Theorycrafting a "Psychopomp" MC

[Schlumpsha]

Looking for suggestions to do a pseudo psychopomp build for an upcoming run.

For now I determined the alignment to be Neutral with Phasmara as deity. Likely first going Lich (for extra heavy Pharasma reactivity) and then switching to Legend.

Luckily the Prestige Plus mod features the scythe-wielding Mortal Usher prestige class. Which is probably the closest I can get to a playable psychopomp usher.

That still leaves open the base class bit. Any thematic insights for this?

[Maou]

What is "psychopomp"?

[Schlumpsha]

Originally posted by Maou:

What is "psychopomp"?

An Neutral outsider type. Their role is to shepherd and protect the souls of deceased. And then guide them to Pharasma's judgement, where the souls become petitioners for the most fitting Outer Plane.

[Maou]

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Originally posted by Maou:

What is "psychopomp"?

An Neutral outsider type. Their role is to shepherd and protect the souls of deceased. And then guide them to Pharasma's judgement, where the souls become petitioners for the most fitting Outer Plane.

I see, cool! Thanks for explaining it.

Do you happen to know the origin of this word?

[Schlumpsha]

Originally posted by Maou:

I see, cool! Thanks for explaining it.

Do you happen to know the origin of this word?

Psychopompos, or Psychopompoi in plural, are part of Ancient Greek mythology. Even back then they had the role of soul guides in the afterlife.

[Chronocide]

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Looking for suggestions to do a pseudo psychopomp build for an upcoming run.

For now I determined the alignment to be Neutral with Phasmara as deity. Likely first going Lich (for extra heavy Pharasma reactivity) and then switching to Legend.

Luckily the Prestige Plus mod features the scythe-wielding Mortal Usher prestige class. Which is probably the closest I can get to a playable psychopomp usher.

That still leaves open the base class bit. Any thematic insights for this?

Are you modding it into the game? or do you just mean "thematically psychopomp"?

[Schlumpsha]

Originally posted by Chronocide:

Are you modding it into the game? or do you just mean "thematically psychopomp"?

Thematically, hence the "pseudo" bit.

Like I said, the Prestige Plus[www.nexusmods.com] mod has the Mortal Usher[www.d20pfsrd.com] prestige class from tabletop. Which tremendously aids to what I envision for the character to become later on.

But I'm drawing blanks for how to get the build started.

[Chronocide]

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Originally posted by Chronocide:

Are you modding it into the game? or do you just mean "thematically psychopomp"?

Thematically, hence the "pseudo" bit.

Like I said, the Prestige Plus[www.nexusmods.com] mod has the Mortal Usher[www.d20pfsrd.com] prestige class from tabletop. Which tremendously aids to what I envision for the character to become later on.

But I'm drawing blanks for how to get the build started.

The main obstacle, as i see it, is that phrasma shouldn't really care about closing the world wound. She care's about the lich path, but that's the main thing.

Looking at the archetype, seems like Rowdy Rogue (vital strike rogue) or Tranquil Whisperer (bard focused on being calm).

For alignment, Probably True Neutral, and just lean lawful. I don't feel like phrasma cares much for the laws of mortals, just her laws matter.

[pete3great]

One thing I would point out, if using psychopomp on a broad way they appear in mythology as opposed to the specific way they appear in fantasy, they don't have to be all deathy and grimdark. Hermes was a psychopomp, for example.

[Schlumpsha]

Hm, Tranquil Whisperer could work. And its Tranquil Apotheosis has no overlap with the Mortal Ushers capstone. Becoming an outsider as Legend seems kinda odd, but oh well.

Maybe Incense Synthesizer for the remaining 10 Legend levels? As a form of funeral incense burning to honor the dead. Plus it helps against undead.

[Chronocide]

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Hm, Tranquil Whisperer could work. And its Tranquil Apotheosis has no overlap with the Mortal Ushers capstone. Becoming an outsider as Legend seems kinda odd, but oh well.

Maybe Incense Synthesizer for the remaining 10 Legend levels? As a form of funeral incense burning to honor the dead. Plus it helps against undead.

I had issues with incense synthesizer where the incense would just disappear from my effects. Make sure it's working as an archetype before you devote lots of time to it.

For anti-undead, there's a Cavalier Order, "order of the shroud" which is anti-undead in theme.

"Cavaliers of this order seek out and destroy undead and those who harbor or create them. They scour old crypts, graveyards, and battlefields to bring eternal rest."

And on that note, there's a "ghost rider" archetype, where your mount is a ghost. Could argue it's some sort of divine messenger from phrasma...

[Chronocide]

Originally posted by pete3great:

One thing I would point out, if using psychopomp on a broad way they appear in mythology as opposed to the specific way they appear in fantasy, they don't have to be all deathy and grimdark. Hermes was a psychopomp, for example.

It's a specific creature type in pathfinder. The Aeon Path even allows you to summon one.