The Pathfinder Kingmaker witch hunt refers to a controversial event that occurred during the Pathfinder Kingmaker video game's development. The game, developed by Owlcat Games, is an adaption of the popular tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder. In this event, the developers faced significant backlash and criticism from the gaming community for their portrayal of witches in the game. Witches are a prominent class in the Pathfinder tabletop game, known for their magical abilities and connection to nature. However, the developers of Pathfinder Kingmaker received heavy criticism for introducing changes to the witches' mechanics and abilities, which were perceived as unjust and unfaithful to the source material. The controversy surrounding the witch hunt primarily stemmed from the alterations made to the witches' spellcasting mechanics.
Read Kesten’s Letter and in it, Kesten will divulge what he’s discovered. As previous allies have suspected, it seems that Lamashtu cultists belonging to more civilized races than goblins may be involved, and Kesten has not only located their shrine, but deduced their routine. They gather at this shrine “at the beginning of each week”, and despite leading an upstart militia he’ll beseech your aid.
to find a chest containing Gift of Death , a Kukri 2 that deals 2d6 bonus damage vs good foes while also gaining a 2 damage bonus against stunned, paralyzed, nauseated and frightened foes. Otherwise you will have to choose between them returning to the capital will mean saving Jhod while going to Lamashtu s Womb will mean saving Kesten.
The controversy surrounding the witch hunt primarily stemmed from the alterations made to the witches' spellcasting mechanics. In Pathfinder tabletop, witches cast their spells using a familiar, a special magical creature that aids them in their magical abilities. However, in Pathfinder Kingmaker, the developers removed the familiar component, leading to outrage from long-time fans of the tabletop game.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker – Season of Bloom Walkthrough
The best time to start the Varnhold's Lot DLC is during the downtime between Season of Bloom and the beginning of The Varnhold Vanishing. During the latter section, the game will ask you to import your DLC save, and you get only one shot at doing so. Be sure to use our Varnhold Party guide before starting the DLC.
Contents- 1 An Amusement for the Nobles
- 2 The Seed of Sorrow
- 3 Witch Hunt
- 4 Mother of Monsters
- 5 Season of Bloom
- 5.1 Lamashtu's Womb
- 5.2 Other World
- 5.3 Defend the capital
An Amusement for the Nobles
The next act will begin with an influx of magical beasts roaming your lands. To solve the problem, you've partnered with nobles from Pitax and Mivon (and optionally, Embeth Travelers). Head east to Hunting Lodge then north to the Hunting Grounds to begin the hunt.
- Northwest you'll find Greater Enraged Owlbear attacking the Aldori sisters. Save them and loot the bear for one of the trophies.
- A little southwest of the center of the map, Poisonous Hydra will yield another trophy.
- Southeast in the rocks you'll find Kneesplitter.
- Northeast corner you can face Ancient Wyvern, which is already being attacked by Embeth Travelers (if you agreed to have them come along). Attack them if you want the prize from the hunt (this will make them attack you later), or leave them be to stay on their good side.
- A little ways southwest of the Ancient Wyvern you'll find Wand of Searing Light , Hunter's Roast , and Melted Shard of a Ring.
When you've finished the hunt, return to the lodge and inform Jamel to receive 180 XP, 2500 G, and 12x Exquisite Pearl. Also, one of the hunters will explode and an owlbear will appear.
With the quest complete, return to the barony and wait for the next event.
The Seed of Sorrow
The disease causing people to explode and produce monsters in their place is spreading. Your advisors will now have you participate in the vivisection surgery in order to learn more about it. When you're ready, speak to them to begin.
Help as best suits your skill points, though Lore Nature is especially effective at ensuring things go well. When asked whether to focus on the lungs or stomach, choose stomach, where you'll find a seed that functions as a parasite. Kill the owlbear that appears to complete the quest.
Witch Hunt
Kesten has sent you a letter of importance, so give it a read to learn about the Lamashtu cultists who gather at the beginning of each week at Mysterious Shrine.
If playing on patch 2.1 or later, talking to Kesten in the next section will cause the Second Breath quest to fail, so complete it beforehand.
