The characters of the twentieth adventure path, Ironfang Invasion.
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Aubrin the Green
- Affectionate Nickname: Her friends call her 'Abby'.
- Career-Ending Injury: Aubrin was partially blinded by ankhegs, leading her to stop adventuring and settle down in the sleepy Nirmathi town of Phaendar. This can eventually be fixed with restoration magic.
- Forest Ranger: Downplayed. While she is familiar with the inner workings of the nearby Fangwood Forest and knows the actual Forest Ranger group, the Chersnasado Rangers, she is hardly a recluse and lives in a town located on a plain.
- The Medic: Her role in the first part of 'Trail of the Hunted' is to serve as a healer to help keep the players in fighting shape as they gather refugees and supplies to flee Phaendar.
- The Mentor: Once the party escapes Phaendar, Aubrin can act as this to the party if her advice is sought out.
- Nature Hero: A ranger, so natch.
Scarvinious
- Bounty Hunter: Technically, Scarvinious is working for his father, but in reality he acts as this.
- Bow and Sword in Accord: Two swords, but same idea.
- Fantastic Racism: On the receiving end of this, due to his loving father Scabvistin wanting to "beat the bear out of him" from a young age in order to better conform with hobgoblin society.
- Mad Artist: He likes to make scrimshaw art. This would be a fairly normal hobby, except that he especially likes to work on the bones of living people.
- Master Poisoner: While 'master' might be a bit generous, Scarvinious is adept in the use and application of poisons.
- Sadist: Big time. See Torture Technician below.
- Starter Villain: The first major antagonist that the players face after the fall of Phaendar.
- Torture Technician: Scarvinious specializes in this, preferring to torture his victims alive both for information and pleasure. He carries around a set of surgeon's tools with him, and his tent (called the "hut of screams") is made of flayed humanoid skin.
Azaersi
Commanding officer of the Ironfang Legion, Azaersi is the mastermind behind the invasion of Nirmathas and Molthune and dreams of building a homeland for "monsters" like herself atop the ruins of these two human societies. A charismatic leader with a storied career as a mercenary behind her, Azaersi has attracted hobgoblins, bugbears, minotaurs, and stranger beings from across Avistan to her banner, and is poised on the cusp of success.
- Badass Longcoat: Wears a long red coat atop her chainmail.
- Big Bad Duumvirate: With Zanathura. Azaersi provides the military muscle and strategic leadership, while Zanathura brings spiritual insight and mystical power.
- Bling of War: Her golden shoulder pads denote her rank.
- The Chessmaster: Azaersi planned out her campaign to the last detail, and laid the groundwork well in advance, taking first Nirmathas and then Molthune by total surprise.
- Dark Action Girl: Very much so. As a Level 20 Swashbuckler, Azaersi will the most dangerous opponent the player characters face in the campaign.
- Dark Messiah: Seen as such by many of her subordinates, especially the hobgoblins.
- Final Boss: The most likely candidate for the position of the Adventure Path's final opponent.
- The Generalissimo: Plans to make herself military dictator of a new monstrous nation, with Zarathura and the other members of her inner circle as partners in the ensuing junta.
- Glorious Leader: Styles herself as leader to the goblinoids and other monsters of Avistan.
- Only Friend: She is Zanathura's and Zanathura is hers.
- Spikes of Villainy: Large spikes jut from the shoulder pads of her uniform.
- The Strategist: Azaersi is a mercenary general turned conqueror, and her brilliant head for tactics and strategy alike is what makes her so dangerous.
Zanathura
A former slave of the neothelids, the dark naga Zanathura portrays herself as a goddess in order to conceal her own self-loathing. Joining Azaersi's campaign out of curiosity, Zanathura has come to care deeply for the hobgoblin general, though she disagrees strongly with Azaersi about their plans for the future. Having resorted to mind controlling magic to win an argument with Azaersi, Zanathura is now consumed with guilt over her actions, and for the first time in her life, is experiencing remorse.
- Big Bad Duumvirate: With Azaersi. Azaersi provides the military muscle and strategic leadership, while Zanathura brings spiritual insight and mystical power.
- Charm Person: Among her powers. Doing it once to Azaersi, whom she considers her one true friend, has left her wracked with shame.
- Dirty Coward: If brought below 50 HP, Zanathura will flee.
- Final Boss: Under most circumstances, Zanathura will confront the PCs alongside Azaersi at the end of the Adventure Path. If the players convince Azaersi of Zanathura's duplicity and negotiate peace with the hobgoblin warlord, Zanathura might even have to fill this role alone.
- Love Redeems: Azaersi and Zanathura's friendship has decidedly romantic undertones, and there's no doubt that well Zanathura is still thoroughly evil, she is a better person for her relationship with Azaersi.
- Manipulative Bastard: Uses magic and psychology to manipulate others into doing what she wants.
- Only Friend: She is Azaersi's and Azaersi is hers.
- Psycho Supporter: Given the chance she'll make sure Azaersi's invasion ends in mass murder, not just conquest.
- Smug Snake: Zanathura is Azaersi's equal in intellect, and can plan as well or better, but has little control over her temper, and is prone to fits of panic or rage when things don't go her way.
Azlowe
The leader of a witch-eater cult and a devotee of the goblin hero-god Hadregash, Azlowe acts as Azaersi's primary source of religious inspiration. Having taken a dislike to Zanathura, whom he refers to as the "witch-worm", Azlowe hopes to remove her from the Legion, and bring Azaersi back into the fold of Hadregash's teachings.
- Church Militant: A very strange example, but nevertheless an example. Hadregash and his cult march into battle alongside the rest of the Ironfang Legion, providing religious and military support alike to Azaersi and her subordinates.
Kraelos
A mighty dragonslayer with a fierce reputation among the Avistani hobgoblin tribes, Kraelos is the commander of Azaersi's cavalry forces, and serves his mistress with unshakeable resolve.
- Blood Knight: While he takes his duties as a commander seriously, he misses being able to ride in battle and spill his enemies' blood.
- The Brute: Among Azaersi's generals, he is the heavy hitter and the most skilled in hand-to-hand combat. He is more noble than most Brutes, though.
- The Dragonslayer: Kraelos has killed his fair share of drakes and dragons before falling in with Azaersi.
- Evil Virtues: Honesty, bravery, loyalty.
- Gladiator Games: He used to be a gladiator in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, until he met his master and seized the chance to become more than just a killing machine.
- Horse of a Different Color: His mount is an yzobu - a beast similar to a cross between a bull and a yak - called Drakestomper.
- Noble Demon: Even in battle, Kraelos avoids needless cruelty and defers to a strict sense of honor.
- Social Darwinist: A peculiar example. He doesn't despise the weak, but he does think it is only natural that they get crushed by the strong.
