2x Golden Hand Mercenary
2x GOLDEN HAND MERCENARY CREATURE 3
[UNCOMMON] [MEDIUM] [HUMAN] [HUMANOID]
Golden Hand mercenaries are disciplined hired blades employed to protect the consortium's interests, intimidate witnesses, guard remote worksites, and ensure that valuable property remains in the hands of its proper owners. Most know little about the organization's deeper purpose. They know who pays them, what they are protecting, and which questions they are not supposed to ask.
Perception +9
Languages Common
Skills Athletics +12, Intimidation +9, Society +7, Survival +8
Str +4, Dex +2, Con +3, Int +0, Wis +2, Cha +1
AC 20; 22 with shield raised
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +9
HP 52
Items breastplate, steel shield, longsword, dagger, Golden Hand badge
Speed 25 feet
Melee ◆ longsword +12, Damage 1d8+6 slashing
Melee ◆ dagger +12 (agile, finesse, versatile S), Damage 1d4+6 piercing
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Raise a Shield ◆
The mercenary raises their steel shield, gaining a +2 circumstance bonus to AC until the start of their next turn.
Shield Block ↻
Trigger The mercenary would take physical damage while their shield is raised.
Effect The mercenary reduces the damage by 5. The shield takes the remaining damage as normal.
Hold the Line ↻
Trigger A creature within the mercenary's reach uses a move action, makes a ranged attack, or uses an manipulate action.
Effect The mercenary makes a longsword Strike against the triggering creature. This Strike doesn't count toward the mercenary's multiple attack penalty, and their multiple attack penalty doesn't apply to this Strike.
Golden Hand Formation
While the mercenary is adjacent to another Golden Hand mercenary or ally using a shield, they gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Fortitude saves and checks to resist being Shoved, Tripped, or forcibly moved.
Drive Them Back ◆◆
The mercenary makes a longsword Strike. If the Strike hits, the target must attempt a DC 19 Fortitude save.
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target is pushed 5 feet.
Failure The target is pushed 10 feet.
Critical Failure The target is pushed 10 feet and falls prone.
TACTICS
Golden Hand mercenaries prefer controlled fights. They raise their shields, block passages, and force enemies away from doors, evidence, employers, or valuable equipment.
They avoid pursuing fleeing enemies unless ordered to do so. Their job is usually to protect something, not die chasing adventurers through the forest.
When fighting beside Golden Hand archers, mercenaries deliberately position themselves between the enemy and the shooters, using Drive Them Back to create distance and give the archers clear lines of fire.
RECALL KNOWLEDGE & INVESTIGATION
Recall Knowledge — Society DC 18
Success The character recognizes the mercenary as a professional private soldier rather than a common bandit. Their equipment, discipline, and standardized hand-and-coin badge suggest employment by a wealthy commercial organization.
Critical Success The character notices that their gear intentionally lacks obvious company names or heraldry. The Golden Hand appears to value deniability as much as protection.
GM NOTES
Role: Front-line soldier / bodyguard.
Creature Level: 3.
Adventure Use: These mercenaries are ideal guards for Golden Hand agents, excavation equipment, sealed records, hidden entrances, or shipments whose contents the guards themselves may not understand.