Quote Originally Posted by fireinthedust View Post
...
Noble I'd tweek so they get the Leadership feat at second level; or something like it, where they get NPC-class minions (warriors, experts, etc.) that follow them around in the same way PCs get animal companions. "summoning" any humanoid out of thin air is... well, seems more magical than a mundane noble should be able to do. I don't know if Leadership would be too powerful, but maybe basing it off Animal Companion would work?
I had proposed an idea for a Courtier archetype in another Gnorman E6 inspired homebrew thread. It's big thing was a free bodyguard minion. Check it out:

Courtier
Spoiler
Show
Courtiers are the problem solvers(or makers) of the political arena. They are masters of getting what they want by using their honeyed words and their silver tongues, even stopping aggresion momentarily. Of course, politics are dangerous so all courtiers eventually seek out protection in the form of a loyal bodyguard, both to ensure their survival, and to increase their prestige in court.

Prerequisites: Courtier is available to any Skillful class.
Archetype Skills: A Courtier gains Diplomacy and Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) as a class skill if he does not already possess it.
Archetype Proficiencies: A Courtier gains proficiency with the Rapier and Buckler.

Archetype Features

Lesser Archetype Power

  • Social Graces (Ex): Courtiers gain a competence bonus of 2 + 1/2 their level on all Diplomacy checks. Whenever the Courtier is making a Bluff, Gather Information, Intimidate or Knowledge(Nobility and Royalty) check, he may instead roll Diplomacy with a -5 penalty.

  • Sancrosant (Ex): When the Courtier is attacked in melee by an opponent with an inteligence score of at least 3, he may roll Diplomacy as an immediate action with a DC of 10+the attacker's Hit Dice+the attacker's Base Attack Bonus+5 if the attacker is chaotic or -5 if the attacker is lawful.
    If he beats the DC, the attacker immediately ends his turn, without attacking the Courtier and doesn't threaten any square until the beginning of his next turn. This ability can be used only once per opponent per battle.


Moderate Archetype Power

  • Bodyguard (Ex): Accomplished Courtiers are either assigned, or attract bodyguards to help them in court and protect them in battle. Thankfully these bodyguards are moderetaly competent in social situations and they add weight to a Courtiers words when they are with their charge.
    You gain a companion of the same race and alignment as you, with a Strength, Dexterity and Constitution score of 14 and an Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma score of 10 before racial modifications. The companion has good base attack bonus, fortitude and will saves, d10 hit dice and 5 ranks in Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Spot and Listen. The bodyguard has 1+1/2 the Courtiers level in hit dice. The Courtier is responsible for the bodyguard's equipment, and he must provide it himself. If the bodyguard dies, a new one will appear within 2 days if the Courtier is in an urban area, or a week after the Courtier sends out word of the loss.
    Finally, whenever the bodyguard is adjacent to his Courtier, the Courtier automaticaly enjoys a +2 in all Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive rolls used in social situations as if the bodyguard used Aid Another.

Greater Archetype Power

  • Master of the Courts (Ex): A Courtier may take 10 on any Diplomacy roll, even when using his Lesser Archetype Powers.