Nithrekel, Earth Mephit Fighter NPC through 50 years of servitude.

[BLACKDIRGE]

I present to you the tale of Nithrekel a misplaced earth mephit forced to serve the whims of an evil wizard for 50 years. The thread will detail the 50 years of Nithrekel's imprisonment and track his progression as a fighter as well as his ascent through the ranks of the evil wizard's minions. Here is how the levels will play out:

Year 1: Fighter Level 1
Year 3: Fighter Level 2
Year 6: Fighter Level 3
Year 8: Fighter Level 4
Year 11: Fighter Level 5
Year 14: Fighter Level 6
Year 17: Fighter Level 7
Year 21: Fighter Level 8
Year 25: Fighter Level 9
Year 29: Fighter Level 10
Year 33: Fighter Level 11
Year 38: Fighter Level 12
Year 43: Fighter Level 13
Year 48: Fighter Level 14
Year 51: Freedom

Since mephits are essentially immortal there will be no aging benefits or penalties. Nithrekel has an ECL of 6 and begins with an effective level of seven.

Hope you all like this one as well as the others.

Dirge

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 1, AL N; CR 4; Year 1
HD 3d8+1d10+12; hp 35;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 21 (+1 size, +6 natural, +4 chain shirt)
BAB +4; Atk +11 melee or +5 ranged;
SV Fort +8, Ref +3, Will +4;
Str 22, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
(4th level stat bump +1 to Str)

Skills (34 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +4 (6) Hide +6 (10), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan

Armor: Mithral Chain Shirt, +4 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: Bastard Sword +1: Atk +13 melee, Dmg 1d10+10, crit 19-20/x2
Dagger: Atk +5 ranged, Dmg 1d4+6, crit 19-20/x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +11 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure light wounds

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 15
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

Nithrekel is en exceptional earth mephit; he is stronger, quicker and smarter than his brethren. In addition to his physical gifts Nithrekel has trained in the martial arts and is an accomplished swordsman. Nithrekel ruled a small group of other earth mephitis from his lair in a small pocket of air on the elemental plane of earth. From his lair he and his band played pranks on passing earth elementals, robbed the occasional adventurer and generally lived the mischievous life that mephitis enjoy.

Nithrekel life took an abrupt turn events when dining on a meal of obsidian and amethyst (his favorite) he felt a strange dizziness overtake him and then suddenly his familiar rocky surroundings blurred and shifted. When his vision cleared Nithrekel found himself no longer in his subterranean home but standing in a barren stone room, in the middle of a strange arcane circle drawn in red chalk on the floor. On the other side of the room a gaunt gray haired human man clothed in black robes stood with a very obvious look of disappointment and anger on his face. Nithrekel found that he was unable to move and he heard the human man begin to curse and scream something in a language he did not understand. Finally when the human had calmed himself he addressed Nithrekel in his native tongue. The human man explained in a voice that dripped with sarcasm and condescendence that he was a great and powerful mage by the name of Hazergal Redbayle and that he had been trying to summon a demon to serve him. Much to Hazergal’s frustration all that he got was Nithrekel.

Hazergal began to ask Nithrekel all manner of questions, most of which Nithrekel did not know the answer to. When the questioning was over Hazergal seemed satisfied and explained that Nithrekel would serve him for a term of 50 years in whatever capacity he deemed appropriate. Nithrekel tried to protest but found he could not, instead he heard his own voice say “I Nithrekel, accept the terms of this planar contract and agree to serve my master for the period of 50 years after which I will be rewarded and free to do as I will”. Nithrekel could not believe what he had just said, and finally surmised that he must be under the influence of a powerful magic. Hazergal had addressed Nithrekel with his own name and that , Nithrekel concluded, is likely how the wizard had gained control over him. Well, what is 50 years to a mephit? Nithrekel thought as he stepped from the magical circle to do his master’s bidding for the first time. The immortal mephit was about to learn what an eternity 50 years could really be.

Nithrekel appears as a small humanoid standing just over four feet in height with smooth hairless skin the color of slate. Two small wings jut from his back and his body is heavily muscled and stout. His face is finely chiseled, handsome with glittering eyes like diamonds and small square teeth the color of marble. Nithrekel wears little more than a skirt made of hammered brass along with his armor and sword belt. He uses his bastard sword in two hands like a great sword and is strong enough to hew through most opponents with a single blow. Nithrekel uses his enlarge ability in combat to give him greater reach and to allow him to use his sword in one hand should the need arise. He will summon other mephitis only if his life is truly in danger.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 2, AL N; CR 5; Year 3
HD 3d8+2d10+15; hp 45;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 17 (+1 size, +6 natural)
BAB +5; Atk +12 melee or +6 ranged;
SV Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +4;
Str 22, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (38 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +5 (7), Craft (armorer) +3 (5) Hide +6 (10), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan

