Warshawski's page

The rain pounded outside, slapping angrily against the cobblestone streets like they were trying to break them open and suck out the marrow of the city.
Just like a lot of the parasites out there.

I was safe from the rain and in my office when he walked in. I've seen his type before. Silk clothes colored blue and gold with expensive dyes and shining gold hair that probably took his servants hours to style. His big, shining, gorgeous blue eyes made him seem like an angel but he was anything but.

His name was Vincenzo Mustafa and he was at the top of my list. It didn't matter how pretty those blue eyes were. Mustafa was a tax dodger.

"I hear you've been looking for me, inspector." Mustafa opened, draping himself casually in a chair facing my desk. He was trying to appear nonchalant but I had his number. If he was here, he was out of options. Mustafa was cornered and he knew it.

Of course, rats are most dangerous when they're cornered.

"You're a cheat, Mustafa." I said, not even bothering to look at him. "A tax dodger. You owe the city nearly a thousand pieces of gold. I hope you're here to cough it up."

Mustafa sneered as if I had just thrown pig s&$! on those well-tailored threads of his.

"If anything, the city owes me money." Mustafa said with a conviction only entitlement can bring, "I keep a dozen of the city's wretched citizens employed. Without me, they'd be living under the bridge."

"And they pay their taxes. So should you." I kept my voice disinterested but my hand had already slipped under my desk. I wanted to be prepared in case things went south.

Things always go south.

"Look, your hounding of me is making life difficult." Mustafa stood up. "Perhaps we can come to an understanding? I'm sure your position doesn't pay much. And if it isn't gold you want, well... I'm sure we can arrange something. You're a very pretty girl."

Mustafa did have gorgeous eyes but pretty boys were easy enough to come by. I could spend a night at any of a dozen brothels in the city and all it would cost me is some coin. Mustafa's offer would cost me my soul.

Besides, I was a woman. Not a girl.

"I wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire, Mustafa." I said, turning my full attention to him. I wanted the little ass to see the contempt in my eyes.

Mustafa sprung from the chair with the sort of resolve that can only come from injured pride. He was halfway across the desk, screaming something about how ugly I would be when he was done with me, when I threw the satchet into his face. The little explosion of powder was satisfying. He inhaled it.

Mustafa went rigid and hit my desk like an anchor being tossed out onto the docks. The paralysis wouldn't last long but it only took a moment to lock his arms behind his back with the manacles.

"You're a parasite, Mustafa." I hissed into his ear, "I hope you enjoy debtor's prison."

After the guardsmen had hauled Mustafa away, I thought about his parting words. He'd been raving mad, then. Foaming at the mouth. His pretty blue eyes didn't seem so pretty then.

"Why do you even care if someone pays their damn taxes!?!" Mustafa had shouted at me.

Somedays, I ask myself the same question.

----

My name's Warshawski. Just Warshawski. I was poor, growing up. I didn't live in the shadow of the bridge, mind you. I was poor. Not destitute. My parents worked hard to make sure I had a roof, a bed and three squares a day. They were loving. Kind. Everything parents should be.

Mom and dad both worked for a businessman. An importer of rare good. Dad worked the docks. Mom cleaned the offices. The jobs didn't pay well but they paid enough.

And every time they were paid, my parents made sure the city collected its cut.

I asked them about that, once. Why they paid taxes when the we had so little. It isn't like we saw much of that money being spent to improve our lives in our little corner of Lowcleft.

To answer my question, my parents took me for a walk the next day. We walked for what seemed like hours until we arrived Serpent's Run. That day, from the cheap seats, I watched a circus for the very first time. Afterwards, my parents took me to Alabastar Park and I was awed by the beauty.

"This is why we pay taxes." my father told me that day, "Because it helps pay for things like this and because it is the right, honest thing to do."

I'll never forget that day.

