Occult magic

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This article covers the magical tradition associated with bards and certain aberrations. For Pathfinder First Edition's occult rituals, see ritual magic. For the mundane philosophy of occult study, see occultism.

Bards draw upon occult magic from esoteric knowledge.

Occult magic is one of the four traditions of magic, along with arcane magic, divine magic, and primal magic. Occult magic is rooted in esoteric and alien knowledge of the multiverse's mysteries. The practitioners of occult traditions seek to understand the unexplainable, categorize the bizarre, and otherwise access the ephemeral in a systematic way.

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On Golarion

Occult magic is the most misunderstood of the four types of magic. Because of its association with the eldritch, the aberrant, and the unknown, it is seen as creepy and rarely discussed openly, leading to even more misinformation among the general population of Golarion. While most misconceptions of occult magic are harmful to its practitioners, some are quite amusing. For example, even educated individuals often believe that bards use some sort of arcane magic, under the assumption that the scary and mysterious occult magic could not possibly be wielded by someone who plays cheery music and spreads mirth.

Occult magic is a component of some Mualijae, Ilverani, and Vourinoi magic, often in the forms of thought-reading and telepathy.

Cheliax, Druma, and Ustalav are nexuses of occult activity in the Inner Sea region, which also makes them hotbeds of occult magic. The Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye specializes in occult studies, and Kelesh incorporates occult calculations into its imperial rule.

The Pathfinder Society's quest for knowledge is often compatible with occult studies, including occult magic.

Some magic items, such as the final blades of Galt, are infused with occult magic.

Practitioners

Bards, psychics, some sorcerers, some summoners, and some witches are occult spellcasters. Some monks train themselves to channel qi into occult focus spells.

Some catfolk and fell gnomes are also drawn to occult magic.