Guest Party Members | Allies and Other Characters (Empire/Republic of Tal'Dorei) | Villains
Guest Party Members | Allies and Other Characters (Dwendalian Empire | Xhorhas) | Villains
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The Apotheon
Alyxian, the Apotheon
- Big Bad: Albeit originally an unwitting one, he is the final threat the players must overcome.
- Born Unlucky: Played for Drama. Born under the full light of the fell moon Ruidus, he was followed by tragedies his entire life. Going through the Netherdeep reveals some of these tragedies, including his parents being attacked by townspeople with Torches and Pitchforks, a unit he commanded killing innocent people, and a home of a family of three women who were attacked by monsters for sheltering him for the night. Alyxian's guilt over all of this happening is what causes him to end up in an Epiphanic Prison.
- Colour-Coded Emotions: Played with. Ruidium was made because of Alyxian's rage and anger, and can cause a person to go into Unstoppable Rage if exposed to it long enough. Every ruidium crystal is a bright red in color to symbolize this anger.
- Determinator: He fought some of the gods himself, and strove to overcome his curse all his life.
- Epiphanic Prison: When the players reach the Heart of Despair where Alyxian is waiting for them, the party can deduce that there is nothing physically stopping Alyxian from leaving the place any time he wants to leave. It's just his guilt and self-hatred over the tragedies around him prevents Alyxian from thinking he should. The party then has to give an answer to Alyxian as to whether or not they think he deserves to leave. Should they say "no" or take too long to decide, it starts the Final Boss fight. However, if they say "yes" without assuaging his guilt over what he's done, then it starts the Downer Ending.
- Fallen Hero: Years of twisting in his sleep and remembering the tragedies inflicted by his curse under the foul influences of the Netherdeep left him bitter and hostile towards the world.
- Freudian Excuse: Invoked. The Very Definitely Final Dungeon sees Alyxian throwing the players through various visions and events in his life, all of which shown that he was Born Unlucky and suffered for it. Part of this is due to Alyxian's Heroic Self-Deprecation, but it's also to try and convince the party that he's not at fault for the tragedies around him so that they'll judge him fit to leave his Epiphanic Prison. Should the players agree to let him go, it unlocks the Downer Ending where Ank'harel is destroyed and Alyxian rules over the ashes like a tyrant. But, should the players refuse to let him go or give him the impression that it's still no excuse for what he's done to the world, it starts the Final Boss fight.
- Heroic Self-Deprecation: His guilt and self-hatred makes Alyxian into a tragic figure after everything befell him. This ultimately turns him into an Anti-Villain by the narrative, as the final dungeon seeks to explain the terrible events around him and how they shaped his mindset. Whether or not Alyxian deserves to be forgiven for any of it is ultimately up to the party, though.
- Semi-Divine: He was this by the time he died, the blessing he received making him more divine than mortal. This is reflected by his callous-form being a celestial.
- Sequential Boss: The fight against him encompasses three stages: The first version is Alyxian the Tormented, an Eldritch Abomination representing his corrption. Afterwards, he transforms into the angelic Alyxian the Callous, representing his Emotional Supression as the Apotheon. And lastly, he transforms into the aged Alyxian the Dispossed, representing his weariness of his torment. Should he be redeemed, he transforms again into Alyxian the Redeemed, finally having found peace.
- Talking the Monster to Death: Depending on the player's actions leading up to their fight, he can be redeemed in his third form when encouraged by the players. This is the adventure's Golden Ending.
Rivals
General
- The Corruption: By the time the party meets them at Cael Marrow, they all suffer from Ruidium-Corruption.
- Friendly Enemies: After arriving in Ank’Harel, they always take up work for the opposing faction of the city, leading friendly rivals to this.
- Hero Antagonists: Depending on the course of the story, the rivals may end up this way. Ayo Jabe, as The Leader, certainly wants to be a hero and lead her team to newfound glory and prestige after hearing about the Jewel of Three Prayers and what it could potentially bring them.
- Punch-Clock Villain: Should the players and up working for the Allegiance of Allsight or the Cobalt Soul, the Rivals end up working for the rather malevolent Consortium of the Vermilion Dream.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: They all come from varying backgrounds, with their own problems and different personalities.
- Relationship Values: They all have their own likes and dislikes, and by interacting with them, the players can make allies or enemies of them.
- The Rival: Their role in the adventure, albeit their specific relationship with the party may vary.
