Excellent higher-level Servants for Strongholds and such?

[Schattenbach]

Housekeepers, Butlers, Chefs, Gardeners, 0815 Assistants, Crafting Assistants, or whatever else ... there are plenty of potential tasks found within the stronghold of high-level or epic characters that have to be dealt with one way or another ... so the question here is ... what creatures to use for that (besides the obvious Simulacrums or Simulacrums of useful creatures) as sufficiently high-level (or epic) characters have obviously much higher requirments as far as actual skill level and security details are concerned.

The standard low level human/dwarf/elf/etc. Expert obviously isn't going to cut it here ... as they're too low-skilled, potentialy skilled to actually operate in a high-level/epic characters homeground without forcing him to make holes in his security network and besides their obvious lack of skill, each of those is a security risk on their own (due to being one step away from dominated/bribed/otherwise manipulated), and they're hard to find at higher levels, anyway, without being some kind of rival or threat to the character at that point.

So has someone some suggestions about what creatures (Fey, Outsiders, Magical Beasts, Intelligent Constructs, etc.) that are naturaly long-lived or immortal (so that they can operate for a long time, don't care too much about performing their tasks on their own for a long time and/or could operate in a fast time area without particulary caring about those issues associated with that at all), sufficiently trustworthy as to actually let them work in the stronghold (if their master would trust them enough to let them into the highly sensble parts of the stronghold is another matter altogether, though), sufficiently skilled and reliable as to be able to perform their duties well and otherwise suiteable while also not being too irritating/disgusting/annoying/a pain to have around?

Thanks in advance.

[weckar]

0815 AssistantsGee, you must be German :smalltongue:

Constructs are usually the go-to for this. They are replaceable and can be built-to-task.

[Hamste]

So the natural answer is intelligent undead or constructs. Not wanting it to be disgusting limits the undead choices a bit but magic can help even the most disgusting. The obvious choice is vampires if you can become one yourself or can get a trusted ally with one. Resistant to turning, bound to obey if you created them and undead immunities. Does have a few problems though as undead focused spells are a thing.

Rudimentary intelligence from dragon 327 can also allow you to make any construct a servant but it can get pricey if you want good constructs.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Does have a few problems though as undead focused spells are a thing.
Everything can be subverted or countered. That's not unique to undead, it applies equally to constructs, bound outsiders, tamed animals/magical beasts and hired whatevers. Even Simulacra aren't 100% secure.
Generally the undead-type is a benefit though, especially if you spring for some positive energy protection gear for your important servants. Not to mention that undead are generally the cheapest alternative unless you go for mindraping.


Rudimentary intelligence from dragon 327 can also allow you to make any construct a servant but it can get pricey if you want good constructs.
Yeah, but not because of Rudimentary Intelligence. The cost is negligible on top of normal costs for high level constructs and worth every gp. Quality has its price.
You just have to know which constructs to go for - because a lot of them are crap and not worth their cost - but there are some gems.

Intelligent Greater Shadesteel Golems are pretty much the luxury class of permanent high-level servants, and there's a really great low level spy construct in Forge of War that's automatically intelligent (can't recall the name atm).

There's also no reason not to combine the various minion types.

Raise up a bunch of skeletons/zombies to add some cheap quantity (go for dragons to get the most out of your Animate Dead control pool). You can get the Corpsecrafter line and retrain it later for beefier meatshields.
If you have a rebuke undead pool (and high rebuke level) go for templated undead. Of particular interest are the Spectral Mage (MoF), Bonesinger (Ghostwalk), Curst (LEoF) and Bone/Corpse Creature (BoVD). You see a theme here - go for spellcasters. Bruisers and skillmonkey minions can easily be taken care of with Animate Dread Warrior (UE) without taking up your control pool.

There's also dragonshard holy symbols that let you rebuke/command creatures with the [Fire], [Water], [Air] or [Earth] subtype (one for each).
Each of those grants you another two commanded minions with HD = half your rebuke undead level, and there's quite a lot of great minions with those subtypes running around. They're relatively affordable at high levels, so if you've raised your Rebuke Undead level there's really no reason not to get them (except your DM flipping his **** when you show up with 10 minions with more HD than you have, all spellcasters. Don't do this in an actual game without clearing it first).

Druids (and anyone with UMD) can get some reasonably long-term minions with Shambler. They don't cost you anything, but they're not good for much beyond guard duty either. On the plus side you can station them in a room with a permanent Lightning Fog trap or something along those lines for extra beefiness.
Wild Empathy can also be useful to amass quite a few minions/servants/guards with minimal investment, for free if you have the time. Animals and low-int magical beasts shouldn't have a problem relocating to your lands as long as there's food and a suitable habitat.

Dominate Person/Monster and Command Undead can also be used, but it's a security risk. Not only can those be dispelled, anything with a permanent Magic Circle against X will turn them into instant allies without lifting a finger, so it's not ideal for minions intended to fight unless you know your enemy doesn't have those.
Mindraped minions on the other hand are basically free and perfectly loyal as long as no one casts Wish/Miracle on them, which generally shouldn't happen.
The Necrotic Cyst line (LM) also has some really good permanent domination which even works on those immune to mind-affecting (it's Necromancy).

Fill up any holes in your roster with Simulacra/Ice Assassins, Planar Binding and constructs as your purse allows.

[Uncle Pine]

Most of the job you listed are pretty trivial and can be performed even by an unseen servant or similar. As such, you can populate your stronghold with wondrous architectures (as per Stronghold Builder's Handbook) so that there's always at least an unseen servant around to clean and serve whoever speaks a certain password or looks a certain way, or to keep doing what it was doing if no one's around to command it. Since unseen servant is a 1st level spell, it should be way cheaper than populating your fortress than epic butler golems.

Even better: an unseen servant is an effect, not a creature, so it can't be charmed or dominated or being turned into horrible things. It also can't be killed, and should be instantly recreated if it dissipates for any reason and you created your wondrous architecture so that it's permanently on.

[Fuzzy McCoy]

Uncle Pine is right - most jobs are going to be handled pretty trivially by unseen servant/unseen crafter. That being said, there are a few outsiders & constructs that would be pretty reasonable to have around a stronghold.

Djinn (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/genie.htm) make excellent butlers: with create food and water, create wine, and permanent creation for non-living vegetable matter.

Effigy Creatures make ok guards, and (greater) planar binding can get trumpet archons, planetars, and pit fiends.

[Uncle Pine]

Djinn (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/genie.htm) make excellent butlers: with create food and water, create wine, and permanent creation for non-living vegetable matter.

Djinn butlers: because we aren't angering enough outsiders just by chain gating them in, so now we have them fulfill our wishes manually.