Thanks Jester.Jester of the FoS wrote:A midde ground approach might work. Elena starts as a paladin, but switches unknowingly to inquisitor when she falls.
For kicks I made her as a sort of "dread" paladin [basically similar to a paladin with slight modification as you and Ron had suggested]. I like both set of stats. I'm not sure which ones I'll use in my campaign yet. She does lose a lot of skills, but as Ron had also mentioned, she has a lot of followers to make up for her shortcomings.
ELENA FAITH-HOLD, Darklord of Nidala, CR 12 (XP 19,200)
Female human dread paladin of Belenus 11
LE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses detect life (60 ft., DC 19); Perception +6
Aura despair (10 ft.), aura of justice (10 ft.), aura of resolve (10 ft.)
DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+1 Dex, +11 armor)
hp 82 (11d10+22)
Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +13
Defensive Abilities divine grace, divine health; Immune charm, disease, fear
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft. [30 ft. unarmored]
Melee +2 unholy bastard sword +19/+14/+9 (1d10+7 [one-handed] or 1d10+10 [two-handed]/17-20)
Special Attacks channel negative energy (DC 16, 6d6), closing the borders, convert, smite evil 4/day (+4 attack and AC, +11 damage)
Paladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 11th; concentration +13)
At will—detect “evil”
Paladin Spells Prepared (CL 8th; concentration +10)
3rd—deadly juggernaut, discern lies (DC 17)
2nd—bull’s strength, saddle surge
1st—challenge evil (DC 15), divine favor, endure elements
STATISTICS
Str 20, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 18
Base Atk +11; CMB +16; CMD 28
Feats Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Improved Critical (bastard sword), Leadership, Mounted Combat, Power Attack (-3/+6 or +9), Ride-by Attack, Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
Skills Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6, Ride +7 [+12 unarmored], Sense Motive +6
Languages Nidalan
SQ aura, detect disruption, divine bond (weapon +3, for 11 minutes, 2/day), lay on hands (5d6, 9/day), mercies (nauseated, sickened, staggered), persistence, sinkhole of evil
Gear +2 unholy bastard sword (“Caitlin”), +2 moderate fortification full plate, gold holy symbol of Belenus
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Aura of Despair (Su) Elena radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 ft. of her to suffer a –2 morale penalty on all saving throws. Many Nidalans claim that when their Holy Protector is provoked by evil, she responds with a palpable fury; even the most wicked of beasts tremble before her righteous wrath.
Aura of Resolve (Su) Elena is immune to charm spells and spell-like abilities. Each ally within 10 feet of her gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Elena is conscious, not if she is unconscious or dead.
Aura of Justice (Su) Elena can expend two uses of her smite evil ability to grant the ability to smite evil to all allies within 10 feet, using her bonuses. Allies must use this smite evil ability by the start of Elena’s next turn and the bonuses last for 1 minute. Using this ability is a free action. Good creatures gain no benefit from this ability.
Closing the Borders (Su) When Elena wills it, the air around the borders of Nidala hazes over, obscuring vision with an inconstant waver. Those venturing into this murk find themselves wandering into insubstantial torture chambers. These illusions present the viewers as the main attraction, with teams of inquisitors working them over eagerly. The farther one progresses, the less the illusion fluctuates, and the more it seems to become real. Soon, wayfarers find themselves viewing the chamber through the eyes of its victims and feel a twinge of the pain the illusion depicts. If travelers are so foolish as to continue, it is likely they find themselves fully immersed in the illusion, except that it is no longer an illusion. Escapees from the domain wander from the border of the domain to its heart, the dungeons of Elena's castle.
Convert (Sp) At will, Elena can attempt to convert a foe to her side. The target must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or “see the light,” repenting their wicked ways and gladly joining Elena’s ranks. This effect acts as a powerful form of charm monster, except that Elena can only convert humanoids, and those who are converted will gladly die for her. If a target succeeds at its Will save, Elena cannot attempt to convert that creature again for 24 hours.
