Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Intrigue

258 Pages·2016·17.6 MB·English

by  Paizo Inc.

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CREDITS
Lead Designer • Jason Bulmahn
Designers • Logan Bonner, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, and Mark Seifter
Authors • Jesse Benner, John Bennett, Logan Bonner, Robert Brookes, Jason Bulmahn, Ross Byers, Robert N. Emerson, Amanda Hamon Kunz,
Steven T. Helt, Thurston Hillman, Tim Hitchcock, Mikko Kallio, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Tom Phillips, Stephen Radney-MacFarland,
Thomas M. Reid, Alexander Riggs, David N. Ross, David Schwartz, Mark Seifter, and Linda Zayas-Palmer
Cover Artist • Wayne Reynolds
Interior Artists • David Alvarez, Subroto Bhaumik, Milivoj Ceran, Tomasz Chistowski, Felipe Escobar, Mariusz Gandzel, Nicholas Gregory,
Kent Hamilton, Mikaël Léger, Daniel López, Jaime Martinez, Mark Molnar, Emiliano Petrozzi, Roberto Pitturru, Maichol Quinto, Bryan Sola,
Bryan Syme, and Konstantin Vavilov
Editor-in-Chief • F. Wesley Schneider
Creative Director • James Jacobs
Executive Editor • James L. Sutter
Senior Developer • Rob McCreary
Developers • John Compton, Adam Daigle, Mark Moreland, and Owen K.C. Stephens
Assistant Developers • Crystal Frasier, Amanda Hamon Kunz, and Linda Zayas-Palmer
Senior Editors • Judy Bauer and Christopher Carey
Editors • Thomas Call, Garrett Guillotte, Jason Keeley, Lyz Liddell, Josh Vogt, and Wendy N. Wagner
Managing Art Director • Sarah E. Robinson
Art Director • Sonja Morris
Senior Graphic Designer • Adam Vick
Graphic Designer • Emily Crowell
Publisher • Erik Mona
Paizo CEO • Lisa Stevens
Chief Operations Officer • Jeffrey Alvarez
Director of Sales • Pierce Watters
Sales Associate • Cosmo Eisele
Marketing Director • Jenny Bendel
Vice President of Finance • Christopher Self
Staff Accountant • Ashley Kaprielian
Data Entry Clerk • B. Scott Keim
Chief Technical Officer • Vic Wertz
Software Development Manager • Cort Odekirk
Senior Software Developer • Gary Teter
Project Manager • Jessica Price
Organized Play Coordinator • Tonya Woldridge
Adventure Card Game Designer • Tanis O'Connor
Community Team • Liz Courts and Chris Lambertz
Customer Service Team • Sharaya Copas, Katina Davis, Sara Marie Teter, and Diego Valdez
Warehouse Team • Will Chase, Mika Hawkins, Heather Payne, Jeff Strand, and Kevin Underwood
Website Team • Christopher Anthony, Winslow Dalpe, Lissa Guillet, Julie Iaccarino, Erik Keith, and Scott Spalding
This game is dedicated to Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Based on the original roleplaying game rules designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and inspired by the third edition of the game
designed by Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, and Peter Adkison.
This game would not be possible without the passion and dedication of the thousands of gamers who helped playtest and develop it.
Thank you for all of your time and effort.
Paizo Inc.
7120 185th Ave NE, Ste 120
Redmond, WA 98052-0577
paizo.com
This product is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game or the 3.5 edition of the world’s oldest fantasy roleplaying game.
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper
names (characters, deities, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously been designated as Open Game Content or are in the public domain are not
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No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Intrigue is published by Paizo Inc. under the Open Game License version 1.0a © 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Paizo, Paizo Inc., the Paizo golem logo, Pathfinder, the Pathfinder
logo, and Pathfinder Society are registered trademarks of Paizo Inc.; Pathfinder Accessories, Pathfinder Adventure Card Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Battles, Pathfinder Campaign Setting, Pathfinder
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First printing April 2016.
