Aphorite

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Aphorite
Urok is an aphorite kobold.
(Creature)

Aphorites are nephilim planar scions1 created by axiomites as mortal proxies to facilitate their interaction with mortals.2

Appearance

The first aphorites possessed nearly uniform physical appearances, but they have diversified after generations spent in the Universe. Modern aphorites have flickering, coruscating golden skin, sparkling with crystalline dust; and metallic eyes and hair; but can appear as any appropriately sized humanoid. Bigger and smaller aphorites are rare due to the lawful influence of Axis, but such exceptions have become increasingly more frequent.2

Personality

Aphorites are smart, strong, but somewhat stiff, and their ordered and structured personalities can conflict with chaotic races like elves. Conversely, aphorites build strong bonds with lawful races, especially dwarves, who enjoy their company and welcome aphorite births due to their intuitive understanding of dwarven craft.2

Aphorites can recognise the difference between good and evil, but they find this dichotomy less clear cut and less influential than that between law and chaos.2

Adventurers

The aphorite's precision leads many to become investigators or rangers. Similar faculties lead them to become alchemists, oracles, or wizards.3

History

The original aphorites were forged in Axis by axiomites as intermediaries between themselves and mortals. Being creatures of law, the axiomites find it difficult to deal with creatures with the free will to choose their own destinies and to interpret or ignore laws. The aphorites were a fusion of the axiomites' lawful perfection, in the form of Axis's ordered essence,4 with the unpredictability of mortals.2

Ecology

Unlike empyreans or cambions, aphorites are born to aphorite parents and are not the results of unions between outsiders and mortals. If an aphorite interbreeds with a humanoid race, the offspring is either an aphorite or a member of the other parent's race.2

Habitat and society

Aphorites are rare on most worlds in the Universe. The first aphorites on Golarion sought to integrate into established societies to help guide the formation of laws and bolster interactions with Axis. However, being mortals with free will, many aphorites became intrigued by these societies, and some embraced chaos: those who do are considered outcasts by other aphorites. Chaotic aphorites tend to be loners and have little interest in aphorite traditions, preferring to seek out other societies.2

The rare aphorites in Axis tend to be utterly forgettable or legendary, having chosen to live there out of complacency or after incredible exploits.5

Religion

Abadar is the most common patron deity of religious aphorites, who find his worship resonating with their inherent goals of building a perfect society.2

Language

Aphorites speak either Diabolic or Empyrean. The name of each individual aphorite typically reflects the society they are raised in.2

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. Aphorites were native outsiders in Pathfinder First Edition.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Robert Brookes, et al. “Chapter 4: Bestiary” in Planar Adventures, 224–225. Paizo Inc., 2018
  3. Andrew Mullen. Aphorite” in Ancestry Guide, 75. Paizo Inc., 2021
  4. James Case, et al. Aphorites” in Plane-Hopper's Handbook, 14. Paizo Inc., 2018
  5. Robert Brookes, et al. “Chapter 3: The Great Beyond” in Planar Adventures, 173. Paizo Inc., 2018