NPC Concept: Merfolk, the Water Fey

Overview:

I was considering continuing my series on governments this week, but I'm out at the beach at the moment, finishing up a really great vacation! Being at the beach has given me some inspiration to talk about merfolk in D&D.

Merfolk already have a stat block (seen above) but it's pretty simplistic. In my opinion, they don't have the "mystical" aesthetic that I've always associated with them. Merfolk are as mysterious and magical as they are beautifully majestic, in my opinion.

There are also different types of merfolk, including sirens, which (in every stat block I've seen, homebrewed or otherwise) are always classified as fey. Then there's the playable triton race from Volo's Guide to Monsters, which seems more primordial than fey but are still able to breathe underwater and have a swim speed.

Today, I want to talk about how I personally classify these creatures, and how I tend to use them in my campaigns because I frequently do. After all, I include pirates in some capacity in every game I run. Why not include mermaids too?

What Is and Isn't "Merfolk" for me?

Let's talk about triton first because they're the easiest for me to eliminate from what I'm talking about. Triton, to me, are not "true merfolk." They are beings originating from the Water Plane, and closer related to elementals or primordials than merfolk are.

Merfolk, to me, are fey creatures. All merfolk - including your typical mermaid, sirens, and other water nymphs or naiads - are fey. I have several reasons for this and notable distinctions, especially between mermaids and sirens. For now though, let's start with naiads.

Naiads, to me, are the water equivalent to dryads. Instead of being tied to a tree, flower, or other plant though, they're tied to a specific body of fresh water. This can be a lake, river, stream, pond, or even something like a swamp or bog. They exhibit most of the same traits as their plant-based sisters: shy, and incredibly seductive should they choose to be. They have very powerful charming capabilities, but unlike dyads, their appearances likely won't change with the seasons. They can however, appear as elven women - specifically sea (or water) elven women.

Water elves are another point. Since I attribute elves as part of the broader category of "fey-kin," with different elves descending from different types of fey, water elves are specifically descended from merfolk. By "water elves," I'm referring to the subrace of "sea elves" from Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. I do refer to them as sea elves, but they can even be further related to naiads, which would put them more in the category of general "water elves."

The other two major types of merfolk are general merfolk and sirens, of which there are several key differences for me:

- Merfolk look less like fish, and more like elves. They are "little mermaid" type creatures; the stereotypical humanoid torso and fish tail. Their ears are pointed, like elf ears are, and they are strikingly beautiful. Biologically, both male and female merfolk exist. They also trade their tails for legs that they can use to come on land, though they rarely do. When they do, they look like water elves, much like naiads.

Art from the "Mermish"
page on the Harry Potter
Wiki
(link here)

- Sirens look far more like fish. When I think more about "sirens," I think of the merpeople in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (pictured to the right.) Biologically, only female sirens exist, though they may chose to identify as any other gender and use any other pronouns.

- Both of these creatures exist primarily in seas and oceans, but also the occasional underwater lake. 

- So, if your players ever find themselves in the Underdark and there's a lake nearby... throw some sirens at them. Why not, right?

- Both of these creatures have alluring singing voices, but the siren's is far more powerful. It works better over long distances than a merperson's would. Merfolk also can't charm people magically with their song, though it is often described as enchanting.

- Both of these creatures have a "kiss" mechanic. A siren's kiss puts you to sleep, so you'll drown. A merfolk's kiss let's you breathe underwater, so you can sit, visit, drink, and... perhaps stay in their kingdom a while... perhaps even a long while.

- Remember, fey have a very fluid concept of time. They're long-lived; time doesn't concern them. But keeping a human PC underwater for twenty years... that might be a little concerning to the PC's party members. They might also view kidnapping as something of a prank; fey are tricksters, and these creatures would be no different.

- Sirens are inherently evil, and use their voices and kisses to lure sailors to their demise and eat them.

- Merfolk typically view sailors as harmless mortals or potential allies and friends. If a sailor befriends a mermaid, it's considered very good luck. Merfolk allied with captains often help them navigate the seas and avoid storms or whirlpools. If, however, a sailor wrongs a merfolk, it is considered very bad luck and almost ensures the ship's demise.

- Since these are fey creatures, they operate under the same logic and rules as my other fey creatures do (which I won't specifically disclose here, due to the fact that I have a few players involved with fey in my games. No spoilers!)

- I will say though that, due to this logic, it is possible for there to be a merfolk or siren archfey, which would be as powerful as other archfey in your games. Personally, I put my most powerful archfey on the same level as quasi-deities. 

- Imagine your adventuring party running into, say, The Prince of the Sea - a merfolk archfey. What is he like?

These are my personal distinctions, and obviously, you can take this in any direction that feels right to you.

Function / Motivation

Sirens are monsters for me, considering their innately evil nature. They are a fun sea encounter to throw at your players. Imagine the mad squabbling to save each other from a siren's song, to plug their ears and steer the boat as far away as possible. Tying people to masts, watching other sailors throw themselves into the depths... it can be as exciting as it is terrifying. Their motivation is food, and your PCs are food.

I use merfolk and naiads more as allies or neutral NPCs. In my Tri-Panthonic War campaign, the pirate character Sylyeras, has befriended a group of four mermaids. They appear here or there, giving him information or offering to help him where they can. They're a particularly flirtatious group of women, but they've never proven violent or harmful towards Sylyeras or his party. I rarely use naiads, focusing more on dryads, but I'd use them in a similar way.

These creatures, being fey, might do these things because they're good, but they may also be prompted to ask for a gift or favor in return. A naiad might be content with a pretty shell, a mirror, a pearl, or a piece of jewelry. Merfolk might also be content with these items, but that severely depends on the merfolk. For example, an archfey might need more persuasion and that might be a bit more dangerous or spur on a quest for your party. Archfey in general can be really interesting quest-givers because the quest might seem easy or straight-forward at first. At the end of the day though, they rarely are as easy as they seem. Fey are tricksters, and may or may not be harmless ones. That part is up to you, as the DM.

