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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dausuul" data-source="post: 8063075" data-attributes="member: 58197">It's not nearly as simple as all that. The threat of smashing the phylactery is a one-shot deal: If you do it, the dracolich dies, but you get nothing for your trouble.So the dracolich still has leverage. Obviously it has to give you something--if it simply stonewalls you, you'll smash the phylactery since you get nothing either way. But how much does it give you? What commands does it obey, and what commands does it refuse? If it refuses one command while obeying others, will you kill it for that and lose this valuable servant?On top of that, what happens when you're not there to oversee it? If you send the dracolich to do a task, does it think it can get away with disobedience once you're out of sight? Or is it too afraid that you will find out and destroy it in punishment?That's where Intimidate is useful. You want the dracolich to think that you are always on the edge of smashing the phylactery, and any hint of disobedience on its part could push you over. If it thinks you are reasonably reluctant to destroy such a potent asset, it can push back a lot harder.</blockquote>