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

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 8, AL N; CR 11; Year 21
HD 3d8+8d10+33; hp 102;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 26 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +1)
BAB +11/+6/+1; Atk +18/+13/+8 melee or +14/+9/+4 ranged;
SV Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +7;
Str 22, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (62 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +9 (11), Craft (armorer) +9 (11) Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +5 (7), 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), Great Cleave
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +2 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +21/+16/+11 melee, Dmg 1d10+13, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +14/+9/+4 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +18 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +1

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.

Nithrekel has suffered twenty years of servitude at the whim of the evil wizard Hazergal, and is no closer to prematurely ending the planar contract that binds him. As Hazergal’s favored servant, Nithrekel is well treated as long as he continues to please his master and he has yet to give Hazergal a reason to be displeased. Hazergal’s legion continues to decimate the forces of Sheveker, Hazergal’s hated rival, and under Nithrekel’s command has grown to over 1500 strong.

Nithrekel has added five centuries to his already formidable fighting force, including three more units of heavy infantry, a light calvary unit, and an entire century of elite hobgoblin archers. Nithrekel is well respected by his men but occasionally has to demonstrate his formidable combat abilities by making an example of an upstart gnoll or hobgoblin. Nithrekel’s aide and only friend in Hazergal’s tower, Brogon Vir Hemek, the battle scarred hobgoblin veteran provides wise counsel in all things military and trusts Nithrekel implicitly. The unlikely pair has lately been scheming on a way to free Nithrekel from his servitude and lead the army of humanoids from Vassa to establish a stronghold of their own.

Nithrekel string of victories was snapped late in the summer of his 21st year of servitude. At dawn on the third day of Flamerule, the legion had just destroyed the front line of a massive horde of Sheveker’s orcs and goblins with a brutal calvary charge. The infantry was pouring into the breach affecting a wholesale slaughter when disaster struck. As the orcs and goblins fled in disarray, Nithrekel ordered his troops to give chase. The orcs fled a short distance and then stopped suddenly forming a wide circle around some unseen rally point. Confused, Nithrekel’s troops also stopped their pursuit and held their ranks a short distance from the orc horde.

Nithrekel immediately sensed something amiss but before he could order his troops to withdraw a blinding flash of smoke and flame erupted in the middle of the orc ranks followed by an overwhelming stench of brimstone. Suddenly the orc circle parted revealing the walking embodiment of pain and disaster that Sheveker had summoned to aid his troops. Twelve feet of towering malevolence glared across the short distance between the two armies; huge scabrous bat wings unfurled and the fearsome demon bared its flaming sword and bellowed a challenge at Nithrekel’s amassed troops.

A palpable aura of utmost terror emanated form the massive demon and many of Nithrekel’s men threw down their weapons and fled. Those that managed to shake off the paralyzing fear grimly filled the gaps in their ranks and waited for the demon’s inevitable charge. Sheveker’s orc’s hung back as if even they were terrified to get too close to the massive fiend. The demon wasted little time and launched itself into the air to cover the ground between itself and Nithrekel’s troops in seconds. It fell among the terrified gnolls and hobgoblins like an avalanche of fiery destruction. Sheathing its body in hellish flames the demon laid about with its sword slaying without discrimination. To their credit Nithrekel’s troops held their ranks and attempted to battle the fiery demon only to be consumed in the fiend’s body flames or have their weapons bounce harmlessly of its scaled rocky hide.

In minutes over a hundred of Nithrekel’s troops lay dead and Nithrekel who had been directing his forces from the rear watched in shock and horror as his troops fled past he and Brogon Vir Hemek in an unorganized mob. The demon continued to advance with Sheveker's orcs, emboldened by their infernal ally, following behind. With little choice Nithrekel ordered Brogon Vir Hemek to attempt to organize the remaining troops and lead an orderly withdrawal while he attempted to hold the demon at bay.

Nithrekel drew his weapon and took to wing. The demon paid no attention to the tiny mephit and continued to pursue Nithrekel’s fleeing troops on the ground. Nithrekel gained some altitude and then with a piercing shriek dove at the towering demon. The fiend looked up just in time to catch Nithrekel’s bastard sword slamming into scaly chest. The impact rocked both mephit and fiend alike but as Nithrekel flew past he realized that his blade had done negligible damage to the demon. Howling with fury, the fiend spread its wings and leapt into the air in pursuit of the offending mephit.

Nithrekel knew he stood no chance of defeating the pursuing fiend and if he did not escape quickly he would most certainly be destroyed. Desperate, Nithrekel climbed higher into the sky gaining an elevation of over one hundred feet, and then with the fiend almost on top of him Nithrekel pulled out of his climb and dove straight for the ground. The demon, not wanting to lose its quarry and having no fear of an impact with the ground increased it speed to match the reckless dive of the mephit.

In the middle of his dive towards the ground Nithrekel called upon his inherent magic and targeted a section of the dew soaked plain with a spell. The spell turned a large area into a thick morass of mud and clay. Nithrekel slammed into the quagmire he had created at maximum velocity driving his body deep into the muck; he then ended his spell and the ground returned to its normal consistency encasing Nithrekel in 4 feet of earth and stone. Seconds later the demon smashed into the spot Nithrekel had just dissappeared into with a tremendous crash of flame and flapping wings. Uninjured the huge demon bellowed in anger, but was unable to reach the mephit in his stony entombment. Thwarted, the enraged fiend took to wing and flew off towards Sheveker’s domain.

Nithrekel was a creature of the earth and his entombment caused him no discomfort, in addition it allowed him to draw upon the power of the stone to heal the wounds he sustained from his impact with the ground. An entire day passed before Nithrekel emerged from his stony tomb and surveyed the destruction that was still left on the battlefield. To his immense relief Nithrekel found no more of his troops corpses other than those the demon had slain. It seemed his battle with the demon had given Brogon Vir Hemek and his men time to retreat to safety. Wearily, Nithrekel took to the air and flew back to Hazergal’s tower to face his master’s inevitable wrath.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 9, AL N; CR 12; Year 25
HD 3d8+9d10+36; hp 111;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 26 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +1)
BAB +12/+7/+2; Atk +19/+14/+9 melee or +15/+10/+5 ranged;
SV Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +7;
Str 23, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
(12th level stat bump, +1 to Str)

Skills (64 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +10 (12), Craft (armorer) +10 (12) Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +6 (8), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +23/+18/+13 melee, Dmg 1d10+14, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +15/+10/+5 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +19 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +1

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 19
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.

As he suspected he would, Nithrekel suffered Hazergal’s Mithral lash again for his defeat at the hands of Sheveker’s demon. Hazergal hated to lose anything to his hated rival and all his anger fell upon Nithrekel’s shoulders with the fiery sting of the lash. Still, Nithrekel had done well not to lose more men than he did and even though he bore the brunt of Hazergal’s fury he knew that he had diverted a true catastrophe.