It was only a year later that life changed. My parents were concerned when I started holding conversations with thin air but they were canny folk and they loved me. Instead of freaking out, they brought me to Sister Kaye, a devout follower of Ashava the True Spark. Sister Kaye confirmed what my parents suspected. I had the gift to see and talk to spirits. Some of them were the dead but not departed. Others weren't ever alive to begin with. All of them seemed to like me.

After that, lessons in reading and writing and math were supplemented with lessons from Sister Kaye in how to control my abilities. I learned how to talk to the spirits. Sometimes, I helped them to the other side. Other times, they helped me with useful information.

I enjoyed my time with Sister Kaye. Honestly, I might have gone into the clergy and become a cleric of Ashava myself if things had gone differently.

But that's the thing about this world. Things always go differently. I was twelve when the town guard caught up with mom and dad's boss. Seems he had been smuggling pesh into the city. Of course, he was rich and mom and dad weren't so he was able to bribe the guard into accepting evidence as fake as a tin gold coin that they had been behind it all. The guard came to take mom and dad away. We all ran and Sister Kaye gave us refuge. She could only promise us a few days before things turned ugly, though.

I had to do something.

If it wasn't for the spirits I wouldn't have been able to. I waited until everyone was asleep and then I snuck out. Turned out, the old man my folks worked for wasn't just a smuggler. He was a murderer. There was more than one angry soul hanging around his offices, hoping for some payback. They were as thrilled as a kid during the Swallowtail Festival to help me.

Here's the thing. I wasn't able to find the evidence I needed to hang the bastard on smuggling or even murder. No, he was too cagey for that. But I found his books. His real books. And the spirit of the accountant the old ass had killed told me those ledgers would hang him.

I stole the books and brought them to the office of tax collection. The spirits went too, flanking me like an honor guard. They guided me to the offices of an old crust named Parker.

Most adults wouldn't give me the time of day but Parker was different. He listened to my story seriously and then accepted the ledgers. I sat there for what seemed like hours, watching him go through them. I knew he liked what he saw. His smile grew every time he turned a page. He was grinning like a lunatic by the time he closed the books.

And then he closed the books on my folks' employer, too. The fat old smuggler got picked up for tax evasion that very day. Further investigation by the city guard got him pinched for smuggling and murder, too. He was dancing on the noose by the end of the month and my parents were cleared of all charges. I'm pleased to say his spirit's never visited me.

Parker was impressed by what I'd done. Said it took gumption and skill. Said I had promise. He came to my parents and offered to take me in as an apprentice. Told them I'd make one hell of an inspector. My folks were thrilled at the idea of me having a promise of gainful employment but they left the decision up to me.

I said yes. I liked Parker. I liked what I'd done. The rich shouldn't get to dodge paying their fair share just because they're rich. The poor don't get the chance.

Parker said I had a natural gift for investigation. Of course, having spirits to help me made it easier. A warrior spirit whispered over my shoulder during fight practice. Other spirits were happy to point out clues I'd missed. I couldn't have done it without them.

These days, Parker's retired and living a quiet life, relaxing and reading his books. I visit him for dinner at least once a week, just to make sure he's eating right. I'm in what used to be his office, doing his job. Making sure no one skips out on paying their fair share.

I love my job.

Warshawski
Female Human Investigator 3, Medium 2
NG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +2; Senses: Perception +10 (+12 vs surprise)
Favored Class: Investigator (+1 skill point/level)

Defense

AC 15 (10 + 2 (Dex) + 3 (MW Studded Leather Armor))
Touch AC 12 (10 + 2 (Dex))
Flat-footed AC 13 (10 + 3 (MW Studded Leather Armor))
CMD 15
HP 33 (1d8 (8) + 1d8 (5) + 1d8 (5) + 1d8 (5) + 1d8 (5) + 1 (Con) + 1 (Con) + 1 (Con) + 1 (Con) + 1 (Con)
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +9 (+2 to any saving throw vs death effects & negative energy damage)

Offense

Speed: 30 ft
BAB +3
CMB +3
Melee +3 (+5 w/ light and designated weapons due to Weapon Finesse)
Masterwork Bladed Scarf (+6 // 1d6 dmg // 20x2 // S // disarm, trip)
Ranged +5

Statistics

Str 10 (+0), Dex 14 (+2), Con 12 (+1), Int 14 (+2), Wis 16 (+3), Cha 10 (+0)

Traits

• Divine Artist: You gain a +1 trait bonus to one Perform skill, and Perform is always a class skill for you.
  
