D&D 5E EN5ider #451 - Villain Spotlight: Lavinia the Wight Shepherd

There are plenty of necromancers but today's EN5ider offers up someone unusual: a psychopomp who truly cares for undead, reanimating them not out of need for power but a desire to be kind.



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• 451. Villain Spotlight: Lavinia the Wight Shepherd. Necromancy is rarely shown in anything but the coldest light, the undead created by such magic almost universally shunned. Lavinia refuses to engage in such cruelty. Have these creatures—already subjected to life's gravest injury—not suffered enough? This noble discovered her natural talents as a medium at a young age but has rejected the usual arcane or divine methods of employing her gifts, wholeheartedly embracing them and the undead they can create instead. So it is that Lavinia travels the realm with her spirits in tow (including her wight bodyguard Duq), seeking to be a psychopomp for the suffering and to bring about a change in how people treat those who have already passed (something she will violently enact if need be). Dangerously designed by Elizabeth Orchard, illustrated by Deanna Roberds.
• 450. Dangerous Scenarios: Trollguts. We've all thought about it: if trolls can regenerate, how much of the troll is required? Alright maybe only some of us have thought about it. Specifically someone undertaking experiments to learn the answers to that question and so many more. Of course they may never get the chance—the wagon transporting their specimens has tumbled over and the reforming monsters are on the loose! This dangerous scenario for 4–5 PCs of 3rd–4th level was deviously designed by Andrew Engelbrite, illustrated by Ellis Goodson, and features the cartography of Dyson Logos.
• 449. Adventure: DEEVA's Rescue. The inventor and merchant Fizzwing has many hobbies but he cherishes nothing more than scientific exploration with his finest creation: the Dirigible Examination and Evaluation Vehicle Assembly, or 'Deeva' as he likes to call it. Unfortunately his enthusiasm can get the best of him, and Fizzwing has gotten into a bit of a debacle with his favorite device. Now to get it back he needs the help of some brave adventurers—and time is of the essence, the machine's power supply soon to run out! This full adventure was diligently designed by and features cartography by Marc Kenobi, cover art by Phil Stone, and interior illustrations by Gui Sommer and Phil Stone.
• 448. Mini-Adventure: Town of the Dead. As the party gets into town they realize it's eerily silent, and there's nary a villager to be seen in the whole place either. Then suddenly a figure emerges from the shadows, lunging forward to attack: an undead! Zombies and skeletons start appearing from all around, surrounding the adventurers and forcing them to take shelter—though they can't hide for long, and to save themselves and Mortam they must act quickly, intelligently, and most of all bravely! Decisively designed (for 4–6 PCs of 2nd–4th level) by Tyler Lee, illustrated by Ellis Goodson, featuring cartography by Dyson Logos.
• 447. Enchanted Trinkets: Thread & Thimble. The famous Thread & Thimble has just received its newest collection and with it a dozen of the finest, most fashionable, and newest magic items for your adventuring needs. Take for example Belenzee's hat—not just an excellent chapeau, but an indispensable tool for your next beach or coastal outing! If you are instead a more conservative sort with your coin purse, consider picking up a miser's belt because not only is it chic, but you're unlikely to ever lose another gold to the purloining fingers of a pickpocket. Whatever your fancy, Thread & Thimble has something for you! Delightfully designed by Marc Kenobi, illustrated by Indi Martin.