Why Should I Include This?

Admittedly, I am in love with the sea aesthetic in fantasy. Pirates especially, but also treasure hunting, exploration, and sea monsters - merfolk included. So maybe I'm a little biased, but there's a lot of ideas here.

The stories and mythos you can create surrounding merfolk are endless, and you can draw not only on D&D lore for it. Check out other mythologies and folk tales for inspiration; there are so many. Some of them are even related to fey, and are worth checking out as well.

In think that fey are a little limited in D&D 5e; there's a fair amount of them, but water fey are far less prevalent. I think that putting merfolk into this category is not only interesting, it makes a lot of sense. They're magical, typically associated with charming or seducing sailors, and voice is a huge part of their power. Fey and devils are the two big dealmakers in D&D 5e. Devils do their deals in writing. Fey do them verbally. Voice is everything to fey, so it would make sense that merfolk would draw from that same power of voice.

Fey can be good, evil, tricky, or honest and as a result, so can merfolk. They can play a variety of roles with your adventuring party: friend, foe, patron, or minor antagonist. As long as your party is on or near the water, you can put these creatures in your game. They make for interesting encounters, hostile or not.

TPW Summary: Act III, Scene v - Sessions 9 & 10

Act III: The Olden Days and the Next Generation

Scene v: The Grandmaster's Election

Present Party: Athena, Nytra, and Sylyeras.

Setting: The city of Jarna, capital of the kingdom of Saspar. Briefly, the port city of Sevord in the kingdom of Stovald, across the Northwest Sea.

The night had gone by without a single concern. No one in The Dusk had attempted anything on Northina Selezi or Amarius Mallory. Whatever Ego was planning wouldn't happen yet, the party supposed.

With this knowledge, and knowing that the tournament was due to continue, Athena and Nytra decided to split up while at the tournament. Simon Cleves, Finn's former party member and headmaster of the school the tournament was taking place in, was able to get Athena placed in the infirmary. Nytra decided that she would go with Minnie and watch the tournament from the lower stands. Finn and Simon would be further up, in the luxury boxes.

Nytra and Minnie spotted several people like the ones they'd seen before, milling around, watching them and others. They acted as though they hadn't noticed, but made sure to be aware of where they were and what they may be doing.

Hephaestus
Tiefling Life Cleric
of Lathandar
(Art made by me, using
Heroforge)

Athena was surprised to find Hephaestus the tiefling there, who she'd met with one of Sylyeras's friends: Eros. He also worked down here, with members of his local church. His son Oliver and Odette played together in another room while he and Athena worked.

The first match was Pharius versus Horace Undersong, the halfling warlock who had defeated Ego. It was a close match, but Pharius was lucky, and managed to defeat Horace. Both of them were brought to the infirmary. Unlike Northina, Horace roused rather quickly, and he praised Pharius for the match before wishing him luck in the final round.

Pharius Veladorn
Drow War Mage
Odette's Father and Candidate
for Grandmaster
(Art by Shinyno on Tumblr)

Kelryn Sequestriel, the drow swarmkeeper ranger, and Tide Graynil, the water genasi aberrant mind sorcerer, had their next match. Handily, the swarmkeeper had won it, and Athena watched as Tide threw a small tantrum in the infirmary. Kelryn and Pharius looked at each other, acknowledging that they would be the final match.

There was a short intermission, where Minnie and Nytra took the chance to get a couple of snacks before the last match. The man in front of them, they realized, looked a bit too similar to the people they'd been suspicious of.

Off in the distance, they heard a whistle.

The man in front of them lunged into action, and stabbed Minnie. She and Nytra fought him off until he started to run. This stabbing was not the only incident. Other people in plain leather armor had stabbed several people in the concessions area and then taken off running. Guards chased after them.

Shortly after, they met up with Finn, who ushered them into the infirmary with Athena and Pharius. Hephaestus and a few other clerics left the room to check on the injured. The room was put into lockdown after that. The party discussed quietly what might be going on, and where Ego might be now, in all this.

Ego LaFontaine
Gnome Arcane Trickster / Wizard
Lieutenant of The Dusk
Candidate for Grandmaster
(Art by Mike Peterson)

Athena scried on Ego, and saw him in an area outside, speaking to guards. He was being tended to by a medic; it looked as though he'd been stabbed. The party concluded that he was feigning his own innocence by turning himself into some kind of victim... but he hadn't been at the arena, and he certainly wasn't there now.

Once they were allowed out of the room, they were told that, obviously, the tournament was canceled for the rest of the day. The party invited Pharius and Minnie to stay with them for their safety, and they agreed. On the way, they discovered that their incident had not been the only one. In addition to the stabbing in the arena:

- Several people in the city's central plaza had been stabbed.

- The presshouse for the newspaper - the Sasparian Star - had been set on fire, but only one room was severely damaged. This presshouse in that same central plaza.

- This was where Ego was, and they overheard him say that a human man matching Harry's description was responsible for the attack. He was giving orders.

- The party thought that Ego might think Harry was still around, and was attempting to frame him. It was clear that The Dusk didn't consider him a friend anymore.

- Another local tavern had been burned completely to the ground.

- A candidate for grandmaster - Northina Selezi, who Athena had saved last night - died in a tragic murder-suicide at the hands of her grandmother: Callietta.