Armor: none
Weapons:
Claws (2): Atk +12 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: none

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 15
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

Nithrekel has quickly learned that his master is not a man to be trifled with. Hazergal commands a vast army of humanoids and other foul creatures from his black iron tower in the barren wastes of Vaasa. Most of Hazergal's considerable resources are used in battling his rival, a half-fiend sorcerer named Sheveker who also make his home in Vaasa and commands a similar force of humanoids and monsters. The two spellcaster’s minions clash almost daily and have fought each other to a standstill. Hazergal is looking for any edge in his decades long conflict with Sheveker and his hope was to summon a powerful demon to tip the scales. Nithrekel was the result of that failed summoning and bound to Hazergal as he is, Nithrekel has no choice but to obey his masters orders.

Nithrekel quickly learned just how far down the totem pole he really was when his weapons and armor were stripped from him and he was relegated to the mundane task of cleaning the huge tower that was Hazergal’s home. Hazergal had many servants who bullied the small mephit unmercifully, but unarmed and in a strange place Nithrekel held his temper and endured the harsh treatment silently. Of all Nithrekel’s tormentors there was only one that he truly feared, the commander of Hazergal’s forces, a huge battle scarred minotaur barbarian named Bathet Nar. Bathet Nar was prone to fits of rage that usually ended with the appearance of a number of dismembered corpses of whoever happened to be around at the time. Nithrekel avoided Bathet Nar at all costs, but made sure to be very submissive and toadying when the huge minotaur was unavoidable.

Nithrekel rarely saw his master, as the mighty wizard spent most of his time at the top of the tower in his laboratory engaged in arcane research. This suited Nithrekel just fine, for his master was truly a wicked man who delighted in the suffering of others. One of Nithrekel’s many tasks was to clean the torture room and it was here that he learned the true depths of Hazergal’s evil. The torture room was always stocked with victims to be used at Hazergal’s leisure; these victims included all manner of creatures from dumb beasts to humans and other sentient beings. It seemed that Hazergal was obsessed with causing pain and the screams that echoed throughout the tower during his lengthy torture sessions made even the most despicable gnoll or orc shudder and mumble a prayer to his savage deity. The mess that was left after one of Hazergal’s sessions was Nithrekel’s job to clean up and he found himself sickened at the carnage that his master took obvious pleasure in.

Nithrekel can hardly imagine fifty years of drudgery and abuse under Hazergal’s rule. He is truly miserable, not permitted to leave the tower he is allowed to rest in one of the unused privies when not performing his duties. Nithrekel is given nothing but ordinary granite or shale to eat and he longs for the taste of some good obsidian or at least a bit of marble. Nithrekel is nothing if not a survivor and he plans to make the best of his situation and avoid confrontation with his master or his many powerful servants.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 3, AL N; CR 6; Year 6
HD 3d8+3d10+18; hp 55;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 21 (+1 size, +6 natural, +4 chain shirt)
BAB +6/+1; Atk +13/+8 melee or +7/+2 ranged;
SV Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +5;
Str 22, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (42 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +6 (8), Craft (armorer) +6 (8) Hide +6 (10), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Cleave
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan

Armor: none
Weapons: Bastard Sword +1: Atk +15/+10 melee, Dmg 1d10+10, crit 19-20/x2
Dagger: Atk +7/+2 ranged, Dmg 1d4+6, crit 19-20/x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +13 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure light wounds (2)

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 16
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

It has been six years since Nithrekel was first summoned form his home on the elemental plane of earth to serve the maniacal wizard Hazergal. Since his imprisonment Nithrekel has become adept at avoiding his master and most of his more powerful servants. Nithrekel has simply blended into the background as one of the numerous servant creatures performing various odd tasks around the tower. Nithrekel’s duties have evolved somewhat, when it was discovered that he possessed skills at the forge he was sent to work at the bottom of the tower in the smithy repairing weapons and armor for Hazergal’s minions. Nithrekel found working as a smith more to his liking than cleaning out privies and would have been happy to remain there and serve out the rest of his contract, but it was not to be.

One day as Nithrekel was delivering a battleaxe he had repaired to one of the gnoll troops that served as part of Hazergal’s personal bodyguard he happened upon an argument between his master and two of his orc commanders. Nithrekel normally did not venture this far up into the tower as his duties kept him below in the smithy but the gnoll captain the battleaxe belonged to had quarters in the upper reaches of the tower. When he saw Hazergal engaged in the argument with the orcs, he did not quietly slink by as he intended but instead felt compelled to take a grip on the battleaxe he held and wait. The argument quickly got out of hand and both of the orc commanders drew their longswords and advanced on the seemingly helpless wizard. Nithrekel would have been happy to watch the orcs chop his master into tiny pieces but much to his surprise he found himself moving to intercept the orcs battleaxe in hand.

