Hey everyone. I just had a few questions regarding the Aura of Cowardice ability for the Anti-paladin, and I'm hoping you all can help me out...
1) How does the Aura of Cowardice interact with the intimidate skill (in other words, does the DC to demoralize an opponent decrease by 4 because of the Aura?)
2) How does the Aura of Cowardice interact with creatures immune to mind-affecting (Again, the aura says that creatures 'normally' immune to fear lose that immunity so...yea, what happens)
3) Is demoralizing an opponent a mind-affecting effect (I would assume it is, but again, just checking)
For those of you who don't know, this is what the Aura of Cowardice does:
At 3rd level, an antipaladin radiates a palpably daunting aura that causes all enemies within 10 feet to take a –4 penalty on saving throws against fear effects. Creatures that are normally immune to fear lose that immunity while within 10 feet of an antipaladin with this ability. This ability functions only while the antipaladin remains conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.
Looking up the rules, it seems you have some leeway on this interaction.
In regard to your points:
1) I'm sure you know that opponents don't get a save against the demoralize attempts, so the rule doesn't technically apply. (And the check is not a super difficult one to make when you start adding all the options for bumping up your Intimidate modifier.) However, as a GM myself I would agree that there is plenty of room here for a situational modifier to apply, say +4 on the Intimidate check if the opponent is within 10 feet and +2 if the opponent is outside the range of my aura but witnesses others get shaken.
2) I think the idea behind the aura of cowardice is that it circumvents normal immunities to fear (or - if it helps to clarify - to mind-affecting effects that cause fear). Of course, don't forget that if anything grants the PC a second save once it is outside the 10' aura, the -4 penalty no longer applies.
3) I don't know if there is a ruling on this, but I would agree that it fits the criteria for a mind-affecting effect. Though I would clarify that it isn't a form of possession or control, so I don't think it would go away when the demoralized foe enters a magic circle against duskblades.
Those are just my thoughts on the subject. I haven't checked the forums to see if it's been broached before.
1) No. It isn't a save, no effect/benefit gained.
2) 'Immune to fear' is not the same as being immune to mind affecting effects. If a creature is stated to be immune to fear that immunity goes away. If a creature is immune to mind affecting effects (which fear might fall under) that doesn't go away. For example a mindless zombie would still be immune, where as an android would be vulnerable to fear in the aura.
3) It isn't stated as such in the skill, normally when an ability is, it is mentioned in the write up. So RAW not in this case it seems.
I know this is an old thread but for anyone still wondering I asked James Jacobs and here is his answer http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2l7ns&page=1312?Ask-James-Jacobs-ALL-your-Q uestions-Here#65586