• Possessed: Once per day, you can attempt a Knowledge check of your choice even if you are not trained in that skill and it is not usually possible to use that skill untrained. If you can normally use that skill untrained, you gain a +2 trait bonus on the check.
  
• Spirit Sense: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Perception checks to avoid being surprised and to detect invisible or incorporeal creatures.

Drawback

• Tainted Spirit: At the end of any combat, you must attempt a Fortitude saving throw. The DC is 10 + the number of rounds you acted in combat. If you fail this save, you become fatigued for 10 minutes per round you acted during that encounter.

Feats

• Celestial Obedience (Ashava): Each empyreal lord requires a different obedience, but all obediences take only 1 hour to perform. Once you've performed the obedience, you gain the benefit of a special ability or resistance as indicated in the “Obedience” entry for the empyreal lord.

  If you have at least 12 Hit Dice, you also gain the first boon granted by your empyreal lord upon undertaking your obedience. If you have at least 16 Hit Dice, you also gain the empyreal lord's second boon. If you have 20 Hit Dice or more, you also gain the empyreal lord's third boon. Unless a specific duration or number of uses per day is listed, a boon's effects are constant.

  Mystery cultists gain access to these boons at lower levels as a benefit of their prestige class. If you ever fail to perform a daily obedience, you lose all access to the benefits and boons granted by this feat until you next perform the obedience.

  ASHAVA'S OBEDIENCE + BENEFIT

  Dance in an isolated place under the light of the moon. If no moonlight is available or if someone witnesses your dance, pray for the spirits of the lonely dead and then leave a lighted lantern in a dark area. Gain a +4 sacred bonus on saving throws against spells and effects cast by undead.
  

• Empath: Use Sense Motive or Perception when reading an emotion aura with the read aura occult skill unlock. Reading a creature's emotions only takes a full-round action. Can read more than once per day by taking a -4 penalty on saves vs fear and mind-affecting effects for 1 minute.
  
• Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bladed Scarf): Trained to use a bladed scarf, sacred weapon of Ashava.
  
• Weapon Finesse: Can use DEX bonus instead of STR bonus with light and listed weapons, included Bladed Scarf.

Skills

Appraise 6 (1 rank + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Diplomacy 8 (5 ranks + 0 CHA + 3 class bonus)
Disable Device 8 (3 ranks + 2 DEX + 3 class bonus)
Heal 7 (1 rank + 3 WIS + 3 class bonus)
Knowledge/local 8 (3 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Knowledge/engineering 6 (1 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Knowledge/history 8 (3 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Knowledge/planes 10 (5 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Intimidate 5 (2 ranks + 0 CHA + 3 class bonus)
Linguistics 8 (3 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Lore/law 6 (1 rank + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Lore/spirits 10 (5 ranks + 2 INT + 3 class bonus)
Perception 11 (5 ranks + 3 WIS + 3 class bonus)
Perform/dance 9 (5 ranks + 0 CHA + 1 trait bonus + 3 class bonus)
Sense Motive 11 (5 ranks + 3 WIS + 3 class bonus)
Languages: Common, Varisian, Tien, Skald, Gnome

Racial Abilities

• +2 to one ability score (Wisdom)
  
• Bonus feat at 1st level (Exotic Weapon Proficiency)
  
• +1 skill point at each level

Class Abilities

• Inspiration (Ex): Inspiration pool of 3. As a free action she can spent an inspiration point to add 1d6 to any skill or ability check. She can use inspiration on any Knowledge, Linguistics or Spellcraft check assuming she's trained in the skill. Inspiration can be used on attack rolls and saving throws at a cost of 2 points.
  Trapfinder: She adds 1/2 her level to Perception checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device checks. She can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps.
  