Hazergal, who had been preparing a spell to destroy the upstart orcs, paused as he saw the earth mephit approach with violence clouding his features. Intrigued, Hazergal merely cast a protection spell and stood back to see what would happen. The two orcs intent on the wizard did not see the mephit approaching and the first orc Nithrekel reached went down howling as Nithrekel’s battle-axe bit into his leg just behind the knee. Before the wounded orc could rise, Nithrekel buried his axe in the crippled orcs forehead and then quickly wrenched it free spattering blood and gray matter in all directions.

The remaining orc turned to face his diminutive attacker and brought his shield up to fend off the blow that was slicing in towards his midsection. His first stroke deflected, Nithrekel backed up a few paces and then invoked one of the natural abilities of his race. Before his eyes the orc commander watched his attacker grow from just over four feet in height to well over six feet in an instant. With the playing field leveled Nithrekel charged the orc his axe held over his head to deliver a powerful overhand strike. The orc in turn leveled a blow at the charging mephit who ignored it completely and as the orc’s cut bounced harmlessly off of Nithrekel’s rocky skin his own strike landed exactly how he had intended. The axe Nithrekel wielded featured a wide sweeping blade and was topped with a six-inch spike, a nasty piece of work Nithrekel planned to use to its fullest extent. As the orc brought its shield up to deflect the mephit’s strike, Nithrekel let his blow land short catching the tip of the orcs shield between the blade and the haft of the axe. With the orc’s shield firmly hooked, Nithrekel yanked down hard with all of his might pulling the orcs shield down and leveling the spike of Nithrekel’s axe directly in front of the orcs unarmored face. The orc had no time to react as Nithrekel suddenly lunged forward freeing his axe and plunging its top spike deep into the orc’s left eye, destroying the eyeball and the brain behind it. The orc went down like a slaughtered ox and Nithrekel stood victorious over his master’s assailants.

Hazergal who had watched the entire battle grinned and approached the gore-spattered mephit, it seemed his botched summoning might have its uses after all. Nithrekel was congratulated on his well-fought victory and his master told him that he would see if his warrior abilities might be put to further use. Nithrekel was then dismissed and he delivered the axe to its rightful owner who was none too pleased with its bloody appearance. Nithrekel felt a deep wave of disgust over come him for he now knew the depth of his servitude. Not only must he always do his master’s bidding but he must defend his master’s life with his own. Any though of simply slaying Hazergal to win his freedom quickly vanished and Nithrekel was left to ponder what his master had in store for him.

The following day, Nithrekel was summoned to his master’s personal chambers. There his sword and armor were returned to him and he was given command of a squad of gnolls. He was to train the gnolls and prepare them for battle against Sheveker, Hazergal’s hated rival. Gnolls were common in Vaasa and they made up a large portion of Hazergal’s forces, in the six years Nithrekel had served he had found the dog-like humanoids to be vicious, evil and stupid in the extreme. Nithrekel wondered how in the nine hells he would shape such beings into a respectable fighting unit, but he must endeavor to do his best or else face his master’s wrath.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 4, AL N; CR 7; Year 9
HD 3d8+4d10+21; hp 65;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 21 (+1 size, +6 natural, +4 chain shirt)
BAB +7/+2; Atk +14/+9 melee or +8/+3 ranged;
SV Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5;
Str 22, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (46 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +7 (9), Craft (armorer) +7 (9) Hide +6 (10), Intimidate +1 (3), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Cleave, Weapon Specialization (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan

Armor: Mithral Chain Shirt, +4 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: Bastard Sword +1: Atk +16/+11 melee, Dmg 1d10+12, crit 19-20/x2
Dagger: Atk +8/+3 ranged, Dmg 1d4+6, crit 19-20/x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +14 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure light wounds (2)

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 16
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

The twenty gnolls Nithrekel was given command of were a mangy disorganized lot of flea-ridden trash. When Nithrekel entered the barracks that housed his gnolls he was appalled at the stench and general disarray of the place. The gnolls lounged about on the floor or upon filthy straw mats, some were armored and others wore nothing but their own dirty pelts. Nithrekel’s heart sank, it was worse then he feared, and the fact the he was intended to live in the same place as his “men” only compounded his misery.

