Pathfinder 1e Archetype Investigator

Ruthless Agent

Ruthless agents are often called upon for their skills at extracting information by any means necessary.

Class: Investigator
Kind: Archetype
Granted Spells: —
Choices: 26 investigator talent slots replaced (ruthless agent)

Ruthless agents are often called upon for their skills at extracting information by any means necessary. Though some view their methods as extreme, ruthless agents prize getting the job done at all costs. Ruthless agents can be found in the employ of nearly any organization--even goodly groups whose leaders either don't know the extent of ruthless agents' zeal or are willing to look the other way to take advantage of these investigators' incredible efficiency. Alignment: Any nongood. This alters the investigator's alignment.

Replaces

Swift AlchemyTrap SenseTrapfinding

Archetype Features

Inspiration Level 1

A ruthless agent focuses on reading motivations and using interrogation tactics. She can use inspiration on Intimidate, Knowledge, and Sense Motive checks without expending a use of inspiration, provided she's trained in the skill. A ruthless agent can't spend inspiration on attack rolls or saving throws. This alters inspiration.

Enhanced Intimidation Level 1

A ruthless agent adds half her investigator level (minimum +1) as a bonus on Intimidate checks. When the ruthless agent uses Intimidate to influence an opponent's attitude, the duration of the attitude shift is 1d6x10 minutes per investigator level (rather than the normal 1d6x10 minutes). Additionally, the ruthless agent is an expert in blending coercion and fear. The first time the ruthless agent attempts to use Intimidate to influence an opponent's attitude and fails, she can retry it against that same opponent with no increase to the DC. Subsequent attempts to influence the same opponent are subject to increased DCs as normal. This replaces trapfinding.

Interrogate Level 3

At 3rd level as a full-round action, a ruthless agent can ask a target one question for every 2 investigator levels she has. The target is not compelled to answer truthfully, but the ruthless agent's implicit or explicit threats and looming manner leads the target to believe the ruthless agent will cause it serious harm if it lies. This imposes a -2 penalty on the target's Bluff checks to lie when answering the specific questions the ruthless agent asked. At 6th level and every 3 levels thereafter, the penalty increases by 2 (to a maximum of -12 at 18th level). She can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Intelligence modifier. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. This replaces trap sense.

Agonizing Strike Level 4

At 4th level, a ruthless agent has learned how to finesse her attacks to discomfort a foe. When she deals damage using her studied strike, she can make this damage nonlethal (regardless of whether her weapon normally deals lethal or nonlethal damage), forcing the target to succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC = 10 + half the ruthless agent's level + her Intelligence modifier) or be sickened for 1 round and take a -2 penalty on Will saving throws for 1 minute. Multiple agonizing strikes do not worsen the condition or impose an additional penalty on Will saves, but they do increase the duration of both effects. This replaces swift alchemy.

Concoction of Truth Level 7

At 7th level, a ruthless agent automatically adds discern lies to her list of formulae known. She prepares this as a 3rd-level extract, and she can prepare one discern lies extract each day that does not count against her daily allotment of extracts. This replaces the investigator talent gained at 7th level.

Compel Obedience Level 11

At 11th level, a ruthless agent can issue a binding command to a creature as a full-round action once per day. This command acts like geas/quest with the creature as the target, using the ruthless agent's investigator level as the caster level. The ruthless agent can compel obedience from only one creature at a time (as soon as the geas/quest is fulfilled, however, the ruthless agent can use this ability again, as long as she has a use of this ability available). At 17th level, the ruthless agent can compel obedience from two creatures at once, and she is always aware of the targets as if they were under the effects of a status spell (caster level = the ruthless agent's investigator level). This replaces the investigator talents gained at 11th and 17th levels.

Investigator talent slots replaced (Ruthless Agent)

Chosen as you gain archetype choices — 26 options.

Alchemist Discovery You can select one alchemist discovery as an investigator talent.

Blinding Strike When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC [see source formula]) or be permanently bli...

Confusing Strike When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a DC [see source formula] Fortitude saving throw or become confused for ...

Deafening Strike When an investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a DC [see source formula] Fortitude saving throw or be permanently deafened.

Device Talent The investigator can use the Use Magic Device skill even if not trained in that skill.

Effortless Aid The investigator can use an aid another action as a move action instead of as a standard action.

Eidetic Recollection An investigator can always choose to take 10 on any of his Knowledge checks, even if he's in immediate danger or distracted.

Empathy When attempting a Sense Motive check, the investigator makes two d20 rolls and takes the higher result.

Expanded Inspiration An investigator can use his inspiration ability when attempting Diplomacy, Heal, Perception, Profession, and Sense Motive checks without expending uses of in...

Hidden Agendas An investigator learns to obscure his thoughts and endeavors from prying eyes and even intrusive magic.

Inspirational Expertise When an investigator succeeds at a Knowledge check to identify a monster's special powers or vulnerabilities, he can expend one use of inspiration as a swift...

Inspired Alertness Whenever the investigator becomes flat-footed, he can expend one use of inspiration to ignore that condition.

Inspired Intelligence An investigator can add his inspiration die to all Knowledge, Linguistics, or Spellcraft checks without expending a use of inspiration, even those he's not t...

Inspired Intimidator When the investigator succeeds at an Intimidate check to demoralize an opponent, he can expend one use of inspiration to automatically increase the result of...

Item Lore An investigator can use Spellcraft to identify the properties and command words of magic items without the use of detect magic or similar spells.

Perceptive Tracking The investigator can use Perception instead of Survival to both find and follow tracks, using the same DCs listed under the Survival skill (Core Rulebook 107).

Quick Study An investigator can use his studied combat ability as swift action instead of a move action.

Repositioning Strike When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a reposition combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied ...

Rogue Talent You can select one of the following rogue talents in place of an investigator talent: assault leader, black market connections, camouflage, canny observer, c...

Sapping Offensive When the investigator damages a studied target, that creature cannot make attacks of opportunity for 1 round.

Sickening Offensive When the investigator damages a studied target, that creature is also sickened for 1 round.

Stealing Strike When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a steal combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied strike.

Tenacious Inspiration When an investigator rolls his inspiration die, he can roll an additional inspiration die and take the higher result.

Toppling Strike When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a trip combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied strike.

Unconventional Inspiration An investigator with this talent can pick any one skill.

Underworld Inspiration An investigator can use his inspiration on Bluff, Disable Device, Disguise, Intimidate, or Sleight of Hand checks without expending uses of inspiration, prov...