• Commune With Spirits (Sp): She has the ability to commune with the spirits in order use comprehend languages, detect secret doors and identify. The casting time for such uses is 1 minute. She can use this ability a number of times each day equal to her investigator level + Wisdom modifier (currently 6).
  
• Spirit Sense (Su): When saving against an effect or ability delivered by an incorporeal creature, she spends one inspiration point instead of two to augment the saving throw.
  
• Strong Life (Ex): +2 bonus on saves vs death effects and negative energy damage.
  
• Expanded Inspiration (Ex): This is her 3rd level Investigator talent. She can use her inspiration ability when attempting Diplomacy, Heal, Perception, Profession and Sense Motive checks without spending an inspiration point, provided she is trained in the skill.
  
• Keen Recollection: She can attempt all Knowledge skill checks untrained.
  
• Sixth Sense: She can spend a use of her Commune With Spirits ability to reroll a single saving throw she has failed. She must take that result, even if it is lower.
  
• Knacks: Knows 2 knacks (0-level psychic spells). Can cast them unlimited times per day.
  
• Spirit: Can perform a 1 hour seance once per day to channel a spirit. The spirit channeled must be appropriate for the location the seance takes place. Warshawski gains powers based on what type of spirit is channeled. The spirit channeled gains 1 influence point. If it gains 3 influence points, Warshawski suffers a -2 penalty on Initiative checks as well as specific checks based on the spirit. She also gains a +4 bonus vs possession effects and +2 vs mind-affecting effects not related to possession. If the spirit gains 5 influence points Warshawski loses control of her body to the spirit.
  
• Spirit Bonus: +1 bonus to traits as dictated by the spirit that Warshawski is channeling.
  
• Spirit Surge: At the cost of 1 influence point given to the spirit, Warshawski can roll a d6 and add it to a failed check.
  
• Shared Seance: Warshawski can share her channeled spirit's aid with her allies. All allies who participate in her daily seance gain the seance boon for 24 hours.
  
• Taboo: Warshawski can accept a taboo to appease her spirit and surge twice daily without incurring influence. Breaking the taboo incurs a -2 penalty on all d20 rolls for 1 hour and give the spirit 1 point of influence. If the spirit gains 5 influence points due to taboo breaking it leaves her body and she loses access to her medium powers until the next time she can perform a seance.
  

Knacks

• Guidance
  
• Message
  
• Prestidigitation

Adventuring Gear

• Masterwork Backpack (50 gp/4 lbs)
  
• Fighter's Kit* minus backpack (9 gp/27 lbs)
  
• Silver holy symbol of Ashvar (25 gp/1 lb)
  
• Grooming Kit (1 gp/2 lbs)
  
• Magnifying Glass (100 gp/-)
  
• Masterwork Thieves Tools (100 gp/2 lbs)
  
• Journal (10 gp/1 lb)
  
• Poncho (1 gp/2 lbs)

* Fighter's kit contains: a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, an iron pot, a mess kit, rope (50 ft, hemp), soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.

Combat Gear

• Masterwork Bladed Scarf (312 gp/2 lbs)
  
• Masterwork Studded Leather Armor (175 gp/20 lbs)
  
• Alchemical Silver Dagger (24 gp/1 lb)

Magic Items

• Ioun Torch (75 gp/-)
  
• Hand of the Mage (900 gp/2 lbs)
  
• Sleeves of Many Garments (200 gp/ 1 lb)
  
• Boots of the Cat (1000 gp/1 lb)

Total Weight: 65 pounds (medium encumbrance)
Current Money: 10.9 GP