So I found this fun Gathlain-specific trait...
Frustrating
Source Inner Sea Races pg. 198
Category Race
Requirement(s) Gathlain
You can get anyone’s attention, even when they are focused elsewhere. You can make Bluff checks to create a diversion for allies within 30 feet to hide (provided they readied an action to hide), and you can make Bluff checks to feint for one adjacent ally of your choice. Either use of this ability is a standard action.
I am thinking about focusing on the Feint for your friend thing, more than Bluff check to hide thing. And the more I think about it, I don't even think I understand all the possibilities...
Feint makes the target flat-footed, yes? No, just denies Dex to AC. Ok, there is a difference... if it was flat-footed, then certain things (like Sap Master) would be obvious.
I think I am getting ahead of myself... one of these two clowns will be Cohort to the other via Leadership. I don't honestly care which is which, but it probably makes more sense to have the lower level Cohort be the Gathlain... that way they [the Gathlain] "wastes" their standard action setting the higher level character with the Leadership feat up for a full attack against a target denied its Dex to AC.
You might be thinking I have some magnificant bruiser planned... nope. It's probably going to be a Gnome Ninja built around Bewildering Koan. Lol. I like small races, and think a Frustrating Gathlain palling around with a Bewildering Gnome is freaking hilarious... now I just need to make it halfway effective.
What is the best, well, everything else to go with using one's standard action to Feint for your friend? What can make use of the other actions left? Obviously, I am thinking a reach Bard, because of course I am thinking Bard with a Longspear... but what do you guys think would work well for a Frustrating Gathlain Cohort?
A small bard focused on feinting might prefer a whip to a longspear.
As a gathlain with a move action free they might like strength of wood, and combat advice seems terribly appropriate for a frustrating character.
Combat Advice is pretty rad, especially fitting for this build. Interesting that I never knew about that feat... and out of all the Aid Another builds I have. Lol.
Spending a feat on a 1/day ability has always been a hard pill for me to swallow, so I might skip Strength of Wood... although it is a neat use of a move action, being Gathlain-specific, too... you nailed it. Spot on suggestion, I'm just picky, I guess.
I already have a Gathlain Bard (VMC Sorcerer)... I call her my Fire Faerie. Flame Dancer-Flamesinger Bard VMC Sorcerer for the Groveborn/Verdant Bloodline. The obvious Ever-Smoking Bottle shenanigans, but also some pretty serious summoning capabilities. Or, at least, THESE summoning capabilities:
Fire Music + Lush Summoning + Augment Summons =
Fire Resist 5, +1 fire damage,
Natural Armor +2, +4 saves vs
Paralysis, Poison, Polymorph, Sleep, and
Stunning,
+4 Strength, +4 Constitution
She [the Fire Faerie] has open traits available to fill. I just as easily could make her my Frustrating Fire Faerie, I suppose. She gets "Rooting" at level 19 from VMC... I might see if I can squeeze in Strength of Wood to go along with that... almost fits TOO good. Again, thank you for the suggestions.