“As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul” — Hermes Trismegistus

So ever wanted to play a Fisherking, but don’t have the time to make one from scratch? Well you have come to the right place.

Introducing Aziz the iconic Fisherking. The character takes its inspiration from the amazing cover art for the Fisherking book, which was done by Dio Mahesa . This iconic uses a 20 point buy and gained two traits at creation. Please note that this build employs the automatic minor veils(cantrip veils) and enhanced descriptor veil(updated armor/weapon descriptors) rulesets, both of which I highly recommend).

For anyone unfamiliar with the class, the Fisherking is an veil weaving hybrid class that combines the Vizier’s broad repertoire of veils, the witch’s potent hexes, and a number of unique abilities. The class’s unique features largely focus on aiding allies, hindering enemies, and providing tools for social encounters.

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Notable Sources: Akasha Expanded: Enhanced Veils, Akasha Expanded: Minor Veils, Akashic Mysteries, Minor Veils Expanded, City of Seven Seraphs: Akashic Trinity, The Fisherking,

Aziz II

“Hear me three times! I swear on my name and power that I will nurture and aid those who are my allies and subjects. I swear on my father’s blood in my veins and my mothers love that those who rise against me or against those who shelter beneath my banner will know the true shape of suffering.” – Crown Prince Aziz

Fisherking Iconic- Aziz lvl1

Fisherking Iconic- Aziz lvl7

Fisherking Iconic- Aziz lvl12

Tactics:

General: Aziz will always attempt to employ his social skills to avoid combat if doing so is both possible and reasonable. He turns both his training and mystical resources to this purposes, considering a victory via diplomacy and statecraft to be a richer prize.

1st Level

• Before Combat: Aziz activates his Blessed Land(My People Will Flourish) ability to bolster the movement and reflexes of his allies.
• During Combat: Aziz tries to position himself on the battlefield to keep as many allies as possible under the effects of his Blessed Land aura. He tries to remain out of melee range of enemies, attacking from range with his Gloves of Lashing Elements minor veil. He keeps his shortspear at the ready to attack enemies that move into melee range of him and for attacks of opportunity.   He often used the effects of his Annexation voice veil to create room for himself or his comrades to safely move away from enemies.

7th Level

• Before Combat: Aziz activates his Blessed Land(My Enemies Will Suffer) ability to hamper the mobility of his enemies and weaken their spirits. If he has a chance, Aziz uses potions of iron skin and bear’s endurance if he is expecting a especially difficult or dangerous foes.
• During Combat: Aziz bolsters 3 of his allies with the effects of his Declaration of War veil, prioritizing either allies in melee combat. He himself focuses on melee combat using his Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light [enhanced] veil’s to strike enemies. His first action in combat is normally to use his evil eye hex to weaken the attack rolls, or AC, of an opponent. When forced to combat ranged adversaries, as long as they are within 40ft, he  uses his Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light veil’s hands bind effect to smite them with divine radiance.

12th Level

• Before Combat: Aziz activates his Blessed Land(My Enemies Will Suffer) ability to hamper the mobility of his enemies and weaken their spirits. He summons 4 dogs of war via his  Declaration of War voice veil’s bind effect. He often uses these creatures to stealthy scout or spy for him.  If he has a chance, Aziz uses potions of iron skin and bear’s endurance on himself and potions of mage armor on his dogs of war if he is expecting a especially difficult or dangerous foes.
• During Combat: Aziz bolsters 3 of his allies with the effects of his Declaration of War veil, prioritizing either allies in melee combat. He assigns three of his dogs of war to flank with his companions in melee or to act as bodyguards for companions that are providing support or healing. He keeps one to flank with him in combat.  He himself will focuses on melee combat using his Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light [enhanced] veil’s to strike enemies; often employing his malefic sanction hex to deliver the effects of his evil eye hex as a part of such attacks as a swift action. When forced to combat ranged adversaries, as long as they are within 50ft he uses his Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light veil’s hands bind effect to smite them with divine radiance. To combat swarms or to weaken multiple clustered enemies Aziz will use the breath weapon granted by his Gorget of the Wyrm veil.

