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Legend
Governor Juan de Ribera
Medium undead (human), lawful evil
AC 15 (heavy armor house rule, padded armor, disadvantage Stealth and swim checks)
HP 104 (16d8+32)
Speed 30 ft
Str 11 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 16 (+3) Wis 20 (+5) Cha 16 (+3)
Saving Throws Intelligence +8, Wisdom +10 (advantage versus turn undead), Charisma +8
Skills arcana +8, deception +8, history +8, insight +10, intimidation +8, investigation +8, nature +8, perception +10, persuasion +8, religion +10
Tools (+5) chess set, forgery kit, mounts (horses), navigator's tools, poisoner's kit, watercraft
Damage Resistances cold, necrotic
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned
Feats magic initiate, magic adept*, resilient, skilled
Senses truesight 120 ft, passive perception 20
Languages English, French, Latin, Spanish, Persian, Portugese
Challenge 16 (XP 15,000); modified Lich and Cleric (war/death) 16
ROLEPLAYING
Bond. Holy Kingdom. Juan de Ribera seeks to create God's "holy kingdom" in Porto Rico, a place free from pirates, heretics, and freeloaders.
Bond. Curse and the Child. As a lich, Juan de Ribera cannot have children, and instead he has stolen Katerina del Corazon's baby girl.
Ideal. Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer Juan de Ribera from his higher calling. (Any)
Flaw. Juan de Ribera's pride knows no bounds, and he is swayed by flattery. He is also obsessed with maintaining the illusion of youth, and responds negatively to anything old and decrepit.
Personality Trait. Juan de Ribera misappropriates bible verses and uses religious proverbs to reinforce his will. He also has a twitch on the left side of his face that manifest when he is angered.
FORTUNES
Code of Honor, Old Salt (mental affliction), Cause (eradication of piracy in the Caribbean), Fencing School (La Destreza), Governor (San Juan)*, Enemy (Brethren of the Coast), Enemy (Katarina del Corazon), Obsession (Fountain of Youth)*, Touched (believes he's been chosen by God to create a "holy kingdom" in the Caribbean)
[SBLOCK=New Fortunes: Governor, Obsession]
Governor: This Good Fortune is unique to NPCs and can only be gained by a PC thru play. A Governor is the primary authority of a colony, and is authorized to administer justice, manage resources, and assign duties to the navy. In fact, a governor has practically unlimited power at their port, restrained only by the realities of rule and the imposition of taxes and rules by their colonial power.
Obsession:You harbor an unhealthy obsession for a specific person, place, or item, and will go to extreme lengths to attain the object of your desire, and tend to see opportunities to attain the object of your desire where the are none.
For example, someone obsessed with the Fountain of Youth will obsessively hoard maps related to finding it, sabotage others who are seeking the Fountain, and suspect unusually well-aged or spry elderly people of knowing secrets about the Fountain.[/SBLOCK]
TRAITS
Flawed Rejuvenation. If Juan de Ribera is killed, he forms a new body by his phylactery in 1d10 days. However, each time he rejuvenates thus, he suffers an affliction of some kind (either mental or physical).
Shroud of Death. Juan de Ribera appears to be a living man in his early 40's. When he casts create undead, any ghouls or wights that he creates retain their living likeness and speech if he so wishes. In addition, when he makes a successful spell attack that has an ongoing effect (such as bane, ray of sickness, hold person, ray of enfeeblement, bestow curse, contagion, geas, or harm), he may also make the target see all creatures as undead for the spell's duration if he wishes.
Spellcasting. Juan de Ribera casts spells as an 16th level cleric with Wisdom as his Spellcasting ability (save DC 18, spell attack +10).
Cantrips message, minor illusion, spare the dying, thaumaturgy, true strike
1st Level (4 slots): bane, command, detect magic, detect poison and disease, dissonant whispers, (domain spells: false life, ray of sickness)
2nd Level (3 slots): detect thoughts, hold person, locate object, zone of truth, (domain spells: ray of enfeeblement, spiritual weapon)
3rd Level (3 slots): bestow curse, clairvoyance, dispel magic, (domain spells: crusader's mantle (necrotic damage), speak with dead)
4th Level (3 slots): banishment, death ward, locate creature, (domain spells: blight, staggering smite)
5th Level (2 slots): contagion, geas, hallow, (domain spells: anti-life shell, cloudkill)
6th Level (1 slot): create undead, harm, word of recall
7th Level (1 slot): symbol
8th Level (1 slot): control weather
ACTIONS
Paralyzing Touch. Melee spell attack. Attack: +10 hit, reach 5-ft, one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) cold damage. The target must make a DC 18 Constitution save or be paralyzed for 1 minute during which it appears to be dead unless closely examined. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Rapier. Melee weapon attack. Attack: +8 hit, reach 5-ft, one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage, and Juan de Ribera may move 5 feet within the creature's reach or switch places with the creature (his choice).