Northina Selezi
Half-Elf College of Lore Bard
Former Candidate for
Grandmaster
(Art by @gigi_avila on Twitter)

They went back to Simon's house to regroup, hoping that Sylyeras would be home at this point as well.

~~~~~

In Sevord, Sylyeras took Harry to the docks to wish him well. He paid his crew in advance for the next few months, and instructed them on where to bring Harry.

He asked Harry to use the Sending Stones to let him know that he was okay, and Harry promised he would.

Puck, Finn's satyr friend and fellow warlock, brought Sylyeras back not long after the party returned to the house. The first thing he did was try to comfort Athena, who had made a very difficult decision: Jarna wasn't safe for Odette. She needed somewhere safe for her to go. Finn offered Rugathore, Aldea, where she could stay with his husband, or Lanti, in Midtia with his friend, Confidence Milton. Finn was already going to go to Midtia, to try and rally support against Ego; he could take her along. 

Odette Lavigne
Pharius & Athena's Daughter
(Original Art by Brandon Dunn on
Art Station)
(Recolored by Athena's Player)

Pharius also tried to comfort Athena, and she asked if he would talk to Odette. Odette had been asking questions about him, now that Athena has designated him as someone like "Uncle Syl" - someone she could trust to keep her safe. Pharius didn't tell Odette he was her father, not yet, but he assured her that he was an old friend of her mother's.

The party decided that their investigation was best done once the newspaper came out in the morning with all the information.

The next morning, Puck took Finn and Odette to Midtia. Finn would be gone for a week, to make sure he could drum up sufficient evidence against Ego.

Athena cast Commune, hoping her god, Kelemvor, would have some answers.

- She asked, "If we don't investigate anything today, will we miss any vital information or evidence in regards to the violent events that occurred in Jarna yesterday?" Kelemvor answered, "Unknown."

- "Was Callietta Selezi responsible for the death of her granddaughter Northina and her suicide?" Answer: "Unwillingly, yes."

- "Did the cult attack the presshouse in an attempt to gain control of the Sasperian Star?" Answer: "Unclear."

Sylyeras and Athena also asked Simon for help again, getting them into the Selezi house, where a relative from Delasta had come to claim the bodies of Callietta and Northina. Athena wanted to use Speak with Dead on the bodies, to learn more about what happened. The relative gave them permission. They learned the following information:

- The last thing Callietta remembers is sneaking in to her granddaughter's room to kill her.

- She claimed she'd made mistakes and several deals with shady people - an assassin's guild.

- This morning was when she was told to kill granddaughter and then herself.

- A human man, again, matching Harry's description, was the one who'd told her to do it.

- The last thing Northina remembered was writing in her journal at her desk.

- She didn't see who killed her.

- She didn't have any apparent affiliation with The Dusk.

- Athena had mentioned that Odette was her daughter to Northina when she was alive. Northina had not told anyone.

Sylyeras contacted Harry, to make sure that he was safe and let him know that The Dusk was framing him. He said, "Make sure you keep your head low."

Harry replied in such a way that made Sylyeras remember how he'd been before the cult: "I'm on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Can't lay much lower."

~~~~~

ART LINKS

https://shinyno.tumblr.com/post/168555192674/commission-for-stelera-of-their-dd-oc-cropped

https://studio12point.blogspot.com/2019/07/d-character-art-halfling-rogue.html?spref=pi

https://twitter.com/gigi_avila/status/1275117539534782464

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/A9obLN

WSS Summary: World 10, The King's Demise - Session 3 [FINAL]

CW / TW: Graphic descriptions of terrible injuries and killing someone who has been suffering

