“The Echoes promise power. The Echoes promises knowledge. Its obvious, too obvious, the Echoes are liars; so I have learned to lie to the Echoes in return.”

Ryu’jinn was born to host an immortal creature beyond mortal ken. He was the finale to an insidious cult’s apocalyptic prophecy spanning 2000 years. This cataclysm was averted by the opposition of heroes who learned of the plot, slew its dark masterminds, and removed the infant laying upon a sacrificial altar. It was an event that occurred over a century ago, and in honor of those who saved him, Ryu’jinn journeys to become a great adventurer in his own right.

Medium Humanoid (Elf), Chaotic Good

Armor Class 18 (+1 Studded Leather); Initiative +5 (15)
Hit Points 68 (8d10 + 16)
Speed 30 feet

Skills Acrobatics +8, Deception +5, Insight +4, Intimidation +5, Perception +4, Persuasion +5; Glassblower’s Tools, Smith’s Tools
Gear Antitoxin, Backpack, Bedroll, Component Pouch, Healer’s Kit, Iron Pot, Perfume, Rations (10 days), Scimitar, Shortsword, +1 Studded Leather, Tinderbox, 2 Traveler’s Clothes, 2 Waterskins; Gear Weight 84 pounds
Senses Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 14, Passive Investigation 10, Passive Insight 14
Languages Common, Draconic, Elvish
Challenge 4 (XP 1,100; Proficiency Bonus +3)

TRAITS

Combat Superiority (5d8/Long Rest). Ryu’jinn learns maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called Superiority Dice. Many maneuvers enhance an attack in some way. He can use only one maneuver per attack.

• Commanding Presence. When Ryu’jinn makes a Charisma (Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion) check, he can expend one Superiority Die and add that die to the roll.
• Menacing Attack. When Ryu’jinn hits a creature with an attack roll, he can expend one Superiority Die and add the die to the attack’s damage roll. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 16), or have the Frightened condition until the end of Ryu’jinn’s next turn.
• Precision Attack. When Ryu’jinn misses with an attack roll, he can expend one Superiority Die and add the die to the attack roll.

Curse Magic. When a creature that Ryu’jinn cursed with the Hex spell hits him with an attack roll, the creature takes 3 Psychic damage. A creature takes this damage only once per turn.

Fey Ancestry. Ryu’jinn has Advantage on saving throws he makes to avoid or end the Charmed condition.

Quick Draw. Ryu’jinn can draw or stow two weapons that lack the Two-Handed property when he would normally be able to draw or stow only one.

Tactical Mind. When Ryu’jinn fails an ability check, he can expend a use of Second Wind, and instead of regaining Hit Point, Ryu’jinn adds 5 (1d10) to the ability check. If the check still fails, this use of Second Wind isn’t expended.

Trance. Ryu’jinn doesn’t need to sleep, and magic can’t put him to sleep. He can finish a Long Rest in 4 hours if he spends those hours in a trancelike meditation, during which he retains consciousness.

ACTIONS

Extra Attack. Ryu’jinn can attack twice instead of once whenever he takes the Attack action on his turn.

Scimitar. Melee Attack Roll: +8, reach 5 feet. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) Slashing. When he makes the extra attack of the Light property, Ryu’jinn can make it as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action. He can make this extra attack only once per turn.

Shortsword. Melee Attack Roll: +8, reach 5 feet. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) Piercing. If he hits a creature with a Shortsword and deals damage to it, Ryu’jinn has Advantage on his next attack roll against that creature before the end of Ryu’jinn’s next turn.

Action Surge (1/Short Rest). On his turn Ryu’jinn can take one additional action, except the Magic action.

Innate Magic. Ryu’jinn is an 8th level spellcaster. He casts spells using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks).
At Will: Blade Ward
2/Long Rest Each: Hex, Misty Step ^ᴮᴬ
1/Long Rest: Detect Magic

BONUS ACTIONS

Enhanced Dual Wielding. When he uses his Attack action with a weapon that has the Light property, Ryu’jinn can make one extra attack later on the same turn with a different weapon, as long as it is a Melee weapon that lacks the Two-Handed property.

