Inscrutable Bureaucrat (Investigator/Inquisitor)

The tyrannical Hell, compassionate Heaven, and ordered Utopia. Vastly different from one another in their own rights, each of these planes holds true to the same paradigm–an organized society with strict adherence to the law. Inscrutable bureaucrats gaze upon these places in awe, seeking to learn the inner mechanisms from which they gain their powers and the methods by which they are governed. These calculating, machine-hearted individuals harness the knowledge of these planes, while wielding a fiery lash to ensure their unbendable will. (Original Concept by Taco Man)

Primary Class: Investigator.

Secondary Class: Inquisitor.

Alignment: Any lawful.

Hit Dice: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The inscrutable bureaucrat selects three inquisitor skills to add to his class skills, in addition to the normal investigator class skills. The inscrutable bureaucrat gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The inscrutable bureaucrat is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, short sword, and sword cane. He is also proficient with light armor, but with not shields. He can cast inquisitor spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a inscrutable bureaucrat wearing medium armor, heavy armor, or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass inscrutable bureaucrat still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Spellcasting: An inscrutable bureaucrat casts divine spells drawn from the inquisitor spell list. He can cast any spell he knows at any time without preparing it ahead of time, assuming he has not yet used up his allotment of spells per day for the spell’s level.

To learn or cast a spell, an inscrutable bureaucrat must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against an inscrutable bureaucrat’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the inscrutable bureaucrat’s Intelligence modifier.

An inscrutable bureaucrat can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level each day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Inscrutable Bureaucrat. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Intelligence score.

An inscrutable bureaucrat’s selection of spells is extremely limited. An inscrutable bureaucrat begins play knowing four 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells of the inscrutable bureaucrat’s choice. At each new inscrutable bureaucrat level, he gains one or more new spells as indicated on Table: Inscrutable Bureaucrat Spells Known. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells an inscrutable bureaucrat knows is not affected by his Intelligence score. The numbers on Table: Inscrutable Bureaucrat Spells Known are fixed.)

Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third inscrutable bureaucrat level thereafter (8th, 11th, and so on), an inscrutable bureaucrat can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the inscrutable bureaucrat “loses” the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least one level lower than the highest-level inscrutable bureaucrat spell he can cast. The inscrutable bureaucrat may swap out only a single spell at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level. This ability and orisons replaces extracts.

Peerless Linguist (Ex): An inscrutable bureaucrat adds 1/2 of his level to all Linguistic skill checks. This ability replaces trapfinding.

Domain: At 1st level, an inscrutable bureaucrat gains the inquisitor’s domain ability and must select from the following domains (or subdomains): Artifice (Toil), Destruction (Hatred, Torture), Evil (Corruption, Devil, Fear), Fire (Ash, Smoke), Law (Devil, Judgment, Loyalty, Slavery, Tyranny), Nobility (Aristocracy, Leadership), and Trickery (Deception, Greed, Innuendo). Alternatively, he can choose from the following inquisitions: Anger, Conversion, Damnation, Heresy, Justice, Torture, Vengeance, Zeal. This ability replaces alchemy and trap sense.

Orisons: At 1st level, an inscrutable bureaucrat gains the inquisitor’s orisons ability.

Persuasion (Ex): This is exactly like the investigator’s inspiration ability, except that the inscrutable bureaucrat can use inspiration on any Bluff, Diplomacy, or Knowledge skill checks without expending a use of inspiration, provided he's trained in the skill. This changes the investigator’s inspiration class feature.

Prodigious Cunning (Su): An inscrutable bureaucrat's knack for wording and language grows sharper as he gains experience. At 2nd level, the inscrutable bureaucrat gains Skill Focus (Linguistics) as a bonus feat, At 5nd level, he gains Orator as a bonus feat. At 8th level, he gains Esoteric Linguistics as a Bonus Feat. This ability replaces poison lore, poison resistance, and swift alchemy.

Investigator’s Talent (Ex or Su): An inscrutable bureaucrat may select the following new talents, restricted to the Inscrutable Bureaucrat multiclass archetype.

Alchemist Discovery (Ex): The inscrutable bureaucrat can select one of the following alchemist discoveries as an investigator talent: cognatogen, collective memory, concentrate poison, dilution, elemental mutagen, enhance potion, eternal potion, extend potion, inspiring cognatogen, lingering spirit, pickled quasit, mutagen, and poison conversion. When selecting an alchemist discovery, he must be high enough level to qualify for that discovery, using his inscrutable bureaucrat level as his alchemist level to determine if he qualifies. This talent can be selected multiple times; each time grants a new alchemist discovery. This changes the alchemist discovery investigator’s talent.

Inscrutable Lash (Su): An inscrutable bureaucrat can create a fiery lash from the very fabric of Heaven or Hell itself. While his studied combat ability is in effect, the inscrutable bureaucrat can form a 10-foot whip of hellfire (or heavensfire) as a swift action, according to his alignment. The choice is made at when the talent is chosen, and once made it cannot be changed. As a standard action, he can then make an inscrutable lash attack in place of his studied strike. This lash functions in all ways as a scorpion whip, including damage and special qualities, and the inscrutable bureaucrat is considered proficient with the lash. When an inscrutable bureaucrat makes a successful attack with his inscrutable lash, it deals normal damage as a scorpion whip, plus an amount of hellfire (or heavensfire) damage equal to his studied strike damage. Half the damage is fire damage, but the other half results directly from divine power and is therefore not subject to being reduced by resistance to fire-based attacks. The target can make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 the inscrutable bureaucrat’s level + the inscrutable bureaucrat’s Intelligence modifier) for half the fire damage. When the inscrutable lash attack is made, the studied combat ends as normal. In addition, the target is shaken for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 the inscrutable bureaucrat’s level.