After Hazergal had indulged his cruelty he tasked Nithrekel with defeating the demon that Sheveker had summoned. To aid his servant Hazergal, who was well versed on demonology and planar lore, further enchanted Nithrekel’s sword and provided him with information on the demon’s vulnerabilities. Nithrekel knew that even if he were able to affect the demon with his own weapons he would stand little chance in a head on conflict with the powerful fiend. He turned to his trusted aide Brogon Vir Hemek and together the two hatched a plan to deal with Sheveker’s pet once and for all. Unfortunately the plan Nithrekel and Brogon had devised required extensive magical aid and this forced Nithrekel to beseech his master’s assistance and possibly provoke his ire once more. Luck was with Nithrekel when he told Hazergal of his plan; the unpredictable wizard was in one of his better moods and agreed to help his servant after little more than a stern tongue-lashing.

Two weeks after Sheveker’s demon had defeated him, Nithrekel led his men through the gates of Hazergal’s tower and out to face their fate. Nithrekel did not have to wait long for a confrontation with Sheveker’s forces, the same horde of orcs they had fought with two weeks earlier lay in wait for them not more than 5 miles from Hazergal’s tower. As the battle had begun the first time the orcs fought as a disorganized mob, Nithrekel’s legion made short work of them and soon the orcs were in full retreat. Not wanting to fall into the same trap he had before Nithrekel let the orcs go and ordered his men to move ahead slowly.

The orcs stooped a short distance away as they had two weeks previous and in seconds a small dark blot could be seen in the sky behind the orc troops. The blot quickly became the flame-enshrouded form of the demon and Nithrekel immediately called for an orderly retreat. Nithrekel’s trooped pulled back one hundred yards from the orc horde and formed their ranks. The demon landed between the two armies and confident that it was invulnerable began advancing on the ranks of gnolls and hobgoblins sword blazing.

The demon was doing exactly what Nithrekel hoped it would do, advance without the support of the orcs who were content to watch the demon tear their enemies apart from a safe vantage point. As the demon advanced Nithrekel drew his sword and raised it above his head, with this motion there was a sudden stirring in the ranks and the unmistakable sound of bowstrings being pulled taught could be heard across the battlefield. Nithrekel had placed an archer, dressed in the banded mail of a heavy infantryman in the front ranks of his battle line between each of his real heavy infantry. On his command they had thrown down their shields, quickly strung their bows and drawn a bead on the advancing demon. Surprised by the sudden appearance of the archers the demon paused for a moment, but then realized that the archer’s arrows would be useless against its iron hard scales and charged.

Nithrekel let the barest hint of a grin crease his features as the demon quickly closed the gap between the orc horde and his army; the demon was doing its part nicely. When the demon was not more than 120 feet from the front ranks Nithrekel dropped his sword and at that signal fifty archers loosed their missiles at the demon that much to its shock and horror found its body pierced in a dozen places. Nithrekel saw, much to his delight, a look of pure terror and confusion cross the demons bestial features as the arrows slammed into its scaly hide and steaming black ichor gushed onto the rolling plain. Unbeknownst to his demonic adversary each of Nithrekel’s fifty best archers was armed with three powerfully enchanted arrows, compliments of Hazergal.

The first volley of arrows had damaged the demon but had not seriously wounded it and it continued its forward momentum with a screeching howl of utter madness and fury. Before the enraged demon could reach the front ranks, Nithrekel’s archers already had another enchanted arrow nocked and loosed a second volley at pointblank range. More than half the arrows failed to penetrate the demons skin but still more than fifteen found their mark and the demon, now mortally wounded, sank to its knees pierced by over 30 powerfully enchanted arrows. The demon, unable to rise, watched helplessly as the archers drew their bows back again and took aim.

The orcs watched in mute horror from across the battlefield as their fiendish ally was struck by a third volley of arrows and collapsed in a heap upon the blood-soaked ground. Nithrekel, seeing the demon collapse, walked calmly through the ranks of his men and onto the field where the demon lay on its back breathing its last. Calmly he strode up to the helpless fiend and raised his sword above his head preparing to finish the stricken demon with a single blow. Before Nithrekel's blade could fall the demon suddenly turned its head to look deep into Nithrekel’s eyes, as if to mark him and spoke in a voice thick with madness and fury, “Remember me little one, for one hundred years hence, I will surely remember you.” As the last word left the demons mouth Nithrekel's sword flashed down and pierced the demons chest impaling it and pinning it to the earth. The demon let loose one last ear shattering howl and then with a sudden blast of smoke and flame, disappeared.

With the demon slain, Nithrekel raised his sword once again and called for a charge at the stunned orc horde and his men eagerly complied. The slaughter was complete, the demoralized orcs fought without conviction and were slain to the last. Nithrekel led his troops back to Hazergal’s tower in triumph and was greeted with great enthusiasm by his master. Hazergal was once more pleased with his servant and in the following weeks lavished all manner of gifts upon the triumphant mephit. Nithrekel himself wanted nothing but his freedom from the wicked human and passed most of these gifts on to his men.

Over the next few years Nithrekel continue to train his troops and found new and inventive ways to defeat whatever Sheveker threw at him. He began to encounter fewer and fewer orcs and goblins wearing the symbol of Hazergal’s rival leading him to believe that the half-fiend sorcerer’s resources were not unlimited. Nithrekel remained vigilant, however, and patrolled Hazergal's realm constantly. Sheveker had proved resourceful in the past and would certainly not rest until Hazergal was slain or banished.

Nithrekel has 25 years of servitude remaining and fears that unless he continues to make himself useful to his maniacal master he will not see the end of his planar contract. He continues to scheme with Brogon for a way to break his bonds of enslavement but without the aid of powerful magic, which neither he or Brogon possesses, there is little to do but watch and wait.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

By request here is the stat block for Brogon Vir Hemek, Nithrekel's hobgoblin right hand man. This is how he would appear in Nithrekel's 29th year of servitude.