When the time approaches, head south of the capital to Shrine of Lamashtu. If it's not "Moonday" (i.e. the moon is showing at the top of your world map screen), rest until it is, then head inside to meet Kesten.
Kill the priests, then take the north exit to chase down the one who escaped. When you arrive at the lodge, question all of the guests and ask for their room keys. In the back room, loot Hostess' Room Key and Sling Staff +2.
When you've spoken to everyone and have their keys, investigate upstairs, then question them again. Once ready, tell Kesten who you think the cultist is (Tsanna). Take her down quick like, after which she'll reveal the others in the lodge are prospective cultists (hence why they were also suspicious). Deal with them as you see fit (setting the priestess free will grant you a buff during The Varnhold Vanishing).
Mother of Monsters
To find the source of the monsters, you must speak with Lamashtu's followers. Head to the Goblin Village east of Tuskdale to get started.
Northwest you'll find Beastrender (falchion). Just mind the traps the goblin tries to lure you into. In the center of the map you'll find Nok-Nok, who will offer to join you as you go to leave.
Season of Bloom
All prior quests complete, return to your barony to discuss what you've learned with your council. There you'll agree the source of the seeds is the drinking water of the villagers nearby. Not long after, the peasants will begin rioting. Convince him not to lynch you, then exit the map and head east toward Goblin Fort on the Gundrin River.
Work your way through the map, clearing out goblins as you go. In the southeast section you'll find the goblin shaman and his minions. Take them out and he'll tell you you're too late to stop the bloom. Loot the area to acquire Belt of Physical Form +4, Paragon of Winter (ring), Mother's Care (kukri) and Vest of Hundred Pockets .
When you've cleared the map, head northeast and speak with Kesten, who is being attacked by Manticores. Take them down then speak with him. If you are Lawful, choose the Lawful dialogue option to save both Kesten and Jhod. Otherwise you will have to choose between them (returning to the capital will mean saving Jhod while going to Lamashtu's Womb will mean saving Kesten).
Make a hard save now in case you dislike the outcome here and also because going to the Womb will mean no escape until you've cleared it. Also, if you dislike puzzle sections (e.g. The Fade in Dragon Age: Origins), go to the capital and skip the Womb.
If you choose to go to Lamashtu's Womb, exit the map and travel northeast across Lake Silverstep to find it. Otherwise, return to the capital.
Lamashtu's Womb
Kill the goblins with the aid of Kesten (assuming you've arrived in a timely fashion), then head north to find more enemies and Decapitator (falcata) and Shock Greatsword +1 among some loot (just mind the spiders flanking you). In the center of the map after taking the path past Kesten, you'll find Headband of Inspired Wisdom +4.
When ready, take the northeast exit to Twisted Passage and navigate your way through, looting Wand of Lightning Bolt, Peridot Wyvern (figurine), and Bracers of Armor +4, among other, lesser items. Heading southwest, you'll eventually find a crack in the wall leading to a mysterious garden.
Other World
Now, as the Old Gnome here will reveal to you, you find yourself in the First World aka the world created before other worlds. To find him, take two lefts. Ask him about the goddess and he'll give you Magical Lantern . This will allow you to pass through the mist without being teleported.
To the south you'll find Mysterious Bird . Place it on the Dais by the gnome and leave it for now. Make your way west and north for another cutscene, then north and west until you run into more spiders and the mist. Unequip the lantern and touch the mist to be transported to a new location where Ancient Wyvern and two Red Dweomerwyvern will attack you. Once they drop, you can destroy Everblooming Flower, but it will simply grow back immediately.
With the Lantern still not equipped, head through the next bit of mist to return to the previous area. Head north past the pool and enter the mist, the fight the Manticores. Once dead, equip the lantern again and head through the mist. Continue southeast until you find Hidden Creephole. Enter it to fight Enlarged Owlbear-like Treant. Kill it and loot the area to find Amulet of Mighty Fists +3, Belt of Physical Perfection +2.
Exit the area and return to Old Gnome using the lantern and going through the mist slightly northwest. Rest to find the bird replaced by Bird Bones . Lantern equipped, go a little ways west to the pool and put the bones into it then collect the poisoned water.
