I'm sure this has been brought up before, so if this is the case, please excuse my dredging the subject up again.
I like the idea of the Inquisitor base class, but how does it fit into adventures where its church and its tenets aren't being threatened by heretics? Not every adventure is going to have some insidious threat to the Inquisitor's faith.
I tend to ignore the "fluff" behind character classes. Problem solved, as far as I'm concerned.
I tend to ignore the "fluff" behind character classes. Problem solved, as far as I'm concerned.
I do, too. But the person I'm looking into this for usually doesn't. :/
I think the kind of person that would most likely become an inquisitor is the kind of person that sees the evil in everything, never giving anyone the benefit of the doubt. In this, that kind of character will be able to justify (if only to himself) his presence in any scenario, as he's always expecting to find what he's looking for.
Just my 2 cp.
I'm sure this has been brought up before, so if this is the case, please excuse my dredging the subject up again.
I like the idea of the Inquisitor base class, but how does it fit into adventures where its church and its tenets aren't being threatened by heretics? Not every adventure is going to have some insidious threat to the Inquisitor's faith.
You forget that an inquisitor can always find fault somewhere -- and he isn't just about heresy -- he's about protecting the faith and "researching new threats" if he stumbles across something in a book -- say the possibility of a dooms day device or resurgent evil he might want to take steps to prevent it simply because it could hurt the faith and church as a hold.
Also inquisitors are generally "outsiders" of their own religion,
Although inquisitors are dedicated to a deity, they are above many of the normal rules and conventions of the church. They answer to their deity and their own sense of justice alone, and are willing to take extreme measures to meet their goals.
Indeed they could be in trouble with the official church of their god for the methods they use or the fact that one of the people they took care of was thought to be a well liked high ranking official in the church and no one believes the inquisitor when he says it was really a demon trying to corrupt the church.
I tend to ignore the "fluff" behind character classes. Problem solved, as far as I'm concerned.I do, too. But the person I'm looking into this for usually doesn't. :/
Maybe you can use the ol' Paranoia explanation:
"You're a troubleshooter. Your job is to shoot trouble."
;-)
Inquisitor is from Latin inquirere "to seek", to "search out"
Inquisitors are essentially sacred seekers.
their methods are often connected to intimidation and individuation of allies and threats (lies) and are able to get out situation with a combination of utilities (skills and some spells) brutality and toughness (judgements, stalwart) and healing (spells again).
That's all.
An inquisitor for a church could look for heretics, another one for relics, another one could even use cunning and intimidation to proselytize. An inquisitor of a deity of travel could be a seeker of paths, one of the law a law enforcer, and so on.
Heck, an inquisitor could even do all of this.
Inquisitor is from Latin inquirere < quaerere, "to seek".
Inquisitors are essentially sacred seekers.
Thanks, everyone!
@Hogarth--This guy is a huge Paranoia fan...lol
:(
All the inquisitor talk. Mine died a few seasons ago (Oger scores crit hit with greatclub, hp: -2 below max negative :(
To topic:
I played mine Inquisitor as a apprentice of a paladin who never realy understand this "honor" thing and thought goodness have to be enforced by all means.
So no, the inquisitor isn't too narrowly focused, you have a lot of possibilities to create your own "inquisition" your character stand for.
He was heading for the high temple to get his anointing, but in 5 levels he never made it to the temple and now... he's dead. :(
Now, that's a backstory I like- an inquisitor as a 'failed' paladin. Kind of a nastier Van Helsing (the Hugh Jackman kind)...
In deed, my "inspirations" were Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman), Salamon Kane and the Witcher, but he's dead now. :(
Now it's time for the dwarf Cleric "Smash their faces with my mighty hammer of war!"
|
One of my players is playing an Inquisitor of Pharasma in my Falcon Hollow Campaign, wich will start in two weeks.
He's on a mission to
While I was thinking of how to bring the group together, I got an eMail from the player of the Inquisitor, that he hired some help, to get this mission done. So my group is already traveling together. So cool!
The player also came up with a cool code of behaviour for his Inquisitor, which I will use, if only because there are no such infos in the entries of the deities.
I really like the Inquisitor class. But I think one has to come up with a lot of rules on how they are seen within their churches. What are they allowed, and what not.
Of course, there could also be an Inquisitor who is following her deity on her own, without having to answer to church officials.
|
You have lots of freedom with the inquisitor class.
From the artwork I am reminded of the “Van Helsing” character.
I have a character in the PFS organized play who is an inquisitor of Iomadae. My original character concept I took from the Brother Cadfael series. I crafted a character molded after a character in the series, namely Hugh Berenger, under sheriff of Shropshire.
I thought that the inquisitor class would have everything for a Sherrif / Marshal archtype. He would need diplomacy to gather information., Intimidation to get criminals to back down, and survival to track people etc.
Another idea I had, was for a campaign I never did and probably wont.