Nithrekel did the only thing he could, he began barking orders at his gnolls, demanding they clean up their filthy living quarters and don their armor and assemble for inspection. The gnolls looked up at their new commander with complete wonder, no one had ever spoken to them in such a way. Growls of defiance and curses muttered in the guttural gnoll tongue were the only response Nithrekel received from all the gnolls but one. A massive brute called Omog, climbed to his feet and approached the tiny winged man that dared give him an order. Omog stalked towards Nithrekel fingering his battle-axe a look of pure murderous hatred wrinkling his dog-like snout. When Omog reached Nithrekel he stared down at the tiny mephit and barked out a challenge, raising his battle-axe to cleave the upstart commander in twain.

None of the gnolls even saw Nithrekel’s sword leave its sheath, they heard the hum of steel cleaving air followed by the meaty thwack of a blade striking flesh. One moment Omog had been towering above the mephit ready to end his miserable existence and in the space of a heartbeat the huge gnoll was laying on the ground trying to keep his intestines from spilling out of the huge gash in his abdomen. His foe helpless before him Nithrekel stepped forward and removed Omog’s head with a powerful underhand cut to send it flying across the room to smack against the far wall of the barracks.

The gnolls stared in awe and horror at the headless corpse of their comrade and at the tiny stone man standing above it, his naked blade still dripping crimson. The gnolls wasted no time in scurrying about donning armor and attempting to organize the filthy chaos of their barracks. Nithrekel allowed himself a tiny smile of satisfaction as he watched the gnolls scramble to obey him, he had hoped that bloodshed would not be necessary but he knew that there had been no other choice.

Over the months that followed Nithrekel trained his troops to the best of his ability. He outfitted them with quality weapons and armor crafted by his own hand and drilled them constantly in the use of their weapons. He focused on using the gnolls formidable size and strength in their tactics and tried with some success to curb their natural inclination to wild disorganized combat. The twenty gnolls he commanded were broken up into two groups of ten each with one of the gnolls placed in charge of the other nine as an acting sergeant. The first group of ten gnolls was armed with shortswords, large shields and wore banded mail. These troops were trained as heavy infantry, and though at first they disliked using the small piercing swords in place of their battle-axes, they quickly learned the benefits of the smaller weapon. Nithrekel equipped the second group of ten gnolls as light skirmishers with studded leather, small wooden shields and a brace of 6 javelins.

The gnolls were skeptical of their new commanders techniques but his tactics proved quite effective. After four months of training Nithrekel and his gnolls were sent out on their first patrol. They encountered a group of orcs loyal to Sheveker not more than two miles from Hazergal’s tower. The orcs numbered just over thirty and immediately charged into battle on first sight of Nithrekel and his gnolls. Nithrekel ordered his skirmishers forward and they rushed up and loosed their javelins into the onrushing line of orcs. Eight orcs went down fatally wounded slowing their companions charge and allowing Nithrekel’s skirmishers to pull back and the heavy infantry to move into position. The gnoll infantry locked their shields together and gripped their shortswords awaiting the orc charge.

The orcs smashed into the gnolls with a terrific crash of metal and flesh, but they were unable to break the gnoll line. The orcs leveled great crushing blows with their greataxes only to have them clang of the formidable shield wall the gnolls had erected. Here the gnoll shortswords paid off, for in the tight confines of the shield wall there was little room to swing a longsword or battleaxe. The orcs continued to flail away with wide sweeping strikes leaving themselves open to the lightning quick thrusts of the gnoll shortswords. The orcs were slaughtered wholesale, cut to ribbons by the gnoll infantry and peppered with javelins by the quick moving gnoll skirmishers. In moments it was over and 32 orcs lay dead with not a single gnoll casualty.

Flushed with success, Nithrekel allowed his gnolls to loot the fallen orcs and then marched them back to the tower to report their victory. The victory over the orcs was the first of many and Nithrekel and his gnolls began to garner much respect and jealousy from the other commanders. The gnolls under Nithrekel’s command learned to respect him and to follow his orders without question, his tactics kept them alive and gained them much loot from their fallen foes. Occasionally one of the gnolls would be overcome with its natural tendency to chaos and murder and Nithrekel’s wicked blade would make yet another example of the rebellious humanoid.

Hazergal was much pleased with Nithrekel’s progress and rewarded him with his own quarters in the upper reaches of the tower. Despite his improved situation Nithrekel still detests his master and would like nothing more than to drive his blade through the wicked human’s heart.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 5, AL N; CR 8; Year 11
HD 3d8+5d10+21; hp 74;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 23 (+1 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +5 chain shirt)
BAB +8/+3; Atk +15/+10 melee or +10/+5 ranged;
SV Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +5;
Str 22, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
(8th level stat bump, +1 to Dex)

Skills (50 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +7 (9), Craft (armorer) +7 (9) Hide +6 (10), Knowledge (military tactics) +2 (4), Intimidate +1 (3), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Cleave, Weapon Specialization (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +1 Mithral Chain Shirt, +5 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +1 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +17/+12 melee, Dmg 1d10+12, crit 17-20/x2
Dagger: Atk +10/+5 ranged, Dmg 1d4+6, crit 19-20/x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +15 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure light wounds (2)

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 17
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

Nithrekel has gained much prestige in the last two years; his gnolls have won victory after victory defeating Sheveker’s forces in every single engagement. Hazergal is much pleased with his mephit servant and has given him command over one hundred of his gnolls and hobgoblins. Nithrekel has found that the war-like hobgoblins make excellent troops; they are more disciplined than the gnolls and far more intelligent with a thirst for conquest unequaled by any of Vaasa’s large population of humanoids.

