So,
As far as I can tell, the base vigilante's secret identity is hard to pierce...
...as long as they aren't smelled by the same creature in both guises that have the scent special ability.
Am I missing something, or is Scooby going to twig to Bruce Wayne's secret identity the first time he takes a whiff of both identities?
Well, unless the Vigilante smells different in their different identities.
Nothing in the class says they cease to be the same person underneath, or can hide from or fool senses (other than the alignment stuff).
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Does the scent ability normally automatically beat the Disguise skill with no check (like if a non-vigilante PC got a really high Disguise check, would a 1st-level ratfolk guard recognize her anyway)? It doesn't say that it does to my knowledge, so presumably if not, then part of any disguise is disguising scent (perhaps with a strong cologne, etc). If your group always has scent beat Disguise automatically, you probably need to invest in negate aroma in an intrigue game whether you're a vigilante or not.
Scent (Ex) This special quality allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights.
The creature can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at triple normal range.
When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed—only its presence somewhere within range. The creature can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. When the creature is within 5 feet of the source, it pinpoints the source's location.
A creature with the scent ability can follow tracks by smell, making a Wisdom (or Survival) check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10 (no matter what kind of surface holds the scent). This DC increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry's odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the trail is cold, the DC increases by 2. The ability otherwise follows the rules for the Survival skill. Creatures tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
Format: scent; Location: Senses.
Nothing in there about identifying creatures at all. Even the first (flavour) sentence just says that they can identify familiar scents "just as" humans use sight, which means... perception roll to overcome disguise.
Nothing in there about identifying creatures at all.Scent (Ex) This special quality allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights.
Yeah, nothing at all...
Except for the line that says they can identify familiar smells.
And since Disguise specifically says you are skilled at changing your "appearance," nothing in the skill says it would change your smell or affect Scent at all.
Although, you would be free to also incorporate such countermeasures, from the mundane (strong cologne) to the magical (negate aroma), into your Disguise.
Wouldn't Oratory be used to disguise your voice? Or Acting?
And yes, the bolded bit above about familiar odors is the one I was thinking about. I'm not saying every creature on the street with scent would see through it. I was thinking more of allies catching the scent, or if your main enemy had scent and you were using your social identity to get close to them, they might recognize your vigilante identity by smell later...
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Skills in Conflict on Disguise (page 186) has a section on Disguise being more than visual.
Ah, very nice. Hadn't caught that one. I like that clarification, kudos! So, is it the contention then that Scent should also be added to the disguise skill as well, as vocal was? I'm fine with that, honestly, but it isn't actually called out.
It being a fuzzy area, I will probably end up ruling that prolonged exposure to both identities will give bonuses to see through them. It gets harder and harder to cover up that scent over time.
My biggest issue is, as presented above, the vigilante get's 'pass without trace' for free, as he can change persona's and his scent trail suddenly ends. That's a class feature that's sort of tacked on...
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My biggest issue is, as presented above, the vigilante get's 'pass without trace' for free, as he can change persona's and his scent trail suddenly ends. That's a class feature that's sort of tacked on...
My Shoanti bloodrager thinks this vigilante dude needs all the tacks he can get. Coat of Old Spice and all...
Tsk, everybody knows that RatMan is Deboroh la Roccia