Time of the Tarrasque: The Praetorian Guard

The Empire of Thovalas preserves the traditions of the lost human homeland of Prothonia, including its religion, matriarchal society, and glorification of the military. Thovalas has the largest and most highly trained army in Iath-Hemut, which gets frequent practice fighting the goblin and giant tribes that skulk about the empire's borders.

The military is nominally commanded by the Praetor (empress), but in practice is administered by her generals. The regular legions are relatively egalitarian, though with notably more female officers than male, especially at higher ranks. The most prestigious elite soldiers are all-female units known as Amazons. Her Imperial Majesty's Praetorian Guard are recruited exclusively from the most decorated Amazon units.

The phalanx soldier fighter archetype (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Advanced Player's Guide 105) forms the backbone of the imperial legions. Auxiliary units consist of archers, crossbowmen, cavalry, engineers, and scouts (most of whom are warriors so do not use archetypes).

The first stat block below represents a seasoned phalanx soldier trained to serve as a bodyguard to an important officer or noble. These infantrymen are trained to fight in groups, forming a shield wall around their charge when danger threatens. Each carries a healing potion, but that magic is usually reserved for saving the life of their employer if an attack gets through their cordon.

The second stat block represents the minimum training and experience for entry into the Praetorian Guard, the elites who are tasked with protecting Her Imperial Majesty's person and property. These soldiers continue to specialize in defense over offense, and also acquire just enough polished manners to understand the basics of court politics. This is represented by a rank of Knowledge (nobility) and fluency in Prothonian, the original human tongue from which Common derives. The legal, ecclesiastical, and academic professions in Thovalas still use this ancestral language for their most important documents, and the Praetor is expected to speak it almost exclusively when she is in public, so fluency in Prothonian is essential for anyone wishing to succeed at the imperial court.

Praetorian Commanders are veteran soldiers who serve as the senior officers of the Guard. At least one fighter of this level attends the Praetor at all times. Each carries a feather token that can be activated to summon reinforcements.

PHALANX BODYGUARD (CR 2)

XP 600
Female human fighter (phalanx soldier[APG]) 3
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +6
Defense

AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 22 (+7 armor, +1 Dex, +5 shield)
hp 30 (3d10+9)
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +1; +1 vs. trample
Defensive Abilities stand firm +1[APG]

Offense
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee masterwork halberd +5 (1d10+2/x3) or masterwork shortsword +4 (1d6+2/19-20)
Ranged javelin +2 (1d6+2)
Special Attacks
Statistics

Str 15, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 16 (17 vs. bull rush, drag, overrun, trip)
Feats Bodyguard[APG], Combat Reflexes, Shield Focus, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (halberd)
Skills Intimidate +6, Perception +6, Profession (soldier) +6, Survival +4
Languages Common
SQ phalanx fighting[APG]
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds; Other Gear masterwork banded mail, masterwork tower shield, masterwork halberd, masterwork shortsword, javelin (3), courtier's outfit (showy uniform), jewelry (50 gp)

PRAETORIAN GUARD (CR 5)

XP 1,600
Female human fighter (phalanx soldier[APG]) 6
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +9
Defense

AC 25, touch 11, flat-footed 24 (+8 armor, +1 Dex, +6 shield)
hp 51 (6d10+15)
Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +3; +2 vs. trample
Defensive Abilities stand firm +2[APG] 

Offense
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee masterwork halberd +9/+4 (1d10+3/x3) or masterwork shortsword +8/+3 (1d6+3/19-20)
Ranged javelin +5 (1d6+3)
Special Attacks
Statistics

Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +6; CMB +9; CMD 20 (22 vs. bull rush, drag, overrun, trip)
Feats Bodyguard[APG], Combat Reflexes, Diehard, Endurance, In Harm's Way[APG], Shield Focus, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (halberd)
Skills Intimidate +8, Knowledge (nobility) +1, Linguistics +1, Perception +9, Profession (soldier) +8, Survival +5
Languages Common, Prothonian
SQ phalanx fighting[APG]
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds; Other Gear +1 banded mail, +1 tower shield, masterwork halberd, masterwork shortsword, javelin (3), cloak of resistance +1, courtier's outfit (showy uniform), jewelry (50 gp)

PRAETORIAN COMMANDER (CR 8)

XP 4,800
Female human fighter (phalanx soldier[APG]) 9
LN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +12
Defense

AC 29, touch 12, flat-footed 28 (+10 armor, +1 deflection, +1 Dex, +7 shield)
hp 75 (9d10+21)
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +4; +2 vs. trample
Defensive Abilities shield ally[APG], stand firm +2[APG] 

Offense
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)
Melee +1 halberd +13/+8 (1d10+4/x3) or masterwork shortsword +12/+7 (1d6+3/19-20)
Ranged javelin +9 (1d6+3)
Special Attacks ready pike +1 (1/day)[APG]
Statistics

Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +9; CMB +12; CMD 23 (25 vs. bull rush, drag, overrun, trip)
Feats Bodyguard[APG], Combat Reflexes, Diehard, Endurance, Greater Shield Focus, In Harm's Way[APG], Saving Shield[APG], Shield Focus, Shield Specialization, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (halberd)
Skills Intimidate +11, Knowledge (nobility) +3, Linguistics +1, Perception +12, Profession (soldier) +12, Survival +6
Languages Common, Prothonian
SQ deft shield[APG], phalanx fighting[APG]
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds; Other Gear +1 full plate, +1 tower shield, +1 halberd, masterwork shortsword, javelin (3), cloak of resistance +1, feather token (bird), ring of protection +1, noble's outfit (uniform, medals, etc.)