It’s been awhile since we’ve done an update to the Pathfinder Second Edition (PF2) Character Concepts series! But, with the recent release of the Advanced Player’s Guide, we have four new classes to add to our compilation.
Today we’ll be talking about the Witch and providing five character concepts that will help you create Witches of your own. Each one has a brief description and a Pathmap that outlines some potential Feat choices.
The one difference I’ll be doing as we go forward is that I’m no longer going to be offering Class Feats by level. Instead, I’ll be pointing out which Feats might make sense for the concept. This is based on some feedback I received on other entries in the series.
And hey, if it doesn’t work, I’ll just revert back to the old way!
On to the Witch!
Pathfinder 2nd Edition Witch Class
Witches are usually portrayed in the same way: older women living by themselves in a rundown hut in the middle of the woods. You have cauldrons, eye of newt, and all sorts of creepy spells that are meant to instill fear in the hearts of all.
Fortunately for you, it’s time to change all of those stereotypes! Witches allow a ton of creative liberty. Witches get their powers from a patron, manifest in the form of a familiar. This is where all of those black cat tropes come in as well. For whatever reason, a patron chooses a Witch to carry out some mysterious agenda in the world. Witches channel the powers from their patron in order to further those goals – sometimes without even realizing it – but they also get to further their own machinations as well.
As a Witch, you use hexes to bring hardships upon others, making yourself look good in the process. It’s important to note, however, that the Patron Themes tend to skew on the neutral and ‘evil’ sides of the alignment chart. That doesn’t mean, however, that your character has to necessarily reflect those ideals. That might be where your power originates, but it doesn’t have to be where it ends.
THOROUGH OPPORTUNIST
They say that good things happen to those who wait. You say that you’re tired of waiting and it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Why wait for an opportunity when you can make your own? Now, if those opportunities come at the expense of others, that’s just a side effect of power. You carefully analyze the ramifications of the smallest actions so that the outcomes will benefit you in the ways that you desire.
You’ve climbed the ladder so that others will know your name. You may be vengeful and spiteful, but you also take care of those who assist you. Everything is a give and take; the portions just aren’t always going to be equal. And if something breaks, you’re always there to pick up the pieces. Especially if you caused the breakage in the first place.
Are you involved in politics or the ranks of the nobility? What’s your upbringing like? Did your Patron promise you a higher station in life? Are you actively seeking to step on others on your way to the top? Or do you try to limit the negativity and harmful effects of your actions? Are others aware of your power?
How do you create your opportunities for advancement? Have you promised great things for others who get in line behind you? What is the most elaborate plan you’ve carried out? Has your family been affected? What is your relationship like with the people in your life? Have you used them to your own gains?
Pathmap
- Patron: Curse
- Familiar: Homunculus
- Ability Scores: Charisma, Wisdom
- Skills: Politics Lore, Society, Performance
- Sample Hexes: Curse of Death, Evil Eye
- Sample Feats: Witch’s Bottle (Witch), Rites of Transfiguration (Witch), Glad Hand
GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST
Change is necessary. Too long have the people in charge dictated who benefits from their policies, leaving the rest to fight over the scraps. You know that the power lies in the heart of the people, and you are there to spark and ignite the change that is so desperately needed. By spreading the word and working towards incremental changes, you know that the future can be brighter.
The agenda you follow is one of decency, compassion, and ethics. Others believe in this message because it’s hard to disagree with it. You do whatever you can to assist: volunteering your time, helping others, holding meetings. You know that oppression doesn’t just go away calmly into the night. It requires repeated, conscious effort for it to finally gain traction and become commonplace.
What is the primary message that you’re trying to get across? What changes are you working to make? How will you accomplish them? What was your upbringing like and what hardships have you personally endured? Do your Patron’s wishes align with your own? What is your primary role as an activist? Have you focused your efforts in a specific area, or do you travel from place to place to help improve the quality of life for the people there?
What resistance have you encountered to your actions? Are others generally receptive to your message? Are you a public speaker or a natural leader, or do you mostly lead by example? Do you have an affiliation to any political party or activist group? What is your idea of a perfect utopian society?
Pathmap
- Patron: Fervor
- Familiar: Twigjack
- Ability Scores: Charisma, Dexterity
- Skills: Urban Terrain Lore, Diplomacy, Acrobatics
- Sample Hexes: Stoke the Heart, Deceiver’s Cloak
- Sample Feats: Familiar’s Eyes (Witch), Siphon Power (Witch), Underground Network
BRIGHT LAMPLIGHTER
You find comfort and solace in the quiet of night. At the same time, you understand the importance of the light; there’s a balance between the two that you strive to maintain. As a lamplighter, your job seems completely innocuous. You work after the sun has set, a solitary force in keeping the shadows at bay. However, there might be more than meets the eye to your tasks.