Nithrekel’s one hundred troops are divided into to ten squads of ten each with an overseeing sergeant. He has five hobgoblin lieutenants each responsible for two squads and finally one captain, Brogon Vir, a battle scarred hobgoblin whose outlook is much less sadistic than the rest of his race. An instant bond was forged between Brogon and Nithrekel for each resented their servitude to Hazergal but had little choice in the matter. Brogon’s entire clan had been wiped out by Hazergal’s rival Sheveker and Brogon’s only chance for survival was to march under the banner of Hazergal in hopes of exacting some revenge for his slaughtered tribe. Brogon has become the only being in Hazergal’s tower that Nithrekel truly trusts and he depends on Brogon’s wisdom and vast military experience.

Nithrekel still considers himself a prisoner even though he is allowed to leave the tower at his leisure. He has tried to escape once; on a scouting mission with his men he looked up at the clear blue sky and decided that he would simply fly away. He got about a mile from the tower when he was wracked with a blinding agony in his head; he fell from the sky like a stone and had to literally crawl back to Hazergal’s tower. Hazergal was waiting for him when he returned, the cruel wizard pulled a mithril-studded scourge from his robes and commanded Nithrekel to stand and approach him. Nithrekel had no choice but to comply and as the enchanted scourge peeled strips of flesh from his back he knew with utmost certainty that the only way he would ever leave Hazergal’s tower would be to kill the foul wizard.

Nithrekel has not tried to escape since his one and only attempt ended in complete failure. He later learned from Hazergal that any action taken by Nithrekel that worked against Hazergal’s aims would instantly be known to the evil human and would cause intense pain to the mephit, this of course included leaving the wizard service before Nithrekel’s contract expired. Nithrekel spends almost every waking moment looking for any exploitable weakness that Hazergal might exhibit, but there is little to work with. A squad of gnolls that are completely faithful to him as well as an iron golem that never leaves the wizard’s side constantly guards Hazergal. Most daunting of all is Hazergal’s vast magical power, Nithrekel has no way to determine the amount of arcane protection that surrounds the wizard, but he is sure it is considerable.

Nithrekel knows that killing Hazergal would be an undertaking that would likely cost him his life, but he fears that even once his planar contract expires he will not be allowed to leave Hazergal’s tower. There is even the possibility the Nithrekel will not live to see the end of his fifty year imprisonment, for he has made more than a few enemies in the ranks of Hazergal’s minions. Most dangerous of all these enemies is Bathet Nar the mighty minotaur barbarian that acts as general of Hazergal’s forces. The minotaur is threatened by Nithrekel’s success and has on more than one occasion overtly threatened Nithrekel’s life. The earth mephit knows that he will eventually have to face Bathet Nar and fears the battle may be one he will not survive.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 6, AL N; CR 9; Year 14
HD 3d8+6d10+27; hp 84;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 23 (+1 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +5 chain shirt)
BAB +9/+4; Atk +16/+11 melee or +11/+6 ranged;
SV Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +6;
Str 22, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (54 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +7 (9), Craft (armorer) +7 (9) Hide +6 (10), Knowledge (military tactics) +3 (5), Intimidate +2 (4), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6, Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Cleave, Weapon Specialization (bastard sword), Flyby Attack, Improved Critical (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +1 Mithral Chain Shirt, +5 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +1 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +18/+13 melee, Dmg 1d10+12, crit 15-20/x2
Dagger: Atk +11/+6 ranged, Dmg 1d4+6, crit 19-20/x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +16 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 3 javelins of lightning

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 17
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

Nithrekel can avoid conflict with Bathet Nar, the vicious minotaur general, no longer. In a rare act of bravado the overconfident minotaur challenged Nithrekel to a formal duel rather than simply attacking him in a moment of vulnerability. Hazergal allowed the duel for the mere fact that he had grown tired of Bathet Nar’s oafish brutality and had been planning to replace him for some time. The wizard was also curious to see how Nithrekel would fair against a far stronger if less intelligent opponent, the duel promised to be entertaining at the very least.

