The Navigators

This post presents another faction that could be used in a space fantasy or nautical Pathfinder campaign.

-Nate

The Navigators

Ostensibly a professional organization dedicated to studying the galaxy and practicing the art of charting courses between bodies floating in the aether, this group is in fact the cover for a secret society. Them are obsessed with the idea that interaction between the (as they see it) male sun and the (in their view) female earth is the source of all creation. While some promote belief in the Universal Architect, they see the aforementioned relationship as a necessary emanation from that being in order to facilitate the rest of the creative act. Such notions are, it should be noted, controversial.

Goal: Discovery and, um, Knowledge

While their publicly stated goals focus on exploring the galaxy and promulgating knowledge of the planets, asteroids and other bodies that can be found in it, their unofficial activities that focus on the male-female relationship mentioned above. Indeed, in said act they see a ritual that can promote the essential virility of life in the universe, one that should be conducted over and over in order to promote such vital energies. As such, they're also dedicated to worshiping the Goddess of Love and Beauty.

Alignment: NG

Given the nature of their rituals, members of the Navigators are not accepting of social strictures that impede natural desires. On the other hand, given their respect for all living things, they also don't like doctrines that are enforced against the will of common people.

Leader

Although the hierarchy in this organization is not as strict as those in other groups, the acknowledged leader is a mystic theurge named Giovanni di Savilla—an individual who combines the studies of a diviner wizard with the passion of cleric who worships the Love Goddess.

Headquarters

Instead of just one location that provides a focus for the group's activities, the Navigators maintain a variety of places in which they conduct their trade and undertake their rituals. A typical example of this is a well-regarded bookshop, one in which buyers can find a variety of tomes and maps detailing the worlds of the Sol System, along with assorted curiosities and other, more mundane texts. 

1. Front Room

In the front of the shop there is a table at which the shopkeeper is stationed to receive customers.

2. Stacks

All manner of books, maps and other such items can be found throughout this area. Additionally, in the space behind the front room is a table at which visitors can sit and take their time in examining items.

3. Office

This room is furnished with a bookcase, desk and storage trunk. The latter item is sealed with a good lock, and contains the bookstore's working capital: 124 gp, 381 sp and 274 cp. There's also a ledger with a record of the shop's legitimate business transactions.

4. Stairways

In addition to the stairs that lead up to the building's upper level, a secret door (DC 20 Perception) provides access to the basement, in which the organization's more private entertainments occur. 

 5. Bedrooms

Each of these rooms is comfortably appointed, due to the relative affluence of those who run the bookshop. Furnishings include a bed and a wardrobe—along with a desk in the smaller room.

6. Study

The larger bedroom (see above) connects to a small library, a room lined with bookshelves and filled by a large writing desk. It is from here that the group's leader steers the organization, writing texts that present sacred instructions, responding to letters from the faithful, and the like.

7. Kitchen

Given their hedonistic tendencies, it should come as not surprise that this group provides plenty of food and drink for its members. As such, the kitchen is outfitted with all manner of pots, pans, dishes and utensils, along with a pantry stocked with beverages and foodstuffs, and a closet containing linens, silverware and the like.

8. Dining Room

A table and chairs here provide a place where the shop's everyday inhabitants can take their meals.

9. Lounge

This is where the society holds its meetings. There's a smaller semi-circle of chairs for more intimate groups, or a ring of couches for larger gatherings.

10. Storage

The shelves that line the walls of this room are stocked with all manner of beverage, along with dainty preserved foods and sweetmeats. There are also candles, incense, linens and the like.

11. Meeting Room

A broad table surrounded by high-backed chairs fills this space, which is reserved for those times when the group holds more formal meetings.

Using the Navigators in an Aetherial Adventures Campaign

This organization can provide plenty of plot elements for a space fantasy RPG campaign; presented here are a few of the possibilities.

• Ostensibly, characters can seek out these Navigator chapter houses in order to find information about other planets as well as the space that lies between them. Given their expansive knowledge, members of this group are accomplished scholars and herbalists.
• In a similar vein, a Navigator could seek to hire the PCs as part of an expedition to acquire some lost relic, bit of lore or potent magical component that the organization needs for one of its rituals or projects.
• When the son or daughter of a high-society family decides to join the Navigators, that young person's parents asks the PCs to bring back the wayward individual. Will the PCs do so, or will they develop sympathy for the youth?
• Those who are strong warriors, beautiful magicians, charming bards or the like might be invited to participate in one of the organization's secret rituals.
• Indeed, this group can be used to add some drama to a campaign, should a PC fall for one of its members—one who does not believe in committed relationships. This might create difficulty for the PC in question, or for an NPC who becomes jealous and vengeful as a result.
• One of the Navigators begins trading in secrets gained from intimate interactions with outsiders, and decides to sell that information to a rival or enemy. What is the secret, and what are others willing to do to learn it, or to see that it remains unknown?
• A foul murder, using poison or some other stealthy means, happens at one of the Navigators' meetings that's being held as a masquerade; the ensuing investigation becomes complicated because of the illicit nature of the group's ritual activities.
• These matters become even more complicated when an opponent of the organization accuses the Navigators of summoning demons and devils as part of their rituals. Is this claim true, or just an attempt to sully the group's already delicate reputation?
• When a crusading group of clerics—possibly followers of the Sun God or the Universal Architect—decides to shut down this organization, one or more of its members could look to the PCs for help in leaving town quickly.

