I was in the shower recognizing my greatness when a wonderful idea for a villian came to mind ,and I'm just lacking that little umpnh to make it game legal. as I've posted before I play in a mythic earth type setting, where kinghts are prevalent.
The idea is thus.
A nighmare that has the intelligence to lure fighters into jousting duels out in the barrens. The knights are beholden to not strike the steed while jousting. then the nightmare shows its true colors and does its best to destroy the fighter before the party can save him.
My queetion is this? what/how can the nightmare use to marionette a rider?
If nesscessary I'll use a handwavium magic item, but I'd like to steer clear of that. I'm sure theres an answer eluding me, and thanks in advance to the paizoites that help me with this.
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You said that the nightmare has intelligence... could it possibly learn to cast spells somehow? Maybe give it some sorcerer spells such as major image to create the appearance of a rider? Another option would be to give it a charm person ability that lets it coerce people into riding it into battle.
Depending on how nasty you want to make it, you could apply the vampire template to the creature (this only breaks the rules a little tiny bit) and have it use its domination ability to similar ends as the charm option above. It could also use its spawn as a rider. This would prevent it from participating in daytime jousts, however. That could be an issue.
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Maybe it has a way to make some golem-type critters or has forged a pact with another entity that can to have something made for the occasion. Dreadguards would work, look the part, and are fairly low powered. A flesh golem in full plate would work also.
On the magic item line of thought, an item that allows 1 or 2x a day usage of an illusion spell would do the trick. Maybe a band or something to fit on the Nightmare.
FH
Or a magic saddle that creates an illusion of the rider. You could get really evil and make the saddle create a rider of force energy, which could even deliver attacks with a lance and deal damage alongside "its" mount. Whether the "rider" could be destroyed or not is up to you.
Maybe it has a way to make some golem-type critters or has forged a pact with another entity that can to have something made for the occasion. Dreadguards would work, look the part, and are fairly low powered. A flesh golem in full plate would work also.
On the magic item line of thought, an item that allows 1 or 2x a day usage of an illusion spell would do the trick. Maybe a band or something to fit on the Nightmare.FH
How about a curse where once the fighter or paladin slays the rider he/she is cursed to replace them since they were also tricked and thus the new rider is used to corrupt or slay future heroes...
Nobody realises the steed is the source of the curse unless they somehow get the info from another denizen of the hell planes since the item the nightmare has should be a ring or barding of mind shielding preventing its identity being revealed...To save their comrade they have to make a deal with another devil and even then this is to further the campaign of the real villain to whom this has just been a pleasant diversion...
I like hopeless' curse idea but you could also ahve some sort of living construct (like a warforged) that looks like a living person. An animated object (like a statue or a suit of armor could work as well.
"You are approached by a lone lance-weilding knight atop a deep black stallion. The knight's limbs are much more slender than that of a normal human and jointed with discs. His movements are stiff and straight, pivoting more than swinging. The knight calls to you in a strange voice that is not quite living, almost as though sung through the strings of a discordant harp;
Hail to thee, errant nobleman! I am Golem of the Trophymaker's Guild! Test you strength and prove your valiance, then you shall be appropriately rewarded with a certificate redeemable at the nearest participating Guildhouse!