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Brogon Vir Hemek, Hobgoblin 1st Captain of Hazergal’s Legion
Medium Humanoid; Ftr 11, AL LN; CR 11; Age 61 (old age)
HD 10d10+20; hp 85
Init +1; Spd 60 ft, AC 21 (+1 Dex, +6 chain mail, +3 shield, +1 ring)
BAB +11/+6/+1; Atk +12/+7/+2 melee or +12/+7/+2 ranged;
SV Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +7
Str 13, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 15

Skills (71 points): Climb +5 (6), Craft (weapon smith) +4 (7), Craft (armorer) +4 (7), Diplomacy +5 (7), Intimidate +5 (7), Jump +5 (16), Knowledge (military tactics) +8 (11), Ride +5 (6), Wilderness Lore +6 (9)
Feats: Phalanx Fighting, Weapon Focus (shortsword), Weapon Specialization (shortsword), Weapon Focus (javelin), Weapon Specialization (Javelin), Quick Draw, Power Attack, Iron Will, Improved Critical (shortsword)
Languages: common, goblin, orc, giant, gnoll

Armor: +1 Mithral Chain mail, +6 AC, 15 lbs
+1 Large Steel Shield, +3 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +2 shortsword: Atk +15/+10/+5 melee, Dmg 1d6+5, crit 17-20/x2
+1 Javelin (3): Atk +14/+9/+4 ranged, Dmg 1d6+4, crit x2, range 30ft
Other Gear: 3 potions of cure moderate wounds, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, boots of striding and springing

The battle scarred hobgoblin veteran, Brogon Vir Hemek, has lived a violent and eventful life. His clan was wiped out by orcs under the banner of Sheveker, an evil half-fiend sorcerer, when he was a young warrior leaving Brogon the only survivor. With little other choice Brogon joined the ranks of Hazergal, Sheveker’s hated rival, and climbed the ranks rapidly due to his natural leadership qualities and fearsome battle prowess. When Hazergal enslaved an Earth Mephit warrior named Nithrekel, Brogon immediately recognized a kindred soul. When Nithrekel was given command of Brogon’s unit he quickly became the mephit’s trusted friend and ally and has remained so for nearly 20 years.

Brogon is an old hobgoblin, having survived over 60 winters through luck, skill and a natural tenacity. He is still a powerful warrior and none save Nithrekel are his equal in combat in the entirety of Hazergal’s legion. Brogon and Nithrekel dream of leading their army away from Vassa to establish their own stronghold and hire themselves out as mercenaries. The battered old hobgoblin hates Hazergal nearly as much as Nithrekel, but like his general, has not found a way to dispose of the evil wizard yet.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 10, AL N; CR 13; Year 29
HD 3d8+10d10+36; hp 121;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 26 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +1)
BAB +13/+8/+3; Atk +20/+15/+10 melee or +16/+11/+6 ranged;
SV Fort +15, Ref +10, Will +9;
Str 23, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (68 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +10 (12), Craft (armorer) +10 (12), Diplomacy +1 (3), Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +7 (9), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical, Sunder
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Bastard Sword: Atk +24/+19/+14 melee, Dmg 1d10+14, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +16/+11/+6 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +20 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +1, ring of resistance +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 19
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 depths of Hazergal’s cruelty know no limits and the demented wizard’s fits of rage have become more common and far deadlier. Nithrekel learned of his masters increased dementia first hand when he and Brogon were giving a simple report on their last patrol. Nithrekel recanted the details of their patrol stating that after two days of patrolling they had found none of Sheveker’s troops in the area and had returned on the morning of the third day. After Nithrekel had completed his report Hazergal had flown into a paranoid rage, accusing Nithrekel of not patrolling long enough for he was sure Sheveker’s troops were out there waiting to attack. Hazergal had snatched the mithral scourge from his belt and had started towards Nithrekel who familiar with his master’s rages calmly awaited his punishment. Unfortunately Brogon, Nithrekel’s loyal hobgoblin aide and friend, was not. Brogon stepped in front of Nithrekel as the crazed wizard approached and drew his weapon to defend his longtime friend.

Outraged that one of his servants would dare attempt to thwart him, Hazergal stepped back and smote Brogon with a terrible spell. Nithrekel watched in horror as his friend and confidant was struck by a thin ray of light from Hazergal’s outstretched hand and obliterated completely in a flash of eerie green light. All that remained of Nithrekel’s companion was a small pile of fine gray ash, even his armor and weapons had been consumed by Hazergal’s spell.

Cold rage gripped Nithrekel at the senseless death of his friend and he ripped his sword from its scabbard and charged Hazergal his mind filled with bloodlust and fury. Nithrekel made it within 10 feet of Hazergal before his mind exploded into jagged shards of absolute pain, dropping him in a heap to the stone tiles of Hazergal’s audience chamber. Hazergal moved to stand over the stricken mephit smiling smugly and watched with obvious enjoyment as Nithrekel writhed upon the ground in helpless agony. The pain was far too much for Nithrekel to bear and he quickly slipped in to the welcoming darkness of unconsciousness.

Nithrekel awoke in a place even more terrible than the one he had left. He lay on his back, blindfolded, on what felt like a metal table with heavy iron manacles preventing any movement securing his arms and legs. The room stank of blood and pain and Nithrekel knew instantly that he was in Hazergal’s torture room and would likely die horribly after suffering all manner of fiendish atrocities. Before he could fully realized the dire nature of his situation he heard Hazergal’s voice directing a servant to check Nithrekel's bonds. Nithrekel felt the manacles on his wrists and ankles tighten and then Hazergal began to speak.

Hazergal told Nithrekel that he would not kill him, for Nithrekel was far too useful to cast away so carelessly, but he would not tolerate a rebellious servant. Hazergal informed Nithrekel that he would suffer for two days in the torture room under Hazergal’s own hand. This would be the last time any leniency would be shown the mephit, the next time he dared to challenge his master he would be tortured and then slain. The pain began immediately and Nithrekel’s screams filled the tower as promised for the next two days. Through his pain Nithrekel held onto his sanity by clinging to the one thing that still mattered to him. He clung to his hatred and promised himself, that even if it cost him his life Hazergal would die by his hand.

Nithrekel recovered quickly form his ordeal in the torture room and took command of Hazergal’s legion once more. He promoted the ogre fighter, Murg, to 1st captain and the ogre served him well in the years that followed. Sheveker remained a constant threat but Nithrekel continued to defeat his master’s rival in battle after battle.

Nithrekel has come to the conclusion that his only chance of taking his revenge on Hazergal would be when his planar contract expired and he was no longer under the mad wizard’s direct control. On that day there would be a reckoning and Nithrekel would claim vengeance for Brogon and himself or die in the attempt.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 11, AL N; CR 14; Year 33
HD 3d8+11d10+39; hp 130;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 27 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +2)
BAB +14/+9/+4; Atk +21/+16/+11 melee or +17/+12/+7 ranged;
SV Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +10;
Str 23, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (72 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +11 (13), Craft (armorer) +11 (13), Diplomacy +2 (4), Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +8 (10), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical, Sunder
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Minor Fortification Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Screaming Bastard Sword: Atk +25/+20/+15 melee, Dmg 1d10+1d6+14, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +17/+12/+7 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +21 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +2, ring of resistance +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 20
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 regretting his decision to promote the ogre, Murg, to first captain of Hazergal’s legion. Although Murg is a powerful warrior, his cruel nature makes him a poor commander and the men, especially the lawful hobgoblins, despise him. Murg is prone to fits of rage that are reminiscent of the wicked former minotaur general, Bathet Nar. Nithrekel has tried to reason with the ogre to no avail and now it has come to Nithrekel’s attention that Murg is plotting to usurp his position as general.

