The law was clear. A High Priestess needed recognised spellcasting credentials. Her political opponents had closed off prestigious local and even regional options. She had no choice. She had to go to the surface.
About Zenobia
Zenobia is a drow elf cloistered cleric for Pathfinder 2e, designed for use starting at level 7 in an "Oops! All Casters" campaign. As a cleric, she focusses on magical healing. She's also skilled with social situations and manipulation.
(Drow are not so much a thing in post-remaster PF2e. Rules-wise, she's a cavern elf.)
Appearance
Zenobia has the beauty of an elf and the allure of a drow, and she knows it. Standing at six feet tall, she has snow-white hair, lavender skin, and red eyes. Like most elves she has an overall slender build; though her recent century of high-society life means she not particularly athletic.
She carries herself with confidence, and almost always seems either serene or wryly amused. Her mannerisms and vocabulary betray an upper-crust background. She speaks calmly and cooly in an indirect manner that some find beguiling and some find insincere.
Zenobia likes to look good. Even out on the field she eschews armour, preferring to wear stylish robes that come close to being impractical for adventuring. She fosters an elegant, refined look; one that favours tasteful style over being revealing while still mixing both.
Personality
Like all characters, Zenobia's personality may change as the campaign progresses.
Personality Traits
- Religious and Ambitious. The world is not enough.
- Spiteful Cruelty. I know how to hurt. I know how to heal.
- Vain. She had one eye in the mirror as she watched herself gavotte.
- Wryly Stoic. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.
Edicts
- On a Mission from Goddess. "I will build Delormi's church."
- Consequentialist. The ends justify the means.
- Pragmatic Non-violence. "Sometimes, violence is necessary. Never should it be celebrated."
- Ever Watchful. Si vis pacem, para bellum.
- See also: deity-proscribed edicts, below.
Anathema
- Lose Composure or Dignity. I know what to show, and what to conceal.
- Voluntary Privation. There's no point in living if you can't feel alive.
- See also: deity-proscribed anathema, below.
Homebrew Deity: Delormi
Zenobia worships Delormi, a homebrew deity.
The Dulcet Mother is a beguiling goddess dedicated to helping those in need, regardless of station. But her gifts aren't given freely: she expects fidelity in return, and uses her followers to further her scheming goals. Her compassion extends only to those who are, or might potentially be, supplicant to her.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Edicts | help those in need accept others regardless of nature or ability surround oneself with competent allies proselytise via enticement |
| Anathema | help the ungrateful abandon the faithful give second chances without atonement love unrequitedly perform work below your station |
| Attribute | Charisma or Intelligence |
| Divine Font | Heal |
| Sanctification | can choose holy |
| Skill | Deception |
| Favoured Weapon | dagger |
| Domains | family, healing, passion, repose |
| Cleric Spells | charm, glimmer of charm, suggestion |
Plot Hooks
Inspiration for the GM, if inspiration is required.
- Family. Scarissa is Zenobia's adult daughter. All other relations are dead or estranged. Scarissa may be the only thing Zenobia would risk her career for.
- Triage. As a junior acolyte Zenobia was assigned to help in military field hospitals. That experience is centuries behind her, but it lingers. The necessity of cold, impartial triage clashed with the compassion and admiration she felt for the soldiers who kepts Darklands devils and monsters at bay. She understands both, but wrestles still with reconciling them.
Level Plan
See this link on Pathbuilder2e. Be aware the plan may change over time.
The following variant rules and homebrew rules are in effect:
- Free Archetype
- Homebrew Deity: Demormi (see above)