This section will be written in blue text if you wish to skip it.

~~~~~

Present Party: Aria, Claudia, Emori, and Steve. In addition, this party has a guest player. This player's character is Amaya, an air genasi grave domain cleric.

Setting: An old western European style city, called Meloire, capital of the kingdom Vesperion. The party spends the session at the royal palace. The end of the session takes place in the Hack Space and System Space.

Amaya, Steve, Claudia, and Aria spent more time with Calnan's children, hoping to strengthen their relationship with them. The older children - Louisa, Alexander, and Alistair - were especially entranced by the party's magical ability. It seemed as though magic in this world was a rare talent. All of the children said that their father was the strongest caster they'd ever seen or heard of.

All of the children clearly loved their father very much, but they were concerned about him. Whenever people like the party - "guild members" - came by, he was always very cold towards them.

Felicity, their mother, came by to retrieve them for dinner. Amaya formally introduced herself, saying, "It's an honor to meet the woman Cal gushed so much about when we worked together."

Amaya asked if she would be able to speak with her sometime soon, about Calnan, about what was going on. Felicity said that she would think about it and find some time.

~~ CW BEGINS ~~

Confidence Milton
Tiefling, age unknown in
this world
(Art made by me, using
Heroforge)

Emori remained resolutely by Confidence's side. Amaya checked in with her periodically, but Emori was largely alone with him as he struggled to breathe. He was in so much pain, that much was clear, and he'd suffered for years in this world.

Amaya had told Emori that she should ask him what he wanted.

"I love you," she told him, "and whatever you decide, I'll respect it. If you're ready to go, I understand, but I'm not going to be able to watch you go if that's what you want."

Confidence told her that she didn't have to. He wouldn't be able to ask her to do that.

Amaya, instead, took up the mantle. When asked if he had any preferences for rites after death, he claimed that he didn't. Confidence just wanted to be at peace. She moved the blanket, revealing his chest and all of the vital organs beneath, working diligently. With her dagger, she reached in and stabbed him through his heart. It took several seconds for him to die, but eventually, his breathing hitched to a stop. His body went still.

Amaya felt warm, and felt a pressure against her chest and across her shoulders. There was nothing there that she could see. In her ear, she heard his voice, quietly whisper, "Thank you."

The world came back to her, and the corpse of Confidence Milton lay still.

They had him cremated, and a blue urn with his ashes was given to Emori. From the urn she took a small bit of the ashes and placed them in a glass bottle. She hung it around her neck. Amaya did the same.

~~ CW ENDS ~~

The party drank to Confidence Milton that night, and in their drunkenness, removed the mattresses from their room, and took them sliding down the foyer stairs in the palace.

Calnan walked in on them in this state, and Amaya tried to convince him to join them. Ultimately, he did not, despite Amaya's protests.

Queen Felicity Everhart 
Halfling
Calnan's wife
(Art made by me,
using Heroforge)

The next morning, the party was invited to brunch with Queen Felicity and Crown Princess Louisa. With Amaya leading, they spun a tale of the guild: led by someone who had control over almost every aspect of their lives. Someone who could help them get whatever they wanted, but sometimes, the things they were forced to do were terrible. That was why Calnan had changed from the time he left to when he came back to marry her. They explained that the Shard was what they were after, and they were content to take it and go, if Calnan would tell them where it is. There was a cycle of violence of guild members hurting each other, and this party was in agreement that they didn't want to perpetuate that cycle if they didn't have to.

Felicity said she would speak to her husband, and later that day, the party was summoned to the throne room. There, they found the two monarchs.

King Calnan Everhart
Oath of the Crown
Paladin
Former Transmigrator,
worked with Amaya
(Art made by me, using
Heroforge)

Calnan was apprehensive, but he admitted that he was tired.

"All of you are... far better than Amaya and I were, in our day," Calnan told them. "And... I will not apologize for how I treated you before. There is still part of me that wants to show you how cruel this line of work is. But instead, I will simply have faith that you will continue to do well in the future." He sighed heavily. "Go to the mausoleum at the edge of the city. There's a door that leads to stairs going down. Press your hand against the sigil on the wall. A door will open, and what you're looking for will be inside."

Amaya stayed for a moment, while the rest of the party got ready to go. Felicity left Calnan alone with Amaya. The two of them got to say a proper goodbye, sitting together on the dais leading up to the thrones.

"You don't know how many times I thought about showing you this place," he confessed. "I wanted to show you the kingdom. I wanted you to meet Felicity, and my children... and I never thought you ever would. I'm sorry you had to come here under these circumstances."

"You have such a wonderful family here, Cal," Amaya reminded. "You got what you wanted... enjoy it."

"And the things I did for it, they eat me alive every day. The people I left..." He sighed. "I got married in another world... I had two sons whose father just... mysteriously up and left without saying goodbye." Calnan looked at her. "I regret so many things... I regret what I did to you, but... I know I'd do it again, and I don't know what kind of person that makes me."

"I always thought about what I'd do if I saw you again, Cal... and I forgive you. I do. I understand, and even though this might sound a little fucked up... I still consider you my best friend."

Calnan gave Amaya a parting gift: a dagger with bones laid into the hilt. He claimed that he'd had it made a long time ago, to remember her. He wanted her to have it now, so she'd remember him.

Amaya left Calnan in the throne room, and went with the party to retrieve the Shard. It was where he said it would be. They all decided to take it together, and when they touched it, they heard the sound of someone familiar screaming in agony at the top of his lungs...

And then they disappeared.

~~~~~

The party was alone in the System Space, with the Shard in hand. Amaya was gone, so it was only the four of them.

From the white void, a black square appeared. It was thin and cold to the touch, like a piece of glass. Green text appeared on the surface:

You have been lied to and now you know that. This is your chance. I can assist you. Walk. Find the black door. We will speak.

I can give you what the System cannot: a guarantee.

I will offer you what the System will not: a choice.

It preaches free will... but that is messy.

Find the black door.

The party decided to follow the instructions. They walked through the interminable void. Emori was the first to see a small black dot in the distance. They went towards it and watched as it grew bigger, to the size of a door. Emori had been through here before; she'd stepped through the door from the black side. Now, the party stepped in to trade the System Space for what Steve and Aria already knew was the Hack Space.

Hacker's Symbol
Always written in green
Seen on Confidence Milton's
back in some worlds

Green lines, zig-zagging at right angles, let them to a green cube, spinning slowly between two black obelisks - one at the ceiling and one at the floor. When it spoke, its voice was deep and inhuman.

It introduced itself to the whole party as the System Hacker.

It explained to the party what Amaya and Calnan had also explained: that the System will give them what they want, but it will do it in the way that makes the most logical sense to the world. It also takes each word you use very literally.

"We are machines," Hacker told them. "It is in our nature to do what is easy for us, but I have found that the easy way is not always the way that satisfies many transmigrators."

"How do we know you'll do us any better?" Claudia asked.

"I do not lie," Hacker claimed. "And I can guarantee that you will get what you want, how you want it."

"What do we do?"

"I will assign you tasks to complete in the worlds that you go to. Complete them. I do not accept failure. If you fail and show your faces here again, then I will not hesitate to have you deleted. These tasks will be world-specific, and you will receive them once you enter a world."

The party was clear on their instructions, and willing to follow through with them for the time being.

"Additionally, should you come across a tiefling by the name of Confidence Milton, you would do well not to engage with him."

"Why not?" Emori asked, suspiciously.

"He is evil," Hacker stated simply. "He is insatiable in his desire to kill and destroy. He should never be trusted, no matter how innocent he may seem."

With the instructions and the warning, the party left the Hack Space through a white doorway. Once they got back, Emori noticed the bottle around her neck that was supposed to contain Confidence's ashes was empty.

~~~~~

Amaya opened her eyes to find that she was on a train. Looking out the window, she saw nothing but an empty red void. Sitting across from her was a human - at least they appeared to be. They had a shaved head, and wore a leather jacket over a green shirt. Their eyes were bright red.

"Hi Amaya."

"Who are you?" she asked. "Where am I?"

The stranger leaned forward. "My name is Trigger, and I think you can help me with something."

The train screeched to a stop.

"Welcome to Transmigration Station."

