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Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall, the latest sourcebook for Pathfinder Second Edition (PF2), showcases the many faces and personalities of the Knights of Lastwall!
This organization formed after the destruction of Lastwall, which is basically where Pathfinder First Edition left off with its Adventure Paths. Its members abhor undead and seek to uphold goodness, purity, and truth in their words and deeds. Despite not having a formal code of conduct, this general concept of morality guides all Knights of Lastwall. You know what you’re getting when you meet one.
Because of their relationship with the undead – that is, their diametrically opposed enemies – Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall makes an excellent pairing with the recently released Book of the Dead. Two wonderful supplements to craft an undead-centric campaign with the party serving as Knights to replace their evil with goodness.
Let’s charge straight into the details of the book!
Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall: Who It’s For
Knights are such a resounding feature of fantasy tabletop roleplaying games. So, expanding out the lore and character options for players via the Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall sourcebook is an evergreen choice with incredibly broad appeal.
About half of the book deals with all of the background information on the Knights of Lastwall that you could ever want. Between details on the Shining Sentinels, a full-page background on Advisor Kalabrynne Iomedar, or even reading about how Pharasma ties into the Knights of Lastwall, there is something for everyone to sink their teeth into. Here are some of the broad topics covered:
- History and Day in the Life of a Knight of Lastwall
- Organization Factions
- Notable Figures
- Faith
The second half of the book is split up into two sections. First are the Knights of Lastwall character options, which you’ve certainly been clamoring for. Now, something that is stressed throughout the book is that your character doesn’t have to fit the stereotypical mold of a ‘knight’ in order to be a part of the Knights of Lastwall. Therefore, you’ll find character options that can be applied to a multitude of different character builds. You’re not tied down to the shining armor.
There are three specific archetypes to tap into: Lastwall Sentry, Knight Reclaimant, and Knight Vigilant. You’ll find that these tie back quite nicely to the lore sections in the first half of the book. Plus, even if you don’t choose one of the three archetypes listed, there are still other Feats that rely on previously-released archetypes as well.
The last portion of the book is designed specifically with the Gamemaster in mind. Since many Knights of Lastwall battle undead in the Gravelands, there are additional details geared towards a campaign in that region. In fact, the entire Eye of Dread is covered, which includes the Gravelands within its borders.
The point is that the Knights of Lastwall aren’t just concentrated to a hyper-specific area; their charge and oaths take them wherever they are needed. Just so long as the innocent are helped, and evil is removed.
Overall, the book is stocked with options if you’re a player or GM who wants to play with the age-old ideas of good vs evil. And that’s the primary reason why I think that this is a necessary pairing with the Book of the Dead, especially if you’re a GM. In order to truly understand the Knights of Lastwall, you need to know the enemy that they fight.
Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall: The Best Parts
Now let’s take a look at my top three takeaways from the Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall. These are things that caught my eye when reading through the book, and the things I’m most excited to bring to the table.
Vildeis, The Cardinal Martyr (Pg 65)
I’m honestly not sure how I ever missed information about this empyreal lord, but a Knight of Lastwall who follows Vildeis is such an interesting concept. I mean, not only is the art for Vildeis incredible, but her entire schtick is how evil must be stopped no matter the sacrifice required. Battle scars and wounds are merely badges and reminders of the evils that have already been stopped, and should be worn an displayed proudly.
I’m imagining a character concept where the Knight has seen great tragedy, far more than any normal adventurer would see in their lifetime. They feel like they’ve lost everything they can lose, and they are no longer tethered to any obligations on this mortal coil. Because of this, they can be a true devotee with no fear if they must make the ultimate sacrifice. So long as they can prevent others from feeling the same overwhelming loss and hurt, they will be victorious.
The Dozen Roses (Pg 34)
As much as I like organizations and reading about how they fit into greater Golarion lore, I am especially happy when I see those organizations broken down further into smaller groups like factions. The Knights of Lastwall have some really interesting factions. Apart from the larger ones, you can find a couple pages of lesser-known ones starting on page 34.
Although each of these factions, like Eutropia’s Vanguard or The Final Epitaph, only has a few paragraphs of text, they are so descriptive and evocative that you can understand their entire backstory. How did these factions form? What are their primary goals? Why are they so well-known? Each one provides enough context to fully supplant your own character while pulling from that as inspiration.
“Now more garden than bouquet, the group numbers just under a hundred.”
On the Dozen Roses, Page 34.
Just take a look at the quote above in reference to the Dozen Roses. With that simply sentence, I know a few things:
- They are a growing faction comprised of individuals from all walks of life, just as a garden features foliage and flowers from countless plants.
- At one time, the Dozen Roses were much smaller and intimate. How do their values and culture translate while their numbers grow?
- The Dozen Roses are romantics, with flair and theatrics that make them stand out.
For Love, For Lightning (Pg 77)
Maybe I’m just hyped up for the next Thor movie, but when I saw this text I immediately got Mighty Thor vibes. You have to take the Feat of the same name to take this focus spell, but doing so allows you to plunge your weapon into the ground and Sustain a pulsing crimson lightning arc each turn. That’ll be good for 3d12 damage!
Just picture a climatic moment featuring an undead lord and their hordes of ravenous skeletons. The undead lord has singled out your Knight of Lastwall in the middle of the battle as the rest of the party continues sending the skeletons’ bones spiraling across the background. With a mighty roar, you yell out the Crimson Oath as the winds howl around you: “WE SHALL NOT LET THE DEAD ENDURE!”
You slam your giant warhammer into the ground as thick bolts of blood-red lightning hurl from the sky down the shaft. In righteous rhythm, you continue slamming the hammer upon the stony earth, sending the lightning bolts rippling across the ground into the undead lord.
“NOR LET THEM TAINT OUR LANDS VERDURE!!”
And even though you target a single creature, I’m still picturing this shockwave destroying countless skeletons as you turn the tide of battle.
Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall: Parting Thoughts
The Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall for Pathfinder Second Edition brings the endless fight of good versus evil to the forefront. It also shows how anybody can be knightly, not just a man with a shiny sword and a horse to ride. All are welcome in the Knights of Lastwall, and they will protect all those who need it.
It reminds me of that iconic scene in National Treasure where a young Benjamin Gates is asked if he wants to be a knight. “I so swear.” Obviously that’s a much different concept, but I’m glad that the option to be a Knight of Lastwall isn’t restricted based on character class.
You can pick up your copy of the Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall for Pathfinder Second Edition directly from Paizo, on Amazon, or better yet, your FLGS.
[Disclosure: Nerds on Earth was provided a copy of the Pathfinder Lost Omens: Knights of Lastwall from Paizo in exchange for an honest review.]