The mystical talisman of Samarkand is a fascinating artifact that has captivated the imagination of many throughout the ages. Known for its magical powers, this talisman is said to possess the ability to grant its owner immense fortune and prosperity. Legend has it that the talisman was created centuries ago by a powerful sorcerer who lived in the ancient city of Samarkand, which is now located in present-day Uzbekistan. It is said that this sorcerer infused the talisman with mystical energies that would attract wealth and success to its possessor. The talisman itself is a small amulet, made of precious metals and adorned with intricate engravings and gemstones. Its design is believed to represent the cosmos and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
Witches are neither born with spellcasting abilities, nor do they have to spend years studying or devoting themselves to divine beings. Instead, their spells and hexes come from their patron, a powerful and mysterious entity, who communicates with them through their familiar. Patrons choose witches to be their agents in the world, and prefer to keep their distance, revealing little of their identity or motivations, and usually communicating through the familiar they have sent to the witch. A patron might be a divine being, a powerful hag coven, a fey lord, an archdevil, or any other entity of similar power, or even a mix of such figures working together. 2
While patrons do not reveal their identities to witches, some information can still be gathered by studying the type of power a witch receives from them. I did make some bad spell choices, but even with hindsight, in the occult list, there was not a lot else I could take that would fulfil the role of BFC.
Its design is believed to represent the cosmos and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. It has been passed down through generations, each time finding its way into the hands of individuals seeking its extraordinary powers. The talisman is said to have the ability to bring abundance and prosperity to its owner in various ways.
Do Pathfinder Witches have a dedicated Patron spell slot?
At 2nd level, and every two levels thereafter, a witch's patron adds new spells to a witch's list of spells known. These spells are also automatically added to the list of spells stored by the familiar.pg 69, under "Witch's Familiar", at "Store Spells", states:
Starting at 1st level, a witch's familiar stores all of the spells that the witch knows. This does not allow the familiar to cast these spells or use spell-trigger or spell completion magic items. Starting at 2nd level, and every two levels thereafter, a witch's familiar adds new bonus spells to the witch's spell list based on her patron.
The first quote, from pg 70 states twice that the witch learns the spell - it is both "add[ed] to [the] list of spells known" and "added to the list of spells stored by the familiar", while pg 69 seems to state that spells stored by the familiar are the spells known. pg 65, under "Class Features", then "Spells" states:
A witch can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on Table 2-10. In addition, she receives bonus spells per day if she has a high Intelligence score (see Table 1-3 of the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook).
This is weak evidence though, as pg 39 of the CRB states much the same - no mention of domain slots, which are listed on pg 40-41 of the CRB:
A cleric gains one domain spell slot for each level of cleric spell she can cast, from 1st on up. Each day, a cleric can prepare one of the spells from her two domains in that slot. If a domain spell is not on the cleric spell list, a cleric can prepare it only in her domain spell slot. Domain spells cannot be used to cast and spells spontaneously.
- https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pbr4?Spell-levels-for-winter-patron-witches
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/299539/witch_patron_spell_slots/
- Clarification on the witch, known spells, patron spells and bonus spells per level (TLDR point 4 is close, but specifies spells known, and the answer appropriately confines itself to the question).
It is believed to attract financial opportunities and business success, as well as enhance one's luck and intuition. Additionally, it is said to provide protection from negative energies and bring harmony, love, and good health. Throughout history, many powerful and influential individuals have sought after the mystical talisman of Samarkand. Its whereabouts have often been a mystery, as it tends to pass from one owner to another discreetly, maintaining its mystique and allure. It is believed that those who possess the talisman must keep its powers a secret, as revealing its true nature may invite envy and danger. Although the mystical talisman of Samarkand remains a topic of speculation and folklore, its legend continues to captivate the minds of many. Whether it is regarded as a simple myth or a tangible source of magic, the talisman symbolizes the eternal human desire for prosperity and fortune..
Reviews for "Samarkand's Talisman: A Gateway to the Supernatural"
1) John - 1 star
I found "Mystical Talisman of Samarkand" to be an incredibly dull and unoriginal read. The characters were one-dimensional, the plot was predictable, and the writing style lacked any sort of excitement or creativity. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or feel invested in the story. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it.
2) Sarah - 2 stars
"Mystical Talisman of Samarkand" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long descriptive passages that seemed to go on forever. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, there were several plot holes and inconsistencies that left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book.
3) Mark - 2 stars
I struggled to get through "Mystical Talisman of Samarkand". The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it hard for me to connect with the characters or care about what was happening. The world-building was mediocre at best, with limited descriptions and details that left me feeling disconnected from the setting. The story itself felt like a generic fantasy tale with no unique elements to make it stand out. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4) Lisa - 3 stars
"Mystical Talisman of Samarkand" had its moments, but overall, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged on and rushed moments that left me feeling lost. The characters were forgettable, and their actions often felt unrealistic or forced. While there were some interesting ideas and concepts introduced, they were never fully explored or developed. It had potential, but ultimately fell short for me.