- Skippable Boss: If you're friendly with the rivals, it's possible to avoid having to fight them when the campaign would otherwise call for it. The rivals are hired by Aloysia Telfan as protection in the Betrayers' Rise. If the rivals are friendly to the heroes, Ayo Jabe will say "Screw the Money, I Have Rules!", let the heroes have the Jewel of Three Prayers, and turn the rivals' collective back on Aloysia. If the rivals are neutral or hostile, the heroes have to fight them instead.
- Villain Forgot to Level Grind: Averted. They progress on their own, and have three different stat blocks for the different stages of the adventure.
- You Lose at Zero Trust: Getting the rivals on your good side will make the campaign easier, as it will let you skip some fights with the rivals, such as a potential boss fight with them in the Betrayers' Rise where they'll try to steal the Jewel of Three Prayers if they're indifferent or hostile to you. Making them indifferent or hostile to the player characters means the rivals are either not inclined to help you, or may go out of their way to make things harder for you.
Ayo Jabe
Ayo Jabe
The Bold
Race: Water Genasi (Orc)
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Chaotic Good
The Leader of the rivals, Ayo is a Water Genasi born to Orcish parents from an old Jigow family. Having recently formed an adventuring party with her childhood friend Dermot and a few new acquaintances, she is eager for adventure.
- Amazing Technicolor Population: Being a Water Genasi, she has blue skin.
- Berserk Button: People who are The Ditherer and those who don't say what they really mean.
- Be Yourself: She wishes for a friend who she can be this around.
- The Chosen One: Should none of the players take the jewel of the Three Prayers, she will instead take it, leaving the players to be The Unchosen Ones.
- Hot-Blooded: She is described as hot-headed and impulsive, albeit she tries to moderate her instincts as a leader.
Dermut Wurder
Dermut Wurder
The Loyal
Race: Goblin
Class: Cleric
Alignment: Lawful Good
A childhood friend of Ayo's who channels the Luxon's power as a cleric. Caring and nurturing, he is fiercely protective of his friends and selfless to a fault.
- Holy Hand Grenade: His basic attack "Searing Wrath".
- Massive Numbered Siblings: He is the twelfth son of his family, and given his rather caring nature towards his siblings, he maybe isn't even the youngest.
Galsariad Ardyth
Galsariad Ardyth
The Cunning
Race: Drow
Class: Wizard
Alignment: Neutral
A 200-year old drow from Rosohna who relatively recently picked up the magic of his people, hoping to improve his reputation by adventuring. Compared to his comrades, he is rather snarky.
- Deadpan Snarker: He often uses sarcasm and plays into his elven elegance to mask his own insecurities.
- Emotion Suppression: The terrors of Cael Marrow drain many of his emotions.
- Even the Guys Want Him: Within his group, both Ayo and Irvan have a crush on him.
- Gravity Master: Within Dunamancy, he focuses on graviturgy.
- Improbable Age: Given that he is an Elf, one doesn't immediately realize that at age 200, he is rather old for a novice at magic. Its his Berserk Button.
- Life Drain: His basic attack, "Drain potential".
Irvan Wastewalker
The Eager
Race: Human
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
A nineteen year old human who left behind his hated waste-dwelling clan. A friendly party animal who joined the group out of interest in their adventures.
- An Arm and a Leg: He loses an arm to a slithering bloodfin while exploring Cael Marrow, having it replaced with an Artifical Limb by his employers.
- Break the Cutie: His experiences in Cael Marrow turn him from a lighthearted [[Keet]] into a short tempered and deeply mistrustful man.
- Expy: His name and looks invoke Luke Skywalker.
- Hidden Depths: While he may look like the most unassuming among the rivals, he actually is a reincarnated xhorhasian bugbear.
- Muscle Angst: He struggles with his body image, having been a bugbear in his previous life.
Maggie Keeneyes
The Soulful
Race: Ogre
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
A orge mercenary who's eyes betray her unusual intelligence. Used to normally being treated like a dim-witted brute, she quickly developed an Undying Loyalty to Ayo, who recognized her intelligence.
- Fluffy the Terrible: "Maggie" isn't a terribly fitting name for a 12-feet tall orge. Most people tend to overlook the Meaningful Name "Keeneyes" because they laugh at her given name.
- Genius Bruiser: While still being The Big Gal of her party, she is unusually intelligent, especially for an ogre.