Nobody questions the lamplighter. You refill the oil, change the wicks, and polish the glass. But what people don’t realize is that you have a perfect vantage point to watch and listen. With the daily commotion of the crowd out of the picture, you see what others fail to recognize. Secret late-night trysts. Revolutionary meetings. Murder.
What do you do with the information you gather? Do you participate in blackmail? What are some of the strangest encounters that you’ve witnessed? Why do you light lamps? Are there any particular people or places that interest you most? Do you spy based on your own inclinations or those of someone else? Who do you work for?
Is there any symbolism in lighting lamps that appeals to you? Did you do this before your Patron connected with you? What region are you from? Are you familiar with any other alchemical substances? How do hexes come into the equation for you?
Pathmap
- Patron: Night
- Familiar: Nosoi
- Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution
- Skills: Espionage Lore, Intimidation, Occultism
- Sample Hexes: Discern Secrets, Malicious Shadow
- Sample Feats: Murksight (Witch), Steady Spellcasting (Witch), Canny Acumen
RUNIC TRANSLATOR
Languages tend to have similar roots. There are subtle similarities between the gentle strokes of the Tien lettering and the symbolic script of Osirion. Even across continents, the development of language connects all people together. You study these languages, and are particularly fascinated by the written word. This includes runes from ruins as well as iconography that is still developing.
Magic typically stems from interesting and complex symbolism housed within ancient runes. It can be difficult to understand and even harder to master. Even so, it’s something that you’ve always researched, because you believe that the keys of the universe are contained within. When assessing the magical properties of countless disciplines, druidic orders, and long-lost civilizations, you’ve discovered connections between them that nobody else has.
What languages are you an expert in? Do you carry a boatload of tomes around with you, or is there a library or collection that you have access to for research? Are you trying to learn more about your Patron? What are you hoping to find? Where have you applied your talents at translating? Do others find your work to be important?
Has your work led you to other, more mundane revelations? Have you developed your own language or written code? Has your work led you to unknown locations that others haven’t been to? Do your scholarly pursuits require you to be exceptional in defending yourself? Are you constantly delving into ruins? On a scale of 1-10, describe your proficiency in charcoal rubbings.
Pathmap
- Patron: Rune
- Familiar: Arbiter
- Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom
- Skills: Eldest Lore, Arcana, Thievery
- Sample Hexes: Phase Familiar, Veil of Dreams
- Sample Feats: Familiar’s Language (Witch), Enhanced Familiar (Witch), Secret Speech
GIFTED STUDENT
You are a sponge, soaking up the information in the world around you without prejudice. Learning comes quickly and easily to you, and you apply yourself to your studies. Having access to more magic only heightens your interest, as it lays the foundation for future study. The more you know, the easier it is to apply that knowledge to the understanding of future spells. You don’t want to squander this opportunity that’s been afforded to you.
Others may see you as bookish or too concentrated in your studies to be a good friend. That’s unfortunate for them, because you are a great friend to have. Sure, you might be standoffish, or you may constantly correct others, but you do it out of consideration for them. You want others to find the same joy in learning that you do, because you know that the benefits are extraordinary.
Where are you studying your chosen discipline? Are you focused on a single area of magic, or are you spreading your learning across multiple types? Are you curious about the roots to your power and abilities? How do you learn best? Is it through books or through practical application? Do you ever cast spells in class to make yourself look better than the others? What’s your ego like?
What kind of personality do you have? Are you outgoing and helpful? Why do you see magic as important for the world? What are your goals and aspirations, and how does magic fit into them? Do you have any rivals in school? Does learning come easily for you, or is it more of a challenge to fit everything in your mind?
Pathmap
- Patron: Fate
- Familiar: Cat
- Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom
- Skills: Library Lore, Nature, Arcana
- Sample Hexes: Nudge Fate, Restorative Moment
- Sample Feats: Basic Lesson (Witch), Major Lesson (Witch), Dubious Knowledge
Pathfinder 2E Witch Class – Double Bubble
Hopefully you can find some inspiration in those Witch character concepts. It’s tricky to separate witches from their tropes, as there are a ton of concepts and stigmas surrounding them in popular culture. I tried to focus on the broader idea of goals and aspirations, and using magic to achieve them.
Be sure to check out the master post for all of the character concepts for Pathfinder Second Edition! It’s an ever-growing list, perfect for generating your first character or back-up characters for your campaign.
Until next time, enjoy your time in Golarion!