Printed in China.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION 4 CHAPTER 4: SOCIAL COMBAT 164
Social Conflicts 166
CHAPTER 1: CLASSES 6
Verbal Duels 176
Base Class: Vigilante 9 Skills in Conflict 182
Alchemist
Bluff 182
Archetypes 18 Diplomacy 184
Bard
Disguise 186
Archetypes 20 Intimidate 186
Cavalier
Perception and Stealth 187
Archetypes 24 Sense Motive 188
Druid
Replacing Opposed Rolls 189
Archetypes 26
Inquisitor CHAPTER 5: SPELLS 190
Inquisitions 28 Spell Lists 192
Archetypes 28 Spells 203
Investigator
Archetypes 32 CHAPTER 6: GEAR AND MAGIC ITEMS 230
Mesmerist Weapons 232
Archetypes 36 Adventuring Gear 232
Ranger Alchemical Tools 234
Combat Styles 40 Magic Items 237
Archetypes 40
Rogue INDEX 252
Talents 44
Archetypes 44
Skald
Archetypes 48
Spiritualist
Archetypes 50
Swashbuckler
Archetypes 52
Vigilante
Archetypes 54
Other Class Archetypes 64
CHAPTER 2: FEATS 72
Types of Feats 74
Feat Descriptions 74
Feat Table 76
CHAPTER 3: MASTERING INTRIGUE 96
Influence 102
Heists 118
Leadership 130
Nemeses 136
Pursuit 142
Research 148
Spells of Intrigue 154
Introduction
M
any challenges adventurers face are best solved If you’re looking for a specific topic, check the index
not with blades or spells, but through wit and located on page 252.
guile. Like the real world, any good fantasy setting Chapter 1—Classes: This chapter contains numerous
runs at least in part on covert manipulations and wily options for characters interested in social challenges and
maneuvering, and this book is here to give characters the skill-based encounters, beginning with an entirely new
tools to succeed when simple bloodshed is not the answer. class: the vigilante. Living two lives, the vigilante is a
While characters with plenty of skill ranks may be best character class that is at home both in the courts of kings
suited to tackle social challenges that rely on negotiation, and the grimy back alleys of thieves and cutthroats. Using
deception, and even intimidation, this book provides a secret identity, the vigilante can live an ordinary life,
ways for everyone to participate, from silver-tongued con negotiating with merchants, attending festive balls, and
artists to the brashest barbarians. even influencing nobles, all the while hiding a secret life
Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Intrigue contains the tools for spent fighting against those who would oppose him. The
players and Game Masters alike to make intrigue a part of vigilante is a useful class for secret crime-fighters, those
their game. Players can gain new archetypes, skills, feats, who must live under the yoke of oppressive governments
and spells to aid them in social situations, while GMs or evil regimes, and any others with reasons to hide their
can add verbal duels, social combats, and numerous other identities from their enemies—or even from their allies.
challenges to a campaign. Ultimate Intrigue is a companion The chapter also includes archetypes for character
to Ultimate Combat, which focuses on the martial aspects of classes that are more likely to become involved in social
the game, and Ultimate Magic, which presents a wide variety challenges and encounters, such as alchemists, bards,
of rules for spellcasting characters. cavaliers, druids, inquisitors, investigators, mesmerists,
rangers, rogues, skalds, spiritualists, swashbucklers—
Navigating This Book and, of course, vigilantes. For other classes, specialized
Each chapter in this book contains rules grouped by type archetypes and various alternate class features appear
or theme for ease of reference. The following overview together at the end of the chapter in the Other Class
summarizes the new options you’ll find in each section. Archetypes section.
44
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 2—Feats: From new metamagic feats to feats Book References
allowing characters to engage in diplomacy during battle
This book refers to a number of other Pathfinder Roleplaying
or hide their spellcasting, this chapter offers all characters
Game products using the following abbreviations, yet
a chance to excel at intrigue. Many feats presented here let
these additional supplements are not required to make
your character do new and interesting things with skills, but
use of this book. Readers who don’t have the Pathfinder
there are also new options for more martially inclined player
RPG hardcovers referred to in this book can find the
characters, including new combat styles and supporting
complete rules of these books available online for free
feats. Lastly, a number of the feats enhance how characters
at paizo.com/prd. The following abbreviations indicate
can interact with the various subsystems featured in
rules elements such as feats, spells, and magic items from
Chapters 3 and 4, while still granting those characters an
other sources.
edge when they’re not in a game using those subsystems.
