Riders are indicated as being comprised largely of people of Human Ancestry. This has shifted in text to favor people of Azarketi Ancestry, and more generally those with the ability or means to survive in aquatic environments. )
See Also: Waverider Breastplate (Magic Item), Errani Kamaki (Magic Item), Absalom Wave Rider (NPC), Wave Tender Barge (Vehicle, described but no stats provided)
2E Note: None
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Sword Binder
Religion: Aroden
Institution: Unclear, central authority moved depending on which nation had strongest ties with the Church of Aroden.
Structure: Previously an organized group connected to the Church of Aroden, currently little or no organization. Unclear what structure, if any, remains of original the organization.
Location: Absalom, Taldor, Cheliax, et al
Ancestry: None
Lore: Sword binding is an arcane study that was practiced by the Sword Binders, an elite group of arcane practitioners connected with the Church or Aroden. How the relationship between the Sword Binders and the Church of Aroden developed is unclear. However, the Sword Binders were typically found serving the rulers of those nations that also served as seats of power for the Church of Aroden. Originally serving the rulers of Absalom, the Sword Binders eventually went on to serve the throne of Taldor and later the throne of Cheliax. With Aroden’s Death and the dissolution of the Church of Aroden, the influence and power of the Sword Binders has greatly diminished. As a result sword binding appears to have become more an arcane study and less an organization that exclusively collaborates with the Church of Aroden.
See Also: None
2E Note: None
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Studious Librarian
Religion: None
Institution: Individual Libraries
Structure: Dependent on individual libraries, typically highly centralized organization for large libraries, while groups of Studious Librarians in smaller libraries may be lightly organized or unorganized.
Location: Any library, but particularly those found in large cities.
Ancestry: None
Lore: Large libraries often function as their own organizations, and Studious Librarians are the members that make up those organizations. In the Inner Sea region such libraries include the Forae Logos in Absalom and the Pathfinder Society’s Skyreach in Absalom, also the Kitharodian Academy in Oppara, Taldor and the Grand Library of Eto in Eto, Osirion. These are only a few examples of large libraries and not an inclusive list. Medium and smaller sized libraries may also produce Studious Librarians.
See Also: Commune with Texts (Spell), Skim (Spell), Research Rules (Includes rules for Using and Designing Libraries), Library Events (Downtime Events), Librarian (Trait),
2E Note:
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Dark Lurker
Religion: None
Institution: Unknown
Structure: Unknown
Location: Absalom, Magnimar, et al
Ancestry: None
Lore: As presented it is unclear if the Dark Lurkers are a singular organization with different branches, different organizations that use similar tactics, or unorganized individuals that use similar methods. In Absalom the Dark Lurkers are known as the Hungry Night and in Magnimar they are known as the Living Shadows. Regardless of whether they are individuals or a group, understanding a Dark Lurker’s connection to shadows and the night, may be as important as figuring out how and why they select their prey.
See Also:
2E Note:
Note: The Ancestry Archetypes for the Azarketi and Humans below are not restricted to Absalom but are included here because of the cosmopolitan nature of the city of Absalom.
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Eldritch Raider
Religion: None
Institution: No central headquarters or central authority identified.
Structure: Unclear, possibly small groups and individuals with common goals, but possibly a moderately to highly organized group.
Location: Absalom, Inner Sea, Arcadian Ocean
Ancestry: Azarketi (Gillman)
Lore: The Eldritch Raiders appear to be a loose organization of Azarketi that is focused on exploring the ruins of sunken Azlant. How they interact with groups like the Elves of Mordant Spire is unknown.
See Also: None
2E Note: This Archetype is based on an Ancestry and may possibly be interpreted as Ancestry Feats in 2E.
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Feral Child
Religion: None
Institution: None
Structure: None
Location: Wildness Locations Generally
Ancestry: Human
Lore: Feral Children were raised in the wild by creatures natural to the wild. Typically, a Feral Child is raised by animals, although Feral Children raised by plants, beasts, and elementals are not unheard of. Although never confirmed, rumors persist that some Feral Children have been raised by oozes.
See Also: None
2E Note: This Archetype is based on an Ancestry and may possibly be interpreted as Ancestry Feats in 2E. However, the concept of a child raised by creatures in the wilderness is applicable across most Ancestries. (Update: This is now a Rare Background)
1E Archetype/Prestige Class: Wanderer
Religion: Any
Institution: None
Structure: None
Location: Any
Ancestry: Human
Lore: Wanderers prioritize the freedom to wander and explore the world around them, often learning and sharing wisdom on their travels.
See Also: None
2E Note: This Archetype is based on an Ancestry and may possibly be interpreted as Ancestry Feats in 2E. However, the concept of a person wanting to wander, explore, and share wisdom is applicable across most Ancestries.