Properly running encounter with Lamia Matriarch


Advice


I am running an adventure path against a somewhat customized Lamia Matriarch. She seems like she has a good chance to massacre the party if played intelligently. Just a few of the things it seems like she would do...

1. Charm Fest
My understanding is that you can cast charm without breaking invisibility. If this is the case, the Lamia can easily cast charm monster on every party member before the fight even begins. Unless you detect her she can just bide her time until everyone fails. I don't even know what she would do at that point, but it seems to me it could get nasty REALLY quick. "Let me talk to your barbarian alone for a few minutes."

2. Suggestion
The fight is on the top of a clock tower 200 feet high. As part of the fight she summons a scary illusion. She can simply suggest "that thing will kill you! the only way to escape is to jump off the building!" and it will essentially take someone out of the fight (also, 20d6 damage)

3. Invisibility + Mirror Image
We have three melee fighters and she has an AC of 25. Getting through that will take a bit.

I'm curious in particular if #1 and #2 are jerk moves on my part or expected play from a Lamia. I figure she has 16 int and Wis, so she is going to play smart. I came up with her plan of attack after only a few minutes, so I am positive she could be even more nasty if she put her mind to it. Any insights appreciated!


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These scenarios are actually explained by the spells in their descriptions, because the ability to use tactics like this is just too nasty.

1) Invisibility states "For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe." The charm spells target the foes of the Lamia, and thus would break invisibility.

2) Also no. "Asking the creature to do some obviously harmful act automatically negates the effect of the spell." Taking an average of 70 points of damage would, in my opinion, count as "obviously harmful."

3) Invisibility explicitly deactivates Mirror Image. "If you are invisible or the attacker is blind, the spell has no effect." Mirror Image is strong on its own, though, to the point people will close their eyes (rendering themselves blind, and thus immune) to avoid it. I hope your melee characters have Blind Fight or good to-hit, or a friendly caster with dispel magic ready.

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