Jerekoth

Lieutenant Lord of the Devil’s Song

Jerekoth serves as one of the lieutenant lords aboard the Devil’s Song, a notorious slaver ship captained by the ruthless Prelos. Known for his cunning and martial prowess, Jerekoth commands respect and fear among the crew. However, there is a sinister truth behind this individual: Jerekoth is, in fact, a doppleganger, masquerading as a human officer after infiltrating the ship during a previous raid. His true identity remains unknown to all but the half-demon Naahzruhn, who chooses to remain silent.

• Identity: Jerekoth is secretly a doppleganger who has infiltrated the Devil’s Song crew.
• Role: Acts as a trusted lieutenant lord under Captain Prelos, commanding a portion of the crew.
• Personality: Calculating and observant, with an uncanny ability to manipulate others.
• Goals: Maintain his disguise, gather intelligence, and ensure his survival aboard the Devil’s Song.

Appearance

Jerekoth appears as a tall, muscular human with dark, shoulder-length hair and piercing green eyes. His imposing figure is often adorned in splint mail, and he carries a finely crafted two-handed sword that seems well-worn from use. His jaguar-fur cloak adds an air of status and menace.
Surface Traits
Jerekoth is commanding, pragmatic, and intensely focused. He rarely speaks unless necessary, but when he does, his words carry weight among the crew. His demeanor suggests a man with experience in battle and leadership, qualities that have earned him a place of authority under Prelos.

"Loyalty aboard this ship is not earned—it is commanded. Disobey, and you'll learn why I'm in charge."

Hidden Depths

As a doppleganger, Jerekoth's personality is a carefully crafted facade. Beneath the surface, he is cold, calculating, and endlessly adaptable. He thrives on manipulation and deception, using his abilities to maintain control and sow distrust among potential threats.

• Public Persona: Loyal and efficient lieutenant, respected by the crew.
• True Nature: A doppleganger who carefully hides his motives and past.
• Manipulative: Subtly pits crew members against each other to divert suspicion.

Background

The real Jerekoth was a lieutenant aboard the Devil’s Song until a fateful raid six months ago. The ship attacked a merchant vessel, capturing its crew and cargo. Among the prisoners was a doppleganger disguised as a human sailor. Once aboard the Devil’s Song, the doppleganger killed and assumed the identity of Jerekoth, disposing of the body overboard.

Role Aboard the Devil’s Song

Jerekoth's position involves managing day-to-day operations, supervising raiding parties, and maintaining discipline among the crew. His authoritative demeanor has made him indispensable to Captain Prelos, who is unaware of the true nature of his lieutenant.

"Nulb is a cesspit, but even the foulest waters hide treasures worth fishing for."

Motivations

Jerekoth’s primary goal is to survive aboard the Devil’s Song while maintaining his disguise. He uses his shapechanging abilities to avoid suspicion and manipulate events in his favor.

Long-Term Objectives

While his immediate focus is survival, Jerekoth harbors ambitions of escape or seizing greater power. He views the Devil’s Song as both a prison and an opportunity, carefully balancing his actions to avoid detection.

• Immediate Goal: Avoid detection and maintain his position of power.
• Long-Term Plans: Escape the Devil’s Song or use it as a stepping stone for greater influence.
• Conflict: Naahzruhn suspects his true nature but remains silent for now.

Relationships

• Captain Prelos: Prelos views Jerekoth as a loyal and competent subordinate. The doppleganger, in turn, respects Prelos’ power but harbors no real loyalty, seeing him as a means to an end.
• Naahzruhn: The half-demon Naahzruhn is the only one aboard the Devil’s Song who suspects Jerekoth’s true identity. However, Naahzruhn’s own bitterness and apathy prevent him from acting on this knowledge.
• Other Crew Members: Jerekoth maintains a professional relationship with the crew, using his position to subtly manipulate them. He often sows discord among the ranks to divert attention from himself.

Role in Nulb and the Temple of Elemental Evil

• Connection to Nulb: Jerekoth frequently accompanies Prelos to Nulb, where the Devil’s Song conducts business with the village’s criminal factions. He plays a key role in negotiations and ensures the crew’s safety during these interactions.
• Relationship with the Temple: While not directly affiliated with the Temple of Elemental Evil, Jerekoth is aware of its influence in the region. He uses his time in Nulb to gather intelligence and monitor the Temple’s activities, sharing this information only when it benefits his goals.