Description

Aziz is the exiled prince of a young, though prosperous, desert kingdom. He was the only member of his family to survive an violent invasion during his childhood. He was raised in his exile by his mother’s apprentice the witch Akilah and father’s grand vizier Thomas. The two of them were responsible for secreting him away when the palace was attacked.  Between the two of them he was raised on stories of his parent’s exploits in battle and the evenhanded benevolence with which they ruled their lands.  Aziz’s training included lessons the duties of a monarch, the ways of war, ancient akashic magics, and the effectiveness of a well placed hex. Years passed, once he reached adulthood and laid to rest his teachers, he decided to take to adventuring. For him adventuring presented a means to collect the many things he would need to reclaim his home allies, wealth, and opportunities to test and hone his skills.

Potential Tweaks and Modifications

While there are many ways that this character could be customized, the most obvious would be to trade one of his existing feats for Leadership or a hex for the Most Trusted Servant hex. As a would be monarch seeking to draw other’s to his banner, both of these options for granting this character subordinate npcs are solidly in theme.

Replace the Queen’s Knight feat with a different akashic feat.

If tracking multiple veil companion creatures  is not appealing, use Divine Mandate as the bound voice veil starting at 9th level instead of Declaration of War. This would grant access to the a number of inquisitor judgements instead. This option would also potentially open up a feat. Note, Aziz’s attack and damage includes the bonuses from the Declaration of War veil and would need to be adjusted.

Mythic? 

In a game using mythic characters the following is suggested for Aziz.

• Path: Marshal
• Build: When selecting marshal’s path abilities for this character, you may wish to consider the following theme
  • Ruler: Some quality of your nature draws of others into your presence, and your words inspire allies to greatness and drive enemies to ruin.
    • 1st-Tier Path Abilities: commanding entrance, focus, helpful rebuke, loyalty, potent message, resurging words
    • 3rd-Tier Path Abilities: commanding presence, concentrated barrage, demagogue
    • 6th-Tier Path Abilities: beacon of hope, castigate

Related NPCs/Character Suggestions

King Aziz the First (solar ifrit, rajah [batal archetype])

• Aziz the First was known for being a ruler that was firm but fair. He was loved by his people, respected by his allies, and feared by his enemies. He spent his early adulthood carving out a kingdom for himself, drawing a number of previously competing domains together under his banner. He died a standing death in the final battle to defend his capital.

Queen Layla of the Quite Coven (aphortite, witch [curate archetype, peace patron])

• Layla joined King Aziz at the height of his conquests. She often acted to temper her husband’s warlike nature, and with the assistance of her coven sisters she worked to quietly turn conquered lands held together by only her husband’s might and charisma into a kingdom. Though she was a woman of peace, her wrath was a thing to be feared. The circumstances of her death are unknown.

Akilah, Who is Daughter of Herself (aasimar, witch[besom witch archetype, healing patron])

• Akilah was apprentice and handmaiden to Aziz’s mother Layla. She was almost a child herself when forced to flee into exile with her mistress’s son. She was know to be kind woman with a quiet strength that drew others to her.

Thomas the Wanderer (half-elf, vizier[regnant magister archetype])

• Thomas was the chief advisor and court “mage” to Aziz’s father. He was quite old when he entered service to Aziz the First, but he used his vast knowledge and command to veilweaving and arcane magics to aid his ruler and to ultimately protect and mentor prince Aziz. He was known for his habit of slipping away when people turned their attention from him and for his love of fine wines.

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Notes

If you have been following my blog you known that I am the designer of the fisherking class. However this iconic was done without the publisher’s involvement, so for the time being consider it WotD “word of the designer” content. Same for the following notes.

I’ve been asked before about the name of the class, as it doesn’t really reflect the tale of the fisherking from the Arthurian mythos. The class is actually named for the broader trope named after the Arthurian tale.  This is most strongly manifested in the class’s “blessed land” ability

The Fisherking ability “Peerless Hex” is missing its reference to the Neck chakra. This ability patterns its progression on the “Access __ Chakra” line of feats, so the Neck chakra should be listed as a high bind for the purposes of this ability.

The Fisherking hex “Malefic Sanction” also applies to attacks using [enhanced (weapon)] descriptor veils. This is due to this descriptor superseding and replacing the [weapon] veil descriptor.