Weary of all the strife he has endured, Nithrekel nonetheless had to remove the threat to his leadership and set in motion a plan to remove the over ambitious ogre. Murg was sent out leading a small number of troops known to be in league with him on a routine patrol, when he was a few miles from Hazergal’s tower Nithrekel ambushed him with a large force of loyal men. Nithrekel confronted Murg and his men directly and ordered them to throw down their arms and submit to their punishment or be slain. Vastly outnumbered the troops loyal to Murg complied immediately but the ogre would not be so easily cowed.

Murg called out to Nithrekel, labeling him a coward and an unfit leader, if the mephit were truly meant to lead then he would prove it in single combat. Nithrekel knew it would likely come to this and beckoned Murg to come forward, a huge circle was formed around the mephit and the ogre as men loyal to both sides waited anxiously to see the outcome of the impending battle.

Nithrekel had learned much in his duel with Bathet Nar years earlier, and knew the ogre would use tactics similar to the savage minotaur’s, but unlike his struggle with the minotaur this battle must be won decisively if he was to retain the respect of his men. Nithrekel knew he must face the ogre on the ground and defeat him with swordplay alone or his victory would be meaningless, it must be shown that none could stand before Nithrekel and hope to emerge victorious.

Murg was armed with his signature weapon, a maul simply called “Murg’s Pounder”, a massive instrument of destruction that the ogre wielded with both hands. The ogre wore little armor relying on his thick skin to turn aside most blows and the fact that few opponents could stand up to more than one strike from his maul. The difference in the two combatants was almost comical, Nithrekel suffered a disadvantage in almost every physical capacity; height, weight, reach, strength these advantages all lay with Murg. Despite all of his apparent shortcomings Nithrekel drew his sword and strode toward the ogre confidently. Murg thinking that the tiny mephit would offer no challenge what so ever merely raised his mighty hammer and charged.

Nithrekel stood his ground as the ogre thundered across the ground towards him and watched calmly as Murg leveled a blow at him that would fell a building. A heartbeat before the ogres massive hammer reached him, Nithrekel ducked and spun his body in a completes circle avoiding the ogre’s maul and allowing his own weapon to flicker out and bite deep into the ogres left leg as he charged past him. The blow was savage and severed the hamstring dropping the crippled ogre with a crash to the ground. Murg struggled to rise but his leg would not support him, but he managed to get to his knees and hold his maul before him awaiting the mephit next move.

Nithrekel knew he must end the battle quickly and charged the downed ogre. From his knees Murg launched a clumsy overhand strike that the charging Nithrekel spun to avoid. As the hammer thudded into the ground the momentum of the mephit's spin carried him inside the ogres reach to plunge his weapon deep into Murg’s chest. The ogre’s eyes went wide with shock and disbelief as Nithrekel's impaling blade burst from his back in a shower of blood. Murg struggled to draw a final breath and curse his slayer but his words were stolen by the savage force of Nithrekel yanking his gore coated blade from Murg’s chest. With a final shudder the ogre pitched over onto his face dead as a stone.

The men loyal to Murg were marched back to Hazergal’s tower and executed for treason, their corpses were impaled on spikes and displayed around Hazergal’s tower as a grim reminder to any would be usurper. Nithrekel did not promote another captain to the rank of first captain realizing that no one could take the place oh his slain friend Brogon, from now on he would command alone. In the years that followed no one ever challenged Nithrekel’s authority and his legion operated as the well-oiled machine that it had been under the tutelage of Brogon.

Nithrekel has done his best to avoid his master these past four years by leading long patrols and scouting missions, but periodically he must give reports to the demented wizard and the mithral lash has made it’s presence known on more than one occasion. Misery is a constant companion to the enslaved mephit, with the death of Brogon there is no one in Hazergal’s tower he can trust and he is consumed by loneliness. He has taken to using his innate ability to summon others of his kind just for the opportunity to talk to someone outside the hell of Hazergal’s tower. With no choice but to wait Nithrekel counts the days to the end of his planar contract and dreams only of freedom and vengeance.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Here are the stats for the recently slain 1st Captain, Murg. There is no doubt that he is one tough ogre but he really wasn’t a match for Nithrekel and was killed rather quickly. As I did with Bathet Nar I ran a few mock battles to see what would happen and chose the best of those (for Nith anyway) to detail in the story. It basically amounted to Nithrekel striking Murg twice, both criticals, the first doing 48 points of damage and the killing blow, a massive powered up nightmare of a critical, for 74 points of damage. Ouch.

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Murg, Ogre First Captain
Large Giant; Ftr 5, AL NE; CR 7
HD 4d8+5d10+45; hp 92;
Init +0; Spd 30 ft; AC 17 (-1 size, +5 natural, +3 studded leather)
BAB +8/+3; Atk +16/+11 melee or +7/+2 ranged;
SV Fort +14, Ref +3, Will +5;
Str 28, Dex 10, Con 20, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10

Skills (25 points): Climb +3 (12), Jump +5 (14), Listen +3 (6), Spot +4 (7), Intimidate +5
Feats: Weapon Focus (maul), Weapon Specialization (maul), Power Attack, Cleave, Leadership, Improved Bullrush
Languages: common, giant, orc

Armor: Large Studded Leather, +3 AC, 15 lbs
Weapons: Murg’s Pounder, Huge +1 Impact Maul: Atk +18/+13 melee, Dmg 2d6+16, crit 19-20/x3
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), cloak of resistance +1

It is not known where the powerful ogre veteran, Murg, came from but it is surmised that he traveled quite a ways to reach Vaasa. More intelligent than the typical ogre, Murg found that merely smashing anything that presented a problem was not always the best approach. He discovered that bullying and coercing others into doing what he wanted was much easier than simply killing anything that angered him. His considerable talents for mayhem and his ability to “motivate” earned him a place in Hazergal’s legion and eventually the command of an entire century. With the death of Brogon Vir Hemek, Murg was promoted again and here he ran into trouble. Not content with being anyone’s subordinate Murg quickly laid plans to usurp control of the legion from Nithrekel, whom he considered a weakling and a coward, he discovered rather quickly and permanently that the mephit general was neither.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Ftr 12, AL N; CR 15; Year 38
HD 3d8+12d10+42; hp 139;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 27 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +2)
BAB +15/+10/+5; Atk +22/+17/+18 melee or +18/+13/+8 ranged;
SV Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +10;
Str 23, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills (76 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +11 (13), Craft (armorer) +11 (13), Diplomacy +5 (7), Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +8 (10), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical, Sunder, Improved Initiative, Expertise, Leadership
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Minor Fortification Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Screaming Bastard Sword: Atk +26/+21/+16 melee, Dmg 1d10+1d6+14, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +18/+13/+8 ranged, Dmg 1d6+6, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +22 melee, Dmg 1d3+6, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +2, ring of resistance +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 20
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.

Hazergal’s legion has grown to encompass over 2000 humanoids, many of these are refugees from Sheveker’s forces seeking better fortunes form their former master’s rival. Nithrekel has destroyed almost all of the once great military force that Sheveker commanded; all that stands between his total annihilation is the near impregnable fortress that serves as the center of the fiendish sorcerer’s power. With complete victory so close Hazergal had put considerable pressure on Nithrekel to destroy his rival once and for all, a daunting task to say the least.