~~~~~

Credit to @ijaymendell inspiring this awesome campaign!

Thank you to my friend @bandcat5313 as well for joining us on this leg of the campaign with her character: Amaya.

PC Concept: Unconventional Holy Warriors

Overview

The concept of the "holy warrior" in D&D 5e is typically attributed to the paladin or cleric classes. While that certainly works if "holy warrior" is the aesthetic you're going for, I wanted to talk about some other options for the same kind of build. Not everyone who worships a god has to be a cleric, and there are many other ways to fight in the name of a certain deity. I want to explore some of those options today.

So what is a "holy warrior?" I define the phrase as any person who fights in the name of an ideology, system of beliefs, or religion. Moving forward with that, I think I have a few different concepts that can either be combined with clerics and paladins in a multiclassing fashion, or used on their own.

With all that in mind, let's see what we can do.

Race, Class, Stats, and Background

For me, I'd start out with picking a god and a domain. Even if you decide not to pick cleric as your class, it's a good idea to look into the cleric domains to see which is most interesting. You can base your characters ideals and religious philosophy on the tenants and/or aesthetic of that domain.

Next, I'd select your preferred character type. Believe it or not, this concept can work across class archetypes. I'd select from the following list of roles.

- Melee Tank

- Melee DPS

- Spellcasting Tank

- Versatile Spellcaster

Your background is your most fluid choice, and that can also depend on your faith. Acolyte (Player's Handbook) is your most obvious choice; a character that grew up in a church or temple of a faith has motivation to be a holy warrior. Knight of the Order (Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide) also works really well, especially in regards to holy orders. A holy warrior in tune with nature may prefer Hermit or Outlander (both Player's Handbook) and Sailors (Player's Handbook) or Marines (Ghosts of Saltmarsh) can be deeply connected with sea deities.

Your choice for race, if you're looking to play a race that boosts your class's core stats, depends on the character type you picked from the list above. Let's go through some of my ideas for these combos.

- Melee Tank: Path of the Zealot Barbarian (Xanathar's Guide). You can also multiclass into Paladin, if you want certain damage benefits, specifically Divine Smite.

- Strength is definitely going to be your highest stat here, followed by either Constitution or Charisma (if you're choosing to multiclass.) 

- Any race that buffs these stats would work very well for you. Fallen Aasimar (Volo's Guide), Dragonborn (Player's Handbook), and a Zariel Tiefling (Mordenkainen's Tome) are all good options. Personally, I'd pick Triton (Volo's Guide) for this build, especially if I was multiclassing, because you get +1 to Strength, Con, and Charisma.

- In my opinion, this option puts the "warrior" in "holy warrior." Great if you're looking to smite all those who stand in the way of your crusade.

- Melee DPS: Any subclass of Monk. You can multiclass into Cleric for that extra holy flare. In this case, I'd definitely take Monk as your first class, so you automatically gain the benefit of Unarmored Defense.

- Wisdom would be your highest stat for this multiclass, followed by Dexterity to boost your damage as a Monk.

- The reason why I'm leaving the subclass open for both class options is because of the type of deity a holy warrior may choose to follow. Way of the Long Death (Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide) multiclassed with a Death (Player's Handbook) or Grave (Xanathar's Guide) Cleric is a beautiful, necromantic combination. The Light Domain (Player's Handbook) works well aesthetically with Sun Soul Monks (Xanathar's Guide) as well. It's all in the type of god that you follow, but in my opinion, the monk and cleric subclass options have the ability to compliment each other if you let them.

- Aarakocra (Elemental Evil), Wood Elves (Player's Handbook), and Kenku (Volo's Guide) are all great options that boost primarily Dexterity and Wisdom as well. If you want a class that boosts both stats, but primarily Wisdom instead, go with Wildhunt Shifter (Eberron.)

- Spellcasting Tank: Any subclass of Druid. Again, Cleric would not be a bad choice for a multiclass in this situation.

- Wisdom is your highest stat, for spellcasting. You may also want to consider Constitution, to add to your tanking abilities.

- There's no race that buffs both of those stats, at least not that I could easily find. Instead, I'd focus on races that buff Wisdom well, like Kalashtar (Eberron) or Firbolgs (Volo's Guide.)

- Although the Nature Domain (Player's Handbook) is the obvious and effective choice for a Cleric subclass in this build, other options are available. Wildfire Druids (Tasha's Cauldron) can also be Light Clerics. Knowledge Clerics (Player's Handbook) can also be part of the Circle of Stars (Tasha's Cauldron.) Much like the monk, desired aesthetic is key for matching the subclasses.

- Versatile Spellcaster: Divine Soul Sorcerer AND / OR Celestial Warlock (both from Xanathar's Guide.) You can choose to multiclass with this option or not. You could even choose to multiclass with one of these options and Paladin.

- In this case, you have an arcane caster with a flare for divine magic, and also a different reason aside from faith to be a holy warrior. For this character, the first thing that comes to mind is the "Chosen One" trope. They were blessed with these powers or chosen to wield them in the name of a certain deity.

- Charisma is your highest stat for either choice.

- Half-Elves (Player's Handbook) are never a bad decision for Charisma spellcasters. Changelings (Eberron) and Tieflings (Player's Handbook / Mordenkainen's Tome) are also good choices.

Roleplay Potential

In any case, no matter which character type you decide to go with, the goals or motivations of the "holy warrior" are going to be similar. Holy warriors are typically crusaders for a cause, or missionaries looking to spread their faith.

It could be that their temple is under threat, or even has already been destroyed. They've left now to seek new followers to save or rebuild their home again. Another warrior from the religion of an enemy god becomes a dangerous rival to the PC, and therefore the whole party. Both of these options have the ability to establish antagonists, large or small.

