Inquisitors are religious zealots obsessed with locating enemies of the faith. Stubborn and relentless, they ply their trade through deception, diplomacy, intimidation, and even outright torture. An inquisitor is a bounty hunter, a detective, a spy, and a preacher all rolled into one. To the inquisitor, anyone could an enemy and any means to an end is acceptable as long as the enemy is found and removed.

Regardless of whether their chosen class involves a deity directly, inquisitors act as a righteous smiting hand of their god, rooting out and destroying heretics and enemies of the faith. Although some clerics and paladins are also inquisitors, most typically function outside the normal power structure of the church with clandestine authority given by someone high in the order. As such, they often do not answer to local authority, displaying their holy symbol and indication of purpose and saying little more when confronted. It is for this reason that many within a holy order distrust inquisitors, for their unflinching adherence to dogma leaves little room for theological discussion. To an inquisitor, their way is the only way.

Inquisitors may work openly, letting their intimidating presence be felt by everyone around them as they strike down their enemies as an example for all to see. Or they may work quietly in the shadows, not revealing their true nature until the heretic has been identified and the time has come to render judgment. Either way, when judgment comes, it is often swift, forceful, and final.

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, or Persuasion.

Languages: Any one language of your choice.

Equipment: Inquisitors start with a symbol of service (a holy symbol, badge, or other credentials), manacles, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gold pieces.

Suggested Characteristics

Use the tables for the inquisitor background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as an inquisitor.

Your bond is likely associated with your fellow inquisitors or the organization you serve. Your ideal involves the manner in which you approach your inquisition. An inquisitor is likely to have an ideal associated with rooting out heretics and smiting your enemies.

d8	Personality Trait
1	You won't know who I really am or what I'm doing until the time when I choose to reveal myself.
2	Once I have a hunch, I won't let up until I prove it right... or wrong.
3	There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
4	My instincts have never failed me. I always trust my gut.
5	Everyone has their secrets. I must uncover them.
6	The end always justifies the means.
7	I need to know all the available information before reaching a verdict.
8	I obsess over all details of my investigation. Any tiny detail could be crucial.

d6	Ideal
1	Cruelty. When in doubt, I condemn them all. Let the gods sort them out. (Evil)
2	Leniency. Every heretic must be granted one chance to admit their guilt and seek redemption. (Good)
3	Dispassionate. I am neither cruel nor kind beyond that which my deity demands of me. (Neutral)
4	Lawbreaker. I work in the service of my deity. Man's laws must be molded to fit a higher power. (Chaotic)
5	Conquest. I kick ass for the Lord! (Any)
6	Authority. When I lose my way, I turn to others in my order for guidance (Lawful).

d6	Bond
1	My master, the one who taught me when I was still a novice, has lost his way.
2	I personally vouched for a redeemed heretic, and I am now responsible for their actions.
3	I delivered a harsh condemnation, and now the family of the heretic hold a grudge against me.
4	Those around me can always count on me to get the job done.
5	A young novice of the Inquisition looks at me as an example.
6	The members of a different faction within the Inquisition are always breathing down my back.

d6	Flaw
1	I have a dark secret that could expose me as a heretic.
2	I cannot stand to work or ally with anyone who is without faith.
3	Those who stay neutral and won't choose a side are cowards.
4	I cannot tolerate those with opposing viewpoints. Our differences cannot be reconciled.
5	I am haunted by the time I passed harsh judgment on someone... and turned out wrong.
6	Anyone who is not with me is against me.