Descent into Avernus

GIDEON LIGHTWARD

Gideon Lightward was a priest of Lathaoder who served

Elturel and his deity proudly. Zariel saw that his fervor

could be an asset to her, so she sent devils to corrupt

him in the months leading up to the fall ofElturel. The

devils posed as angels, offering Gideon increased power

if he would dedicate himself to fighting the ever-present

threat of demons.

Gideon slowly gave up his sanity and free will to the

devils, leaving him corrupted by Zariel and fully serving

her in the months leading up to Elturel's fall. He died

during the destruction wrought as the city was drawn

to Avernus, but the priest rose as an undead creature.

Even as an undead, Gideon remains his mistress's most

loyal servant in Elturel. He sees his cause as a noble

one-fighting the demons whose chaos marks the end of

all things. But his mind is broken and filled with hatred

for those who refuse to follow his commands.

Because of his obsession with destroying demons, the

characters might be able to temporarily ally with Gideon

to deal with the threat posed by the demon portal.

Unfortunately, unless they can trick him completely, the

undead priest won't let the characters leave the ceme-

tery without a fight.

Years ago, a wise and humble acolyte of Torm named

Opallita the Devout wanted to speak directly to her

god. Through decades of constant prayer in the crypts

beneath the chapel, she created a direct link between

the ossuary and the celestial essence of Torm, as her

prayers made the chamber that she prayed in sen-

sitive to psychic connections between mortals and

higher powers.

When Elturel was drawn to Avernus, the link between

the chamber and Torm was corrupted. This corruption

was sensed by the demon lord Baphomet. Seizing upon

that link, Baphomet used it as an anchor point to slowly

and methodically send demons through to the city. Even

now, the demon lord and his minions work to widen and

strengthen the connection, hoping to eventually allow

entire armies of demons into Avernus by way ofElturel.

GIDEON LIGHTWARD

Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class 11
Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64)
Speed 30 ft.

STR

18 (+4)

DEX

13 (+l)

CON

18 (+4)

INT

10 (+O)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +7, Wis +7
Skills Insight +7, Religion +6
Damage Vulnerabilities radiant

WIS

18 (+4)

CHA

13 (+1)

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
damage from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

l anguages Common

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Regeneration. Gideon regains 10 hit points at the start of each

of his turns. lfhe takes radiant damage, this trait doesn't func-

tion at the start of his next turn. Gideon is destroyed only if he

starts his turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.

ACTIONS

Mu/tiattack. Gideon attacks twice with his fists.

Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:

11 (2 d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

Withering Gaze. Gideon targets one creature he can see within

60 feet of him. The target must make a DC 15 Constitution sav-

ing throw, taking 22 (4dl0) necrotic damage on a failed save, or

half as much damage on a successful one.

CHAPTER 2 I ELTUREL RAS FALLEN