Maldrith
(a.k.a. the Hexed)
A name feared among the lawless and whispered in terror by the devout, Maldrith the Hexed is the dark soul behind the Crimson Reapers' rise in Nulb. As a twisted priest of Orcus , Maldrith's influence weaves through the gang’s every action, binding them in a web of infernal pacts and necromantic rituals. If Varek Bloodthorn is the sword of the Reapers, Maldrith is their shadow—the hidden force ensuring their loyalty, power, and eventual ascension into undeath.
Description
Maldrith is a gaunt, pale-skinned man draped in tattered black and crimson robes embroidered with unholy sigils. His piercing yellow eyes burn with an eerie, supernatural glow, a mark of the abyssal pacts he has sworn. His flesh bears dozens of scars, self-inflicted as part of his dark devotion to Orcus. A black iron staff, tipped with the skull of a demonic ram, serves as both his weapon and conduit to his fell god. Despite his frail appearance, his presence is unnerving—his voice, a haunting whisper, carries the weight of eldritch power.
"The Crimson Reapers think they lead. They are merely my tools—sharpened well, but expendable."
Role in the Crimson Reapers
As the second-in-command of The Crimson Reapers , Maldrith plays a pivotal role in the gang’s operations. Where Zelt the Bat enforces loyalty through fear and violence, Maldrith ensures it through demonic magic and soul-binding rituals. His tasks include:
- Conducting unholy rites and blood sacrifices to keep Orcus’ favor upon the Reapers.
- Ensuring members are branded with infernal glyphs, preventing desertion.
- Summoning lesser demons and undead minions to aid in raids and assassinations.
- Overseeing the gang’s most elite warriors, the Hexblades, a unit of warlocks sworn to Orcus.
- Acting as a liaison between the gang and the Cult of Orcus, working toward a larger goal of transforming Nulb into a haven of undeath.
Personality & Motivations
Maldrith is cold, analytical, and utterly devoid of empathy. He is a fanatic, believing that death is merely a doorway to true power. He sees all mortals as tools, existing only to further Orcus’ domain. Unlike the hot-tempered Zelt, Maldrith rarely shows emotion, preferring to manipulate from the shadows.
His ultimate ambition is not just to spread the influence of the Crimson Reapers but to transform Nulb into a necropolis, a city of the damned where the dead serve and the living exist only to be culled. His rituals carve dark ley lines into the town, steadily weakening the boundary between the Material Plane and the Abyss.
"The weak cling to life. The strong embrace what comes after."
Relationships
Captain Zelt (Leader of the Crimson Reapers)
- Their relationship is one of mutual respect and necessity. Zelt is the brute force that secures dominance, but Maldrith is the one ensuring that force remains unquestioned.
- Zelt, despite his ruthless nature, is wary of Maldrith’s growing power. He knows Maldrith serves Orcus above all else, including their gang.
Lady Nysera Krivaltis (Leader of the Iron Talons, Criminal Power in Nulb)
- A tenuous rivalry exists between Maldrith and Lady Nysera Krivaltis . He views her criminal empire as short-sighted, too focused on wealth when true power lies in servitude to the abyss.
- The two have crossed paths, with Nysera refusing to deal with him directly after witnessing his necromantic practices.
The Temple of Elemental Evil
- While the Temple leadership tolerates the Reapers, Maldrith has no true allegiance to them. He sees their elemental devotion as a weak substitute for the absolute power of undeath.
- Certain priests within the Temple, particularly Romag and Belsornig , deeply mistrust Maldrith, sensing the corrupting presence of Orcus clashing with their own dark faiths.
- Hedrack , however, recognizes Maldrith’s potential, and Senshock has sought an alliance of convenience with him.
Adventure Hooks
- A Curse Upon Nulb – Strange undead monstrosities are emerging from the depths of the Waterside Hostel. Maldrith is testing a new ritual, one that could turn an entire settlement into a city of the dead.
- The Brand of Orcus – An adventurer wakes up to find an infernal sigil carved into their flesh. Maldrith has marked them as a future sacrifice, and now they must find a way to remove it before they succumb.
- A Pact Worth Dying For – Maldrith offers the party forbidden knowledge and power in exchange for a dark service. Will they accept?