Sheveker’s fortress is a marvel of magical engineering, a six tiered tower featuring walls of solid adamantine with each tier protected by dozens of magical wards and manned by Sheveker’s finest warriors. Over 300 of the best warriors in Sheveker’s remaining forces guard the fortress day and night, and they are lead by Sheveker’s trusted lieutenant, Ubok Prog, a half-dragon blackguard of incredible power. Not only will Nithrekel have to breach the fortress, a near impossible task in itself, but also he will have to face Ubok Prog and his battle hardened men in less than favorable conditions. Finally, if Nithrekel defeated all the obstacles set against him he would face Sheveker, a spellcaster as mighty as Hazergal himself, and most likely be destroyed.

As impossible as his task seemed, Nithrekel had no choice but to comply with Hazergal’s wishes and began his preparation for would likely be his final mission. The first order of business was to build siege engines capable of smashing the walls of a fortress as tough as Sheveker’s, luckily Nithrekel’s fickle master agreed to aid him in this matter. Five large catapults and two massive trebuchets were constructed; each of these fearsome war machines received a considerable dose of Hazergal’s magic during its construction making it thrice as powerful as its mundane counterpart. In addition enchanted iron ammunition was forged for each of the siege engines to compliment their already formidable destructive capability.

With his siege engines complete, Nithrekel set to preparing his men for the long siege that was to come. Huge ladders were constructed to allow his men a chance to scale the walls of Sheveker’s domain. Two huge 40 foot high rolling battle towers were also created to allow his men to get close enough to the walls to launch an attack. Dozens of mantelets were manufactured to protect Nithrekel’s archers and each was given 10 magical arrows in case Sheveker had more than orcs manning his battlements. For six months Nithrekel held mock battles, using Hazergal’s tower in place of Sheveker’s and running his men through the paces of a siege. The men responded well to the training and Nithrekel kept no secrets from them as to what they would be facing. For many years Nithrekel had led his men to victory time and time again and they had no reason to doubt his capabilities now. If they were successful the loot they would carry away from Sheveker’s fortress would more than make up for the dangers of sacking it.

Nithrekel had but one more thing to prepare for, he was a mighty warrior and there were few that could stand before his blade and survive, but he knew that a powerful mage could slay him before his sword even cleared its scabbard. Nithrekel had no choice but to consult Hazergal and glean whatever information he could from the mad wizard on defeating Sheveker. With victory over his rival so close at hand, Hazergal was more than willing to help his servant. Hazergal would, of course, not render his aid personally for he had no wish to risk his own skin in a duel with the mighty Sheveker, but he would supply Nithrekel with a fighting chance should he find himself face to face with the half-fiend sorcerer. Hazergal gave to Nithrekel A golden pendant on a fine silver chain that was endowed with a single use of a very powerful spell. The spell would render all magic items and effects powerless in a 30 foot burst, bringing down any and all magical protections that Sheveker might have. The sorcerer would of course not expect this from a warrior and it would allow Nithrekel and his men a precious few seconds in which to strike at the vulnerable sorcerer and hopefully slay him before he could regain his magical protections. Hazergal instructed Nithrekel to speak the command word and then hurl the amulet from him or his own weapons and armor would lose their magical properties. Nithrekel, at that moment wished to do nothing but use the amulet on Hazergal himself and slay the enslaving wizard but the binding power of his planar contract would not allow it.

Armed with the amulet and his siege weapons Nithrekel led his men through the gates of Hazergal’s domain on the morning of the anniversary of his 39th year of servitude. The three-day trek to Sheveker’s fortress would give Nithrekel more than enough time to ponder his fate and hope that Hazergal was not simply sending him off to his death. With the stoicism that had served him well during his enslavement Nithrekel figure it really didn’t matter, either he would defeat Sheveker and learn first hand what it was like to battle an arch mage or he would be destroyed and gain his freedom through death.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

The description of the assault on Sheveker's fortress has gotten rather long so I have broken it up into two pieces for ease of reading. Here is the first part to be followed by part two as soon as I have finished it. I will also post the stats for Ubok Prog the Half-Dragon Blackguard who gives Nithrekel a boat load of trouble.

Hope you like it.

Dirge

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Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Fighter 12/War Master1, AL N; CR 16; Year 43
HD 3d8+13d10+48; hp 150;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 27 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +2)
BAB +16/+11/+6/+1; Atk +24/+19/+14/+9 melee or +19/+14/+9/+4 ranged;
SV Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +10;
Str 24, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
(16th level stat bump, +1 to STR)

Skills (82 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +11 (13), Craft (armorer) +11 (13), Diplomacy +7 (9), Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +10 (12), Intimidate +4 (6), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical, Sunder, Improved Initiative, Expertise, Leadership
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Minor Fortification Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Screaming Bastard Sword: Atk +28/+23/+18/+13 melee, Dmg 1d10+1d6+15, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +19/+14/+9/+4 ranged, Dmg 1d6+7, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +24 melee, Dmg 1d3+7, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +2, ring of resistance +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 21
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 siege of Sheveker’s fortress lasted for two weeks, with Nithrekel forces hammering at the walls of the tower day and night. The catapults and trebuchets operated non-stop and eventually the powerfully enchanted siege engines created a breach in the adamantine walls and allowed Nithrekel’s troops to gain access to the tower. As Sheveker’s troops rained arrows down upon Nithrekel’s men streaming through the breach, Nithrekel had the battle towers and scaling ladders put to use. As Sheveker’s men focused their attentions on the breach more of Nithrekel’s troops came over the walls and suddenly Sheveker’s men were in full retreat fighting for their lives.

The fighting inside the tower was fierce as Nithrekel led his men into the upper reaches of the tower and finally to the huge iron double doors that led to Sheveker’s inner sanctum. One hundred men led by the fearsome half-dragon blackguard Ubok Prog held the doors to Sheveker’s final bastion and they would not give up their master easily. Nithrekel’s men fell back in fear as Ubok Prog stepped to the front of his men and a palpable aura of despair crashed down upon Nithrekel and his troops. Here was evil in its truest form, Ubok Prog towered almost eight feet tall and was armored in full plate so black it appeared to have been made of the very essence of darkness itself. The blackguard wore no helm so that all could gaze upon his fiendish visage and despair, born of a human sorcerer and a black dragon Ubok Prog’s face was more draconic than human covered with iron hard black scales and featuring a wide slash of a mouth filled with needle sharp teeth. His eyes burned with a hellish green luminescence and his brow was crowned with a pair of wicked curving horns. Ubok Prog gripped a large shield bearing the symbol if his patron deity, the vile demon lord Orcus, and in his right hand he held “Heart Skewer” his feared weapon, a black iron trident that dripped corrosive fluid and was filled with the very malevolence of Orcus himself.