Hazergal allowed Nithrekel to choose the place the duel would be held since he was by far the underdog, and Nithrekel took every advantage of that opportunity. Nithrekel knew that he had no chance if was forced to fight toe to toe with the minotaur, he was at a disadvantage in reach and strength as well as experience. No, he would need to rely on his superior maneuverability and his innate magical abilities. Nithrekel chose for the duel one of the large training fields used to drill his troops, it was outdoors, flat and would allow him plenty of room to move around. The duel would be held at dawn and there would be no rules other than the combat would be to the death with no quarter given for any reason.

Moments before the duel was to be held, Nithrekel stood in his quarters adjusting the straps on his armor and attempting to prepare himself for the battle that was to come. His gaze drifted to his weapons rack, which held dozens of masterwork blades made by his own hand, and there he saw something out of place. A brace of three javelins he had never seen before hung on the wall next to his other weapons. The javelins were of solid metal and had jagged barbed heads in a zigzag shape. Nithrekel took the strange javelins from the wall wondering how they could have gotten there and then deciding that it only mattered if he managed to survive gathered them up and left his chambers to face his fate.

The drill field was overflowing with spectators, it seemed the entirety of Hazergal’s forces had shown up to watch the life and death struggle that was about to take place. Hazergal himself sat in a covered palanquin surrounded by his guards with a clear view of the field, beside him stood Nithrekel’s opponent. Bathet Nar was armored in a battered breastplate and body shield and gripped his famed battleaxe, Gutripper. The minotaur’s bestial face curled in a sneer as Nithrekel approached and Hazergal bade both combatants to take the field and begin at their leisure. The large crowd that had gathered began to chant Bathet Nar’s name as Nithrekel and the minotaur walked onto the field. It was obvious who was favored but Nithrekel knew that he too had supporters and allies among the throngs of humanoids.

When Nithrekel and Bathet Nar reached the center of the field they had nearly 50 yards to all sides before the field blended into the edges of the crowd. The two combatants faced each other roughly sixty feet apart and a hushed anticipation settled over the crowd as the two warriors studied each other. Bathet Nar was the first to act, and true to his barbarous nature bellowed a battle cry and charged, head lowered to impale the tiny mephit on his wicked horns. Nithrekel has expected just such a maneuver and launched himself into the air before the minotaur reached him. Bathet Nar howled with rage as his quarry circled above his head 50 feet in the air.

Nithrekel watched the minotaur fume from above oblivious of the jeers and howls of disappointment form the crowd and plucked one of the strange barbed javelins from his quiver. Nithrekel then folded his wings and dove at the minotaur, javelin poised to make the most of his increased velocity. Bathet Nar raised his shield for maximum coverage and waited for the mephit to get close enough to strike at. Nithrekel loosed the javelin well before he reached the waiting minotaur and fully expected it to bounce harmlessly of the minotaur’s huge shield. He was more than a little surprised when his descending javelin became a silvery bolt of lighting the plowed into the wide-eyed minotaur and knocked him prone, leaving his shield a smoking ruin.

Bathet Nar was only superficially injured and sprang to his feet immediately hurling his useless shield aside as Nithrekel soared over his head and circled around preparing for another dive. Bathet Nar was a crafty warrior and was ready for the Nithrekel’s next dive, instead of attempting to dodge out of the way of the lightning javelin that was surely on its way, Bathet Nar cocked his massive battleaxe over his head and hurled the cumbersome weapon with all his might at the descending mephit. Unprepared for this tactic Nithrekel was hit dead on by the axe and crashed to the ground before he could loose his javelin. Fortunately a battle-axe is not meant for throwing and as good as Bathet Nar’s aim was the tumbling axe struck Nithrekel flat, knocking him from the air but not seriously injuring him.

Bathet Nar didn’t wait for the mephit to regain his feet and thundered across the drill field horns lowered. Shaken by the impact with the ground Nithrekel tried unsuccessfully to twist out of the way of the charging minotaur and managed to be struck by only one of Bathet Nar’s horns. Nithrekel’s stone hard skin and extra-planar nature saved him from most of the damage but his shoulder sustained a deep gash and he was thrown to the ground once again as the minotaur thundered past.

Nithrekel had no time to stand as Bathet Nar bore down on him axe in hand once again. Nithrekel calmly let him get within striking distance and then opened his mouth and spewed a thick stream of rock shards and stinging pebbles directly into the minotaur's face. Howling in pain, Bathet Nar stumbled back, temporarily blinded, swinging his axe wildly before him. Seeing his chance Nithrekel sprang to his feet his bastard sword sliding from its sheath and into his waiting hands in one fluid motion. Easily avoiding Bathet Nar’s blind assault Nithrekel slashed furiously at the vulnerable minotaur hoping to end the conflict before Bathet Nar regained his vision. The blind minotaur successfully deflected most of Nithrekel’s blows but two cuts managed to evade his panicked defense, the first struck his weapon hand as he brought his axe up to parry removing three of his fingers and disarming him. The second cut ended the battle as Nithrekel’s blade slashed deep into the minotaur’s neck. Bathet Nar’s vision cleared just in time for him to watch his life spurting from his savaged neck in a crimson stream.

