The Mimic Devoted Defender

[dysprosium]

Inspired by this thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?339190).

The idea came up that Devoted Defender could be useful as a class for a "friendly" mimic. Now that the idea is stuck in my head, I cannot for the life of me come up with something that the mimic could pretend to be while protecting its charge during the day. I can see a bed for night time watch duty which the charge could sleep upon.

From the SRD:

Mimic Shape (Ex): A mimic can assume the general shape of any object that fills roughly 150 cubic feet (5 feet by 5 feet by 6 feet), such as a massive chest, a stout bed, or a wide door frame. The creature cannot substantially alter its size, though. A mimic’s body is hard and has a rough texture, no matter what appearance it might present. Anyone who examines the mimic can detect the ruse with a successful Spot check opposed by the mimic’s Disguise check. Of course, by this time it is generally far too late.

I would prefer not to have the potential charge just next to a "table."
It seems that where ever we meet you Queen Allurah, you always have such a nice table with you!

This would be for some kind of future encounter I would use against my players. Level is largely irrelevent for this thought exercise.

What can the Playground come up with?

[Inevitability]

Maybe a small chariot? And let the horse be a wildshaped druid... and the coachman a disguised changeling...

Boy, your players got to be paranoid after that one.

[Grim Portent]

A very large and sturdy throne, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, an abstract statue or a small cart are ideas that spring to mind.

[nyarlathotep]

It should be a litter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litter_%28vehicle%29) either walking as an apparent sign of magic or being carried by further bodyguards.

[Ravens_cry]

It should be a litter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litter_%28vehicle%29) either walking as an apparent sign of magic or being carried by further bodyguards.
Ooh, like the sedan chair of the Witch of the Waste in Howl's Moving Castle. Yes, do this, yes!:smallbiggrin:

[Phelix-Mu]

A corvette.

I mean, wait.:smallamused:

The sedan is a nice idea, though I have to say that I am partial to having npcs meet the party while sitting at a small, wrought-iron table with a fine china tea service on it.

A handcart/wheelbarrow/sledge might also work. Or a giant hamster ball, in which the npc is located.

[Vhaidara]

Get her a half-giant or some other large character as an additional bodyguard. The classic big, stupid bodyguard who never leaves the room because they are too stupid for it to matter if they overhear state secrets (maybe make it a golem). And then have the mimic become a piece of Large equipment. A large suit of full plate would probably take up about that volume.

I also love the idea of a carriage, with a druid horse and changeling coachman. Or, better, pull a Padme and have the charge be a changeling posing as the coachman and another changeling is posing as the charge.

[dysprosium]

Thank you for the ideas everyone! The Playground comes through again!

[John Longarrow]

A large pearwood chest, standing on hundreds of tiny feet.

The Players feel like the chest is watching them... with evil intent.

[Darrin]

A very large and sturdy throne, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, an abstract statue or a small cart are ideas that spring to mind.

I like the small cart idea. Full of fruit. The fruit would need to include several durians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian), as that is of course the Chuck Norris of fruits.

Other ideas:


A wooden badger.

A south-pointing chariot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South-pointing_chariot).

A lemonade stand.


Note that you can easily add the Dungeonbred template (Dungeonscape) to a mimic so that it's medium-sized. That might open up some more inconspicuous objects (smaller chests, a chair, etc.). Actually, I'd be tempted to add the medium-sized mimic to the larger one as a "sidekick" (or "sidetable").

[John Longarrow]

Somewhat more serious (we are talking mimic here),

Make a hollow, articulated statue that the mimic flows into and uses as (effectively) armor and weapons. A large knight with shield and sword would work well in the "Protector" roll.

[dysprosium]

I always forget about the dungeonbred template. That opens up a lot more options for this defending mimic.

And I had never heard of durians before.