Detect “Evil” (Sp) Elena believes that she can detect evil at will. Furthermore, she believes that the inability of other spellcasters in Ravenloft to detect evil is a sure sign of their spiritual impurity. In truth, this ability performs just as the detect evil spell—except that instead of evil, Elena actually detects any strong emotions that the target creatures may feel toward her. Sadly, this ability does not distinguish between emotions. Elena interprets both the burning hatred of her foes and the boundless love of a suitor as purest evil, and lashes out at each.
Detect Life (Sp) By concentrating for a full round, Elena can detect the thoughts of any humanoid within 60 ft. Elena cannot read the creature’s thoughts, but she can hone in on them to root out creatures that may be hiding. Targets within range can make a DC 19 Will save to escape detection. Magic effects that shield thoughts also prevent discovery. Intriguingly, this power cannot detect infants or the insane.
Persistence (Su) Elena Faith-Hold hasn’t aged a day since becoming the darklord of Nidala. Though more than 150 years old, she is a beautiful woman, appearing as if she were still in her prime.
Smite Evil (Su) Elena can call out to “Belenus” to aid her in her struggle against evil. As a swift action, she chooses one target within sight to smite. If Elena has previously detected the target as “evil” (see below), she adds a +4 bonus to her attack rolls and a +11 bonus to all damage rolls made against the target of her smite. If the target of smite evil is an outsider with the evil subtype, an “evil-aligned” dragon, or an undead creature, the bonus to damage increases to 22 points of damage. Regardless of the target, smite evil attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess. In addition, while smite evil is in effect, Elena gains a +4 deflection bonus to her AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If Elena targets a creature that she has not detected as evil, the smite is wasted with no effect. The smite evil effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the Elena rests and regains her uses of this ability. Elena can use this ability 4/day.
ELENA’S MOUNT [Cohort], CR 5 (XP 1,600)
Male advanced shadow unicorn
LE Large magical beast
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +14
DEFENSE
AC 30, touch 15, flat-footed 24 (-1 size, +6 Dex, +8 natural, +7 armor)
hp 50 (5d10+30)
Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +5
Special Defenses shadow merge; DR 5/magic; Immune charm, compulsion, poison
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft. [60 ft. unarmored]
Melee gore +14 (1d8+15 plus 1d4 fire); bite +14 (1d8+10), 2 hooves +12 (1d4+5)
Special Attacks flaming horn, powerful charge (2d8+20 plus 1d4 fire), terror scream (DC 20)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th; concentration +14)
3/day—blink (in shadowy areas only)
STATISTICS
Str 30, Dex 23, Con 23, Int 15, Wis 19, Cha 22
Base Atk +5; CMB +16; CMD 32
Feats Alertness, Multiattack
Skills Acrobatics +8 [+14 unarmored, +16 jumping, +24 jumping unarmored], Perception +14, Stealth +8 [+14 unarmored], Sense Motive +6, Survival +14 [+17 in forests], Swim +4 [+10 unarmored]; Racial Modifiers +3 Survival in forests, +4 Stealth
SQ magical strike
Gear masterwork half-plate barding, military saddle
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Flaming Horn (Su) A shadow unicorn can will its horn to burst into flame as a free action. Creatures hit by a shadow unicorn’s gore attack suffer regular damage as well as 1d4 fire damage. A strike from a shadow unicorn’s horn sets combustibles alight. Shadow unicorns are immune to their own flames.
Shadow Merge (Su) Shadow unicorns gain total concealment and always succeed on any Stealth checks when in shadowy areas. A shadow unicorn can suppress this ability if it wishes.
Terror Scream (Su) The terrifying screams of a shadow unicorn affects its victims as a fear spell (CL 8th, DC 20). Anyone who fails a Fear save and suffers a major effect will find their hair turned permanently white.
Whadda ya think? Any Better?