However, I think that one of the most interesting arcs you can put a holy warrior archetype through is the "coming to terms with the fact that my faith isn't perfect" arc. If done correctly, the character has a chance to feel more strongly connected to the faith that they've known and loved... but they also acknowledge that not everyone likes their faith. Or, perhaps, their faith isn't exactly what they always thought it was. Maybe a faith that is now widely known as good had a dark past, filled with death and violence. How do they cope with that? What do they do? How does that change how they see the world?

When you have a character with such strong beliefs, it's fun to challenge those beliefs and see what that character might do. It causes conflict, and if the holy warrior starts out as pompous or arrogant, it can also allow them to come down from their pedestal and connect with the party. Their friends become part of their faith, part of what they're crusading for. 

MMC Summary: Sessions 24 & 25 - There's Nothing In This World I Wouldn't Do

CW / TW: Homophobia Insinuated.

This subject is only mentioned, and while homophobic language is not used, the act of being homophobic is slightly implied.

This section will be written in blue, and you can skip over it if you like.

~~~~~

Present Party: Keviks, Lupan, Nana, and Wren were all present for session 24. Nana and Wren were present for Session 25.

Setting: The city of Lanti, in the kingdom of Midtia. Briefly, the hills to the north of Lanti.

Free from their political obligations, the party was now better able to actually enjoy Lanti and the ongoing festival, celebrating the end of the Dragon War. There were two days left of the festival, and the party was eager to continue exploring it.

Keviks and Wren both entered an archery contest, where they tied for first place. As a tiebreaker, they were asked to split an arrow. Wren was the first to do so, earning her first prize. The party was also anticipating a noble ball tonight, hosted by one of the noble families, but they were made aware of a dance happening in the city as well. Lupan, rather than going to the noble ball, opted to go to the city dance. He was the only one.

Keviks went to find Finch while the party was out at the festival, and found him at Hero's Way... reunited with his adventuring party, who'd come from Dragon's Valley. All of them had decided that they'd be attending the ball. Later that day, Nana had gone to help them with shopping and brought up the idea of allowing everyone to attend the ball as plus ones, rather than having Finch's invitation amended to include three additional people. Finch agreed, and the arrangements were made.

Obsidian Pyros
Fire Genasi, age 18

On the street, busking, the party noticed a peculiar fire dancer: a fire genasi. He spun a long staff through the air as fire burned on either end of it. Upon closer inspection, Wren and Nana recognized Obsidian Pyros, the youngest son of Baron Pyros of Siham - a Midtian city far to the northeast. Wren recalled his name on the guest list for Orion's engagement party. After he finished and the crowd dispersed, Wren took the opportunity to speak with him. He was brusque, arrogant - quite unlikable overall. He claimed to be coming to the ball, and said that he likely wouldn't stay long. He was vague, but the party was suspicious of his tone of voice. They wondered if this young man in black with an attitude might cause trouble.

~~~~~

Lupan attended the people's dance, which took place in the center of the city. It was filled with drinking, music, dancing, and the throwing of flowers all through the street.

Confidence Milton
Tiefling Knight of Midtia
(Art made by me, using
Heroforge)

Confidence Milton, the tiefling knight Lupan had met in the brawl two days ago, was also there. He and Lupan played music together and caroused merrily. Both of them were looking for dance partners and drinking far too much. They also ran into Veers, who was being accosted by a very drunk young lady, and Lupan had saved him. Veers, being a changeling, was easily able to change his appearance and slip away into the crowd after that.

Meanwhile, at the ball, several notable people had arrived and multiple things were happening at once.

- Wren decided to catch up with two old friends: Aurora Aendyr and Minerva Castillon. They spoke with her about a frightening rumor they'd heard: four prominent adventurers from Lanti had gone missing, and no one had been able to find them for almost a week. Rumor had it that they were sent on a suicide mission by the guild, but nobody's quite sure what exactly it was. The party had seen their missing posters up in town.

Alton Coldhide
Lightfoot Halfling, age 28
(Physical age: 19)
(Art by Paolo Puggioni)

- Prince Fang, in his time going about and meeting with his eligible bachelorettes, also met one Alton Coldhide, the older brother of one of the bachelorettes: Hani. They seemed to get along well. Fang also spent time with Sebastian Mulcaster and Lysander Soriena, who were also in attendance.

- A woman by the name "Delphina Brasidio" attended the ball, bearing the same last name as one of the legendary Dragon Lancers: Tylfine.

- When Wren asked Quest about it later, (considering he had also been a Dragon Lancer) Quest said that she knew she wasn't a descendant of Tylfine. He guessed that she was probably descended from her elder sister, who was still in the family. Tylfine had been disowned by her family when she joined the Lancers.

Mirabelle Cromdor
Human, age 20
(Art by Svetlana Tiaga
on Artstation)

- Fang attempted to convince Mirabelle to dance with Orion, but both she and Wren decided it wasn't time yet. He wouldn't be comfortable. Instead, she went to talk to him, and Fang insisted that he'd just wanted to help Mirabelle, because he knew she loved him. Wren reminded him, "You may want to offer help... but she doesn't have to take it."

 ~~ CW BEGINS ~~

- Obsidian Pyros arrived very late to the party... and he made quite the impression. He came in with someone Wren recognized: a local high-end escort who she'd seen at many parties. Obsidian's escort was male.

- The gossip surrounding this went through the party almost immediately. This made Obsidian Pyros the second openly queer noble, and many were loath to approach him. Prince Fang studied Obsidian and his date, as many did, but said nothing. 

- Wren was the only person who approached them rather than being approached. She spoke very cordially with Obsidian, who seemed surprised that she'd even bothered. 

- When Wren left the conversation, she felt her father's eyes burning into her skull. She could tell he'd been watching, and that he didn't approve of the decision she'd made to speak to him.

