Aeddan
Aeddan is a lean, quiet man in with dark, cropped hair, sharp gray eyes, and a weathered complexion. He wears a high-collared traveler’s jacket of dark wool over muted leather armor. A supple leather wrap covers his right forearm, concealing a thin steel sheath at his wrist.
He speaks in a low, measured voice that barely carries beyond his listener, accompanied by subtle gestures. Under pressure, his expression remains still, masking his constant evaluation of escape routes and surrounding threats.
Adventure Hooks
The Dragontide Relic
Rhudd, an operative of the subversive cult known as the True Scales, approaches the party with a lucrative contract. For generations, Drosau has maintained the illusion that the monarchs commanded and subdued wild dragons. However, the True Scales claim this was a lie. Desperate to validate their standing and undermine King Dradoc Maengor, the cult seeks an ancient draconic relic rumored to sit in Abermadd Grot, a flooded cavern just across the border in The Kingdom of Liekia. Sent by cult leadership, Rhudd must hire outsiders to retrieve the relic, hoping its magic will reveal clues to the remaining dragons of the region and allow the cult to bring one under their command. The True Scales are unaware that local Liekian patrols and crown spies are watching the site closely.
Encounter Tier: APL 3–5 | Exploration, Combat & Political Intrigue
- The Trigger: Triggers when the party is approached by Rhudd in Drosau. He advises them of rumors surrounding a lost draconic relic in Liekia, warns of environmental hazards within the grot, and hires them to assist with retrieving the relic.
- The Objective: Rhudd hires the party alongside Aeddan, a local Drosauan scout that he's brought to assist in delving into Abermadd Grot at the Liekian borderlands. Upon arrival, the group enters a subterranean cavern system choked with flooded chambers and ancient draconic warding. Unbeknownst to Rhudd, the party learns Aeddan is a covert intelligence agent working for King Dradoc Maengor who has been monitoring the True Scales and became aware of the plan. While Rhudd is occupied, he pulls the party aside and reveals the True Scales' real plan: using the relic to subjugate a wild dragon and overthrow the monarchy. The party must navigate the grot, claim the relic, and decide whether to aid Rhudd's cult or assist Aeddan in delivering the artifact to the Crown to preserve King Maengor's authority.
Aeddan
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11 (+0)
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
12 (+1)
INT
12 (+1)
WIS
14 (+2)
CHA
12 (+1)
Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +3
Skills Stealth +7, Perception +6, Insight +4, Survival +6, History +3, Investigation +3
Senses Passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Drosauan, Liekian
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Cunning Action. On each of his turns, Aeddan can use a Bonus Action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Skirmisher. When an enemy ends its turn within 5 feet of Aeddan, he can use his reaction to move up to half his speed. This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Aeddan deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of Aeddan that isn’t incapacitated and Aeddan doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Multiattack. Aeddan makes two Shortbow attacks or two Concealed Wrist Blade attacks.
Concealed Wrist Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.