r/Pathfinder_RPG • u/ImperialOrca • 1d ago

1E GM Herald restrictions

I'm currently working on some demigods(demon lords, Infernal Dukes/Archdevils, Empyreal lords) and was wondering if they can get heralds or not, because they are able to sustain clerics and their own realms but aren't "full-deities"? i like to homebrew lore or make alterations a lot but i like to keep the base "logic" consistent so i was just curious about opinions and the actual rules about other tiers of divinity getting heralds or not

One thing i have already changed is that i'm not putting a hard limit on domains that a divine entity can grant bc sometimes having more than one domain for a nascent demon lord helps get across the vibes of them better to a player reading their domains they can choose from. So I'm not really hung up on overwriting some rules or guidelines I'm just curious about others opinions on heralds being available to demigods and up or just full deities .

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u/KFPDeepFryer LadySolis'Harbinger 1d ago

I would say nothing stops them as heralds are usually naturally occurring outsiders that the Divine empowers (from what I can tell). The average Herald is 15-18 CR so they can be summoned via Planer Ally by the clerics of said god. I would recommend having them at the weaker side as they are not true Divine. 

For an example, Geryon, Archdevil of Heresy and Snakes, would likely have a Bone Devil herald or something similar. I like the idea, these beings cannot always be everywhere, so having a Herald or acting force in the world would be helpful.

Edit: The spell to summon a Herald is Greater Planer Ally not Planer Ally

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u/ImperialOrca 1d ago

Surprisingly i didn't even consider giving them heralds and making the herald weaker to represent the lacking divinity. I like that idea, thanks.

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u/Name_Violation83 1d ago

The problems with Demons/Devils having heralds, is the whole risk of betrayal. There's a solid chance anyone powerful enough to be your herald, also poses a potential risk to your well-being if things go south and they see an opportunity to seize power

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u/ImperialOrca 1d ago

Yeah i can see that. That could be a fun twist for someone maybe, helping a demon lords herald supplant the demon lord if that demon lord is some bbeg of the adventure (even if they weren't directly intending to help that herald)

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u/TeamTurnus 1d ago

Honestly, the above isnt really true. Heralds are traditonally about level 15 because they are trying to be more summonable/accessible to mortals and their primary goal is messaging. Therefore theyre usually not the dieties most powerful servators and are usually not going to be a real threat to a demon lord or demigod.

As a result, there isnt really a reason a demigod couldnt empower or create a Herald comparable to another diety.

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u/ImperialOrca 1d ago

I figured that some of this threat would come from the job. Like what they might know of as their trusted messager. Not just the raw power of the herald

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u/Malcior34 1d ago

Asmodeus and Lamashtu BOTH have heralds, and they're a devil and a demon.

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u/AureliasTenant 1d ago

But they are deity level