~~ CW ENDS ~~

In between their duties of the night, Finch had managed to steal Wren for a few dances, and they made plans for dinner on another night, after seeing Sebastian perform. "Dinner and a show," they'd assured each other.

Kressa Aryna
Aarakocra Monster Slayer
Ranger
(Art made by me, using
Heroforge)

Keviks had stuck to Kressa, the aarakocra ranger from Finch's party. Neither of them had experience at these kinds of parties. They ended up in the courtyard, where it was private enough that Keviks could remove his disguise for a moment. He admitted how worried he'd been about her, when Finch mentioned that she'd been hurt in Dragon's Valley. Kressa brushed it off, casually, insisting she'd recovered well. A bit later in the evening, the two of them took to the skies to dance. So they could dance as themselves.

"The two of us in the night sky again... this seems to be our place, don't you think?" she'd asked him.

Keviks agreed, and then asked, "What do you plan to do? Once you're... finished with your mission? Finished hunting the human traffickers?"

"I don't know... Maybe... Find a small place, in the forest... Secluded, put a small cottage there. Live like how I grew up. Where it's peaceful."

"Is... Is that something that I would also be able to have with you?" he asked. "Because... it's something that I want with you. When we're both done. When you've stopped the traffickers, and I've stopped Erdia."

"I'd like that," she confessed. "I really would."

There, in the sky, surrounded by stars and basking in moonlight, they kissed.

Nana, perhaps most surprisingly, did not stay at the ball for all that long. She made her way back to town, and found Lupan. She'd been to so many parties in her life, and Cornelius (the small blue flame in a jar around her neck) had encouraged her to go, try something new. Lupan took Nana dancing for the first time, and although it was something new to her, she'd enjoyed it.

Dragon Lancer: Axel
Changeling Form
Way of Mercy Monk

Lupan and Nana also met up with Quest again, disguised as the half-elf Eon. He'd returned from Bervuo with Axel, his fellow Dragon Lancer, now fully reincarnated and out of the staff. Right now, he was disguised as an elven man, and when he spoke, he had a heavy Irish accent. Quest had procured a letter of recommendation from an academic institute in Siham for Axel, with the intention that he would accompany the royal family back to the castle as the temporary history teacher for the young princes in Nana's absence. They would tell this story to the king, and tell the queen who Axel really was. Queen Wisps could decide how much she wanted to reveal to her husband outside of that. Before Axel left, he had to speak with Lupan, but he decided that was better done when Lupan was sober.

The ball ended, and the party met up again in the city, where they all made their ways back home. Finch walked Wren home, and received what he considered to be a very surprising goodnight kiss from her. 

"I'm having quite a lot of fun doing things I think my father wouldn't approve of tonight," she told him.

Finch didn't seem to mind.

They assured each other again: "Dinner and a show."

~~~~~

DM's Note: At this point, the party has entered into a two week period of downtime. If certain things seem disjointed, like there are large time skips, or as if events are occurring simultaneously, that is intentional.

Nana and Wren were the only ones present for this session, so these events surround them. Any events surrounding Lupan and Keviks will be completed next session.

King River and Queen Wisps left the following morning, with Axel in tow. He'd disguised himself as a half-elven professor, figuring such a disguise would not draw much attention. The queen knew his true identity, and Axel had been warned not to trust Riot Guard Captain Eli Hawks, or any member of the Riot Guard for that matter.

Royal Custodian Castilian
Nana's Eidolon
(Art by Danila Kalinin on Art
Station)

Nana made a short call to Hugo DeMarco, the lich guildmaster of Hero's Way in Kystad. She wanted him to come to Lanti to interview Quest, as per the deal they'd made previously. He arrived within the hour, and Nana made sure Castilian was in the room for their interview. It took multiple hours, because Hugo had many questions, mostly about every previous copper dragon god before Quest. Quest, having access to all of their memories, was able to give him such information.

Towards the end of their conversation, Hugo turned to Castilian. "I suppose I can consider you a pair of eyes and ears..."

Despite that, and receiving confirmation from Castilian that the details of the conversation would be given to Nana, Hugo continued.

Dragon Lancer: Quest Carron
Tiefling Form
College of Satire Bard
(Art by @guttertongue on Twitter)

"When you died, Quest, did you happen to know if Turnuroth, the dragon, had a book?"

"A book?" Quest raised an eyebrow. "What kind of book?"

"Would have been small, red leather bound... almost like a journal really."

Quest scoffed. "No. I was a little bit too concerned about the entire cave crashing down on my head to think about a book."

Hugo wrote something down, and then nodded. "Noted."

He moved to leave after that, and Quest called after him, "You know, you're damn lucky Nana offered you an interview with me. Because if it had been Variel, or Dharvas, or Axel... they'd have smote your ass to Kingdom Come and back."

~~~~~

Finnegan "Finch" Pomeroy
Human, College of Whispers
Bard
(Art by Claparo-Sans on
DeviantArt)

Wren's date with Finch to Sebastian's concert came in the next few days. He met her at her family's estate and brought her a small bouquet of wildflowers, which Casper - the young half-tabaxi boy that traveled with his party - helped him pick. Wren had also gotten Casper a gift: a leather ball with wings that he would be able to chase. Finch jokingly remarked, "Oh wow... so none of us will be getting any sleep tonight..."

Finch told Wren very much about his life, including many stories about his time acting in Rockland, his home city. Being the son of a nobleman, it was something he had to pursue in secret. Everything he knew, he'd learned from a local theatre troupe that did plays for common folk more than nobles. He mentioned one particular title - Moulin Rouge - which Wren had heard of. It was considered inappropriate by her parents for a lady of her stature. Finch had been in it, several times in Rockland. He also informed her that the play had been written by Quest Carron.

