Overview
Chapter 1 antagonist. Human necromancer 3, LE. Treated as CR 3 because of stolen gear (would be CR 2 as a 3rd-level NPC classed character).
Appearance & Manner
Not described beyond class and alignment in this part. Two unsavory companions; delayed two days behind the party by magical preparations.
Motivations
The amulet. Continued access to Feriblan’s library. Service of Hell through Talon.
Stat Block (5e 2014)
Vortigern Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 38 (7d8 + 7)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +2
Skills Arcana +5, Deception +3
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Infernal
Challenge 3 (700 XP) · Proficiency Bonus +2
Spellcasting. 5th-level caster in slots only; Intelligence (save DC 13, +5 to hit). Signatures:
Cantrips: chill touch, mage hand, prestidigitation 1st (4 slots): mage armor, magic missile, shield, witch bolt 2nd (3 slots): hold person, invisibility, ray of enfeeblement 3rd (2 slots): animate dead, fear
Grave Touch (3/Day). Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (2d6) necrotic damage and the target is frightened until the end of Vortigern’s next turn.
Actions
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or 20/60 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Gear. Dust of disappearance (1 use), potion of healing, spell scroll of animate dead, spell scroll of conjure animals (stands in for summon monster III — 8 stirges or 2 wolves). If Talon dies, Vortigern gains two levels of exhaustion.
What changed from the Pathfinder original
| CR | 3 (gear-inflated) | 3 | | HP | 19 | 38 (built up) | | Spell DCs | 14–15 | 13 | | Negative levels if Talon dies | two exhaustion levels | | Class | necromancer 3 | not a PC; 4–6 signatures |
Fate
Killed at the farmhouse ambush, two days south of Fairhill, in Session 01 - Sunday D&D Group. He sprang his trap on four 2nd-level adventurers and Corian, and the party killed every creature he brought: Grenag, Slaaroc, five fiendish skeletons, three risen farmers and Talon.
He died with his dust of disappearance unused. He was carrying his own escape and never reached for it. He never touched Eralion’s Amulet, which stayed on Corian’s neck throughout.
He murdered the farm family to have corpses to animate. Corian said so aloud over his body and took the weight of it himself.
Relationships
- Bound to Talon — Imp familiar via a hellish pact; death of Talon cripples him
- Seeks Eralion's Amulet — Hunts the party for it
- Betrayed Feriblan — False apprentice; stole scrolls and dust of disappearance
- Employs Grenag — Half-orc thug
- Employs Slaaroc — Half-orc thug
- Located at The Farmhouse — Stages the Act III ambush here