Giovanni di Savilla CR 8 XP 4800 Male human cleric 3/wizard 3/mystic theurge 3 NG medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception +3 DEFENSE AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (+0 Dex) hp 38 (6d6+3d8) Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +11 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Quarterstaff +4 (1d6) Ranged Shortbow +4 (1d6) Special Attacks Spells STATISTICS Str 10, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 14 Base Atk +4; CMB +4; CMD 14 Feats Extra Channel, Scribe Scroll, Selective Channeling, Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus(enchantment) Skills Craft (writing) +12, Heal +12, Knowledge (arcane) +12, Knowledge (Geography) +12, Knowledge (religion) +12, Linguistics +12, Spellcraft +9 Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnomish SQ Aura, channel energy 1d6, domains (Charm, Community), orisons; arcane bond (amulet), arcane school (enchantment), cantrips; combined spells (1st and 2nd) Combat Gear Fancy clothing, masterwork quarterstaff, masterwork shortbow, ring of protection +1, ring of sustenance, cloak of resistance +2, elixir of love, spellbook, silver holy symbol, pouch of writing materials Cleric Spells per Day: 4/4+1/4+1/3+1 Spells Prepared: Create water, guidance, purify food and drink, resistance; bless, charm person, comprehend languages, endure elements, protection from evil, sanctuary; calm emotions, eagle's splendor, hold person, owl's wisdom, status; dispel magic, locate object, prayer, suggestion Wizard Spells per Day: 4/4/4/3 Wizard Spells Known: All cantrips; charm person, comprehend languages, hypnotism, identify, mage armor, sleep, true strike; daze monster, detect thoughts, fox's cunning, hypnotic pattern; arcane sight, clairaudience/clairvoyance, heroism, tongues Giovanni di Savilla is, to put it bluntly, a hedonist. He is good-regarding his fellow people, and brilliant in his study of the heavens, but still a hedonist. That is what led him to develop his theology of divine coupling, as he calls it, and to combine the study of arcane magic with devotion toward the holy. As such, he is content to play the role of a modest research and bookseller, helping others go about their business, so long as he and his followers have time in which to conduct their own rituals.

Cleric of the Love Goddess CR ½ XP 200 Various human cleric 1 NG medium humanoid Init +1; Senses Perception +2 DEFENSE AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 armor) hp 9 (1d8+1) Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +4 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Light mace +0 (1d6) Ranged Shortbow +1 (1d6) Special Attacks Spells STATISTICS Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 15, Cha 14 Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11 Feats Extra Channel, Selective Channeling Skills Heal +6, Knowledge (religion) +3 Languages Common SQ Aura, channel energy 1d6, domains (Charm, Community), orisons Combat Gear Clothing, leather armor, silver holy symbol, light mace, shortbow, quiver of 20 arrows, healer's kit Spells per Day: 3/2+1 Spells Prepared: Create water, guidance, resistance; bless, charm person, protection from evil Some might call these clerics naive, but they would argue that their message is true: the more love that people have for each other, the better life will be for all. They are truly free spirits, always interested in going somewhere or meeting someone new.

Wizard Enchanter CR ½ XP 200 Various human wizard 1 NG medium humanoid Init +1; Senses Perception -1 DEFENSE AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex) hp 7 (1d6+1) Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Quarterstaff +0 (1d6) Ranged Light crossbow +1 (1d8) Special Attacks Spells STATISTICS Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 8, Cha 14 Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11 Feats Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus(enchantment) Skills Craft (writing) +6, Knowledge (arcane) +6, Knowledge (geography) +6, Linguistics +6, Spellcraft +6 Languages Common, Elven, Draconic SQ Arcane bond (amulet), arcane school (enchantment), cantrips Combat Gear Clothing, spellbook, quarterstaff, light crossbow, case of 10 bolts, amulet, pouch with writing materials Spells per Day: 3/2 Spells Known: All cantrips; charm person, comprehend languages, hypnotism, identify, sleep While a little more business-minded than their cleric colleagues, the wizards who work in Mr. di Savilla's bookshop still delight in using their magic to influence the minds of others. They are friendly people who enjoy good food, good drink, and good company.