Halfing sleeper Agent

Della Swift - Halfling Sleeper Agent & Tavern Keeper

Physical Description:

A petite halfling woman in her mid-60s with wavy, silver-streaked brown hair kept in a neat bun. She has warm hazel eyes, laugh lines, and a kindly demeanor that makes her seem like everyone's favorite aunt. She wears a simple apron over dark, practical clothing, and her tavern, The Crooked Coin, is a well-loved establishment in the city. She moves with a quiet grace that belies her age, her hands always busy—whether pouring ale or palming a hidden blade.

Personality and Motivation:

Della has spent decades cultivating a reputation as a trustworthy, no-nonsense tavern keeper who keeps her nose out of politics. In truth, she is a highly trained sleeper agent for Herdlend, embedded in the city for years.

• She operates in layers—spreading rumors, bribing officials, and secretly coordinating sabotage through criminals and revolutionaries alike. The tavern serves as her operations hub, where whispers over ale fuel her careful machinations.

Fighting Strategy:

Della avoids direct combat at all costs, relying on stealth, deception, and pre-set traps to escape danger. If forced to fight, she aims for quick debilitating strikes—poisoning drinks, disabling enemies with hidden blades, or vanishing into shadows. The tavern itself is a weapon, filled with concealed escape routes, hidden tripwires, and deadly surprises for anyone foolish enough to attack her on her home turf.

Stats

• Armor: Studded Leather (AC 15)
• HP: 82 (13d8+26)
• Speed: 30 ft.

STR +0	DEX +4	CON +2	INT +1	WIS +3	CHA +3

Saving Throws & Skills

• Saving Throws: Dex +7, Int +6
• Skills: Stealth +9, Deception +9, Persuasion +8, Insight +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Perception +6, Investigation +7
• Expertise: Deception, Stealth
• Resistances, Immunities, and Vulnerabilities:

Equipment:

• Dagger of Venom – A slim, well-hidden blade coated in a fast-acting paralytic poison.
• Boots of Silent Steps – Her footsteps make no sound unless she wills it.
• Tavern Traps – Tripwires, pressure plates, hidden gas vents, and reinforced escape tunnels.
• Forgery Kit & Disguises – She can pass herself off as nearly anyone if given time to prepare.

Abilities:

Evasion- When she makes a Dexterity saving throw to take half damage, she instead takes no damage if she succeeds.

Tavern Deathtrap.- While inside The Crooked Coin, Della can use a bonus action to trigger one of the following effects:

• Gas Leak: The room fills with a light poison that causes mild hallucinations and disadvantage on Perception checks for 1 minute.
• Tripwire Slam: A hidden rope snaps tight, pulling a shelf down onto a target (DC 14 Dex save or take 3d6 bludgeoning).
• False Door: A target attempting to chase her through a hidden door is led into a dead-end closet filled with smoke bombs.

Sleeper Agent’s Reflexes- Della can take the Disengage, Hide, or Dash action as a bonus action on her turn.

Poisoner’s Touch- Della’s melee weapon attacks can deal an additional 3d6 poison damage once per turn. She can also coat food or drink in poison unnoticed with a successful Sleight of Hand (DC 15 Perception to notice).

Actions

• Multiattack- Della makes two attacks with her Dagger of Venom or a poisoned thrown knife.
• Poisoners Touch- additional 3d6 poison damage, once per turn
• Dagger of Venom. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6+4) piercing damage + (1d6) poison damage.
• Thrown Knife. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4+4) piercing damage
• Smoke Bomb (Recharge 4-6).- Della throws a small black sphere, creating a heavily obscured 25-foot cloud for 1 minute. She can move without provoking attacks when using this ability.