Inquisitor Vertaj
Welcome again to Masters and Minions, where I try to create interesting NPCs and encounters that can be easily placed into your adventures. This week I would like to introduce you to Inquisitor Vertaj of the Holy Order of the Arcane Eye, an order of paladins that use divination magic to track down criminals. Vertaj’s latest investigation has been involving the assassination of a high ranking noble, and, though no one was actually able to get a good look at the assassin, he believes he has found some clues left by the assassin: a bit of hair and a piece of dark cloth. These “clues” were actually left by the PCs some time before the assassination happened. By using these “clues” and a scrying spell, Inquisitor Vertaj identifies one of the PCs as the culprit. Though it takes him awhile, he does eventually catch up to the PCs, and when he does, he accuses one or all of them of assassinating the noble, demanding they come with him to await their trial. If the PCs consent to the trial they are eventually acquitted of the crime and are set free, but if they resist Vertaj tries to capture them by actually fighting them. When that fails he retreats, saying that he will catch them and end their evil ways. If allowed, Vertaj will follow the PCs to the ends of the earth. Vertaj is more annoying than actually a threat to the PCs.
When Vertaj first meets the PCs he uses his detect evil ability; if none of the PCs are evil he claims they must have some way of hiding their alignment.
Inquisitor Vertaj |
CR 9 |
XP 6,400
Human sorcerer 7/paladin 2/eldritch knight 1
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +0; Senses Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +1 deflection, +1 natural)
hp 70 (7d6+3d10+27)
Fort +12 Ref +6 Will +10
Defensive Abilities divine grace
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft
Melee longsword +10/+5 (1d8+5 plus 1d6 nonlethal/19-20)
Special Attacks Smite Evil 1/day
Spell-like Abilities (CL 2)
At will—detect evil
Sorcerer Spells Know (CL 7, +13 ranged touch)
3rd (5/day)—dispel magic, heroism, hold person (DC 18)
2nd (7/day)—invisibility, see invisibility,
1st (7/day)—alarm, animate rope, detect undead, identify, magic missile, shield
0 (at will)—arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, disrupt undead, light, message, read magic
Bloodline arcane
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 18
Base Atk +6; CMB +9; CMD 19
Feats Arcane Strike, Arcane Armor Mastery, Arcane Armor Training , Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Spell Focus (enchantment)
Skills Knowledge (arcana) +13, Perception +8, Sense Motive -2, Spellcraft +13
SQ arcane bond (longsword), aura of good, bloodline arcana, lay on hands, metamagic expert
Treasure NPC Gear (+2 breastplate, +1 merciful longsword, ring of protection +1, amulet of natural armor +1)