Nithrekel raised his sword, shouted a challenge at the towering half-dragon and charged, his men heartened by their leader’s courage followed suit and the final battle for Sheveker’s fortress began in earnest. As the melee erupted around him, Nithrekel laid about with his sword shearing flesh and bone with each savage swing and soon the world became little more than an ever shifting blur of blood and steel. Finally as the bodies piled up around him Nithrekel found himself face to face with the gore spattered nightmare of Ubok Prog. The villainous half-dragon had slain many and wished to claim the life of the one who had dared challenge his master in his own domain. Nithrekel wasted no time on challenges or threats and launched a brutal cut at Ubok Prog’s unprotected neck that certainly would have removed the blackguard’s head had it landed. Nithrekel found his wicked blow turned aside by Ubok Prog’s trident and his blade trapped between the tines of the fiendish weapon. With a savage twist Ubok Prod tore the sword from Nithrekel’s grasp to send it clattering across the gore stained tiles, leaving the mephit unarmed.

Nithrekel stumbled back casting about desperately for his sword while Ubok Prog seized his advantage and jabbed viciously at the vulnerable mephit. Nithrekel tried to spin away from the thrust but the blackguard’s aim was true and one of the tines of his trident punctured Nithrekel’s Mithral shirt and sank deep into his side. The pain was immediate and intense as the wound filled with corrosive fluid and the unholy energy of the evil trident flowed through the wounded mephit. Grinning maliciously, Ubok Prog ripped his trident from Nithrekel’s side and with a sweeping blow knocked the mephit’s feet out from under him dumping him flat on his back wounded and unarmed. The half-dragon quickly moved to stand above Nithrekel raising his trident to skewer his downed opponent. Nithrekel could do nothing but watch as the iron tines of the trident flashed down to slay him, but the blow never fell. From the corner of his eye Nithrekel saw Thrumog Jum Dukot, the hobgoblin captain of his heavy cavalry, charging towards Ubok Prog who was focused on skewering Nithrekel. Thrumog collided with the blackguard at a dead run knocking him back and deflecting the thrust that surely would have ended Nithrekel’s life.

Nithrekel leapt to his feet to witness his savior, the brave Thrumog Jum Dukot, locked in fierce combat with Ubok Prog and fighting for his life. The hulking blackguard was a lightning blur of thrusts and parries and it was obvious that Thrumog was seriously outclassed. The hobgoblin captain was bleeding from numerous minor wounds and his guard was faltering, soon to leave him open for that final fatal strike.

Knowing his captain had only a short time before Ubok Prog battered down his defenses, Nithrekel plucked a warhammer from a corpse at his feet and hurled the weapon with all his might at the half-dragon. Nithrekel’s cast was true and the heavy hammer struck the blackguard a sound blow on the side of his skull with a resounding crack. Ubok Prog went down heavily his trident flying from his grasp, to lay stunned and bleeding on his belly among the corpses of the slain. Thrumog rushed forward to finish the downed blackguard thinking him mortally wounded but as the over eager hobgoblin raised his sword to plunge it into the seemingly defenseless half-dragon’s back, Ubok Prog suddenly flipped over and coughed forth a gout of thick corrosive bile that splashed over Thrumog’s chest and head. The hobgoblin shrieked horribly clutching the dripping ruins of his face and fell to the ground writhing in uncontrollable agony.

Nithrekel ran to aid his fallen captain but before he could reach him the mephit heard Ubok Prog muttering an incantation in a horrid guttural tongue and suddenly the world was shrouded in a blanket of utter blackness. Nithrekel stumbled forward blindly his senses numb and useless, he heard the screams of the dying and the sounds of combat nearby and then not more than a few paces ahead of him the sound of metal armor scraping on stone. Ubok Prog had obviously regained his feet and Nithrekel readied himself for the deathblow that would surely come unseen and silent in the impenetrable darkness. Nithrekel waited for what seemed an eternity in the inky blackness but miraculously he was left unmolested. As the magical darkness faded and Nithrekel was once again able to see his surroundings he found himself standing victorious among the corpses of his enemies but of the blackguard Ubok Prog there was no sign.

All of Sheveker’s troops lay dead, only their leader the half-dragon Ubok Prog had escaped in the melee. The casualties to Nithrekel’s forces were severe he had lost almost 400 men in his assault on Sheveker’s fortress including the brave Thrumog Jum Dukot, who had undoubtedly saved Nithrekel’s life. A deep feeling of shame and regret settled over Nithrekel that he could not have returned the favor and spared the courageous hobgoblin from the horrible death that had claimed him. But there was little Nithrekel could do to change the past and with a weary sigh he retrieved his sword and turned to face the huge iron bound doors that led to Sheveker and either victory or death.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Here are the stats for the Half-Dragon Blackguard Ubok Prog, who certainly would have defeated Nithrekel if not for the timely intervention of Thrumog Jum Dukot. I also included the history of his weapon Heart Skewer for any interested parties.

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Ubok Prog, Half-Dragon Blackguard
Medium Dragon; Rog2/Ftr6/Blk8, AL NE; CR 18
HD 2d8+14d12+48; hp 176;
Init +6; Spd 30 ft; AC 33 (+1 Dex, +4 natural, +11 full plate, +5 shield, +2 ring)
BAB +15/+10/+5; Atk +22/+17/+12 melee or +17/+12/+7 ranged;
SV Fort +19, Ref +14, Will +11;
Str 24, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 16 (20)

Skills (70): Bluff +5 (8), Climb +7 (14), Concentration +11 (14), Diplomacy +13 (18), Hide +5 (6), Intimidate +13 (18), Jump +8 (15), Knowledge (religion) +12 (14), Listen +3 (5), Move Silently +5 (7), Search +2 (5), Sense Motive +5 (7), Spot +3 (5)
Feats: Power Attack, Sunder, Cleave, Weapon Focus (trident), Weapon Specialization (trident), Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Leadership, Improved Initiative
Languages: common, draconic, abyssal, orc, giant

Armor: +3 Full Plate, +11 AC, 35 lbs
+3 Large Steel Shield, +4 AC, 15 lbs
Weapons: Heart Skewer*, +3 Unholy Corrosive Bloodfeeding Trident: Atk +25/+20/+15 melee, Dmg 1d8+12 (15) plus vile, crit x2
Heart Skewer: Atk +20/+15/+10 ranged, Dmg 1d8+12, crit x2, range 10ft
Claws (2): Atk +22 melee, Dmg 1d4+7, crit x2
Bite: Atk +17 melee, Dmg 1d6+3, crit x2
Other Gear: ring of protection +2, potion of cure serious wounds (2), cloak of charisma +4

Spells: 3/2/1/1 DC = 12 + spell level
1st – demon flesh, inflict light wounds, boneblast
2nd – bull’s strength, devil’s eye
3rd – deeper darkness
4th – dimension door

Special Abilities:

Breath Weapon: 15 foot line of acid, 6d4 damage, reflex save DC 20
Immune to Acid: Ubok Prog suffers no damage from acid attacks
Sneak Attack: +3d6
Smite Good: +5 to hit, +8 damage
Command Undead: Ubok Prog may command undead as a cleric of 6th level
Aura of Despair: all within 10 feet of Ubok Prog suffer a –2 to all saving throws
Detect Good: as the spell at will

It is not known how the fearsome half-dragon blackguard, Ubok Prog, came to serve the fiendish sorcerer Sheveker but his legacy of pain and destruction in the service of the evil spellcaster is well documented. Ubok rarely leaves Sheveker’s fortress acting as his personal bodyguard and the leader of his house guard and all within Sheveker’s employ fear the half-dragon for his depraved cruelty and his devotion to the terrible demon lord Orcus.