Evasive Footwork. Ryu’jinn can expend one Superiority Die to take the Disengage action, rolling the die and adding the result to his AC until the start of his next turn.

Know Your Enemy (1/Long Rest). Ryu’jinn can discern certain strengths and weaknesses of a creature he can see within 30 feet of himself; Ryu’jinn knows whether that creature has any Immunities, Resistances, or Vulnerabilities, and if the creature has any, he knows what they are. Ryu’jinn can also restore a use of the feature by expending one Superiority Die (no action required).

Second Wind (3/Long Rest). Ryu’jinn regains 13 (1d10 + 8) Hit Points and can also move up to half his Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

REACTION

Riposte. Trigger: When a creature misses Ryu’jinn with a melee attack roll. Response: Ryu’jinn expends one Superiority die to make a melee attack roll with a weapon against that creature. If Ryu’jinn hits, add the Superiority die to the attack’s damage.

“Surrender peacefully and I vow you will remain dead.”

Professor Vesper ranks among the foremost archaeologist of lost knowledge and forgotten civilizations. Though his methods are macabre, his academic accomplishments are not questioned. Vesper’s unorthodox expeditions provide an effective means to retrieve ancient treasures that would otherwise be outside the reach of academia. He is therefore granted substantial funding and unprecedented leeway by his colleagues to acquire them, so long as the ventures do not attract attention.

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral

Armor Class 19 (Half Plate, Shield); Initiative +2 (12)
Hit Points 60 (6d6 + 1d8 + 28) plus 9 (2d4 + 4; False Life) Temporary HP
Speed 30 feet

Skills Arcana +7, Athletics +3, History +7, Investigation +7, Perception^ᴱ +7; Alchemist’s Supplies, Calligrapher’s Supplies, Thieves’ Tools, Tinker’s Tools
Resistances Necrotic
Gear Antitoxin, Arcane Focus (medallion), Backpack, Gilded Skull worth 300 GP, Goggles of Night, Half Plate, Incense worth 10 GP, Ink, Ink Pen, Rations (10 days), Returning Handaxe, Shield, Spellbook, Thieves’ Tools, Tinker’s Tools, Traveler’s Clothes, 2 Waterskins; Gear Weight 81 pounds
Senses Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 17, Passive Investigation 17, Passive Insight 11; Goggles of Night
Languages Common, Draconic, Elvish
Challenge 4 (XP 1,100; Proficiency Bonus +3)

TRAITS

Arcane Recovery (1/Short Rest). Vesper can recover expended spell slots. The spell slots can have a combined level equal to no more than 3, and none of the slots can be level 6 or higher.

Concentration. Vesper has Advantage on Constitution saving throws that he makes to maintain Concentration.

Grave Resilience. While holding his spellbook, when Vesper uses Arcane Recovery, his Exhaustion level, if any, decreases by 1.

Memorize Spell (1/Short Rest). Vesper can study his spellbook and replace one of the level 1+ Wizard spells he has prepared for his Spellcasting feature with another level 1+ spell from the book.

Overwhelming Necrosis. While holding his spellbook, damage from Vesper’s Wizard spells and Wizard features ignores Resistance to Necrotic damage.

Resourceful. Vesper gains Heroic Inspiration whenever he finishes a Long Rest.

Ritual Adept. Vesper can cast any spell as a Ritual if that spell has the Ritual tag and the spell is in his spellbook. He needn’t have the spell prepared, but he must read from the book to cast a spell in this way.

Somatic Components. Vesper can perform the Somatic components of spells even when he has weapons or a Shield in one or both hands.

Telepathic Connection. While the familiar is within 100 feet of Vesper, he can communicate with it telepathically.

Undead Thralls. Whenever Vesper starts casting the Animate Dead spell, he can modify it so that the spell’s effective level is increased by 1. In addition, whenever he casts a Necromancy spell using a spell slot that creates or summons an Undead, the Undead gains the benefits below.

• Undead Fortitude. The Undead’s Hit Point maximum and current Hit points increase by a number equal to the level of the spell slot used plus 4 for the duration of the spell.
• Withering Strike. Whenever the Undead hits a creature with an attack roll, the Undead deals an extra 4 Necrotic damage.