"The Devil’s Song doesn’t tolerate weakness. You’ll either find your strength or be discarded to the depths."

Bullet Points for Dungeon Masters

• Nulb Operations: Acts as the ship’s liaison in the village, overseeing trade and logistics.
• Temple Ties: Aware of the Temple’s presence but maintains a cautious distance.
• Hidden Agenda: Uses his time in Nulb to gather intelligence for his own purposes.

DM-Only Section

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Items and Treasure

Jerekoth keeps a locked and trapped chest hidden in his quarters.

• 450 gp
• 2 black pearls (400 gp each)
• 4 healing potions
• 2 water breathing potions
• Chest Details: The chest is trapped with a poison needle, and the doppleganger lacks the key, which was lost with the real Jerekoth’s body.
• Equipment:
• Two-handed sword +2
• Jaguar-fur cloak (150 gp)
• Splint mail
• 58 gp and 34 sp

Secrets

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Roleplaying Notes

Jerekoth is a master manipulator and opportunist. As a doppleganger, he often sows distrust among the crew of the Devil’s Song to maintain his cover while gaining power. Dungeon Masters can use him as a subtle antagonist, misleading players with his supposed loyalty to Captain Prelos, only to reveal his true nature in a moment of betrayal or desperation.

True Identity

True Identity: Jerekoth is a doppleganger who killed the real lieutenant during a raid. Naahzruhn’s Knowledge: The half-demon suspects the truth but has chosen not to reveal it. Potential Threat: If exposed, Jerekoth will use his shapechanging abilities to escape or sow chaos.

Potential Hooks

Unveiling the Truth: The party might discover Jerekoth’s true identity through interrogation or magical means. Conflict with Naahzruhn: The half-demon may reveal Jerekoth’s secret if manipulated or coerced. Connection to the Temple: Jerekoth could offer valuable intelligence about the Temple of Elemental Evil if his life is spared.

"Fear is the lash that drives men harder than any whip. Wield it wisely, and they’ll break themselves for you."

Jerekoth (Doppleganger Pirate Lieutenant)

Medium Monstrosity (Shapechanger), Neutral Evil

• Armor Class 16 (Splint Mail)
• Hit Points 84 (13d8 + 26)
• Speed 30 ft.
• STR 14 (+2) DEX 16 (+3) CON 14 (+2) INT 12 (+1) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 15 (+2)
• Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +5
• Skills Deception +6, Insight +3, Intimidation +5, Perception +3, Stealth +6
• Damage Resistances Psychic
• Condition Immunities Charmed
• Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
• Languages Common, Deep Speech
• Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Traits

Shapechanger. As an action, Jerekoth can transform his appearance or revert to his natural form. He can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature he hasn’t seen, and he must adopt a form with the same basic arrangement of limbs. His clothing and equipment aren’t changed by this ability. He reverts to his natural form if he dies.
Ambusher. Jerekoth has advantage on attack rolls against any creature he has surprised.
Innate Magic Sense. Jerekoth can sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of him, though he can’t discern its source or specific properties.
Cunning Manipulator. Jerekoth has advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to lie or impersonate someone.

Actions

Multiattack. Jerekoth makes two melee attacks with his two-handed sword or one melee attack and one ranged attack.
Two-Handed Sword +2. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Doppleganger Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Read Thoughts (Recharge 5–6). Jerekoth magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of him. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 1 foot of stone, or an inch of lead blocks it. While the target is being read, Jerekoth has advantage on attack rolls against it.

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Jerekoth can see hits him with an attack, he can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage against him.

Jerekoth Gear

• Armor: Wears a suit of splint mail, functional yet polished to project authority.
• Weaponry: Wields a magical two-handed sword +2 with deadly precision.
• Distinctive Cloak: A luxurious jaguar-fur cloak valued at 150 gp, marking him as a figure of importance aboard the ship.

Alignment

Neutral Evil

Eyes

piercing green eyes

Hair

shoulder-length brown hair

Height

6'2"

Aligned Organization

The Crimson Trader