Nithrekel stepped back and calmly watched the mortally wounded minotaur struggle to keep his feet and stem the red torrent flowing from his neck. In seconds Bathet Nar had sunk to his knees and then finally slumped over face forward into a veritable lake of his own blood. The crowd burst into ragged cheers as Nithrekel walked slowly from the field and towards the grinning Hazergal who waited to congratulate his new general.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I thought you all might be intersted in seeing the stas for Bathet Nar, Hazergal's ex-minotaur general. He is pretty evenly matched with Nithrekel and for laughs me and a friend of mine ran some mock combats to see what would happen. I was pretty right on with saying that if Nithrekel has room to move he can win but if Bathet Nar can keep him on the ground and get close Nithrekel gets hammered. Enjoy

Dirge

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Bathet Nar, Minotaur Barbarian
Large Monstrous Humanoid; Bbn 3, AL CE; CR 9
HD 6d8+3d12+36; hp 97;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 23 (+2 Dex, -1 size, +5 natural, +5 breastplate, +2 large shield)
BAB +9/+4; Atk +16/+11 melee or +10/+5 ranged;
SV Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +7;
Str 26, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 09, Wis 12, Cha 10

Skills (40 points): Intimidate +10, Jump +7 (15), Listen +7 (12), Search +5 (8), Spot +5 (10), Wilderness Lore +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (battle-axe), Multi-Attack
Languages: common, giant

Armor: Large Masterwork Breastplate, +5 AC, 37 lbs
Large Steel Shield, +2 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: Gutripper (+2 large vile battleaxe): Atk +19/+14 (+17/+12) melee, Dmg 2d6+10, crit x3
Gore: Atk +16 (+14) melee, Dmg 1d8+4, crit x2 or charge +18 melee, Dmg 4d6+12
Other Gear:

Special Abilities: scent, rage 1/day, uncanny dodge (Dex to AC), natural cunning

Before his death at the hands of Nithrekel the bestial minotaur, Bathet Nar, had served Hazergal as general of his forces for over 10 years. Hailing from the unforgiving mountains of the spine of the world, Bathet Nar carved a swath of destruction on his journey east as a brigand and mercenary. When he reached Vaasa he gained the attention of Hazergal who recruited the savage minotaur in his quest to defeat his longtime rival Sheveker.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 7, AL N; CR 10; Year 17
HD 3d8+7d10+30; hp 92;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 25 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt)
BAB +10/+5; Atk +17/+12 melee or +13/+8 ranged;
SV Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +6;
Str 22, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (58 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +8 (10), Craft (armorer) +8 (10) Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +4 (6), Intimidate +2 (4), Listen +6 (7), Move Silently +6 (8), Spot +6 (7)
Feats: Power Attack, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Cleave, Weapon Specialization (bastard sword), Flyby Attack, Improved Critical (bastard sword)
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Mithral Chain Shirt, +5 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +2 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +20/+15 melee, Dmg 1d10+13, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +13/+8 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +17 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 18
Spell-like abilities: 1/hour – enlarge, 1/day – soften earth and stone, cast as 6th level sorcerer
Fast Healing: Nithrekel heals 2 points of damage per round when underground or buried up to his waist in earth
Summon Mephit: Once per day Nithrekel can summon another earth mephit with a 25% chance of success.

Through the stern tutelage of Nithrekel and his advisor Brogon, Hazergal’s military forces have become a well-trained fighting machine. The thousand or so humanoids in Hazergal’s employ fear their general due to his fearsome combat abilities but respect his open mind and even handedness. Taking the advice of his chief aide Brogon, Nithrekel has arranged his forces to resemble a hobgoblin army. The thousand-man force is divided into ten one hundred man centuries each led by a capable hobgoblin or gnoll captain. The captain is in turn served by two lieutenants who are responsible for 50 men each. The rank and file is divided into ten squads of ten men led by a sergeant, who is usually a veteran of many battles.

Hazergal’s forces have become known as Hazergal’s Legion and are organized with rigid discipline. The first eight centuries are all heavy infantry, with gnolls or hobgoblins armed with shortswords and armored with large shield and banded mail. The ninth century consists of skirmishers, mostly gnolls, with javelins, slings and light armor. The final century, the tenth, was an idea of Brogon and consists of 100 Hobgoblin elite mounted on heavy war-horses armored in half-plate and large steel shield. The calvary wields heavy lances with longsword or battleaxe as a backup weapon. Each century has its own standard and is intensely proud of its individual accomplishment and even chaotic races such as the gnolls have learned to put aside their savage natures for the victories and booty the organized legion provides.

