Dashing Thief (Swashbuckler Archetype)
The swashbuckler class and the rogue have had some overlap conceptually. After all, plenty of rogues are the daring and dashing type, and both classes favor light weapons and precision strikes, especially when they can show off their superior swordplay.
The dashing thief seeks to blend the two classes more so by making them skilled at larceny, but they go about their thefts in an unconventional way: with their attractiveness and bold, amorous behavior.
When I say that, I don’t mean they necessarily always get to their prize by way of the bedchamber, but when stealth is not an option, they can put on the charm to achieve their goals, most commonly by surprising someone with a bold amorous advance, most commonly being pulled into a passionate kiss, which dazes them with surprise for a brief moment, giving them the leeway they need to abscond with their mark. If you’ve ever seen swashbuckling movies where the licentious hero pulls someone into a passionate kiss, overwhelming them with the amorous activity (whether they are actually between them and their goal or not), well, this is that.
The bold daring and showboating of this archetype also has another benefit, their bravado and exploits calling all attention to them, allowing much more subtle agents to nab other prizes. Which isn’t to say that a dashing thief always works with a partner, nor are they always the distraction.
In the Golarion setting, this archetype is heavily associated with the Council of Thieves, particularly with a drow expatriate who fled her homeland to pursue her then-heretical worship of Nocticula (i.e. her secret cult that knew of the demon lord’s desire to no longer be evil prior to succeeding in that goal). As such, between her training and advice from summon and bound succubi, the amorous secrets is what gave rise to the dashing thieves found in Westcrown with the newly reformed Council.
Though they focus on the bravado, these thieves wouldn’t be very good if they couldn’t crack a trap-lined safe or palm valuables, so they learn to do just that, and they can even apply their derring do which if normally reserved for more athletic actions to this boldly snatching items without the person knowing it when the opportunity arises, and refusing to hesitate when carefully handling such a device.
While they still regain panache from critical blows and dares, they do not do so from a killing blow, as murder isn’t their goal or style. Instead, what refuels their daring drive is by making a fool of their foes by stealing from them, even in the middle of combat.
As mentioned above though, with a small expenditure of their vigor, they can pull a foe they have feinted against into a quick kiss or other act of passion, leaving them dazed for a few seconds. However, the rules do their best to make it clear that this does not work on any and all creatures, and while they go into broad strokes about being of the same creature type or having similar features, such as monstrous humanoids or magical beasts that have part-humanoid bodies, the general gist to keep in mind is that only creatures that have a reasonable chance of being attracted to the dashing thief can be affected, and only once per day, since this trick relies on the surprise of the target to work.
However, the more powerful among them can leave a lasting effect on the target in question, their advances leaving them smitten afterwards, and perhaps more friendly towards them for at least a day, though obviously if the thief does not follow this up, the feelings fade.
A fun campy option for those that want to leave even their foes trembling, the ability to daze a foe for one round may not seem like much, but in a heist or combat, can make all the difference if timed right. Just remember that you won’t be quite as focused on debuffing or on defense as other swashbucklers. Definitely take feats that improve your feinting to best use this archetype, but then, this is a swashbuckler archetype, so Improved Feint and its related feats are already in your required learning to begin with.
Naturally, this archetype is not going to appeal to a lot of ace folks, as the concept of a character that gets by on raw sex appeal and the daring to utilize it as a tool, even in a superficial, temporary sense that doesn’t have greater meaning, to say nothing of also considering that some NPCs or even PCs that the character tries this trick on may not swing in any way that allows their ability to actually work. Sexuality in general is not for every table, so be mindful if you use it, and avoid anyone who tries to use it as an excuse to claim their “appeal” can change orientations. (Awaken orientations that they were not self-aware of before maybe, but again, use discretion and be aware of what your table is ok with.)
The vaults of Alu have an ever-rotating group of guards, usually nonhumans as the owners of the vault have a nasty habit of eliminating the guards after they have served their term, and drawing from the human population above would attract too much attention. This year, the guards are a clan of troggles that have been bribed into taking up residence near the vault. Meanwhile, the thief Vikas has stolen the key to the vault from one of its masters, but wants the party’s help in dealing with the troggles before his paramour notices the key is missing.
For years the Mirror Thief has been seducing and ruining lives in pursuit of the finest baubles, always appearing with a new face before performing their latest heist, the only clue that the crimes are connected at all being the subject of their disguise acting uncharacteristically amorous and a carefully-cut, star-shaped shard of a mirror found somewhere nearby. In truth, the thief is a reptoid infiltrator specializing in seduction and thievery.
The investigator Lorelei Baskwood has long ago abandoned her post and any sense of jurisdiction in pursuit of the international thief known as the White Mouse. Most assume it is out of obsession for the criminal who evaded her, but the truth of the matter is that the White Mouse didn’t just make a fool of her, she stole her heart.
