Mallandamus

Champion

Mallandamus is the physical and martial heart of the Sister Mercy, a hulking figure whose reputation inspires fear and respect along the waterways of the Velverdyva River and the Imeryd's Run. A natural-born warrior and leader, Mallandamus is the eldest son of Captain Redond and Maureen. Despite his imposing stature and fearsome reputation, Mallandamus hides a fractured soul burdened by the crushing weight of his family's expectations.

Physical Description

Mallandamus is a towering, broad-shouldered man in his mid-thirties. His muscular frame is a testament to years of combat and hard labor aboard the Sister Mercy.

• Height and Build: 6’4”, heavily muscled, and powerful in stature.
• Facial Features: Square jawline, deep-set hazel eyes, and a weathered face bearing scars of battle.
• Hair: Long, unkempt black hair streaked with premature gray, often tied back for combat.
• Clothing and Armor: He wears a patched breastplate adorned with trophies from fallen foes—shards of swords, broken arrowheads, and charms of protection. His attire is practical and intimidating, with a long gray cloak that sweeps the deck as he moves.

Personality

Mallandamus projects the persona of a stoic and confident warrior, but beneath this facade lies a conflicted soul.

• Public Demeanor: Fearless, disciplined, and honorable (to a degree). He inspires loyalty among the crew through his fairness and reliability.
• Inner Struggles: Deeply torn between loyalty to his family and a secret yearning for a peaceful life far from the violence and bloodshed.
• Morality: Mallandamus obeys his parents' orders without hesitation, but every act of cruelty or murder chips away at what remains of his soul.

Key Traits

• Loyal but Tormented: Mallandamus will never betray his family, but he hates the life of violence forced upon him.
• A Reluctant Killer: Although capable of great brutality, Mallandamus takes no pleasure in killing.

Background

As the eldest son of Captain Redond and Maureen, Mallandamus was groomed from an early age to be the family’s enforcer and champion.

• Early Life: Raised aboard the Sister Mercy, Mallandamus was trained in combat and leadership by his father. Despite his mother’s attempts to shield him from the darker aspects of piracy, Redond ensured that Mallandamus witnessed and participated in the ship's crueler operations.
• Reputation: Known throughout the riverfolk communities as a fearsome fighter, Mallandamus has earned a reputation for brutal efficiency. His name is whispered in fear by merchants and rival pirates alike.
• Family Bond: Mallandamus shares a complex relationship with his family. He loves his mother and feels protective of her, but he resents his father’s ruthless demands.

“I didn’t choose this life, but I’ll see it through. What choice do I have?”

Motivations

Mallandamus is torn between his duty to his family and a secret desire for freedom.

• Primary Motivation: To protect and serve his family, no matter the cost to himself.
• Secondary Motivation: To someday find a way to escape the life of violence, though he knows it’s unlikely.
• Conflict: Mallandamus harbors a quiet hatred for his father’s cruelty but would never openly rebel.

Goals

• To maintain his family’s dominance along the rivers.
• To live up to his father’s expectations while protecting his siblings.
• To protect his mother, who he believes suffers silently under Redond’s tyranny.

Relationships

Mallandamus’ loyalty to his family is unwavering, but each relationship carries its own weight.

• Captain Redond: Mallandamus respects his father’s strength but resents his manipulation and disregard for Mallandamus’ happiness. Redond views Mallandamus as the family’s sword, using him to enforce his will.
• Maureen: Mallandamus shares a close bond with his mother, whom he adores and tries to protect. Her quiet strength inspires him. He is unaware of her growing opposition to Redond’s dark ambitions.
• Siblings (Senyig and Barbary): Senyig: Mallandamus admires Senyig’s cunning but finds his brother’s methods overly ruthless. Their relationship is one of mutual respect but occasional tension.
• Barbary: Mallandamus is protective of Barbary, though he struggles to reconcile her devotion to Orcus with his desire to preserve what remains of their humanity.

“Redond is the captain, but make no mistake: if you cross my mother, you’ll deal with me.”

Role Aboard the Sister Mercy

Mallandamus serves as the Sister Mercy’s first mate and primary enforcer.

Key Duties

• Enforcer: Handles disputes among the crew and intimidates or eliminates enemies of the ship.
• Warrior: Leads boarding actions during raids and serves as the family’s champion in combat.
• Leader: Commands the crew when Redond is absent, ensuring discipline and order.

Combat Capabilities

Mallandamus is a formidable fighter, blending strength, skill, and discipline.

• Fighting Style: A brutal and efficient melee combatant, favoring a two-handed sword for devastating strikes.
• Tactics: Relies on overwhelming force and intimidation to subdue enemies. He fights defensively when protecting his family.
• Weapons: A finely-crafted greatsword, an heirloom passed down through generations of the family.

“Every scar on my body carries a name. Yours will be one of them if you push me.”

Secrets (DM Only)

Show spoiler

Drama and Conflict

• Inner Conflict: Mallandamus secretly despises his role as a killer and dreams of a peaceful life. If given the chance, he might help the adventurers overthrow Redond, but only if it ensures his mother’s safety.
• Family Drama: Mallandamus suspects that Redond has made dark bargains for power but is unaware of the extent of his father’s ambitions or the potential threat to his siblings.
• Potential Redemption Arc: Mallandamus could become a powerful ally to the party if convinced that there’s a better path for him and his family.

Personal Items

• cloak of the manta ray
• boots of levitation
• 100 gp, 50 sp

“When the blade falls, I am my father’s son. But when I dream… I am something more.”

Mallandamus - Human Pirate Champion

Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil

• Armor Class: 18 (chainmail, shield)
• Hit Points: 91 (14d8 + 28)
• Speed: 30 ft.
• STR 18, DEX 14, CON 15, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 15
• Saving Throws: Strength +7, Constitution +5
• Skills: Athletics +7, Intimidation +6, Perception +4
• Senses: Passive Perception 14
• Languages: Common, Abyssal
• Challenge: 6 (2,300 XP)

Traits

Relentless Fighter: When Mallandamus is reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, he can make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a success, he drops to 1 hit point instead.
Shield Master: When Mallandamus uses his shield, he can use a bonus action to shove a creature within 5 feet or add his shield's AC bonus to Dexterity saving throws against effects targeting only him.
Fearsome Reputation: Creatures within 10 feet of Mallandamus must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature that succeeds on the save is immune to this effect for 24 hours.

Actions

Multiattack: Mallandamus makes two attacks: one with his longsword and one with his shield bash.
Longsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d10 + 5) slashing damage.
Shield Bash: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Intimidating Command (Recharge 5–6): Mallandamus shouts a battle command, forcing all creatures of his choice within 30 feet to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, creatures are frightened for 1 minute or until they take damage.

Reactions

Parry: Mallandamus adds +2 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. To do so, he must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Equipment

• Longsword +1 (family heirloom)
• Spiked shield (emblazoned with the Redond family crest)
• Potion of greater healing
• 30 gp, a map of river routes, and a silver locket containing a miniature portrait of his mother, Maureen.

Sex

male

Eyes

deep-set hazel eyes

Hair

Long, unkempt black hair streaked with premature gray, often tied back for combat.

Height

6'4"

Appearance

• Towering, muscular, with long black hair streaked with gray.
• Wears a patched breastplate and a gray cloak adorned with trophies.

Personality

• Stoic and disciplined in public, but deeply conflicted.
• Loyal to his family but yearns for freedom.

Role on the Ship

• First mate and enforcer of the Sister Mercy.
• Leads boarding actions and commands the crew in Redond’s absence.