In the three years he has been general, Nithrekel has hounded and humiliated his master’s rival, Sheveker, with defeat after defeat. Sheveker’s forces, although much larger, consist mostly of undisciplined orcs and goblins and the chaotic rabble is usually cut to pieces by Nithrekel’s heavy infantry or obliterated in a fearsome calvary charge. Hazergal is delighted and has heaped rewards on his now favorite servant, most of these gifts Nithrekel passes on to his officers to keep their loyalty but retains the odd choice item for himself.

Hazergal has begun to allow Nithrekel into his private thoughts and plans, and although he detests being so close to the despicable human, Nithrekel knows the closer he gets to his master the more likely he is to find a chink in the wizards defenses. Nithrekel’s main focus is gaining his freedom and staying alive in the process. The increased trust placed in him by his master has made his imprisonment more tolerable but he still considers himself little more than a slave and hates Hazergal intensely. Hazergal is a dangerous man and Nithrekel knows that any direct attack on the wizard will likely result in the mephit's destruction. For now Nithrekel is content to remain his master’s favorite and hopes that the wizard will unwittingly reveal a vulnerability that can be exploited.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I was thinking about Hazergal's legion today at work and thought it might be fun to describe it in more detail. Here is what I came up with.

Hazergal’s Legion

General: Nithrekel, Earth Mephit Ftr7
1st Captain: Brogon Vir Hemek, Hobgoblin Ftr8

1st Century
Name: Bonesnappers
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Vermok Hod, Hobgoblin Ftr5
1st Lieutenant: Magon Fen, Hobgoblin War3
2nd Lieutenant: Bazok Rek, Hobgoblin Ftr2

2nd Century
Name: Bloodletters
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Thranguk, Gnoll Brb2
1st Lieutenant: Grushk, Gnoll Ftr2
2nd Lieutenant: Duvok Mot, Hobgoblin War2

3rd Century
Name: Blackblades
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Ludor Bem, Hobgoblin Ftr 6
1st Lieutenant: Korg, Orc War3
2nd Lieutenant: Hevez Nod, Hobgoblin Ftr2

4th Century
Name: Murg’s Pounders
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Murg, Ogre Ftr2
1st Lieutenant: Vezhed Jom, Hobgoblin Ftr3
2nd Lieutenant: Gurgek, Gnoll Rgr2

5th Century
Name: Maglubyet’s Pride
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Dagod Kel, Hobgoblin Clr 7
1st Lieutenant: Mulod Neb, Hobgoblin Clr4
2nd Lieutenant: Neget Ker, Hobgoblin Clr3

6th Century
Name: Redscourges
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Sulon Brokeblade, Half-Orc Ftr6
1st Lieutenant: Febek Lor, Hobgoblin Ftr4
2nd Lieutenant: Jazel Bon, Hobgoblin War3

7th Century
Name: Throatrippers
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Hargash, Orc War7
1st Lieutenant: Terog Bor, Hobgoblin Ftr4
2nd Lieutenant: Nurk, Gnoll Brb2

8th Century
Name: Demonfists
Type: Heavy Infantry
Armor: Banded Mail, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Shortsword, Dagger, 6 darts
Captain: Myrgle, Gnoll Clr5
1st Lieutenant: Kuzok, Gnoll War4
2nd Lieutenant: Lurth, Gnoll Ftr2

9th Century
Name: Quickslither
Type: Skirmishers
Armor: Studded Leather, Small Steel Shield
Weapons: Handaxe, sling, 6 darts, 6 javelins
Captain: Glorm, Gnoll Rgr5
1st Lieutenant: Korgon, Gnoll Rgr2/Rog1
2nd Lieutenant: Juga, Gnoll Ftr2

10th Century
Name: Bloodthunder
Type: Heavy Calvary
Armor: Half-Plate, Large Steel Shield
Weapons: Heavy Lance, longsword or battleaxe,
Captain: Thrumog Jum Dukot, Hobgoblin Ftr8/Cav1
1st Lieutenant: Pomok Gom, Hobgoblin Ftr5
2nd Lieutenant: Hokor Nem, Hobgoblin Ftr4

Hobgoblin Names

Hobgoblins receive a single two-syllable name upon birth and use this and only this name until they prove themselves in combat. When a young hobgoblin has gained some experience and has a few battles under his belt he is allowed to take a second one-syllable name after his first. Only mighty warriors and great generals gain a third two syllable name usually after they have achieved great glory for their clan or their god. It is a great insult not to use a hobgoblin’s full name when addressing him and will usually result in immediate violence.