1.7 KiB
1.7 KiB
Essek — The Doubter
Look: Thin, forgettable young man at the table's edge; hunched posture, downcast eyes, and a faint amber brand on his inner wrist. Vibe: Silent and frightened until trust is earned; once he chooses a side, he becomes precise and brave.
- The Order's best technical caster and best source on the true Opening
- Unmooring Brand keeps him dependent on monthly stabilization; Haddon monitors it through a brass bookmark
- Needs discretion, competence, and a concrete extraction plan — public offers make him retreat
- Breaking point: Haddon begins another blood ritual using Dalla; Essek speaks even without earned trust
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | AC | HP | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1 | +2 | +0 | +3 | +2 | +0 | 12 | 18 | 30 ft. |
Skills: Arcana/Investigation +5, Stealth +4 Spellcasting: 3rd level, INT; DC 13, +5 spell attack. Slots: 1st 4, 2nd 2.
Spells
- Cantrips: mage hand, light, message
- 1st: comprehend languages, identify, alarm
- 2nd: see invisibility, arcane lock
Trust Ladder
- Small deniable correction → hint to watch Haddon's left hand → hide (do not break) the brass indicator → retrieve formula/notes → alliance.
- Breaking indicator: 4d4 psychic; DC 13 CON or unconscious 1d4 minutes. It is an alarm, not the lock.
- Safe mark removal: iron in both hands + genuine safe memory before Remove Curse. Missing either: 2d4 psychic; sitting halves damage.
Key Truth: The Final Closure severed Xarrul's commands, not the vitality feed: “It isn't bound. We're still feeding it.”