Chapter 3—Mastering Intrigue: This chapter focuses on
Advanced Class Guide ACG
rules and advice for adding a new dimension of intrigue to
Advanced Player’s Guide APG
your game. These subsystems allow GMs to use only what
Advanced Race Guide ARG
they need to enhance their games in specific situations,
Occult Adventures OA
without the burden of having to learn an entire suite of new
Ultimate Combat UC
rules. This chapter contains overviews of the following topics.
Ultimate Equipment UE
Influence: What does it mean for a character to be in good
Ultimate Magic UM
standing with a group, and what rewards does such status
bring? This system allows PCs to earn influence with
groups through roleplaying and a careful use of skills, and
details what advantages such influence can confer. Verbal Dueling: With characters trading barbs and japes
Heists: Not every encounter is as straightforward as to determine the victor, verbal dueling adds a way to
heroes fighting monsters. Sometimes the PCs need to split defeat foes with witty banter and searing sarcasm.
up and accomplish multiple goals in tandem for their plan Skills in Conflict: The social skills (Bluff, Diplomacy,
to succeed. This section gives GMs tools and tricks to help Disguise, Intimidate, and Sense Motive) are some of
pull off these complicated encounters. the most complicated skills in the game—and for good
Leadership: Expanding on the rules of the Leadership reason, as they allow characters to change the narrative,
feat, this section presents general guidelines, a handy alter the truth, and uncover deception. This section gives
index of monstrous cohorts, and new rules for gaining the advice and ideas on how to most effectively use these vital
services of a companion at earlier levels. skills in the game.
Nemeses: Monsters come and go, but true villains might Chapter 5—Spells: This chapter is full of magical
constantly return, becoming nemeses. These foes often measures and countermeasures to bring the thrill of
can’t be dealt with through combat, due to their position intrigue to your table. Emphasizing enchantments,
or power, yet they must still be defeated. This section divinations, and especially illusions, this chapter presents
provides guidelines for adding nemeses to campaigns, new spells to help you play mind games with your enemies,
plus ways to keep these villains engaging and make them from a glamer to make a target seem like he’s always lying
truly memorable. to one that can disguise a creature’s future to foil prediction
Pursuit: Longer than a simple chase, a pursuit can take magic. The chapter also includes a new type of spell—the
hours or even days to resolve. These rules add interesting ruse spell—which does its work while appearing to be
twists and turns to long-distance hunts. another, more innocuous spell. For example, you can use
Research: Knowledge is power, and uncovering ancient ruse spells to do things like pretend to resurrect someone
lore should be more dramatic than just a skill check. These while actually inviting an allied shadow demon to possess
rules make research a compelling part of the adventure. the corpse.
Spells of Intrigue: When a game involves hidden foes, Chapter 6—Gear and Magic Items: Replete with magic
mysterious occurrences, and obscured agendas, a quick items, nonmagical gear, and alchemical concoctions, this
spell or two can unravel all of the GM’s careful work chapter provides tools for socialites, spies, poisoners, and
and planning. This section gives advice on how GMs can adventurers who want to add a dash of intrigue to their
account for magic when running intrigue-filled games. repertoire. It includes two new easily hidden weapons:
Chapter 4—Social Combat: They say the pen is mightier the wrist launcher, which shoots tiny darts, and the
than the sword, and a duel with words can be as deadly spring blade. Other items include tools for sending coded
as any battle. This chapter provides different systems for messages (like the code rod) or concealing items (like
fighting foes with words and skill checks. the concealment coin), weapons that can help you attack
Social Conflicts: This system allows a GM to set up undetected (like the silent sentry crossbow), items to smooth
encounters, adventures, or even campaigns that see the over social situations (like the fan of flirting), and a wide
PCs join a social struggle between various factions. variety of items to improve disguises (like accent tablets).
