Meta:Talisman

Edition-specific concerns

In Pathfinder First Edition, "talisman" was often generically used to refer to items, typically magic items occupying the neck slot. Unique and non-conformant talismans in canon include necrotic talismans of Urgathoa described in Campaign Setting 213; the talisman of the sphere from the 1E Core Rulebook and Ultimate Equipment, referenced in Classic Treasures Revisited 42; the talisman of the orc mother's fury from What Lies in Dust 59; the deathbalm talisman in Curse of the Lady's Light, detailed on page 62; talisman of tongues in Fate of the Fiend 9; the magical (but not mechanically a magic item) Krihirik talisman in Kaava Quarry and The Golden Guardian; the slotless magic item talisman of spying from Black Markets 17; the Death's head talisman from The Stranger Within 15; and Zepha's paper talismans from Shrine of the Sacred Tempest.

Princes of Darkness, Book of the Damned Volume 1 40–41 introduced devil talismans as a class of wondrous items powered by bound devils, including bilious talismans, sanguine talismans, and melancholic talismans. These were reproduced in Book of the Damned 194–195. Prominent canon examples include Liebdaga the Twin's sanguine Talisman of the Twin heavily featured in The Infernal Syndrome; melancholic talismans used in What Prestige is Worth and The Kintargo Contract, and in the unique Iron Road from Lost Treasures 35 (cf. Jyangzipao); the sanguine talisman of Sheel Leroung prominently featured in the histories of the Order of the Rack, Citadel Rivad, and Sharroa DiViri as detailed in Path of the Hellknight 43 and Hell Unleashed 45; and the phlegmatic talisman featuring heavily in The Inferno Gate and detailed on page 23.

Occult Adventures 263–264 introduced a variety of lesser and greater talismans. All have standardized special properties, such as being wondrous items occupying the neck slot, and the ability to wear up to three at once while activating only one at a time. Lesser talismans were consumed after use, while greater talismans were permanent. A wide variety of variants each had different abilities, costs, caster levels, auras, and spell requirements for crafting. These talismans appeared in canon works, such as The Jarlsblood Witch Saga; Call of the Copper Gate; Oath of the Overwatched; Testament of Souls, The Lost Legacy, Karma Reclaimed, and Through Maelstrom Rift; The House on Hook Street; House of Harmonious Wisdom; and Black Stars Beckon.

Horror Adventures 63 introduced the talisman crafter occultist archetype and spellbound talismans. It also expanded the selection of generic Occult Adventures talisman variants on 223–224.

The Pathfinder Second Edition Core Rulebook introduced talismans as a separate class of magic items on page 565. They became consumable items affixed to a user's items, rather than permanent items worn by the user.

Specific First Edition talismans should have their own articles, but it's unclear whether or how to document generic First Edition talismans. While Second Edition changes aren't explicitly retroactive, they are fully irreconcilable with the First Edition descriptions of generic talismans. -Oznogon (talk) 22:08, 2 January 2025 (UTC)