Bazzoxan
Taskhand Verin Thelyss
Race: Drow
Class: Fighter (Echo Knight)
Alignment: Lawful Good
The young commander of Bazzoxan's military garrison, who guards the land against the threats lurking in the old ruins of Betrayers Rise. The burdens of command have drained his youthful brightness.
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: He is an accomplished fighter, and also Bazzoxan's Taskhand, a title amounting to military governor.
- Doppelgänger Attack: He's a powerful Echo Knight, able to summon echoes of himself and attack using them.
- Hope Bringer: To the people of Bazzoxan, albeit he himself is drained by his responsibilities.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: To his more ambitious elder brother, Shadowhand Essek Thelyss.
Factions of Ank'Harel
Allegiance of Allsight
General
A collective of scholars continuing the ancient scholarly traditions of Cael Marrow in its predecessor, Ank'Harel. They are very interested in the secrets of Cael Marrow, petitioning the court of J’mon Sa Ord for permission to further and further explore its old ruins.
- Adventurer Archaeologist: With their focus on excavation, many of its members work in such a fashion.
- Magic Knight: The "Scholarly Excavator"-stat block combines martial and Psychic Powers.
- Shock and Awe: Many of its members can use a magical attack called "Arcane Shock".
Headmaster James Cyron
Race: Elf
Class: Wizard (Scholarly Mastermind)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
One of the two Headmasters of the Allegiance of Allsight, who also heads the arcane program of Ank'Harels university, the Crystal Chateau. Generally elitist, dour, and serious, he is less popular than his colleague.
- Aerith and Bob: His given name is the rather standard "James". Compare this to his colleague, "Gryz".
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He is the calm and aloof blue oni to his more enthusiastic colleague.
- Wizard Beard: Rather unusual for an elf, he sports a typically long, white beard.
Headmaster Gryz Alakritos
Race: Goblin
Class: Wizard (Scholarly Mastermind)
Alignment: Neutral Good
The second of the Allegiance's two headmasters, who is more friendly, enthusiastic and down-to-earth than his colleague.
- Cool Old Guy: He seems to be rather old, given his wrinkled looks.
- Our Goblins Are Different: While only some of the setting's goblins fall into typical roles,note one still wouldn't think of a goblin as an academic.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: The more enthusiastic and approachable red oni to James' blue one.
Prolix Yusaf
Race: Tiefling
Class: Wizard (Scholarly Agent)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
An archaeologist of the Allegiance, who the player's meet in Bazzoxan. While claiming to investigate the ruins of Betrayers' Rise, he was actually sent to keep an eye on Aloysia Telfan, an operative of the Consortium. Should the players side with the Allegiance, he goes on to serve as their main contact.
- Adventurer Archaeologist: Like many of his colleagues at the Allegiance.
- Frame-Up: During the Allegiance-quest-line, he is framed as a spy of the consortium.
- Quest Giver: Acts as this for the first few missions for the Allegiance.
Consortium of the Vermillion Dream
Consortium of the Vermillion Dream
A relatively new group of occultist mystics who seek focused on more esoteric aspects of magic, taking its name from Exandria's smaller moon Ruidus. Ever expanding their research and lacking the official repute of other academic groups, they are always looking for ways to finance their endeavors.
- Bad Guy Bar: Their headquarters are located in the "First Eclipse", a bar in Ank'Harel.
- Evil Sorcerer: Most of its members have sorcerous powers and are of evil alignment.
- Mad Scientist: They openly embrace the scarier aspects of Ruidium, such as its corruption.
Aradrine the Owl
Race: Goliath
Class: Sorcerer (Occult Silvertongue)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
One of the five masters leading the Consortium. She openly embraces the corruption inflicted by the ruidium.
- Mad Scientist: While not of evil alignment, she is rather delirious about ruidium and its effects.
Aloysia Telfan
Race: Elf
Class: Sorcerer (Occult Initiate)
Alignment: Lawful Evil
An agent of the consortium searching for information and power in Bazzoxan. If the characters side with the Consortium, she serves as their main contact within.
Library of the Cobalt Soul
Library of the Cobalt Soul
An order of monastic scholars devoted to Ioun originating from Wildemount. In Ank'Harel, it tries to learn more about ruidium and the Netherdeep, but is more cautious than the other factions.
- All Monks Know Kung-Fu: Most of its agents are monks well-versed in unarmed-combat.
- Blue Is Calm: With most of it being comprised of scholarly monks.
- Kung-Fu Wizard: Some of its members, "Monastic High Curators" and "Monastic Infiltrators" by stat block, combine unarmed combat with magical abilities.
