xarrul rework

prints/bren.md

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+# Bren — The Madman (possessed)
+
+**Look:** Gaunt thirty-something who looks fifty — hollow eyes, shaking hands, layered rags over the cut of a once-fine shirt, eyes tracking something beside him no one else can see.
+**Vibe:** Mutters nonstop to an invisible companion, lurching giggle → terror → weeping; hold his gaze a beat and it isn't madness in there, it's desperation.
+
+- Real name **Bren Aldara** — arcanist; got too close to the cellar thin point 7 yrs ago
+- Possessed by **Skein** (ethereal parasite) — full block: Skein card / possession.md
+- **Witnessed Orenn's murder** — saw a hand reach "through the between" and brand him
+- Loved Orenn (fed/sheltered him) · Mags brings him food · terrified of **Xarrul**
+- Lucid = truth; anything useful gets garbled by Skein
+
+---
+
+| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | AC | HP | Move  |
+|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|----|----|-------|
+| -1  | +0  | +0  | +2  | -2  | +2  | 10 | 18 | 30ft  |
+
+**Actions**
+- **Doesn't fight.** Cowers or bolts. If forced: unarmed +1 to hit, 5 ft., 1 bludgeoning.
+- **Detect parasite.** DC 14 Arcana examining him → anchor from another plane. Silver mirror: DC 15 Perception shows a distortion at his head.
+- **Skein silences him.** When he tries to share something useful → DC 15 WIS save at **-2** (WIS 6). Fail = garbled words / stabbing pain. Nat 20 Persuasion or Insight → lucid, 1-3 clear sentences.
+
+**Bonus Actions** *(freeing Skein — resolves on the Ethereal Plane; full block on Skein card)*
+- **Sever tendril.** Needs ethereal sight. Each AC 13, 5 HP. All 6 cut → Bren free 1d4 hr.
+- **Silvervein root near him.** Weakens Skein's grip for 1 round (lucid window).
+- **Skein flees at ≤10 HP.** Tendrils rip free: Bren takes 2d6 psychic + stunned 1 rd. (Dispel ending early → 1d10 psychic.)
+
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