Inspiring Cognatogen

Inspiring Cognatogen (Su)

Benefit

An Alchemist with this discovery learns how to make an inspiring cognatogen, a mutagen-like mixture that grants them inspiration (as the Investigator’s class feature) at the expense of Strength and Constitution.
Upon drinking the inspiring cognatogen, the Alchemist gains a pool of inspiration equal to 1/2 their Alchemist level + their Intelligence modifier (minimum 1). They also gain a +2 Dodge Bonus to AC and take a –2 penalty to both Strength and Constitution. As a Free Action, the Alchemist can add 1d6 to the result of an ability or skill check (including any they take 10 or 20 on) by expending one use of inspiration. This ability works exactly like the Investigator’s inspiration ability, except that the Alchemist gains the pool of inspiration upon drinking the inspiring cognatogen, and any unspent inspiration is lost at the end of the Cognatogen’s duration. If the Alchemist already has access to inspiration, the inspiration added by the inspiring cognatogen is added to their inspiration pool, but each time they expend at least one use of inspiration while this ability is active, they must succeed at a DC 20 Will saving throw or become Dazed for 1 round. They cannot use inspiration to augment this saving throw.
All limitations of mutagens apply to an inspiring cognatogen as if they were the same substance—an Alchemist can only maintain one mutagen or Cognatogen (either the standard Cognatogen or the inspired cognatogen) at a time, a Cognatogen not in an Alchemist’s possession becomes inert, drinking a Cognatogen makes non-alchemists sick, and so on. When the effect of an inspiring cognatogen ends, the Alchemist takes 2 points of Ability Damage to Strength and Dexterity. The Infuse Mutagen discovery and the persistent mutagen class ability apply to an inspiring cognatogen.