#kempa

[ID copied from alt text: A stylized geometric digital drawing of Ingot (he/they), Saube (she/they), Whitlock (he/him), and Kempa (she/her) set against a light green background. Each character is contained within a triangle piece, a line art sickle between each piece. Up top is Ingot, a gray tiefling with long dark blue hair and a pair of large wings. He is wearing a white shirt, dark red pants, and brown boots. He has his longbow in hand and has a neutral, if somewhat grumpy, look on his face. Next is Saube, a red tiefling with short purple hair. She is wearing a green, purple and gold dress and has gold cuffs on her horns. She is sitting with her knees to her chest and a pensive smile on her face.

Next is Whitlock, a brown complexion Gnome with dark brown hair pulled up into a bun and shaved on the sides. He is wearing a shirt, pants and boots, all in shades of brown, and has his greataxe at his side and his cane in hand. He is looking back over his shoulder with a confident smile. Last is Kempa, a large bronze Dragonborn. She is shirtless and wearing only green shorts. She has one clawed finger head up to her chin and has a curious smile on her face. End description.]

[image description expanded upon from alt text: digital drawings of the four PCs from my d&d game, all depicted with faces of simple shapes without visible eyes, and clothing rendered in painterly detail. First is Saube, a chubby tiefling with maroon skin, horns that curve upwards in loose S shapes, and shoulder-length purple hair. She’s wearing a dark green dress with a velvet short-sleeve top and a detached ankle-length satin skirt. Next is Whitlock, a gnome with brown skin and dark brown hair pulled into a bun. He’s wearing silver plate armor, blue pants, black boots, and a long dark blue cape that’s billowing out behind him as he walks forward. Next is Ingot, a winged tiefling with gray skin, horns that go straight back before curving upwards, and long, straight blue hair. He's wearing an ankle-length red brocade jacket with a detailed, gilded floral pattern on it, over a shirt with lacy sleeves. Finally is Kempa, a bronze dragonborn wearing a light blue hanbok, cinched at the waist with a green woven belt, over a long-sleeve loose-fitting white shirt. End ID.]

last session, the barbarian dueled the leader of her home country for the right to have an audience with them. yes, the first duel i ever designed/ran was for a LEVEL 17 BARBARIAN. please enjoy the homebrewed statblock of said leader (designed on purpose for a duel. if the whole party was fighting this npc, they'd be buffed way more and/or have allies).

duel rules: no magical weapons/weapons with reach. they fought until "first blood" (narratively: first grievous wound; mechanically: until half-health). initiative was re-rolled at the start of every round because initiative matters a LOT in a duel. it was surprisingly well balanced and basically came down to whoever won initiative in the last round won the duel. (barbarian pc won, yay!)

(as usual, the statblock is formatted the way i like to format them, official d&d 5e statblock organization is fucked.)

High Imperator Zulwuf Yaustiin

Medium drow, they/them AC: 20 (plate and shield) HP: 300 Speed: 30 ft. Initiative: +9 (with Alert feat)

Saving Throws: STR +10, DEX +4, CON +10, INT +1, WIS +2, CHA +0 Senses: Blindsight 10ft

ABILITIES

Action Surge (2/Rest). The Imperator takes one additional action on their turn.

Indomitable (3/day). The Imperator can reroll a saving throw that they failed. They must use the new roll.

Improved Critical. The Imperator’s weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 and 20.

Maneuvers. When the Imperator takes the attack action, they can choose up to two weapon attacks that hit to deal an extra 1d10 damage (same damage type as the attack) and cause one of the following effects:

Menacing. The target must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of the Imperator until the end of the Imperator’s next turn.

Precision. The Imperator can add 1d10 to an attack roll. They can use this maneuver before or after making the attack roll, but before any effects of the attack are applied.

REACTIONS

Brace. When another creature moves into the Imperator's reach, the Imperator can make one attack against the creature. If the attack hits, add 1d10 to the damage roll.

Parry. When another creature damages the Imperator with a melee attack, the Imperator can use their reaction to reduce the damage by 1d10 + 4.

Riposte. When a creature misses the Imperator with a melee attack, the Imperator can use their reaction to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. On a hit, add 1d10 to the damage.

BONUS ACTION

Second Wind (1/Rest). The Imperator regains 1d10 + 20 hit points.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The Imperator makes three attacks with their war hawk, or one shield bash attack and two war hawk attacks.

War Hawk. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 5 slashing damage.