55
Classes
1
Y
ou can’t do this!” the killer
screamed. “I have friends!
The mayor will see you hang if
anything happens to me!”
The masked figure drew a long
dagger. “That’s the whole point,
though.” He gestured toward his
face. “Even if the clerics read your
corpse, what will they learn? A
man in a mask. I could be one of
your victims’ friends. I could be the
mayor himself. I could be your own
father, doing what should have been
done long ago. I’m everyone, and so
I’m no one.”
The woman’s eyes went wide as
the blade approached the whip.
“Okay, no, you’re right. You’ve got
me. But I’ve got money. Magic. I
can get you anything you want.”
“Anything?” The man tapped his
lips. “Well, there is one thing...”
The dagger cut the whip.
Classes
Introduction vigilante, these tasks are both within reach as long as you
learn to properly use your dual nature and hidden skills to
your fullest advantage.
While most classes focus either on martial or magical
combat, characters of any class can engage in intrigue. ARCHETYPES
Some are certainly more suited than others, but with the Following the vigilante class is a series of archetypes and
right skills and abilities, any character can mingle at the alternate class features for a wide variety of classes. In
king’s ball or haggle with the head of the local thieves’ this section, organized by class, you will find a number
guild. Of course, if intrigue is central to the campaign, of archetypes for alchemists, bards, cavaliers, druids,
characters might consider a more serious investment inquisitors, investigators, mesmerists, rangers, rogues,
in class features or even class levels that grant abilities skalds, spiritualists, and swashbucklers. Since vigilantes
that allow them to more easily navigate such treacherous don’t have archetypes from previous sources, they receive
social waters. an extended section packed with archetypes that let you
The options presented in this chapter are designed play all sorts of unusual vigilantes, from hulking brutes
to give characters an edge through class features that to mystical scholars. In addition, antipaladins, clerics,
directly benefit those who find themselves in dangerous gunslingers, hunters, monks, occultists, paladins,
social situations. While not every class is represented, this slayers, and summoners each receive a single archetype
chapter offers archetypes for classes from the Pathfinder or two, grouped together at the end of the chapter for
RPG Core Rulebook, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player’s Guide, ease of reference. In that final section, you’ll also find the
Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide, Pathfinder RPG Occult new intrigue oracle mystery and new intrigue-themed
Adventures, and more. In addition, this chapter presents an kineticist utility talents for each element.
entirely new class, one that is specialized in the finer arts When a character takes levels in a class, he must decide
of intrigue, while still having the ability to fight his way to take the standard class features, or those presented by an
out of trouble. archetype. Each archetype replaces specific class features
from the parent class, and the choice to take an archetype
THE VIGILANTE does not need to be made until the first level that includes
Being a renowned hero can be dangerous to your health a class feature that is altered or replaced.
and prosperity. Fighting against corruption and the If an archetype includes multiple class features, a
evil that lurks within society makes you a target and, character must take all of them. He cannot decide to
even worse, puts your friends and family in danger. For leave the archetype and instead take the replaced class
those who must maintain a social persona, being a part features at later levels, unless specifically allowed by the
of the greater community while secretly fighting against archetype. All other class features of the base class that
powerful forces within it requires leading a double life. are not mentioned in the archetype remain unchanged
By day, the vigilante maneuvers through society, dealing and are acquired normally when the character reaches the
with other nobles or influential individuals. By night, he appropriate level (unless noted otherwise). A character who
dons a disguise and an utterly different set of goals, taking takes an alternate class feature does not count as having the
the fight to his foes and solving problems with a blade class feature that was replaced for the purpose of meeting
when words will not suffice. any requirements or prerequisites.
Game Masters should consider carefully whether A character can take more than one archetype and
or not a vigilante will make for a good fit with their gain additional alternate class features, but none of the
campaign. The class is one that requires a degree of social archetypes can replace or alter the same class feature from
aptitude and roleplaying to make full use of its potential. the base class as another alternate class feature.