MAGIC ITEMS

Goggles of Night. While wearing these dark lenses, Vesper has Darkvision out to 60 feet.

Returning Handaxe. This magic weapon grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it, and it returns to Vesper’s hand immediately after he uses it to make a ranged attack roll.

ACTIONS

Returning Handaxe. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +4 to hit, reach 5 feet or range 20/60 feet. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) Slashing damage. The weapon returns to Vesper’s hand immediately after he uses it to make a ranged attack roll.

True Strike. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +7 to hit, reach 5 feet or range 20/60 feet. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) Slashing or Radiant damage plus 3 (1d6) Radiant damage. The weapon returns to Vesper’s hand immediately after he uses it to make a ranged attack roll.

Magic Initiate (1/Long Rest). Vesper can cast the Shield spell without expending a spell slot.

Spellcasting. Vesper is a 7th level spellcaster. He casts spells using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). Vesper has the following wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): Friends, Guidance, Mage Hand, Mending, Mind Sliver, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Spare the Dying, True Strike
1st level (4/Long Rest): Cure Wounds, False Life, Find Familiar, Protection from Evil and Good, Ray of Sickness, Sanctuary, Shield ^ᴿ, Silent Image, Sleep
2nd level (3/Long Rest): Invisibility, Mirror Image, Misty Step ^ᴮᴬ
3rd level (3/Long Rest): Animate Dead, Fireball, Fly, Summon Undead
4th level (1/Long Rest): –

Tinker’s Magic (4/Long Rest). As a Magic action while holding Tinker’s Tools, Vesper can create one item in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of himself, from the provided list: Ball Bearings, Basket, Bedroll, Bell, Blanket, Block and Tackle, Bucket, Caltrops, Candle, Crowbar, Flask, Glass Bottle, Grappling Hook, Hunting Trap, Iron Spikes, Jug, Lamp, Manacles, Net, Oil, Paper, Parchment, Pole, Pouch, Rope, Sack, Shovel, String, Tinderbox, Torch, Vial. The item lasts until you finish a Long Rest, at which point it vanishes.

Undead Thralls (1/Long Rest). Vesper can cast the Animate Dead spell without expending a spell slot.

BONUS ACTIONS

Animate Dead. Vesper controls six Skeletons. He can mentally command any creature he made with the Animate Dead spell if the creature is within 60 feet of him (if Vesper controls multiple creatures, he can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). Vesper decides what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or he can issue a general command, such as to guard a chamber or corridor. If Vesper issues no commands, the creature takes the Dodge action and moves only to avoid harm. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.

Telepathic Connection. Vesper can see through his familiar’s eyes and hear what it hears until the start of Vesper’s next turn, gaining the benefits of any special senses it has.

REACTIONS

Reactive Spell. Trigger: When a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack from Vesper by leaving his reach. Response: Vesper casts a spell at the creature rather than making an Opportunity Attack. The spell must have a casting time of one action and must target only that creature.

“I could provide guaranteed safe passage through the forgotten lands. Of course such perilous wayfinding would not be done out of mere generosity.”

Shinare was an orphan raised by itinerant mercenaries. Throughout his youth the regiment fought across mountainous territories where Shinare learnt swordsmanship ubiquitous to the region. He would later come into possession of an ancient blade that promised incalculable power in exchange for slaughter in its name. The deal was struck, and though in time Shinare realized the magnitude of his mistake, he adheres to his end of the bargain so long as the sword maintains its role in kind.

Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Evil

Armor Class 20 (Adamantine Plate, Cloak of Protection, Ring of Protection); Initiative +6 (16)
Hit Points 167 (17d8 + 1d10 + 72)
Speed 30 feet

Skills Athletics +8, Intimidation +14, Perception^ᴱ +13, Stealth +6, Survival +7; Cartographer’s Tools
Gear Adamantine Greatsword, Adamantine Plate, 2 Antitoxins, Backpack, Bedroll, Book (personal journal), Cartographer’s Tools, Cloak of Protection, Gilded Ladle worth 500 GP, Healer’s Kit, Ink, 2 Ink Pens, Iron Pot, 8 Potions of Greater Healing, Rations (10 days), Ring of Protection, Rope, Shovel, Tinderbox, 3 Tome of Leadership and Influence, 2 Traveler’s Clothes, Vial with Ruby Dust worth 4500 GP, 2 Waterskins; Gear Weight 161 pounds
Senses Blindsight 10 feet, Truesight 30 feet, Passive Perception 23, Passive Investigation 9, Passive Insight 11
Languages Common, Draconic, Giant
Challenge 14 (XP 11,500; Proficiency Bonus +6)

TRAITS

Curse Magic. When a creature that Shinare cursed with the Hex spell hits him with an attack roll, the creature takes 6 Psychic damage. A creature takes this damage only once per turn.

