OK, so I have read all the threads on simulacra I can find on this site, used the search function, and looked elsewhere on the internet. As far as I know this is something that hasn't been asked before:
As written, the simulacrum spell creates a simulacrum of ice etc. etc. Then there's this:
"At all times, the simulacrum remains under your absolute command. No special telepathic link exists, so command must be exercised in some other manner."
So, what happens if someone impersonates the creator? Say the creator is an evil NPC wizard. One of the PCs is his good wizard twin brother. They kill the evil dude and the good brother puts on his clothes and tries to order his (the evil one's) simulacra around. What happens?
Taking this further, what about Disguise/alter self/etc.?
Or, what about written instructions?
What if there are two apparently identical creatures giving the orders (say, from the creator and his evil clone from a mirror of opposition)?
I would adjudicate this with a Disguise check vs. the simulacrum's Perception to see through the ruse, with a Bluff check vs. a Sense Motive check if you order it to do something too out of character (prompting it to check in, but not necessarily be too suspicious, depending on a variety of factors). In the case of written instructions there would be opposed Linguistics checks with Bluff if the orders are out of character, or if the simulacrum is suspicious of orders that come through such channels. If the creator gives the simulacrum a passcode that it has to hear every time it receives orders, fine, but that's above-average paranoia. Then the simulacrum would have to make a Bluff check if it wanted to conceal that it knew the orders were false, etc. In the case of the two opposing sets of orders there would be opposed Diplomacy or Bluff checks vs. the simulacrum's Sense Motive.
Simulacra are intelligent so this could lead to an Isaac Asimov-style moral quandary.
This can sort of go all over the map, so I would like to see if there are any "official" rulings, but I think the above is pretty reasonable and covers most circumstances. What do people think?
Seems like a good place for GM arbitration.
The GM could say that simulacra have a magical connection to their creators, and instinctively know who that is (and are thus never fooled).
OR
The GM could say that the simulacra can be fooled by such things and obey the orders of their perceived master. In the event of two apparent masters giving conflicting orders, an opposed Charisma check is made to see which "master" it follows (I'm basing this off of similar instances withing the extant rules).
IN ANY CASE
It's not covered in the rules themselves.
Thanks for the input. I think for my own use I would avoid the "spiritual connection" level although, presumably, it would be really hard to fool the simulacrum by pretending to be the person it's based off of, or a lover or family member, etc.
Paranoid magic users probably put some kind of safeguard in, but that can always be gotten around with the proper preparations...
EDIT: I should probably add a full disclosure, I am planning to use a bunch of simulacra in an upcoming campaign I'm running, and this is very likely to come up :P
I see this line in simulacrum. "At all times, the simulacrum remains under your absolute command."
To me, unless something else specifically overrides that, they will never be fooled. Now, if you dominate the owner and force him to provide orders...