- The Betrayal of the Reapers – Zelt the Bat has grown wary of Maldrith’s influence. The Reaper leader secretly hires the adventurers to eliminate him before he seizes control of the gang.
Final Thoughts
Maldrith the Hexed is a force of pure, calculating evil, a priest whose faith is measured not in devotion, but in the number of souls he delivers to his master. He is more than just a spellcaster—he is a harbinger of Orcus’ influence, a dark prophet carving his god’s will into the heart of Nulb. Any adventurer who crosses paths with him will quickly realize that death is not an escape—it is merely the beginning.
"Orcus does not ask for faith; he demands servitude. And you will serve, in life or in death." Maldrith Priest of Orcus
Maldrith the Hexed
Medium humanoid (Touv human), Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 15 (Robes of the Ashen Priest)
Hit Points 42 (5d8+15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 10 (+0) | DEX 12 (+1) | CON 16 (+3) | INT 15 (+2) | WIS 18 (+4) | CHA 14 (+2)
Saving Throws Wis +7, Cha +5
Skills Arcana +5, Religion +6, Intimidation +5
Damage Resistances Necrotic
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Abyssal
Spellcasting
Maldrith is a 5th-level spellcaster (Wisdom-based, Spell Save DC 15). He has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips: Thaumaturgy, Toll the Dead, Chill Touch
1st Level (4 slots): Inflict Wounds, Command, Protection from Good & Evil
2nd Level (3 slots): Hold Person, Spiritual Weapon, Darkness
3rd Level (2 slots): Animate Dead, Bestow Curse
Actions
Dagger of the Void. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) necrotic damage.
Black Iron Staff of Orcus. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) necrotic damage.
Unholy Invocation (Recharge 5-6). Maldrith channels Orcus’ power, causing all creatures of his choice within 30 feet to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute.
Dark Resurrection (1/Day). Maldrith can instantly reanimate a slain humanoid as a zombie under his control for 1 hour.
Shadow Step (Recharge 5-6). As a bonus action, Maldrith can teleport up to 30 feet in dim light or darkness.
Channel the Abyss (1/Day). Maldrith can sacrifice 10 HP to regain a 2nd-level spell slot.
Magic Items for Maldrith the Hexed
1. Black Iron Staff of Orcus (Rare, Requires Attunement)
A wicked, rune-etched staff topped with the skull of a demonic ram. The staff pulses with necrotic energy.
- Grants +1 to spell attack rolls and spell save DCs.
- Soul Siphon (Recharge 5-6): When Maldrith reduces a creature to 0 HP with a spell or melee attack, he can regain hit points equal to half the damage dealt.
- Raise the Fallen (1/Day): Once per day, Maldrith can cast Animate Dead without using a spell slot.
2. Unholy Sigil of the Abyss (Wondrous Item, Rare, Requires Attunement)
A crimson amulet engraved with the mark of Orcus, worn against the chest. It radiates faint necrotic energy.
- While wearing the sigil, Maldrith has resistance to necrotic damage.
- Channel the Abyss (1/Day): Maldrith can sacrifice his own vitality, taking 10 damage to regain a 2nd-level spell slot.
- Command the Dead: Any undead creatures Maldrith raises gain +1 HP per hit die.
3. Robes of the Ashen Priest (Wondrous Item, Uncommon, Requires Attunement)
These tattered black and crimson robes are enchanted with abyssal magic, bolstering the wearer’s dark power.
- Grants +1 AC (AC 15 while worn).
- Shadow Step (Recharge 5-6): As a bonus action, Maldrith can teleport up to 30 feet in dim light or darkness.
- Whispers of the Abyss: While attuned, Maldrith can speak and understand Abyssal, and his voice carries an unsettling, supernatural echo.
Abilities & Powers
Maldrith is both a priest and warlock, merging divine and arcane magic into a deadly combination.
- Necromantic Channeling: Can instantly raise the dead in his vicinity, forming an undead vanguard.
- Infernal Glyphs: Marks his minions and followers with unholy sigils, ensuring obedience and granting them abyssal strength.
- Demonic Invocation: Summons shadow demons and lesser fiends to aid the Crimson Reapers.
- Soulbinding Rituals: Can steal the soul of a dying enemy, offering it to Orcus in exchange for greater power.
- Dark Bargains: Offers unholy pacts to the desperate, granting them cursed power in exchange for their loyalty.
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