Ubok Prog is very old, having survived three centuries in the employ of many nefarious masters including his own mother the black dragon Shalryxandalar. It is surmised that Ubok Prog slew his mother and claimed her hoard and that is how he became linked with the unholy weapon Heart Skewer and through it the demon lord Orcus.

Having escaped the sack of Sheveker’s fortress there is no doubt that the vile blackguard will rise under the banner of evil once more to inflict the malice of his patron demon on the unsuspecting populace of Faerun.


*Heart Skewer: History
The horrible weapon known as Heart Skewer was forged long ago by the drow of Menzoberrnazan. A secretive cult to the demon lord Orcus existed in the large drow city and its champion, a blackguard of considerable power, had the weapon created for his personal use. The weapon was lost when the vengeful clerics of Lolth that controlled the city discovered the Orcus worshipers in their midst and slew them all, casting their remains and all of their belongings and holy relics into a deep chasm in the underdark. How the weapon ended up in the hoard of the black dragon Shalryxandalar is unknown but its current wielder is her own half-dragon son and now a devoted minion of Orcus.

*Heart Skewer: Description
Heart Skewer is a large trident, with cruel barbed tines with the center tine almost six inches longer than the other two. The weapon is forged of lusterless black iron and drips a foul caustic fluid constantly. Heavily enchanted, the weapon is a minor artifact of the demon lord Orcus and is blessed by that foul entity to inflict greater damage on those devoted to good and light. The mark of Orcus is evident on the center tine of the weapon and will glow red after the trident has been used to slay a sentient creature.

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

Ok, here is the second part of the battle in Sheveker's fortress. Sorry for the delay and the length. I will post the stats for Sheveker next.

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The battle for Sheveker’s fortress: Part II

Nithrekel, Earth Mephit
Small Outsider; Fighter 12/War Master1, AL N; CR 16; Year 43
HD 3d8+13d10+48; hp 150;
Init +2; Spd 30 ft, Fly 40 ft; AC 27 (+2 Dex, +1 size, +6 natural, +6 chain shirt, ring +2)
BAB +16/+11/+6/+1; Atk +24/+19/+14/+9 melee or +19/+14/+9/+4 ranged;
SV Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +10;
Str 24, Dex 12 (14), Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
(16th level stat bump, +1 to STR)

Skills (82 points): Bluff +6 (7), Craft (weapon smith) +11 (13), Craft (armorer) +11 (13), Diplomacy +7 (9), Hide +6 (12), Knowledge (military tactics) +10 (12), Intimidate +4 (6), 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), Great Cleave, Power Critical, Sunder, Improved Initiative, Expertise, Leadership
Languages: terran, common, dwarven, ignan, gnoll

Armor: +2 Minor Fortification Mithral Chain Shirt, +6 AC, 10 lbs
Weapons: +3 Keen Screaming Bastard Sword: Atk +28/+23/+18/+13 melee, Dmg 1d10+1d6+15, crit 15-20/x2
Javelin: Atk +19/+14/+9/+4 ranged, Dmg 1d6+7, crit x2, range 30ft
Claws (2): Atk +24 melee, Dmg 1d3+7, crit x2
Other Gear: potion of cure moderate wounds (2), 2 javelins of lightning, gloves of dexterity +2, ring of protection +2, ring of resistance +2

Breath Weapon: 15 ft. cone of rock shards and pebbles, Dmg 1d8, reflex save for half DC 21
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.


Weary after the carnage wrought in the melee with Ubok Prog and his men, Nithrekel reluctantly turned to the task of facing Sheveker. He gathered his sixteen remaining captains and a force of twenty-five archers and prepared to make the final assault on the evil sorcerer. The iron bound double doors that led to Sheveker’s inner sanctum were immense, some ten feet high and at least double that across, in addition they were both covered in magical glyphs, no doubt trapped with all of the fiendish ingenuity the evil sorcerer could muster. Nithrekel pulled the magical pendant given to him by Hazergal from beneath his Mithral shirt and held it close, he feared he would have need of it soon. He did not want to waste it on the doors but he did not want to fail in his task so close to the end. As Nithrekel pondered what to do, his reverie was suddenly broken by the agonized screech of metal on stone, he turned to look at the source of the horrible noise to see the huge iron bound doors that had thwarted him moments ago slowly swinging open.

The room beyond the massive doors was shrouded in a thick gloom that even Nithrekel’s dark vision could not penetrate. The mephit and his men stood in anxious silence, expecting anything including hell itself to come pouring through the dark aperture that gaped open before them, but there was only a deep prevailing stillness. Nithrekel drew his sword and called upon his innate magic to increase his size, so that he might hold his blade in one hand and Hazergal’s amulet in the other. Holding tight to Hazergal’s amulet Nithrekel led his men forward and into the smothering darkness, it was like walking through thick mud, the blackness clung to their bodies hungrily and all sight and sound was banished within the tarterian gloom. Nithrekel quickly found himself blind, mute and alone.

Nithrekel stumbled forward blindly, feeling out with his sword and hoping he would find a wall soon so that he might orient himself. He walked for what seemed like hours, numb and practically senseless in the gloom until he was sure that he would wander the nightmarish blackness for the rest of eternity. When he was certain that he should have, by now, encountered a wall or obstruction of some kind and having found nothing Nithrekel stopped and sat down on the hard stone floor. He stared into the darkness trying to discern something, anything that would give him a clue as to where he might be and just as he was about to give up and resign himself to a slow death of starvation he caught from the corner of his eye a faint glow, a tiny shimmering in the black like a torch viewed from a long distance on a dark winter night. Nithrekel got to his feet and slowly began to walk towards the light, and as he walked the point of light grew larger and larger until Nithrekel emerged from the darkness into a small well-lit room. The room was square, thirty by thirty feet, and was lit by a row of guttering torches that lined the south wall, there appeared to be no discernable exits other than the path of darkness Nithrekel had emerged from. Barren except for a single chair of polished bone on a raised dais, the room held but one other occupant, Nithrekel had found Sheveker at last.

