So I have this GREAT idea for an evil NPC that I want to throw at my players, but I have no idea how I should begin to stat him out. I was hoping to get some suggestions, or maybe even builds.
Here is his backstory/description:
Balasar Frollo
“Those who oppose God shall know pain without end.”
Balasar is a powerful cleric devoted to the Great Inventor who formed civilization out of chaos and liberated the humanoid races from their barbarism. He is a powerful healer, a consummate Samaritan, a paragon of his faith, and a completely fanatic zealot. Balasar never tolerates insults against his faith and is quick to accuse such dissenters of being heretical heathens deserving of nothing less than a highly public execution. What’s more, Balasar’s station as the local judge and his lofty position within the church’s hierarchy gives him some leeway in carrying out such public executions.
A master of subtly manipulating evidence, of bending laws to his favor, and of convincing the people of his community of any allegations he decides to lie upon his unfortunate foes, Balasar possesses near absolute control over the lives of his citizenry. Despite his crazed devotion to his faith, the vast majority of people love him for his extreme dedication to the bettering of their community. After all, any who questioned the morality of his behavior have long since been ―legitimately‖ burned at the stake or imprisoned for their heresy.
If ever confronted by an obvious superior about the high number of executions in his community, Balasar is quick to dismiss it with a warning, sometimes laced with a veiled threat: "If we are not constantly vigilant against the lawless terrorists who would dare attempt to undo all the efforts of the almighty God, then we are no more deserving of His Lord’s gifts than the heretics themselves."
Balasar’s skills of control through deception are such that even fellow faithful and those of superior station are not necessarily safe from his potential wrath.
Almost sounds like a cleric of Asmodeus, devil god of contracts, so lawful evil?
So I have this GREAT idea for an evil NPC that I want to throw at my players, but I have no idea how I should begin to stat him out. I was hoping to get some suggestions, or maybe even builds.
Here is his backstory/description:
Balasar Frollo
“Those who oppose God shall know pain without end.”Balasar is a powerful cleric devoted to the Great Inventor who formed civilization out of chaos and liberated the humanoid races from their barbarism. He is a powerful healer, a consummate Samaritan, a paragon of his faith, and a completely fanatic zealot. Balasar never tolerates insults against his faith and is quick to accuse such dissenters of being heretical heathens deserving of nothing less than a highly public execution. What’s more, Balasar’s station as the local judge and his lofty position within the church’s hierarchy gives him some leeway in carrying out such public executions.
A master of subtly manipulating evidence, of bending laws to his favor, and of convincing the people of his community of any allegations he decides to lie upon his unfortunate foes, Balasar possesses near absolute control over the lives of his citizenry. Despite his crazed devotion to his faith, the vast majority of people love him for his extreme dedication to the bettering of their community. After all, any who questioned the morality of his behavior have long since been ―legitimately‖ burned at the stake or imprisoned for their heresy.
If ever confronted by an obvious superior about the high number of executions in his community, Balasar is quick to dismiss it with a warning, sometimes laced with a veiled threat: "If we are not constantly vigilant against the lawless terrorists who would dare attempt to undo all the efforts of the almighty God, then we are no more deserving of His Lord’s gifts than the heretics themselves."
Balasar’s skills of control through deception are such that even fellow faithful and those of superior station are not necessarily safe from his potential wrath.
I am assuming he won't be taking on the party alone. What is the CR of the entire encounter and what types of creatures normally work for the Great Inventor?
Totally ignoring your stat request (sorry) your description cries out "inquisitor" in my ears.
CR 9 inquisitor.
Primarily a non-combatant. Relies on his social skills/manipulations to get things done. I suppose that means he has a number of legitimate goons too.
How about a negative energy channel cleric with dhampir antipaladin honor guard? He can buff and heal them.
LE Inquisitor with one of those "holy symbols" that mask his alignment with LN or even LG. Maybe give him some of those Int- or Cha-based combat feats, like Dazzling Display, Improved, Dirty Trick, Combat Expertise, etc. He fights defensively and buffs his allies. He also needs at least one "escape route." Maybe an Elemental Gem to be used as a distraction, an iron flask with an Inevitable inside, some kind of switcheroo teleport trick (he teleports out, a relatively straight forward tank teleports in).
Give him Leadership, and a passel of paladin guards, with a NE cohort executioner (the actual threat when combat comes around). Maybe one of those nifty alchemist/barbarian/master chymists. Uses an executioners axe as a weapon. Maybe the vivisectionist archetype for extra creepiness.
LE Inquisitor with one of those "holy symbols" that mask his alignment with LN or even LG.
Ooh! Where can I find those? That would be perfect!
Might have to homebrew it. Based a bit on the ring of mind shielding, a bit on some other stuff. Non-detection? Glibness? Undetectable Alignment?