Command/Destroy Undead (recharge short rest). Juan de Ribera commands all undead of CR 3 or less within 30 feet that can hear and see him, which must make a DC Wisdom save. If the undead is currently controlled by another, it gains advantage on its save. If the undead fails its save, it obeys Juan de Ribera's commands for the next minute or until Juan de Ribera takes offensive action against it. While being commanded, undead cannot take reactions. Alternately, Juan de Ribera can instantly destroy the undead if he chooses.
BONUS ACTIONS
Estocadas. When Juan de Ribera hits a creature with a rapier attack on his turn, he can use his bonus action to deal +2d8 damage.
Touch of Death (recharge short rest). When Juan de Ribera hits with a melee attack, he can use his bonus action to reduce a creature at 37 hit points or less to 0 hit points. Otherwise the creature takes 37 necrotic damage.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
As a lich, Juan de Ribera can take 3 legendary actions each round, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Juan de Ribera regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Cantrips. Juan de Ribera casts a cantrip he knows.
Rapier. Juan de Ribera makes a Rapier attack.
Spell Defense (Reaction). As his reaction (breaking the normal rules of Legendary Actions), Juan de Ribera can cast a spell as a reaction to being attacked or compelled to make a saving throw. If he is cunning, this may allow him to prevent the attack's effect entirely.
Frightening Gaze (costs 2 actions). Juan de Ribera fixes his gaze on a creature he can see within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 18 wisdom save or become frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. If the target's save is successful or the effect otherwise ends, the target is immune to Juan de Ribera's gaze for the next 24 hours.
Juan de Ribera was one of the most influential figures in 16th century Spain, serving as Archbishop and Viceroy of Valencia, patriarch of Antioch, preisdent of the Audiencia, and Chancellor of the University of Valencia. Despite his many accomplishments, Ribera was a cold-hearted cleric who despised those who he saw as heretics, traitors, and freebooters, particularly the large Morisco population in Spain, whom he sought on many times to be impressed into slavery, leading to their expulsion from Spain as part of a thinly disguised property grab by King Philip III. Despite this extreme action, Ribera was disgusted by the "weak hand" of the Spanish crown, for he had a far grander vision than any could grasp, a vision of God's kingdom upon earth. In 1611, Juan de Ribera, suffering from a strange malady, imbibed a specifically concocted poison to ease his passing.
What truly became of Ribera was a secret taken to the grave by his most loyal followers. Juan de Ribera bound his soul to a phylactery and was reborn as a lich to continue the pursuit of his grand plan. However, the ritual was flawed and Ribera did not gain the immortality he had hoped for. For many years he visited the ruins of failed attempts to create God's kingdom on earth, undertook pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visited the worst sinners and greatest philosophers. Yet, Ribera needed more time. He became obsessed with finding the Fountain of Youth, which he believed could correct his flawed lichdom and grant him the time he needed to complete his grand plan. All signs pointed to the New World, and under the guise of "Colonel" Juan de Ribera, he navigated his way thru New Spain's politics toward governship of Porto Rico. With a cadre of loyal soldiers and disguised wights, Ribera soon established himself as tyrant of San Juan and an enemy of pirates everywhere.
Despite great wealth, power, and learning gained from over 150 years of life, Ribera found he could never hang on to the elusive things of youth. When he sees signs of aging in his wives, he has them executed or worse, turned in ghouls. He yearns for those things denied to him because of his state of undeath, children of his own most of all. Unable to conceive, he has instead taken to stealing children from those he considers the dregs of society, including Katarina del Corazon's daughter; he raises these children as his own, brainwashing them to see him as a religious leader destined to create God's kingdom in the Caribbean. Ribera even advocates the motion among the Cathoic Church to beatify his "namesake", the lich's pride knowing no bounds.
