Religion – Implicitly Catholic (typical of the time and region), but his true devotion is to the law itself
Allies – The French legal system, various police officers and officials, the state
Enemies – Jean Valjean, criminals and convicts, revolutionaries
Abode / Base of operations – Initially Montreuil-sur-Mer; later Paris
Nationality – French
Languages – French (fluent), likely literate in legal and administrative language
Alignment – Lawful Neutral (to a fault)
Affiliation(s) – French Police Force, Justice System
Significant others – None romantically; emotionally tethered only to the law and the state
A shadow cast in the shape of the law, Inspector Javert is a man molded from cold iron and raised in the crucible of shame and order. To most, he is the embodiment of justice—unyielding, incorruptible, and fiercely devoted to the rule of law. To others, he is the law’s ghost, haunting the margins of mercy with blind resolve. Javert believes in only one truth: the law is sacred, absolute, and final. And in its name, he has hunted more men than he can count—none more relentlessly than the reformed convict, Jean Valjean.
Life Story
Javert from original publication of Les Misérables (1862). Gustave Brion (1824-1877)
Born in the bowels of society, Javert entered the world in a prison, the son of a fortune-teller and a convict. From his first breath, he felt the scorn of the world on his shoulders. Ashamed of his blood, he vowed never to belong to the world of lawbreakers—only to its enforcers.
He climbed the ranks of the law enforcement system by sheer will and grim discipline, earning a reputation as an incorruptible agent of justice. His mind divided the world with surgical clarity: the lawful and the lawless. There was no in-between, no gray, and no redemption for those who crossed the line.
In Montreuil-sur-Mer, Javert served as police inspector, where he grew suspicious of the town’s benevolent mayor, Monsieur Madeleine—a man who had risen from obscurity and lived with improbable virtue. Javert’s instincts proved correct: the mayor was none other than Jean Valjean, a parole-breaking ex-convict who had served 19 years for stealing bread and attempting escape.
When another man was mistaken for Valjean and risked being wrongfully convicted, Javert reported his suspicions to the authorities—proving his commitment to justice, even at the cost of his pride. Once Valjean revealed himself to save the innocent man, Javert began a tireless pursuit, chasing him across years and cities, always inches behind, always unwavering.
His pursuit took him through the shadows of Paris, where fate entangled them again amid the flames of the June Rebellion, a doomed uprising led by student revolutionaries. Captured by the rebels and handed over to Valjean, Javert was shocked when the man he’d hunted for decades set him free instead of killing him.
It was mercy Javert could not comprehend.
Faced with the contradiction of a man who defied the law yet embodied virtue, Javert’s entire worldview shattered. His identity—built upon the sanctity of legal order—crumbled. If the law could be wrong, then what was left? Unwilling to exist in a world where justice and morality no longer aligned, Javert ended his life by throwing himself into the Seine.
Personality & Appearance
Javert is tall, severe, and impeccably dressed in the uniform of authority. His eyes are sharp and cold, his mouth perpetually drawn in grim disapproval. He moves with the deliberate pace of a man who always knows his purpose and never questions his path—until he does.
He speaks little and judges swiftly. He abhors pity, loathes corruption, and fears chaos above all. In his presence, even honest men feel compelled to explain themselves.
Motivations, Fears, and Internal Conflict
Javert’s greatest fear is moral ambiguity—a world where law is not the ultimate guide. The reason he does what he does stems from deep shame about his origins and an obsessive need to impose structure on a chaotic world. By devoting himself to the law, he believes he can scrub himself clean of the filth of his past.
His goal is not personal glory, nor vengeance, but perfect justice. He wants a world where every man is in his rightful place, where evil is punished, and where good is indistinguishable from legality.
The tragedy of Javert lies in his rigidity. His inability to accept change or moral complexity is his undoing. When faced with Valjean’s genuine transformation, Javert realizes the law is not enough to define good and evil—and that revelation destroys him.
Legacy
In life, Javert was feared and respected. In death, he became a symbol: a warning against the dangers of absolute order without compassion. His name is whispered in courts and police barracks alike—sometimes with reverence, sometimes with sorrow. He is the guardian who lost himself in the gate he guarded.
Javert has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks when wearing his uniform and cloak. Known criminals or fugitives make such checks against him at disadvantage.
Relentless Pursuit.
Once Javert has witnessed a crime, he gains advantage on all checks to track or identify the perpetrator. His movement is unaffected by nonmagical difficult terrain during the pursuit.
Unshakable Will.
Javert has advantage on saving throws against enchantment spells and any effect that would charm, frighten, or sway his moral judgment.
Aura of Order (10 ft.).
Lawful-aligned allies within 10 feet can’t be frightened and gain +1 to saving throws.
Iron Creed.(Optional Roleplay Mechanic)
When witnessing an act of mercy toward a known criminal, Javert suffers disadvantage on his next attack or saving throw, reflecting his internal conflict.
ACTIONS
Multiattack.