My idea was to do a campaign where the PCs were resistance fighters in Cheliax who were trying to over throw the house of Thrune. I thought an excellent ally would be an order of inquisitors dedicated to Iomadae who want to throw out Asmodeus and put in Iomadae. They would like to be paladins, but cant because of their tough conditions. I also thought that the inquisitor would make an excellent guerilla fighter.
Just some ideas.
I'm playing a Inquisitor of Mask in FR game. I'm guild enforcer rooting out those who betray the guild and those who go against the guild leaders who are priests of Mask. As there are rival guilds I'm always on the look out for spies and such infiltrating the guild. As well I make sure those the laws of the guild are obeyed. The guild always gets its cut.
I've got to say, I have a hard time seeing new ideas for an inquisitor. Every single one I've seen seems to be a shade of Solomon Kane or Van Helsing. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I love Solomon Kane. But I'd like to here some truly different ideas, perhaps being non-lawful (I've seen mostly lawful-neutral, fallen paladin types so far) with more unique or flat out magical choices for deities and domains, Like Calistria and Trickery, or Nethys and Magic.
Inquisitors aren't the only class who has a certain archetype people cling to (there are many conan-barbarians for example) but it's neat to switch things up.
I've got to say, I have a hard time seeing new ideas for an inquisitor. Every single one I've seen seems to be a shade of Solomon Kane or Van Helsing. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I love Solomon Kane. But I'd like to here some truly different ideas, perhaps being non-lawful (I've seen mostly lawful-neutral, fallen paladin types so far) with more unique or flat out magical choices for deities and domains, Like Calistria and Trickery, or Nethys and Magic.
Inquisitors aren't the only class who has a certain archetype people cling to (there are many conan-barbarians for example) but it's neat to switch things up.
The Inquisitor reminds me of the old Dogs in the Vineyard. Though, I'd love to see a Trickster version. There's alot of room for character development in that area.
The Inquisitor reminds me of the old Dogs in the Vineyard. Though, I'd love to see a Trickster version. There's alot of room for character development in that area.I've got to say, I have a hard time seeing new ideas for an inquisitor. Every single one I've seen seems to be a shade of Solomon Kane or Van Helsing. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I love Solomon Kane. But I'd like to here some truly different ideas, perhaps being non-lawful (I've seen mostly lawful-neutral, fallen paladin types so far) with more unique or flat out magical choices for deities and domains, Like Calistria and Trickery, or Nethys and Magic.
Inquisitors aren't the only class who has a certain archetype people cling to (there are many conan-barbarians for example) but it's neat to switch things up.
I've never played that game, isn't it an old-west setting?
The Inquisitor class as it will be used in my Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting will be called the Yamabushi. Though many of you might be more familiar with the term 'shugenja' which is what the Yamabushi is, even though 'shugenja' has always been the wrong Japanese term for this type of oriental priest.
A Yamabushi is a forest-dwelling, ascetic monk that follows the path of Shugendo, which is an outlawed religion in the eyes of the Imperial Court (as it was in Japan for much of its history.)
Shugenja refers to anyone who follows the path of Shugendo, even a child, who could never be mistaken for a spell caster. Christian is to Christianity as Shugenja is to Shugendo. Yamabushi is the correct term for a priest of Shugendo, even though he too is technically a 'shugenja'.
A Yamabushi is in no way, shape or form anything like Solomon Kane.
But then "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"
GP
I've never played that game, isn't it an old-west setting?
It is. It's a game of consequences, butterfly style, and I've always felt, a little Scarlet Letter thrown in.
Their site's over here if you're interested. It's never failed to remind me of the Inquisitor, though.
Not that that's the only way to play one--it's just like Conan, it comes to mind. :D
My son is playing a dwarf inquisitor in our current campaign. His inquisitor works for the Six-Fingered Hand, the largest thieves' guild in Shieldmark.
I've got an idea for a Chaotic Neutral Inquisitor of Cayden Caillean: Travel Domain.
He seeks to destroy those who undermine his faith: People who water down drinks. People who suck the life out of parties and festive occasions.
His catch phrase? "Why so serious?" Usually followed by something meant to terrorize. :)
Mine was a dwarf 'blessed' by Sheylyn with her mark (birthmark trait, all over his face). He dedicated his life to serving Her, but with a wretched Charisma of 5, he found himself incapable of creating anything beautiful, as Her clerics are required to do. So instead he took it upon himself to make the world beautiful by destroying all that was ugly. He had no official capacity with the church, it was simply a personal mission of his to hunt and kill as many "monsters" as he could.
The inquisitor is so...judgmental! So, I figured to make an Inquisitor of Love!
One player in the campaign I'm in plays a very charismatic half-orc inquisitor that follows Calistria - and when he isn't trying to seduce every PC and NPC (mostly the females... but not solely) he is making sure everyone realizes they always have freedom of choice, and comes down harshly on those who take other's freedom. (Prostitute by choice? good for you. Forced prostitution or slavery? Woe shall befall he who controls the shackles). Instead of a dedicated quest, he gets to venture freely through the world and spread his beliefs to anyone he comes across.