Medium undead (human), lawful evil
AC 15 (heavy armor house rule, padded armor, disadvantage Stealth and swim checks)
HP 104 (16d8+32)
Speed 30 ft
Str 11 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 16 (+3) Wis 20 (+5) Cha 16 (+3)
Saving Throws Intelligence +8, Wisdom +10 (advantage versus turn undead), Charisma +8
Skills arcana +8, deception +8, history +8, insight +10, intimidation +8, investigation +8, nature +8, perception +10, persuasion +8, religion +10
Tools (+5) chess set, forgery kit, mounts (horses), navigator's tools, poisoner's kit, watercraft
Damage Resistances cold, necrotic
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned
Feats magic initiate, magic adept*, resilient, skilled
Senses truesight 120 ft, passive perception 20
Languages English, French, Latin, Spanish, Persian, Portugese
Challenge 16 (XP 15,000); modified Lich and Cleric (war/death) 16
ROLEPLAYING
Bond. Holy Kingdom. Juan de Ribera seeks to create God's "holy kingdom" in Porto Rico, a place free from pirates, heretics, and freeloaders.
Bond. Curse and the Child. As a lich, Juan de Ribera cannot have children, and instead he has stolen Katerina del Corazon's baby girl.
Ideal. Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer Juan de Ribera from his higher calling. (Any)
Flaw. Juan de Ribera's pride knows no bounds, and he is swayed by flattery. He is also obsessed with maintaining the illusion of youth, and responds negatively to anything old and decrepit.
Personality Trait. Juan de Ribera misappropriates bible verses and uses religious proverbs to reinforce his will. He also has a twitch on the left side of his face that manifest when he is angered.
FORTUNES
Code of Honor, Old Salt (mental affliction), Cause (eradication of piracy in the Caribbean), Fencing School (La Destreza), Governor (San Juan)*, Enemy (Brethren of the Coast), Enemy (Katarina del Corazon), Obsession (Fountain of Youth)*, Touched (believes he's been chosen by God to create a "holy kingdom" in the Caribbean)
[SBLOCK=New Fortunes: Governor, Obsession]
Governor: This Good Fortune is unique to NPCs and can only be gained by a PC thru play. A Governor is the primary authority of a colony, and is authorized to administer justice, manage resources, and assign duties to the navy. In fact, a governor has practically unlimited power at their port, restrained only by the realities of rule and the imposition of taxes and rules by their colonial power.
Obsession:You harbor an unhealthy obsession for a specific person, place, or item, and will go to extreme lengths to attain the object of your desire, and tend to see opportunities to attain the object of your desire where the are none.
For example, someone obsessed with the Fountain of Youth will obsessively hoard maps related to finding it, sabotage others who are seeking the Fountain, and suspect unusually well-aged or spry elderly people of knowing secrets about the Fountain.[/SBLOCK]
TRAITS
Flawed Rejuvenation. If Juan de Ribera is killed, he forms a new body by his phylactery in 1d10 days. However, each time he rejuvenates thus, he suffers an affliction of some kind (either mental or physical).
Shroud of Death. Juan de Ribera appears to be a living man in his early 40's. When he casts create undead, any ghouls or wights that he creates retain their living likeness and speech if he so wishes. In addition, when he makes a successful spell attack that has an ongoing effect (such as bane, ray of sickness, hold person, ray of enfeeblement, bestow curse, contagion, geas, or harm), he may also make the target see all creatures as undead for the spell's duration if he wishes.
Spellcasting. Juan de Ribera casts spells as an 16th level cleric with Wisdom as his Spellcasting ability (save DC 18, spell attack +10).
Cantrips message, minor illusion, spare the dying, thaumaturgy, true strike
1st Level (4 slots): bane, command, detect magic, detect poison and disease, dissonant whispers, (domain spells: false life, ray of sickness)
2nd Level (3 slots): detect thoughts, hold person, locate object, zone of truth, (domain spells: ray of enfeeblement, spiritual weapon)
3rd Level (3 slots): bestow curse, clairvoyance, dispel magic, (domain spells: crusader's mantle (necrotic damage), speak with dead)
4th Level (3 slots): banishment, death ward, locate creature, (domain spells: blight, staggering smite)
5th Level (2 slots): contagion, geas, hallow, (domain spells: anti-life shell, cloudkill)
6th Level (1 slot): create undead, harm, word of recall
7th Level (1 slot): symbol
8th Level (1 slot): control weather
ACTIONS
Paralyzing Touch. Melee spell attack. Attack: +10 hit, reach 5-ft, one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) cold damage. The target must make a DC 18 Constitution save or be paralyzed for 1 minute during which it appears to be dead unless closely examined. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Rapier. Melee weapon attack. Attack: +8 hit, reach 5-ft, one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage, and Juan de Ribera may move 5 feet within the creature's reach or switch places with the creature (his choice).