Javert makes two melee attacks with his Truncheon of Office or one melee attack and one pistol shot.
Truncheon of Office.Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage. Target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone or disarmed (Javert’s choice).
Flintlock Pistol.Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage. Properties: Loading, Loud. Requires one action to reload. A creature hit by the pistol must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become shaken (disadvantage on next attack roll).
Subdue the Lawless (Recharge 5–6).
Javert targets one creature he can see within 60 ft. who has broken a law. The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become Restrained by spectral chains of authority for 1 minute. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns.
Tactical Pin.(Bonus Action)
If Javert knocks a creature prone or grapples it, he may mark it as Immobile Prey until the end of his next turn. That creature’s movement becomes 0, and all melee attacks against it have advantage.
REACTIONS
Punitive Strike.
When a creature within 5 feet of Javert attempts to flee or make an attack without Disengaging, he may make a melee attack. On a hit, the creature’s speed is halved until the end of its next turn.
TACTICS
Begins encounters issuing a formal demand for surrender, drawing his pistol as a last warning.
Uses Subdue the Lawless early to lock down primary fugitives or chaotic threats.
Prefers nonlethal takedowns, especially against characters showing redemption.
Only draws his pistol when met with armed resistance or moral betrayal.
In roleplay, he is cold but principled—merciless to those who defy the law, and unsettled by those who transcend it.
GEAR & DESCRIPTION
Wears: A formal navy-blue inspector’s uniform, polished breastplate beneath a long, buttoned coat with silver trim
Carries:
Truncheon of Office (bludgeoning baton, badge of authority)
Flintlock pistol with ornate grip and powder horn
Iron manacles, wanted posters, warrants, and a small bound notebook
Look: Steel-gray eyes, high cheekbones, thin lips, and a voice sharp as a saber. Hair slicked back beneath a regulation kepi (cap)
Judgment (3/day) – Activate as a swift action. Choose one:
Justice: +2 sacred bonus to attack rolls
Protection: +2 sacred bonus to AC
Purity: +2 sacred bonus on saves vs. sickness, nausea, disease
Banish Lawless (1/day, Su): Target one chaotic or criminal creature within 30 ft.; DC 17 Will or paralyzed for up to 9 rounds. Ends early on a successful save each round. [Mind-Affecting] [Lawful]
Censure (Su, swift action): Mark a visible foe. For 1 round, gain +2 attack and damage vs. that target. Can switch targets each round.
Stern Gaze +5: +5 to Intimidate and Sense Motive
Domain (Law) – Touch of Law (6/day, Su): Standard action; touched creature treats all d20 rolls as 11 for 1 round
Spells Prepared (CL 9th; concentration +11)
3rd (3/day):Discern Lies, Bestow Curse, Prayer
2nd (4/day):Zone of Truth, Hold Person, Detect Thoughts, Eagle’s Splendor
1st (5/day):Detect Chaos, Shield of Faith, Divine Favor, Command, Bless
Before Combat: Casts Shield of Faith, Divine Favor, and Bless. Reloads pistol. Issues final demand for surrender.
During Combat:
Opens with Banish Lawless or Hold Person on dangerous fugitives.
Activates Judgment and Censure to boost offense.
Focuses on nonlethal takedowns unless resisting arrest.
Uses Touch of Law for key checks or to neutralize unpredictability.
Morality Conflict (Iron Creed): If confronted with genuine redemption or moral contradiction, must make DC 18 Will save or become shaken for 1d4 rounds and lose ability to activate Judgment that round.
Morale: Never flees pursuit. Only falters when law clashes with mercy.
SQ Stern Gaze +5, Solo Tactics, Teamwork Feats, Track +4, Monster Lore +4, Judgment 3/day, Touch of Law 6/day, Banish Lawless, Censure, Aura of Order
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Truncheon of Office (Ex)
Heavy black baton engraved with symbols of law and order. Grants +2 on Intimidate checks vs. known criminals and counts as lawful-aligned for overcoming DR. Can deal lethal or nonlethal damage.
Aura of Order (Su)
All lawful-aligned allies within 10 feet are immune to fear and gain a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. [Mind-Affecting]
Iron Creed (Ex)
When faced with evidence of redemption, moral complexity, or virtuous disobedience, Javert must succeed a DC 18 Will save or become shaken for 1d4 rounds and lose access to Judgment during that time, representing his internal conflict.
GEAR
+1 Breastplate, +1 Heavy Steel Shield, Truncheon of Office, +1 Flintlock Pistol, 10 paper cartridges
Cloak of Resistance +1, Writ of Authority (scroll of Command, CL 9)
Manacles, badge, wax seal, notebook of warrants and judgments, pocket watch, formal coat
DESCRIPTION
A lean, immaculately dressed officer with a storm-gray gaze and voice like a law book snapped shut. Javert moves with military precision and a priest’s conviction. Every action, every word is shaped by his unbending belief: the law is sacred, and those who break it must fall before it—no matter how good their hearts may be.
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