Corrupt PoliticianThis woman wears colorful clothing of fine cut and cloth, and carries a satchel of documents.Corrupt Politician CR 4Source Andoran, Birthplace of Freedom pg. 53
XP 1,200
Human bard (court bard) 5 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player’s Guide 81)
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +8DefenseAC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+1 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 36 (5d8+10)
Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +4; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonicOffenseSpeed 30 ft.
Melee mwk sap +6 (1d6–1 nonlethal)
Special Attacks bardic performance 16 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate (DC 16), mockery –2, satire –2)
Bard Spells Known (CL 5th; concentration +9)
2nd (3/day)—enter imageAPG, honeyed tongueAPG, suggestion (DC 16)
1st (5/day)—charm person (DC 15), disguise self, memory lapseAPG (DC 15), vanishAPG
0 (at will)—dancing lights, daze (DC 14), ghost sound (DC 14), mage hand, message, prestidigitationStatisticsStr 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 18
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats EnforcerAPG, Lingering PerformanceAPG, Skill Focus (Intimidate), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +14, Diplomacy +16, Disguise +8, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +8, Perception +8, Perform (act) +9, Perform (oratory) +12, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7, Use Magic Device +11
Languages Common, Halfling
SQ heraldic expertise +2, versatile performance (oratory), wide audienceEcologyEnvironment any urban
Organization solitary, contingent (1 corrupt politician plus 1d4 warrior guards of 3rd level and 1d4 expert sycophants of 3rd level)
Treasure NPC gear (padded armor, mwk sap, other treasure)
The representative democracy that stands as Andoran’s form of government is unusual in the lands of Golarion. In many respects, Andoren society is a model of liberty and equality among races and classes, a meritocracy wherein established castes of hereditary aristocracy have been set aside in favor of letting the best and brightest rise like cream to the top. Many serve with a true heart of civic duty, doing their best to raise the fortunes of all in their land.
Others, however, seek public office not for the benefit of the nation’s general welfare, but rather for their own selfish interests. While most politicians in Andoran truly wish to serve their fellow citizens, it is inevitable that such power occasionally falls into the hands of the corrupt and greedy. Many corrupt politicians seek out office hoping to use its power to increase their own wealth and prestige, while others are slowly seduced by the ease with which their power allows them to cut corners, demand favors, and solve personal problems with wealth they hold in trust for the good of their constituents.
Politicians who have abandoned their public trust have numerous opportunities to use their position for personal gain. They manipulate policy and procedure to serve their own ends using any means at their disposal. Personal charm and political chicanery are weapons in their hands, as they forestall efforts at reform by misappropriating funds and channeling them to themselves or their allies. Corrupt politicians seek their own advantage at every turn, using bribery and misinformation to obstruct investigations and frame their rivals for their own wrongdoings.
Some corrupt politicians even convince themselves that such actions are necessary so they can gain the political power to do good in “important” matters. This self-serving belief allows such politicians to convince themselves that using their positions to assist with illegal smuggling, racketeering, gambling, and abuse of the political process is an acceptable cost of winning support for building orphanages and feeding the poor. Only a few corrupt politicians stoop to violence and extortion, though many who wish to restrict themselves to “victimless” crimes find themselves involved in ever-darker deeds as their careers progress.
Those fallen politicians who believe they do little true harm can sometimes be redeemed. A few turn their backs on their criminal allies upon seeing the damage done by their perversion of the democratic system, while others must be threatened with potential exposure or prosecution before changing their ways.
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