Campaigns that focus more on wilderness exploration, If an archetype replaces a class feature that is part of a
travel, or dungeon delving and that are lighter on politics, series of improvements or additions to a base ability (such
negotiation, and manipulation might require a vigilante as a fighter’s weapon training or a rogue’s uncanny dodge),
player to put in additional effort to make full use of his the next time the character would gain that ability, it counts
class features. Alternatively, a vigilante is uniquely suited as the lower-level ability that was replaced by the archetype.
to make for a powerful villain, hidden by day behind a mask In effect, all abilities in that series are delayed until the
of civility and a terror at night, free to commit terrible acts next time the class improves that ability. For example, if
without risking discovery. an archetype replaces a rogue’s +2d6 sneak attack bonus at
For players, the vigilante offers a unique opportunity to 3rd level, her sneak attack doesn’t jump from +1d6 to +3d6
take on the role of a character with a hidden side, and whose at 5th level—it instead improves to +2d6 just as if she had
life is committed to a secret agenda that he must struggle to gained the increase at 3rd level. This adjustment continues
advance in a complex world. Not every problem can be solved for every level at which her sneak attack would improve until
with a dagger in the dark, and even the most stubborn foe 19th level when it finally reaches +9d6 instead of the +10d6
might be become an ally with the proper bribe. For the sneak attack bonus of a standard rogue.
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CHAPTER 1
CLASSES
Vigilante The vigilante can start each day in either of his identities,
referred to simply as social or vigilante. Changing from one
identity to another takes 1 minute and must be done out of
Life can be unfair. Think of the starving peasants forced sight from other creatures to preserve the vigilante’s secret.
to toil for the local baron or the common laborers tasked Changing identities is more than just changing outfits and
with building the king’s newest palace for a mere handful clothing (although that is certainly a part of it); the process
of copper pieces each week. There are those who see these often also involves applying make-up, altering his hair, and
injustices and do nothing. There are those who are willing to adjusting other personal effects. Furthermore, the change
reap the rewards obtained through the suffering of others. is as much a state of mind as of body, so items such as a hat
Then there are those who see inequality and find themselves of disguise and similar spells and effects that change the
driven to take action, outside the law if necessary. These user’s appearance do not reduce the time required to change
vigilantes operate in plain sight, hiding behind respectable identities. Most social talents require the vigilante to be in
personas by day, but donning alternate guises by night to his social identity, but a vigilante who uses vigilante talents
right the wrongs they see all around them. in his social identity risks exposing his secret.
Not all vigilantes are out to make the world a better Despite being a single person, a vigilante’s dual nature
place. Some criminals hide behind the pretense of being allows him to have two alignments, one for each of his
ordinary folk, only to become terrors in the shadows,
stealing and killing to fulfill some dark agenda. In either
case, the vigilante is a character of two natures—the face
that everyone knows and the mask that inspires fear.
Role: A vigilante can take on many tasks within a group.
Most are skilled at negotiating delicate social situations
and courtly intrigue, but they can also serve as stealthy
spies or even brutish warriors in dangerous environments.
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d8.
Starting Wealth: 5d6 × 10 (average 175 gp).
CLASS SKILLS
A vigilante’s class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise
(Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy
(Cha), Disable Device (Dex), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist
(Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (dungeoneering)
(Int), Knowledge (engineering) (Int), Knowledge (local)
(Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis),
Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex),
Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), and Use
Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6 + Int modifier.
CLASS FEATURES
The following are the class features of the vigilante.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Vigilantes are proficient
with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium
armor, and shields (except tower shields).
Dual Identity (Ex): A vigilante hides his true identity,
allowing him to move about social circles and nobility
without carrying the stigma of his ruthless actions. In
effect, the vigilante has two identities: one is a polite
member of society while the other is a skilled and cunning
warrior. To keep up this charade, the vigilante usually has
two names: his true name, used in polite company, and his
vigilante name, used to strike fear in the hearts of those
who oppose him. Knowledge checks about one do not
reveal information about the other, unless the vigilante’s
true identity revealed to the world at large.
99