Via GM discretion, you can have an Inquisitor that follows an ideal instead of a deity. So if he has no gripe with it, get creative!
The inquisitor is so...judgmental! So, I figured to make an Inquisitor of Love! So, instead of Van Helsing...Sailor Moon!
Sure, why not! Slap on the Community domain and travel the land preaching love and unity, and smiting those that seek to spread hatred!
Via GM discretion, you can have an Inquisitor that follows an ideal instead of a deity. So if he has no gripe with it, get creative!
I am the GM, so it's my discretion lol. This is actually the first game/campaign where I've used deities in nearly 20 years. I did away with them and allowed characters to choose their own "paths". For clerics, this meant choosing their own spheres (2e) and later their own domains as a means to demonstrate how best to illustrate their beliefs and alignments.
Thanks for all the ideas, everyone!
I've got an idea for a Chaotic Neutral Inquisitor of Cayden Caillean: Travel Domain.
He seeks to destroy those who undermine his faith: People who water down drinks. People who suck the life out of parties and festive occasions.
His catch phrase? "Why so serious?" Usually followed by something meant to terrorize. :)
I did exactly this in my last game! He was one of the most entertaining characters to play I have ever made.
Now I just wish I had been clever enough to come up with that awesome a catch phrase :P
I dunno, I guess I just see inquisitors as a variant cleric within the church hierarchy.
Clerics are the ministers of faith, capable to channeling the blessings of their deity to remake the world in their image. They seem the type to hang out within the churches, tending to the needs of the faithful and speaking on behalf of their deity.
Inquisitors are no less faithful, but they're more like the adventurers of their deity. They're the go-getters, the explorers, and the general fist of their faith's portfolio. While I picture clerics as more passionate about the base ideals of a god, I see inquisitors as more passionate about keeping the world working the way their god decides it should.
God of Trade & Wealth: An inquisitor would likely seek out people who attempt to circumvent the workings of a standard economy, intimidating merchants who cut corners & severely undercut competitors. They'd also likely seek out crime lords who held monopolies to stamp out competition.
God of Love: An inquisitor would likely seek out to dismantle marriages of political gain/convenience, fight laws that discriminated against pairings, and deal with issues of the classic Romeo & Juliet.
Etc. Etc.
I see them more as crusaders than priests.
I dunno, I guess I just see inquisitors as a variant cleric within the church hierarchy.
Clerics are the ministers of faith, capable to channeling the blessings of their deity to remake the world in their image. They seem the type to hang out within the churches, tending to the needs of the faithful and speaking on behalf of their deity.
Inquisitors are no less faithful, but they're more like the adventurers of their deity. They're the go-getters, the explorers, and the general fist of their faith's portfolio. While I picture clerics as more passionate about the base ideals of a god, I see inquisitors as more passionate about keeping the world working the way their god decides it should.
God of Trade & Wealth: An inquisitor would likely seek out people who attempt to circumvent the workings of a standard economy, intimidating merchants who cut corners & severely undercut competitors. They'd also likely seek out crime lords who held monopolies to stamp out competition.
God of Love: An inquisitor would likely seek out to dismantle marriages of political gain/convenience, fight laws that discriminated against pairings, and deal with issues of the classic Romeo & Juliet.
Etc. Etc.
I see them more as crusaders than priests.
You can use these (rather good) ideas for a cleric as well, it's a matter of play.
But let's measure the difference between the classes, one has more mystical abilities, the other has more mundane (spells vs skills) one has hunting and dueling bonuses, the other has a healing pool. Both have the same BaB and HP.
I like to come up with an idea first, then pick a class to fit. I played an angery southern preacher who worship a god of traveling and revenge- at the time we were playing 3.5, so he was a cleric. I wish the inquisitor was there then, as he'd have been perfect.
Yeah, but Inquisitors, by the book have to be within at least one step away from their deities alignment. They aren't supposed to be true representatives of their deity as a cleric would be. They operate on the fringe, even undercover. A semi-authorized troubleshooter for their deity, and even probably not condoned by the church hierarchy.
I think of the various secret societies within the church, a division that might not be known to exist by the bulk of the church itself. Something that the pontiff of the church may or may not even know exists.
The above is what I see is in essence an Inquisitor, and IMO that doesn't describe a typical cleric at all.
Since Inquisitor is a new class, others, such as yourself, may have played a cleric in this vibe, so I can see where you're coming from. But with the existence of the Inquisitor, now playing a cleric that way seems somehow wrong.
I think Inquisitors fit a very small niche within their church, roles that don't fit clerics at all.
GP
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
|
One of my Pathfinder Society characters is a plucky detective, happy to investigate mysteries for the Society. He's actually an undercover Inquisitor of Norgorber, looking for any trace of the god's secret history, so that he might destroy it before it reaches the light of day.