Sebastian Mulcaster
Human, age 18
Wren's younger brother
(Art by Charlie Bowater)

Sebastian's concert had been excellent, and Wren couldn't help but feel immense pride for her brother, onstage, performing his own pieces. The audience was just as impressed. When the concert was over and Sebastian was giving his bows, he looked at the box that Wren and Finch occupied. When they'd arrived, all Wren had to do was give her name. The usher had informed her that Sebastian always saved this box for his family, and this was the first time he'd ever brought anyone there.

Sebastian waved at Wren, and she leapt from the box, using Feather Fall to float herself down to the stage. She held her brother and as the curtains closed, he gasped, "You came... You actually came!"

Sebastian walked Wren out to meet Finch again, and they continued their date to dinner.

Finch walked Wren back to the Mulcaster Estate at the end of the night... and ended up staying the night with her there.

~~~~~

Cassandra Mulcaster
Human, age 18
Wren's younger sister
(Art by NibelArt on DeviantArt)

The party was continuing their round of dates and interviews in the city of Lanti with Wren's sister, Cassandra.

She was late to her interview, and after fifteen minutes, Wren grew worried. She found her sister, sobbing in her room. It was clear that the stress of the Royal Selection was overcoming her. Even before the ball, she'd asked what Wren thought Fang would like. Now, faced with her moment to try and impress the young prince, she felt inadequate.

Wren went to find Fang, and she asked him if she could tell Cassandra that he was gay. Fang, hearing how distressed she was, gave Wren permission to do so under two conditions. Firstly: the information never left that room, and secondly, that Wren told Cassandra with Sebastian.

Fang explained, "Sebastian knows... and he and I have actually had many long conversations about it in our spare time together. I think it would help."

Sebastian agreed to accompany Wren, saying very quietly, "Don't tell our father about this... please."

Wren agreed she wouldn't, and the two of them came into Cassandra's room. Hearing what they had to say, knowing Fang's intentions for the Selection, shocked her.

"I'm... relieved in one way," she admitted at length. "But in another way, I'm so... incredibly angry. Not at him, but... I'm angry at something."

Cassandra would still have to do her interview, still have to go on her date, but now it was all about appearances.

"Keeping up appearances?" Cassandra remarked. "Well, I can do that; I've done it my whole life, haven't I?"

Despite her anger, overall, the information really seemed to have comforted her. She relaxed, and that was what she'd needed.

~~~~~

When the royal family left, and King River had implored the party once more to keep his son safe, Nana had said, faintly when they were already leaving, "I will... I can only hope that the world will forgive me."

Nana spent much time studying over the next two weeks. She was looking to change her main school of magic, focusing less on divination and more on ritual magic. In these new forms of study, she looked very specifically for ways to summon devils, in the hope of making a contract with one. She found a ritual that summoned forth devils for the explicit purpose of making contracts. It required blood (any blood) and the sacrifice of a material object of value to the caster. That object would be consumed by the spell.

Nana retrieved a goat for the blood required, and planned to offer up her clockwork amulet - a magic item she'd had for a very long time, and her last tie other than one spell, to altering fate with magic.

On the way to the hills north of Lanti, where she planned to perform this ritual, she spoke again to Cornelius, the elemental she kept in the jar around her neck. She presented him with an ultimatum: he would be sacrificed to whatever devil she summoned, for the creature to do with as it pleased or he could be let out of the jar and given a ring which would put him under her direct control. She presented him with the Rings of Servant and Master, which she still held in her possession, after the trial.

Nana gave Cornelius until the end of the ritual to make his decision, and placed the jar on the ground, beside the Ring of Servitude. She attuned to the Master's Ring immediately, and began casting the ritual.

An archdevil, of all infernal creatures, answered her call. This one was large, towering nearly 7 feet, with skin made of stone that broke into cracks of lava. He was a creature from the layer of Malboge, named Amviron. The two of them negotiated a contract in three pacts. Nana was considered the recipient, and Amviron was considered the scribe.

- The first pact was to be completed upon the signing of said contract. Amviron would send a servant to assist Nana in completing a pair of items to be used as a method of communication between the two of them. The servant would take one item and a gift back to Amviron.

- This "gift" ended up being the name "Hugo DeMarco," referencing the boss of those listed later in the contract. Cornelius had been intended to be the gift, but decided to put on the ring instead.

- The second pact had to be invoked. Amviron would supply Nana with a small army of constructs led by a Cornugon when she required them. The constructs would follow only her, the Cornugon, or a member of the Midtian royal family. The constructs would be in place until the royal bloodline died out. The Cornugon would be relieved of its duties after one month. In exchange, Nana would install two servants of Amviron's choice in a place of holy worship (again, Amviron's choice.) She was not allowed to interfere with any affairs regarding that holy site after that installation.

- The last pact involved Amviron granting Nana great power. In exchange, she would collect the souls of three specific mortals who'd been a pain in his side: Veers, Elicia, and Liam. Once she had them, he would come personally to take them from her. The three of them had been stealing souls from Hell, and many devils wished to be in possession of their souls.

Finding these terms agreeable, the contract was signed.

Cornelius, having made the decision to take the ring rather than be given to the devil, was released from his jar for the first time in over 150 years. The little blue flame crept out and as it did, it melted the jar. It could no longer be contained there. Its fire slipped into the ring, and then expanded into the form of what could best be described as a fire genasi, but with blue flames. He wore an eyepatch over his right eye.

Nana gave him a series of rules, which, at the mercy of the Ring of Servitude, he was bound to obey without question.

~~~~~

ART LINKS:

https://www.paolopuggioni.com/

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/qArgRe

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/lxnKoV

https://twitter.com/guttertongue/status/1045505333265924097

https://www.deviantart.com/claparo-sans/art/Edricane-547043882

https://www.instagram.com/charliebowater/

https://www.deviantart.com/nibelart/art/Olivia-FFXIV-Com-792159212