Sheveker sat in the bone chair, chin resting in one black taloned hand and regarded the stunned mephit coolly. He was not what Nithrekel had expected, this was not some deformed monstrosity born from the perverse union of demon and man. Sheveker was beautiful. The half-fiend appeared to be quite tall; if he were to stand Nithrekel guessed he would easily top seven feet in height. His skin where it was visible through his thick black robes was a deep red, unblemished and hairless. Sheveker’s face was noble with a wide clear brow, sharp straight nose and a strong square jaw, certainly what any human maiden might envision for her paramour. It was the eyes that gave Sheveker away; besides the two small horns that jutted from his brow only his eyes betrayed the sorcerer for what he was, lusterless and without pupils they were like windows into the abyss and the depths of evil that dwelled therein was limitless indeed.

“So, Hazergal’s dog has found me at last”, said Sheveker softly, rising to his feet allowing Nithrekel to see that the half-fiend was even taller than he had imagined. “Well dog, I see that you bring powerful magic with you. Will you use it?” Sheveker said motioning to the amulet Nithrekel clutched tightly in his left hand. “ If we are to duel, so be it, but before you use that trinket Hazergal gave you, I ask that you let me speak for a few moments, and then you may throw your life away at my feet if that is your wont.”

Nithrekel stepped back warily from the sorcerer. “Why should I trust you, and not merely slay you where you stand?”

Sheveker threw his head back and let loose a short bark of laughter. “Slay me? Hah!” The fiendish sorcerer’s eyes blazed with evil mirth. “True, the amulet you carry might cause me some momentary discomfort but I assure you I will not be a defenseless babe holding my neck out for your blade.” Sheveker’s musical voice was laced with venom and sarcasm. “You bear no love for Hazergal, I know this. You are nothing more than a pawn to his will, bound to serve him until he has no more use for you. You do not think that my esteemed rival will simply let you flit back to your own plane once your planar contract has expired? No, he will either slay you or attempt to bind you to him once more.”

Nithrekel knew there was truth in Sheveker’s word but he feared to place any trust in the fiendish spellcaster. There was a trap here, Nithrekel was sure of it, but against his better judgment he allowed Sheveker to speak on.

Seeing that he had struck a chord with his audience, Sheveker smiled, showing his shark like teeth and spoke again. “I have no quarrel with you, mephit. You have fought honorably in the service of one you despise.” Sheveker’s predatory smiled broadened at the mock sympathy that laced his words. “ I merely wish for the same thing you do, to claim vengeance, vengeance against Hazergal for this petty rivalry that has consumed both he and I for the better part of a century.” Sheveker spoke his rivals name through clenched teeth as if it pained him to do so.

“I want to make you an offer”, Sheveker continued. “Let us, who are bound by the hatred of Hazergal, work together to throw down our tormentor. You stand little chance of defeating him without aid and now, thanks to your efforts, I lack the resources to defeat him myself.” Sheveker sat down again and folded his hands on his lap; his eyes blank and unreadable sought and held Nithrekel’s own. “You, must see the wisdom in this. For you there is no other way and for me it is the best opportunity to strike at Hazergal I have had in ages. So what say you mephit? Are we allies or must we waste this opportunity with more senseless violence?”

Nithrekel knew the fiendish sorcerer was no trustworthier than Hazergal, but his hatred of the mephit’s master might hold him true to this one endeavor. As fragile as it was, this was hope and it was hope that drove Nithrekel’s decision. “Very well, Sheveker. You speak truth, I hate Hazergal above all else and I have no desire to fight two archmages in this lifetime.” Nithrekel sheathed his sword and stepped defiantly closer to the sorcerer. “Tell me what you have in mind”.

Sheveker grinned, “I knew there was reason in you mephit. Here is what I propose. Return to Hazergal and tell him that when you used your amulet the disjunction set of a powerful chain reaction within my defensive spells and I was immolated in a backlash of magical energy.” Sheveker paused to make sure Nithrekel had heard him correctly. “He will believe this, as these things are entirely possible. Besides he will be so overjoyed with my demise he will not ask too many questions.” Sheveker paused, his brow wrinkling in thought. “You will need some proof however” At this Sheveker removed a golden ring from his right index finger, and flipped it to Nithrekel who caught it deftly with his right hand. “This ring bears my the mark of my patron, Grazzt. I have never removed it and Hazergal knows that it bears a special significance to me. I would not give it up idly. It should appease Hazergal if he as any doubt of the validity of your tale.”

“There is one flaw here” Nithrekel interrupted. “ I cannot work directly against Hazergal. I have tried in the past but the planar contract that binds me does not allow for any dissension. Hazergal bade me defeat you and I must obey him.”

Sheveker’s eyes blazed with sudden fury. “Am I not defeated?!” He boomed. “My army is shattered, my fortress in the hands of my enemies, what more could you take from me!” Sheveker raged. And then as suddenly as it had come the rage left Sheveker leaving only a smoldering hatred that filled the room with the shadow of its malevolence. “No, mephit. You have done your job well.” Sheveker whispered, sarcasm and hatred dripping from his tongue.

“Fine, that still leaves me to do battle against a being I cannot raise a hand against, and even if I could how would I defeat him. I have no spell craft of my own.” Nithrekel remarked hastily, attempting to pull the volatile sorcerer back to a safer subject.

Sheveker brightened a bit and pulled another ring off of his finger, he held the plain iron ring up for Nithrekel to see clearly. “This is a ring of spell deflection, coupled with the amulet you have it should give you fighting chance against Hazergal. I have battled with Hazergal before and he favors direct aggressive tactics. If you are lucky he will begin with a lightning bolt or a disintegration spell, the ring will deflect such a spell back upon him and hopefully we shall have our vengeance.” Sheveker allowed a small malicious smile to crease his lips at the thought of his rival reduced to a pile of ash or scorched by his own lightning bolt. “ Even if he survives, the shock and pain of such a spell will prevent him from spellcasting for a few seconds, which should give you ample time to bring your blade to bear.”

“Very well, give me the ring”, said Nithrekel holding his open hand out to accept the powerful magic item.

“I am no fool, Mephit”, hissed Sheveker at Nithrekel’s proffered hand. “You shall have the ring when I am gone.” With this Sheveker placed the ring on the bone chair behind him and then quickly intoned the words of an incantation. “Good luck mephit, perhaps we shall meet again under friendlier circumstances.” And then Sheveker disappeared, leaving Nithrekel alone to ponder the wisdom of his decision.



Hours later Nithrekel emerged from the darkness of Sheveker’s inner sanctum to the shocked faces of his captains, who had though him surely slain by the vile sorcerer. Nithrekel proclaimed that he had found Sheveker within the darkness and after a fierce battle had struck him down. Nithrekel’s men loosed a booming cheer for the bravery of their commander and proceeded to loot the broken keep. Nithrekel allowed his men to do as they pleased; he had gained the only treasure he desired in the depths of Sheveker’s tower. After forty-three years of misery he had found hope again at last.