Second Punishment (Ex): Whenever an inscrutable bureaucrat uses his studied punishment talent, he selects two different punishments that he knows, instead of one. This only consumes one use of his persuasion ability. As a swift action, he can change one of these punishments to another type. The inscrutable bureaucrat must be at least 9th level and have the studied punishment talent to select this talent.

Studied Punishment (Su): When the inscrutable bureaucrat uses his studied combat ability, he can spend one use of his persuasion ability as an immediate action to gain the effects of one punishment that he knows. This punishment lasts for a number of rounds equal to inscrutable bureaucrat level + his Intelligence modifier, even after his studied combat ends, or he deals studied strike damage. The inscrutable bureaucrat may select from the following punishments.

• • Blunted: The target’s attacks are blunted when directed against the inscrutable bureaucrat. The target receives a –1 sacred (or profane) penalty on all weapon damage rolls made against the inscrutable bureaucrat. This penalty increases by –1 for every three inscrutable bureaucrat levels he possesses.

  • Corruption: The target becomes tainted by the divine energies that surround the inscrutable bureaucrat. The target receives a –1 sacred (or profane) penalty on all saving throws against attacks, spells, and effects from the inscrutable bureaucrat. This penalty increases by –1 for every five inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses. At 10th level, the penalty is doubled against curses, diseases, and poisons.

  • Defenseless: The target is less able to defend himself against the inscrutable bureaucrat’s attacks. The target receives a –1 sacred penalty to Armor Class against the inscrutable bureaucrat’s attacks. This penalty increases by –1 for every five inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses. At 10th level, this penalty is doubled against attack rolls made to confirm critical hits against the inscrutable bureaucrat.

  • Distracted: The target becomes distracted when focusing his magic against the inscrutable bureaucrat. The target receives a –1 sacred penalty on concentration checks and caster level checks made to overcome the inscrutable bureaucrat’s spell resistance (if any). This penalty increases by –1 for every three inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses.

  • Hemorrhaging: The target becomes susceptible to any slashing or piercing attacks made by the inscrutable bureaucrat. This causes the target to take 1 point of bleed damage each round as long as the inscrutable bureaucrat is alive and the punishment lasts. The amount of bleed damage increases by 1 point for every three inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses. This bleed damage does not stack with additional slashing or piercing attacks from the inscrutable bureaucrat, but it does stack with bleed damage from other sources.

  • Impeded: The target’s weapons are impeded from bypassing the inscrutable bureaucrat’s damage reduction. The target’s magical weapons no longer count as magic for the purposes of bypassing the inscrutable bureaucrat’s damage reduction. At 6th level, the target’s magical weapons no longer count as aligned (chaotic, evil, good, or lawful) for the purpose of bypassing the inscrutable bureaucrat’s damage reduction. The type must match one of the inscrutable bureaucrat’s alignments. If the inscrutable bureaucrat is neutral, she does benefit from this penalty. At 10th level, the target’s magical weapons no longer count as adamantine for the purpose of overcoming the inscrutable bureaucrat’s damage reduction (but not for reducing hardness).

  • Inaccuracy: The target’s attacks are less true when directed against the inscrutable bureaucrat. The target receives a –1 sacred penalty on all attack rolls made against the inscrutable bureaucrat. This penalty increases by –1 for every five inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses. At 10th level, this penalty is doubled on all attack rolls made to confirm critical hits.

  • Penetrable: The target becomes less resilient to the inscrutable bureaucrat’s attacks. The target’s DR/magic is treated as 1 less (minimum 0) against the harbinger’s dire attacks. This penalty to DR increases by 1 for every five levels she possesses. At 10th level, this DR includes an alignment (chaotic, evil, good, or lawful) that is opposite the inscrutable bureaucrat’s. If she is neutral, the inscrutable bureaucrat does not receive this increase.

  • Vulnerability: The target becomes vulnerable to the inscrutable bureaucrat’s energy attacks. The target’s energy resistance against one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic) is treated as 2 lower (minimum 0), chosen when the punishment is pronounced. The protection decreases by 2 for every three inscrutable bureaucrat levels she possesses.

This talent can be chosen multiple times. Each time the inscrutable bureaucrat chooses a different punishment. The inscrutable bureaucrat must have the studied combat ability to select this talent.

Third Punishment (Ex): Whenever an inscrutable bureaucrat uses his punishment ability, he selects three different punishments than he knows, instead of just two. This only consumes one use of his persuasion ability. As a swift action, the inscrutable bureaucrat can change one of these punishments to another type. The inscrutable bureaucrat must be at least 17th level and have the second punishment talent to select this talent.

Polyglot (Ex): At 3rd level, an inscrutable bureaucrat can attempt all Linguistics skill checks untrained. This ability replaces keen recollection.

True Bureaucracy (Su): At 20th level, whenever an inscrutable bureaucrat uses his studied combat ability, the inscrutable bureaucrat can invoke true punishment on a foe as a swift action. Once declared, the inscrutable bureaucrat can make a single studied strike against the target. If the attack hits, it deals damage normally and the target must make a Fortitude save or become subject to a symbol of pain spell. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 the inscrutable bureaucrat's level + the inscrutable bureaucrat's Intelligence modifier. Regardless of whether or not the save is made, the target creature is immune to the inscrutable bureaucrat's studied strike ability for 24 hours. Once this ability has been used, it cannot be used again for 1d4 rounds.

In addition, an inscrutable bureaucrat can use persuasion on all skill checks—even ones he isn't trained in—and all ability checks without spending persuasion. This ability replaces true inspiration.

Table: Inscrutable Bureaucrat

Table: Inscrutable Bureaucrat Spells Known