Exploit Opening. When Shinare rolls damage for an Opportunity Attack, he can roll the damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.

Family First. If Shinare has Heroic Inspiration when he rolls Initiative, he can expend it to give himself and his allies Advantage on that Initiative roll.

Hex Restoration. Shinare regains one expended use of Hexblade’s Curse when he finish a Short Rest or uses his Magical Cunning feature.

Initiative Swap. Immediately after Shinare rolls Initiative, he can swap his Initiative with the Initiative of one willing ally in the same combat. Shinare can’t make this swap if he or the ally has the Incapacitated condition.

Lifedrinker. Once per turn when Shinare hits a creature with his pact weapon, Shinare can deal an extra 3 (1d6) Necrotic, Psychic, or Radiant damage to the creature, and expend one of his Hit Point Dice to roll it and regain 6 (1d8 + 2) Hit Points.

Luck Points (6/Long Rest). Shinare has 6 Luck Points that he can spend on the benefits below.

• Advantage. When Shinare rolls a d20 for a D20 Test, he can spend 1 Luck Point to give himself Advantage on the roll.
• Disadvantage. When a creature rolls a d20 for an attack roll against Shinare, Shinare can spend 1 Luck Point to impose Disadvantage on that roll.

Resourceful. Shinare gains Heroic Inspiration whenever he finishes a Long Rest.

Unyielding Will. When he succeeds on a saving throw to maintain Concentration, each creature of Shinare’s choice in a 10-foot Emanation originating from Shinare takes 7 (2d6) Necrotic damage. Once Shinare uses this benefit, he can’t do so again until the start of his next turn.

Unyielding Will (1/Long Rest). When Shinare fails a saving throw to maintain Concentration, he can choose to succeed instead, and Shinare gains 22 (1d10 + 17) Temporary Hit Points.

Versatile Merc (1/Long Rest). Choose a skill in which Shinare has proficiency. He has Expertise in that skill until he finishes his next Long Rest.

MAGIC ITEMS

Adamantine Greatsword. Whenever this weapon hits an object, the hit is a Critical Hit.

Adamantine Plate. While wearing this armor, any Critical Hit against Shinare becomes a normal hit.

Cloak of Protection. Shinare gains a +1 bonus to Armor Class and saving throws while he wears this cloak.

Potion of Greater Healing (8). Shinare can drink this potion or administer it to another creature within 5 feet of himself. The creature that drinks this potion regains 14 (4d4 + 4) Hit Points. When Shinare casts the Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron spell again, the potion disappears if not consumed.

Ring of Protection. Shinare gains a +1 bonus to Armor Class and saving throws while wearing this ring.

Tome of Leadership and Influence (3). Shinare’s Charisma has increased by 6.

ACTIONS

Devouring Blade. Shinare gains the Extra Attack feature for his pact weapon. With that feature, he can attack thrice with the weapon instead of once when he takes the Attack action on his turn.

Pact Weapon: Adamantine Greatsword. Melee Attack Roll: +14 to hit, reach 5 feet. Hit: 21 (2d6 + 14) Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant, or Slashing damage. If Shinare’s attack roll misses a creature with his pact weapon, he deals 8 Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant, or Slashing damage. Whenever this weapon hits an object, the hit is a Critical Hit.

Eldritch Blast. Spell Attack Roll: +14 to hit, range 120 feet. Hit: 13 (1d10 + 8) Force damage. The spell creates four beams. Shinare can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.

Contact Patron (1/Long Rest). Shinare can cast the Contact Other Plane spell without expending a spell slot to contact his patron, and Shinare automatically succeeds on the spell’s saving throw.

