Investigator archetype

Lepidstadt Inspector

The ability of investigators trained at the University of Lepidstadt to get to the bottom of a mystery is legendary, and troubled settlements throughout the region often send petitions to the university requesting the aid of a formally trained inspector when some mystery threatens the community as a whole. These inspectors are tasked with assuming nothing and asking difficult and unpopular questions as necessary to get to the truth behind a problem. Inspectors are well-prepared to deal with mystical threats, but they are also mindful that what some claim are supernatural problems may well be just the result of more mundane threats such as bandits, wild beasts, or public hysteria.

Keen Mind (Ex) level 3

Replaces Trap Sense.

At 3rd level, a Lepidstadt inspector’s strong, analytical mind resists attacks and hazards that would muddy his clear thoughts. He gains a +1 bonus on Perception checks and Will saves. These bonuses increase to +2 at 9th level and +3 at 15th level. This ability replaces trap sense, poison resistance, and poison immunity.

Perceptive Tracking (Ex) level 3

At 3rd level, a Lepidstadt inspector must take the perceptive tracking talent as his investigator talent. He doesn’t need to be trained in Perception to do so.

Relentless Pursuit (Ex) level 5

Replaces Swift Alchemy.

At 5th level, a Lepidstadt inspector can learn enough about a suspect through observation that he can deduce the most effective way to deal with the subject. Once per day, if a Lepidstadt inspector finds a creature’s tracks using perceptive tracking, he gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks against or about that creature, as well as on weapon attack and damage rolls against that creature. These bonuses last until the Lepidstadt inspector selects a new subject for relentless pursuit. This ability replaces swift alchemy and the investigator talent gained at 5th level.

New Investigator Talents The following talents are common among investigators from Cheliax, Thuvia, and Ustalav, but can be taken by any investigator who meets their prerequisites.

Investigator talents marked with an asterisk (*) add effects to an investigator’s studied combat or studied strike. Only one of these talents can be applied to an individual attack, but the decision can be made when the damage is dealt.

Applied Engineering (Ex)

The investigator can leverage his knowledge of engineering to solve tasks that normally require brute strength or keen eyes. He can expend one use of inspiration as a full-round action to study an object or area and attempt a Knowledge (engineering) check. On his next turn, he can use the result of that Knowledge (engineering) check in place of a Strength check to break the object or in place of a Perception check to locate hidden doors or compartments in that area.

Domino Effect* (Ex): When the investigator uses studied strike, he uses his opponents against each other and sets himself up for his next move. Whenever he successfully deals damage to an opponent with studied strike, as a free action the investigator can apply the effects of studied combat to an opponent adjacent to the first. An investigator must be at least 5th level to select this talent.

Prolonged Study* (Ex): The investigator can study his opponents for long periods of time. The effects of his studied combat ability last for a number of rounds equal to twice his Intelligence modifier (minimum 2) or until he deals damage with a studied strike, whichever comes first. The investigator must be at least 13th level to select this talent.

Slowing Strike* (Ex): When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the investigator’s class level + his Intelligence modifier) or be slowed by the crippling blow. A slowed opponent’s movement speeds are each reduced by 5 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet) until the creature is healed through the application of any spell that cures hit point damage or with a successful DC 15 Heal check. Multiple slowing strikes stack, to a minimum of 5 feet. An investigator must be at least 7th level to select this talent.

Timed Strike* (Ex): The longer the investigator studies his opponent, the greater the damage he ultimately deals with his studied strike. When the investigator makes a studied strike, he deal a number of points of additional damage equal to the number of consecutive rounds he studied the target with studied combat.

New Regional Traits The following regional traits are for characters from Lepidstadt in Ustalav.

Analytical (Ustalav): You have been trained in the analytical thought process preferred by the professors of mortal sciences at Lepidstadt University, allowing you to consider a question more carefully when you have time for calm contemplation. When you take 10 on a Knowledge check, add 1 to your result.

Lepidstadt Scar (Ustalav): You engaged in nonlethal duels at Fifthstones Hill so often that you gained a visible (though minor) scar on your face. Because of this experience, you’re unflinching in the heat of combat, calmly analyzing how to lessen the impact of a foe’s best attacks. You gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attack rolls made to confirm a critical threat against you.

Interrogation (Ex)

Replaces Trapfinding.

A Lepidstadt inspector is a master of harrying others until they cooperate with his investigations, and knows instinctively when the answers he receives are falsehoods. He adds 1/2 his class level (minimum 1) to Intimidate checks made to influence a creature’s attitude and to Sense Motive checks. This ability replaces trapfinding.