1.9 KiB
1.9 KiB
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.)