#holomog demolitionist

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Holomog Demolitionist (Investigator Archetype)

I’ve said this repeatedly, but something I’ve always been fascinated by are the archetypes that imply that the character has a totally different career path from the base class, but just happens to share certain traits with the class. We see this especially with bards and investigators, as well as a few others, and it really shows how adventurers come from all walks of life.

I was not, however, expecting “civic engineer” to be one of those walks of life.

In the nation of Holomog, there is often a need to reclaim and rebuild ancient ruins abandoned during Earthfall, leading to a need for experts on architecture and demolition to build upon the history of their people when able, and carefully destroying that which cannot be restored. Of course, such ruins are often populated by all sorts of monsters, which is where their knowledge of architecture and analytic minds come in handy turning the very stone against such creatures and adversaries, which is where they gain their elements of investigator.

Why they prepare alchemical extracts, however, that part isn’t so readily explained, though I suppose having potions on hand for emergencies is important.

The result is a specialist that can turn their skills and the terrain against foes, but your character doesn’t have to be from Holomog to benefit. Indeed, I could also see this archetype being used for guilds of “dungeon reclaimers/breakers” and the like, experts in turning the narrow tunnels and mechanisms of dungeons against those that would normally use them against the party.

With their knowledge of the structure of objects, these experts can expertly deliver precise blows to damage and break a foe’s possessions.

That insight also gives them the ability to move deftly through difficult terrain, more easily break objects and structures, and even later break through walls.

With precision and might, the demolitionists are able to strike walls and objects in such a way to weaponize the resulting shrapnel, hammering foes in a wide area.

All of this specialization on objects makes them slightly less adept at targeting the weaknesses of living targets, their progression in that regard being much slower.

Perhaps their most interesting ability is their knack for breaking up the terrain quickly to provide a tactical advantage. This starts with simple difficult terrain, but later can include obscuring dust clouds and even cover from the rubble.

Of all the archetypes and builds I expected from the investigator class, a sunder build was not one of them, and they use it to great effect. After all, only the most rare battle feature no terrain whatsoever, and with preparation they can turn a battlefield into a maze of difficult terrain and favorable cover for their allies, while hampering their enemies and damaging them in wide areas. However, don’t forget they’re also investigators, able to take discoveries, spells, and more to better empower them. Definitely pick up a few things that help with sundering and breaking objects, as well as options to diversify them.

Reclaiming, demolishing, and building are the names of the game here, which could delve into uncomfortable territory if your character is tasked with destroying structures and location considered sacred. On the other hand, you could look into the lives of famous architects and find some information to pull from in your characters, well, characterization. Yours might be a hardworking servant of the people, a famed architect, or something else. Whatever strikes you as interesting.

In the mountainous lands of Sokong, misty forests are populated by the flying monkey-like xiao, along with other wonderous creatures. One could wander there for a lifetime, but they say somewhere within that timeless place are the ruins of a nation forgotten by time. Thus has the architect Gen been tasked with finding these lost cities, and reclaiming them for the empire.

The party, in the service of a local guardian spirit, has come into conflict with an agent of the Endless March. This agent, a wyrwood called Clarity, seeks to fulfill their mission and raze the ruins to the ground to pave the way for progress, something the spirit cannot abide as a custodian of history.

The party is transported into a strange dimension where every object and creature is made up of arrangements of tiny multicolored cubes. Getting back home will mean trusting one of the heroes of this strange realm, a man with an incredible knack for shattering the structures of this land with one mighty blow.

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Hybrid Class Review: Investigator part 3

(art by LaminIllustration on DeviantArt)

Archetypes

The investigator boasts an interesting set of archetypes, so let’s dive right in! I tend to divide these archetypes into four categories.

Perhaps the first group I’d like to go over are those investigators that are still expressly detectives while dropping the alchemy in favor of other specializations. Perhaps none is more iconic here than the sleuth, which feels like it was made specifically to be a non-specialized detective that drops alchemy entirely in favor of having a pool of luck to help them through the day. Meanwhile, the Jinyiwe focuses on divine mandate and gains spells from such a source, while the Psychic Detective instead uses psychic magic and their sensitivity to gain clues and insights as well as defend themselves. Scavengers also exist which use quasi-magical gadgets instead of alchemical potions, and the Questioner augments their interviews with bardic magic. Additionally, Spiritualists (the archetype, not the class) channel the spirits of the dead to gain answers, while Malice Binders turn witchcraft lore against the wicked.

Of course, some investigators keep the alchemy while still having their own specializations as detectives. Bonded Investigators make use of a familiar ally, for example, while Steel Hounds are never without their trusty firearms. Ciphers investigate by being supernaturally unnoticeable by those that would stop them, while Cult Hunters and Infiltrators both finds ways to find and put a stop to secret societies and insular groups. Others specialize in gleaning secrets from the dead, such as Gravediggers and Dread Investigators, though their methods differ. Empiricists use unfailing logic to defeat deception and trickery, while Profilers use psychological profiles to determine suspects. Forensic Physicians are trained to glean secrets from the dead in a more mundane manner, while Skeptics use their keen senses and knowledge of parlor tricks to reveal fake hauntings and deal with the real ones. Meanwhile, Guardians of Immortaility, Lepidstadt Inspectors, and Ruthless Agents are known for their dogged pursuit of their goals. Finally, Hallucinists use mind-altering substances to reveal the truth, while Lamplighters reveal with alchemical light sources.

Of course, there are some so-called “investigators” that actually deserve investigation of their own, notably the Conspirators, who hide their activities and deceive others, and the Masterminds, master manipulators that can coach their allies on plans in advance.

While plenty of investigator characters may not actually be professional detectives, some of these archetypes are expressly not that while still using their brilliant intellect. Some are scholars and archaeological collectors, such as Antiquarians, while others study mysterious beasts like Cryptid Scholars. Meanwhile, Cartographers and Star Watcher, who study their charts for very different effects, are also a possibility. Engineers create inspired devices, while Holomog Demolitionists destroy with shocking precision and cunning. Utterly ignored but shockingly competent is the Majordomo, who serves dutifully and organizes those under them to great effect, while Tekritanin Arbiters put their brilliant minds to resolving conflict. Natural Philosophers meanwhile study nature directly, while Portal Seekers study the realms beyond the natural. Finally, Reckless Epicureans test their experimental formulae on themselves, while Toxin Codexers specialize in understanding poisons even beyond the standard investigator’s knowledge.

As you can see, these archetypes come in all shapes and sizes, but all in the end fall back on the core theme of the investigator, which is finding the truth. That truth may be the mysteries of a crime or misdeed, or they may be more esoteric such as scientific advancement, occult mysteries, and beyond.

That does it for today, but tomorrow I’ll share some thoughts on the class as a whole.