At the end of the Second Painter War, Eco the Exploiter discovered the notes of the evil Painter Wizard, and over the course of several months of study organized them into the Tome of Trompe, which still resides in the most secret part of his library. Creating a Trompe is governed by some house rules, and requires specific training or study to conduct.
Several months later, in Cassomir, Eco was first seen with the rather human-ish looking Herald of the Exploiter, a magical painted construct that remains to this day a part of his cadre.
Herald of the Exploiter
| Templates: | Trumpet Archon, Trompe L'oeil, Paladin 2 | CR 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Construct | lawful, good | Initiative +7 |
| Senses: | Lowlight Visition, Darkvision 60ft | Perception +23 |
| Auras | Aura of menace (DC 23), Magic circle against evil, Aura of Good (lvl 2) |
| Defenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| AC:32 (34 vs Evil) | touch:13(15), flat-footed:29(31) | +3 Dex, +14 natural, +3 Natural/Trompe, +2 Buckler |
| HP: 200 (16d10 + 112) | Fort:+20, Reflex:+13, Will:+21 | +4 vs. poison, +2 resistance vs. evil |
| DR 10/evil | Immune: electricity, petrification, bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, nonlethal damage | SR 25 |
| Offense | |
|---|---|
| Speed | 40 ft., fly 90 ft. (good) |
| Melee | +4 greatsword +25/+20 (2d6+11/19-20) |
| Special Attacks | Trumpet(Su): All creatures except archons within 100 feet of the trumpet’s blast must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based. The archon can also command its trumpet to become a +4 greatsword as a free action. Out of the archon’s hands, it is a chunk of useless metal. Smite Evil(Su): 1/day; As a swift action, the paladin chooses one target within sight to smite. If this target is evil, the paladin adds her Cha bonus (if any) to her attack rolls and adds her paladin level to all damage rolls made against the target of her smite. If the target of smite evil is an outsider with the evil subtype, an evil-aligned dragon, or an undead creature, the bonus to damage on the first successful attack increases to 2 points of damage per level the paladin possesses. Regardless of the target, smite evil attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess. In addition, while smite evil is in effect, the paladin gains a deflection bonus equal to her Charisma modifier (if any) to her AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If the paladin targets a creature that is not evil, the smite is wasted with no effect. The smite evil effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the paladin rests and regains her uses of this ability. |
| Spell-Like Abilities | CL 14 |
|---|---|
| Constant | magic circle against evil |
| At will | aid, continual flame, detect evil, greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), message |
| Spells Prepared | (CL 14th) |
|---|---|
| 7th | mass cure serious wounds (2) |
| 6th | banishment (DC 21), heal (2) |
| 5th | dispel evil (DC 20), mass cure light wounds, plane shift (DC 20), raise dead |
| 4th | dismissal (DC 19), divine power, neutralize poison (DC 19), spell immunity |
| 3rd | cure serious wounds, daylight, invisibility purge, magic vestment, protection from energy |
| 2nd | bull’s strength, consecrate, cure moderate wounds (2), lesser restoration (2), owl’s wisdom |
| 1st | bless, cure light wounds (3), divine favor, sanctuary (DC 16), shield of faith |
| 0 (at will) | detect magic, detect evil, purify food and drink, stabilize, virtue |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Ability Scores | Str: 20, Dex: 17, Con: -, Int: 16, Wis: 20, Cha: 18 Base Atk: +16, CMB: +21, CMD: +34 |
| Feats | Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Persuasive, Power Attack, Toughness |
| Skills | Diplomacy: +25, Escape Artist: +17, Fly: +24, Handle Animal: +20, Heal: +10, Knowledge(religion): +20, Perception: +23, Perform(wind): +20, Sense Motive: +24, Spellcraft: +12, Stealth: +20 |
| Languages | Celestial, Draconic, Infernal; truespeech |
| Other | |
|---|---|
| Special Abilities | Rejuvenation(Su): When a trompe l’oeil is destroyed, it reforms 2d4 days later on its original canvas. The only way to permanently destroy a trompe l’oeil is to destroy the original canvas before the creature reforms. Divine Grace(Su): +4 on all Saving Throws. Lay on Hands(Su): 5/day; heal 1d6 on touch. Swift action on self. |
| Equipment: | +1 Mithril Buckler (Painted) |
Lore
The Herald of the Exploiter is based on a Trumpet Archon, painted Trompe template, and 2 levels of Paladin. Mild mannered with a clear and melodic voice, he is obsessive in his service to, and protection of, Eco the Exploiter. While initially active where ever Eco went, more often than not now the Herald runs diplomatic and logistical missions for the Exploiter Wizard, sometimes along with George the Squirrel.
Like all trumpet archons, the Herald carries a gleaming magical trumpet or horn with which they create wondrous music, sound calls to other archons, paralyze enemies, or defend the virtuous. The horn is adorned with the battle standard of Eco the Exploiter.