Mechagolem Commander (Samurai/Summoner)

At times, the noblest of samurai choose not to bond with a mere mount, nor do they enter battle against usual enemies. Born in lands or times where the sciences and magic blend, or where divine powers are needed to defeat supernatural menaces, the mechagolem commander specializes in the arduous art of controlling the mysterious constructs that some call the majin or mechagolems. These mechagolem commanders fight alongside these majestic creatures or pilot them from the inside when their bond becomes strong enough. Evil outsiders, invader aberrations from the outer worlds, and mischevious demigods have learned to recognize and fear the mechagolem’s power and that of their masters. (Original Concept by Bardess)

Primary Class: Samurai.

Secondary Class: Summoner.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The mechagolem commander may select three summoner skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal samurai class skills, one of which must be Spellcraft. The mechagolem commander gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 2 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The mechagolem commander is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the katana, naginata, and wakizashi. The mechagolem commander is proficient with all types of armor (heavy, light, and medium), and with shields (except tower shields).

Mechagolem: A mechagolem commander begins play with a powerful but limited construct called a mechagolem. The mechagolem commander then forms a link with the mechagolem through a bonded item using his own life force. This link allows him to maintain complete control over the mechagolem (see Commander’s Link in the Mechagolem description). This link imbues the mechagolem with mobility and a semblance of life that is similar in effect to the animate objects spell. While a mechagolem is considered an animated object, it is treated as having the same alignment as the mechagolem commander that controls it and understands all of his languages.

A mechagolem commander maintains control of his mechagolem as long as the link is in effect. Doing so requires a free action each round to maintain. However, maintaining control during combat is taxing on the mechagolem commander. When a mechagolem enters combat, the mechagolem commander requires a standard action (instead of a free action) to control or command the mechagolem. When combat ends, the mechagolem commander is shaken for a number of rounds equal to the number of rounds the mechagolem has spent in combat. A mechagolem can engage combat multiple times during a single encounter while the mechagolem commander is shaken, but the rounds for being shaken from subsequent combat rounds stack.

If a mechagolem commander is conscious but rendered unable to give commands (dazed, frightened, etc.), a mechagolem usually follows its last instruction to the best of its ability, though if attacked it returns the attack. The mechagolem commander can gi