Descent into Avernus

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

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
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