Eberron Prestige Class : Master Inquisitive
The master inquisitive takes the art of investigation and deduction to the ultimate level, rising to the top of the field. A master inquisitive could be an elite freelance investigator, or a master detective working for a recognized law enforcement organization somewhere in Khorvaire. He might be an investigative chronicler digging up details on corruption and conspiracies. Whatever his occupation, the master inquisitive specializes in solving mysteries and shedding light on the darkest secrets.
Many dabblers in the field call themselves inquisitives, but only a select few attain the status of master. The master inquisitive is the quintessential investigator, with a reputation for tenacity and success that is well deserved. The best in the field often come up through the ranks of rogue or bard, but members of every class with an insatiable curiosity and a need to solve mysteries can attain the title of master inquisitive. The master inquisitive's intuition and insight becomes so finely tuned as to appear supernatural, and, indeed, he manifests a few spell-like abilities to help him in his search for truth and the solutions to the mysteries he confronts on a regular basis.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Master Inquisitive, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Gather Information 6 ranks, Search 3 ranks, Sense Motive 6 ranks.
- Feats: Investigate.
Class Skills
The master inquisitive's class skills are Bluff, Decipher Script, Gather Information, Knowledge (local), Listen, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot.
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The master inquisitive gains no proficiency with any weapons, armor, or shields.
Zone of Truth (Sp): A master inquisitive can use zone of truth once per day as a spell-like ability, duplicating the effect of the zone of truth spell. The character can spend 2 action points to gain one additional use of this ability.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd and 4th level, a master inquisitive gains a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the master inquisitive must meet the prerequisites of the feat to select it.
Alertness, Deceitful, Heroic Spirit, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Negotiator, Persuasive, Recognize Impostor, Research, Toughness, Track, Urban Tracking.
Contact: A master inquisitive of 2nd level or higher cultivates associates and informants. Each time the character gains a contact, the DM should develop an NPC to represent the contact. The contact must be a member of an NPC class (adept, aristocrat, commoner, expert, magewright, or warrior).
Contacts might be informants, criminals, chroniclers, shopkeepers, coach drivers, household servants, clerks, or others who can provide limited aid and information pertaining to a master inquisitive's endeavors.
A contact does not accompany a master inquisitive on missions or risk his or her life in any overt manner. A contact can, however, provide information, develop leads, or render a service (make a specific skill check on behalf of the inquisitive).
At 2nd level, a master inquisitive gains a 3rd-level contact. At 4th level, a master inquisitive gains a 6th level contact.
The character can't call upon the same contact more than once per week. When he calls on a contact, compensation is required for the services rendered. Professional contacts, such as adepts, aristocrats, and magewrights, require favors in return. Criminal or working-class contacts, including commoners, experts, and warriors, usually demand money for the services they provide. Prices for a contact's services are based on the contact's class and level, as shown on the following table. Unlike with hirelings, a master inquisitive personally knows and has a longstanding relationship with his contacts.
| Contact's Class | Cost for Services Rendered |
| Adept | 1 gp/level or favor in return |
| Aristocrat | Favor in return |
| Commoner | 2 sp/level |
| Expert | 5 sp/level |
| Magewright | 1 gp/level or favor in return |
| Warrior | 5 sp/level |
Discern Lies (Sp): Starting at 3rd level, a master inquisitive can use discern lies once per day as a spell-like ability, duplicating the effect of the discern lies spell. The character can spend 2 action points to gain one additional use of this ability.
True Seeing (Sp): At 5th level, a master inquisitive can use true seeing once per day as a spell-like ability, duplicating the effect of the true seeing spell. The character can spend 2 action points to gain one additional use of this ability.
| Master Inquisitive | Hit Die: d6 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Zone of truth |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Bonus feat, contact (3rd level) |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Discern lies |
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Bonus feat, contact (6th level) |
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | True seeing |
Source: Eberron Campaign Setting