Papa Emeritus

Papa Emeritus

CR 10 XP: 9,600
Male human cleric of Asmodeus 10
LE Medium humanoid (evil, human)
Init +5; Senses Perception +5
AC 24, touch 19, flat-footed 23 (+5 armor, +8 deflection, +1 Dex)
HP 85 (10d8+40)
Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +12
DR 10/good; Immune disease, poison; Resist fire 20
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2 shocking unholy warhammer (Square Hammer) +1 3/+8 (1d8+5 plus 1d6 electricity, plus 2d6 vs good creatures)
Special Attacks Bleeding Touch 8/day (Death Domain Power), Channel negative energy 8/day (DC 1 8, 5d6), Fire Bolt 8/day (1d6+5, Fire Domain Power)
Spells Prepared (CL 10th; concentration +15)
  5th-Mummy Dust (DC 21), Slay Living (DC 21; D), Summon Monster V
  4th-Unholy Blight (DC 19), Secular Haze, Summon Monster IV, Wall of Fire (D)
  3rd-Animate Dead, Bestow Curse (DC 19), Fireball (DC 18; D), Vision of Hell (DC 18)
  2nd-Death Knell (D), Desecrate, Dread Bolt (DC 17), Enthrall (DC 17), Unliving Rage
  1st-Bless, Burning Hands (DC 16; D), Cause Fear (DC 17), Command (DC 16), Shield of Faith
Str 16, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 20, Cha 17
Base Atk +7; CMB +10; CMD 29
Feats Augment Summoning, Improved Initiative, Spell Focus (conjuration, necromancy), Toughness, Weapon Focus (warhammer)
Skills Diplomacy +16, Knowledge (planes) +15, Knowledge (religion) +15, Linguistics +10, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +15
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ Death’s Embrace (heal from negative energy, Death Domain power)
Body and Blood (Su) Papa Emeritus’ infernal connection sustains his ageless body. Each time he casts a spell, he regains a number of hit points equal to twice the spell level.
Imbue the Element (Su) As a swift action, Papa Emeritus points a bony finger at one of his five Nameless Ghouls and imbues them with mystical energy corresponding to one of the following elemental forces: fire, water, wind, earth, or ether. A symbol corresponding to the chosen element appears upon the ghoul’s chest, and the creature gains power based on what was chosen:
Fire: The ghoul’s melee attacks deal an additional 1d6 fire damage, and the ghoul gains 20 points of fire resistance. Any creature striking the ghoul with their body or a hand-held weapon suffers 1d6 points of fire damage; creatures using reach weapons are not affected.
Water: The ghoul’s melee attacks deal an additional 1d6 cold damage, and the ghoul gains 20 points of cold resistance. Any creature striking the ghoul with their body or a hand-held weapon suffers 1d6 points of cold damage; creatures using reach weapons are not affected.
Wind: The ghoul gains the effects of a Haste spell, as well as 20 points of electricity resistance. Earth: The ghoul’s melee attacks deal an additional 1d6 acid damage, and the ghoul gains DR 5/adamantine.
Ether: The ghoul’s melee attacks deal an additional 1d6 points of force damage, and the ghoul gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Charisma (increasing its hit points and saving throw DCs). The effects of Imbue the Element last until the next sunrise. Papa Emeritus may use Imbue the Elements five times per day, but only once per day for each elemental type, and a single ghoul may only be affected by a single use of Imbue the Element at any given time.
The flesh has sunken and fallen away from this high priest’s body, leaving only a hollow and skeletal looking form.
Background
In ages past, Papa Emeritus lead a cult of worship to a long-forgotten devil, prophesying that said devil would one day return to wipe clean the world. The devil never came, and Papa Emeritus’ followers have either left his “church” or perished generations ago. All that remains of Papa Emeritus’ flock are a group of Nameless Ghouls he’s raised up to replace his long-lost worshippers; Papa Emeritus himself persists only because of a profane ritual he performed to extend his life such that he may await his infernal master. His exact age is unknown.
Tactics
As he is primarily concerned with spreading the word of his creed, Papa Emeritus first proselytizes to any who come within his realm. It is not until others refuse to swear allegiance to his devilish master that an encounter turns violent as Papa Emeritus, launching into a mad and bloody rage, sicks his ghouls upon the hapless interlopers all while sounding fervent prayers to his devilish master.
If an adversary seems formidable, Papa Emeritus spends the first few rounds manipulating the combat to his favor by summoning fiendish creatures and empowering his Nameless Ghouls. He then demonstrates his master’s divine power by using offensive spells that damage and debilitate. When his foe has become weak and ready to be culled, or when Papa Emeritus is forced into melee, he joins the fray eagerly, Square Hammer in hand.