To skim over a little backstory here, I've grown a bit tired of playing a Paladin in my current group. I love the stats and class, I just have a hard time getting into character. We're close to a point where I can set him aside for a little bit and try something new out. Since the party will be investigating some long lost ruins I got the idea to introduce the character as a professional Treasure Hunter who is after the same item they are, but for the same goal. The party has an Oracle the focuses on healing, an TWF Ranger, a Bard who keeps forgetting she has spells, a support Wizard, and a Fighter/Barbarian DMPC.
I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how I want to make this Treasure Hunter. Archaeologist Bard, and Rogue/Ninja, jump out at me first. It makes sense that the character would have a lot of skills, Rogues/Ninjas get 8+ per level and Bards get some nice bonuses to knowledge skills. The other thing I'd like to do is give him some sort of memorable weapon. My DM is pretty nice so I can probably get him to allow an extra proficiency if I drop a weapon or two.
Throwing some Starknives sounds cool. A halfling with a sling could be fun, maybe? The Aklys sounds like it could be a nifty multi-tasker when used creatively. See I'm all over the place! That's why I'm here though, to get some help.
The character is going to start out at level five and I'm getting 4,000 extra starting gold to play with because the DM tends to give out a lot of loot.
Check out the Dark Delver prc and the recent help me NOT make Indiana Jones thread for some interesting ideas.
After some thinking I think I'm going to go Ninja. It gives me a lot of options I like, and skill points I can spread around. The Wakizashi sounds like a good memorable weapon compared to the others at the table, and Shuriken sound like a good idea for a back up weapon.
halforc would give you dark vision and, with some alternate traits from T race guide, bonuses to trapfinding and such.
city raised trait would give longsword and whip, scavanger gives trapfinding bonus.