Command/Destroy Undead (recharge short rest). Juan de Ribera commands all undead of CR 3 or less within 30 feet that can hear and see him, which must make a DC Wisdom save. If the undead is currently controlled by another, it gains advantage on its save. If the undead fails its save, it obeys Juan de Ribera's commands for the next minute or until Juan de Ribera takes offensive action against it. While being commanded, undead cannot take reactions. Alternately, Juan de Ribera can instantly destroy the undead if he chooses.
BONUS ACTIONS
Estocadas. When Juan de Ribera hits a creature with a rapier attack on his turn, he can use his bonus action to deal +2d8 damage.
Touch of Death (recharge short rest). When Juan de Ribera hits with a melee attack, he can use his bonus action to reduce a creature at 37 hit points or less to 0 hit points. Otherwise the creature takes 37 necrotic damage.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
As a lich, Juan de Ribera can take 3 legendary actions each round, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Juan de Ribera regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Cantrips. Juan de Ribera casts a cantrip he knows.
Rapier. Juan de Ribera makes a Rapier attack.
Spell Defense (Reaction). As his reaction (breaking the normal rules of Legendary Actions), Juan de Ribera can cast a spell as a reaction to being attacked or compelled to make a saving throw. If he is cunning, this may allow him to prevent the attack's effect entirely.
Frightening Gaze (costs 2 actions). Juan de Ribera fixes his gaze on a creature he can see within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 18 wisdom save or become frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. If the target's save is successful or the effect otherwise ends, the target is immune to Juan de Ribera's gaze for the next 24 hours.

Juan de Ribera was one of the most influential figures in 16th century Spain, serving as Archbishop and Viceroy of Valencia, patriarch of Antioch, preisdent of the Audiencia, and Chancellor of the University of Valencia. Despite his many accomplishments, Ribera was a cold-hearted cleric who despised those who he saw as heretics, traitors, and freebooters, particularly the large Morisco population in Spain, whom he sought on many times to be impressed into slavery, leading to their expulsion from Spain as part of a thinly disguised property grab by King Philip III. Despite this extreme action, Ribera was disgusted by the "weak hand" of the Spanish crown, for he had a far grander vision than any could grasp, a vision of God's kingdom upon earth. In 1611, Juan de Ribera, suffering from a strange malady, imbibed a specifically concocted poison to ease his passing.
What truly became of Ribera was a secret taken to the grave by his most loyal followers. Juan de Ribera bound his soul to a phylactery and was reborn as a lich to continue the pursuit of his grand plan. However, the ritual was flawed and Ribera did not gain the immortality he had hoped for. For many years he visited the ruins of failed attempts to create God's kingdom on earth, undertook pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visited the worst sinners and greatest philosophers. Yet, Ribera needed more time. He became obsessed with finding the Fountain of Youth, which he believed could correct his flawed lichdom and grant him the time he needed to complete his grand plan. All signs pointed to the New World, and under the guise of "Colonel" Juan de Ribera, he navigated his way thru New Spain's politics toward governship of Porto Rico. With a cadre of loyal soldiers and disguised wights, Ribera soon established himself as tyrant of San Juan and an enemy of pirates everywhere.
Despite great wealth, power, and learning gained from over 150 years of life, Ribera found he could never hang on to the elusive things of youth. When he sees signs of aging in his wives, he has them executed or worse, turned in ghouls. He yearns for those things denied to him because of his state of undeath, children of his own most of all. Unable to conceive, he has instead taken to stealing children from those he considers the dregs of society, including Katarina del Corazon's daughter; he raises these children as his own, brainwashing them to see him as a religious leader destined to create God's kingdom in the Caribbean. Ribera even advocates the motion among the Cathoic Church to beatify his "namesake", the lich's pride knowing no bounds.
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