Hex (1/Long Rest). Shinare can cast the Hex spell without expending a spell slot.

Magical Cunning (1/Long Rest). Shinare can perform an esoteric rite for 1 minute, regaining up to 2 expended Pact Magic spell slots.

Pact Magic. Shinare is an 18th level spellcaster. He casts spells using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks). He can use his pact weapon as a Spellcasting Focus.
Cantrips (at will): Blade Ward, Eldritch Blast, Mage Hand, Mind Sliver
5th level (4/Short Rest): Animate Objects, Arcane Vigor ^ᴮᴬ, Armor of Agathys ^ᴮᴬ, Banishment, Bestow Curse, Conjure Barrage, Contact Other Plane, Counterspell ^ᴿ, Dimension Door, Dispel Magic, Fly, Freedom of Movement, Hex ^ᴮᴬ, Hunger of Hadar, Invisibility, Major Image, Shield ^ᴿ, Staggering Smite ^ᴮᴬ, Steel Wind Strike, Suggestion, Synaptic Static, Tongues, Wrathful Smite
6th level (1/Long Rest): Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron
7th level (1/Long Rest): Forcecage
8th level (1/Long Rest): Befuddlement
9th level (1/Long Rest): Sever Thread

BONUS ACTIONS

Harrowing Hex. After Shinare casts a level 1+ spell that has a casting time of an action, he can make one attack with a weapon.

Hexblade’s Curse (8/Long Rest). Choose one creature Shinare can see within 30 feet of himself. The target is cursed for 1 minute, during which Shinare gains the benefits below. The curse ends early if Shinare uses this feature again, if he dismiss it (no action required), or dies. When he casts a spell using a spell slot that curses a target, Shinare can use his Hexblade’s Curse as a part of casting that spell instead of taking a Bonus Action. When he does so, the target of the spell is the target of Shinare’s Hexblade’s Curse, and Hexblade’s Curse’s duration is either 1 minute or the spell’s duration, whichever is longer. In addition, Shinare gains the benefits below:

• Hungering Hex. When the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse drops to 0 Hit Points, Shinare regains 12 (1d8 + 8) Hit Points.
• Accursed Shield. While Shinare isn’t wearing armor or wielding a Shield, he gains a +2 bonus to Armor Class while he is within 10 feet of the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse.
• Hindering Curse. When Shinare hits the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse with an attack roll, the target has Disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes before the start of Shinare’s next turn.
• Inescapable Hex. When the target of his Hexblade’s Curse ends its turn 30 feet or further from Shinare, Shinare can move up to 30 feet straight toward the target.
• Accursed Critical. Any attack roll Shinare makes against the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse scores a Critical Hit on a roll of a 19 or 20 on the d20.
• Explosive Hex (1/Long Rest). When he deals damage to the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse, Shinare can cause his curse to explode with sinister energy. The target and each creature of Shinare’s choice in a 30-foot Emanation originating from the target takes 10 (3d6) Necrotic, Psychic, or Radiant damage (Shinare’s choice), and their Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of Shinare’s next turn.

Hew. Immediately after Shinare scores a Critical Hit with a Melee weapon or reduces a creature to 0 Hit Points with one, he can make one attack with the same weapon.

Pact of the Blade. Shinare can conjure a pact weapon in his hand – a Simple or Martial Melee weapon of his choice with which he bonds – or create a bond with a magic weapon he touches. Shinare can’t bond with a magic weapon if someone else is attuned to it or another Warlock is bonded with it. Until the bond ends, Shinare has proficiency with the weapon, and he can use it as a Spellcasting Focus. Shinare’s bond with the weapon ends if he uses this feature again, if the weapon is more than 5 feet away from him for 1 minute or more, or if he dies. A conjured weapon disappears when the bond ends.

Second Wind (2/Long Rest). Shinare regains 6 (1d10 + 1) Hit Points.

REACTIONS

Armor of Hexes. Trigger: Shinare takes damage from the target cursed by his Hexblade’s Curse. Response: Shinare reduces the damage taken by 17.

Retaliate. Trigger: A creature within 5 feet of Shinare hits him with a melee attack. Response: Immediately after Shinare makes an Opportunity Attack against that creature.