Your party will be split up for the next section, which will be very tough regardless of how difficult you find the game at this point, so use tons of buffs (especially long lasting ones) beforehand to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Travel north and remove the lantern and head into the mist to find yourself at the Everblooming Flower again. Use the Vial of Poisoned Water on it to kill it, then fight the Dweomerowlbears that appear. After you dispatch of them, the Old Gnome will appear and tell you the flower must be destroyed in your world and this one at the same time. As such, you must split up.
Choose three members for the Other World fight, then unload summons and fire spells (the latter particularly at the Greater Owlbear-like Treant). With sufficient buffs beforehand, the fight should be easy (with few or none, it can be one of the hardest fights in the game).
Afterward, touch the flower and enter the portal that appears. Now in control of your second group, buff them up and take down Giant Flytrap (much easier than the bear). Next, your full party will be reuinted against a gaggle of hydras and spiders. Wipe the floor with them, then approach the flower. Burn it, but not before taking part of its root (taking a petal won't do anything), which will grant you a curse research card.
Loot the area to acquire Banded Mail +3, Cypress Queen's Crown , and some minor loot, then take the south exit (Way Down) followed by the west.
Defend the capital
Return to the capital which you'll find in ruins with many dead. Fight your way north until you reach the Greater Primal Owlbear and give it everything you've got. Loot the body afterward to find Bracers of Armor +5. Up ahead, if you went to Womb of Lamashtu, you'll find Jhod breathing his last breath.
Head inside the throne room, which will prompt time to pass. If Jhod died, Kesten will propose you honor his years of loyal service.
The chapter will now conclude. As mentioned above, now is the best time to do the Varnhold's Lot DLC.
To find the source of the monsters, you must speak with Lamashtu's followers. Head to the Goblin Village east of Tuskdale to get started.
Fans and players argued that this alteration diminished the essence of the witch class and undermined its uniqueness. The removal of the familiar also sparked concerns about balance issues within the game. As a result, the developers faced widespread accusations of not understanding the source material and making unnecessary changes. Additionally, the developers were criticized for not adequately addressing the concerns and feedback from the gaming community during the game's development process. Many players felt that Owlcat Games did not listen to their grievances and merely brushed off their concerns. This lack of communication further fueled the controversy surrounding the witch hunt. Despite the backlash, the developers did eventually address the issue by releasing a patch that reintroduced the familiar mechanic for witches in the game. This decision was met with a mixed response, with some players pleased with the resolution, while others remained dissatisfied with the initial portrayal of witches in the game. The Pathfinder Kingmaker witch hunt serves as a reminder of the challenges developers face when adapting tabletop games into the digital medium. It highlights the importance of staying true to the source material and engaging with the gaming community's feedback to create an immersive and faithful gaming experience..
Reviews for "The Kingmaker Witch's Curse: Battling Dark Forces in Pathfinder"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to dive into "Pathfinder Kingmaker Witch Hunt" as a fan of the series, but I was left disappointed. The gameplay felt repetitive, and the story lacked depth and intrigue. The graphics were also lackluster, with dull and uninspiring environments. Overall, I felt like I was just going through the motions instead of being engaged in an immersive and captivating experience.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I was initially drawn to "Pathfinder Kingmaker Witch Hunt" because of its promise of an exciting adventure. However, the game fell short in delivering a truly engaging storyline. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced and predictable. Additionally, the combat system seemed repetitive and lacked strategic elements. While the game had its moments, it ultimately failed to captivate me in the way I had hoped.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - I found "Pathfinder Kingmaker Witch Hunt" to be a disappointing addition to the franchise. The game suffered from numerous bugs and glitches that hindered the overall experience. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the game world. Additionally, the quests lacked variety and often felt tedious and repetitive. Despite some promising elements, the game ultimately failed to deliver an enjoyable gaming experience.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Pathfinder Kingmaker Witch Hunt" was a major letdown for me. The game felt unfinished and rushed, with numerous technical issues and performance problems. The combat system was unbalanced, with frustrating difficulty spikes. The lack of polish was evident throughout the entire game, from the poor character animations to the uninspired voice acting. I had high hopes for this installment, but it was a disappointing experience that I would not recommend.
Blazing a Trail: Pathfinder's Kingmaker Witch Hunt Questline