Osred Burch

Sergeant

Osred Burch is a brutal and opportunistic figure within the ranks of Lareth's forces, stationed at the Moathouse. Known for his ruthless approach to leadership and his knack for bringing order to the chaotic bandit group, Osred commands fear and grudging respect from those under him.

Sergeant of the Moathouse Bandits

Osred is a wiry, rugged man with short-cropped black hair, a perpetually unshaven face, and a collection of scars earned through years of thuggery.

• Attire: He wears a patchwork suit of chainmail that has seen better days, often stained with grime and blood from recent battles. His tattered cloak smells faintly of mildew, evidence of the swampy terrain surrounding the Moathouse.
• Demeanor: Osred carries himself with a predatory air, his piercing eyes constantly assessing threats and opportunities. His unsavory appearance underscores his role as a bandit leader.

"These walls may crumble, but our resolve won't. The Moathouse is ours—take it at your peril."

Role and Duties

Osred Burch serves as the sergeant under Gattas Void, commanding the bandit force stationed on the upper level of the Moathouse.
Primary Responsibilities

• Commanding the bandits stationed at the Moathouse's upper level.
• Leading raiding parties targeting merchant caravans and supply wagons along the Viscounty’s roads.
• Training new recruits in combat and banditry, ensuring they are capable of raiding and pillaging.
• Coordinating with Gattas to transfer prisoners and loot to the staging camp and onward to the Greater Temple.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Recruiting prisoners who show potential for banditry.
• Enforcing Lareth’s orders with brutal efficiency, quelling dissent among the bandits with threats or violence.
• Acting as the first line of defense against intrusions into the Moathouse.

"We may be scum, but we’re scum who know how to survive. That makes us better than the fools who don’t."

Background

Osred’s past is steeped in violence and betrayal.

• Origins: Born in a small town in the Viscounty of Verbobonc, Osred began his life as a laborer but quickly turned to thievery to escape his family’s crushing poverty.
• Criminal History: His career as a thug-for-hire ended abruptly when he was accused of murdering a town elder. With the townsfolk calling for his execution, Osred fled into the wilderness, where he fell in with the banditry lifestyle.
• Recruited by Lareth: Lareth saw potential in Osred’s cruelty and ability to command. Osred’s loyalty was solidified when Lareth granted him the position of sergeant and a place of relative authority.

Personality

Osred’s personality is as unpleasant as his appearance.

• Brutal and Pragmatic: He prioritizes efficiency and results, caring little for the well-being of his subordinates.
• Sadistic Streak: Osred enjoys instilling fear and exerting power over others, often taking pleasure in the suffering of his enemies or insubordinate bandits.
• Loyal Opportunist: While loyal to Lareth and Gattas, Osred’s loyalty is rooted in self-interest. He is motivated by survival and power, and he will turn on his superiors if it serves his ends.
• Wary of Outsiders: He is distrustful of newcomers, especially adventurers, and tends to view them as either threats or potential tools to further his goals.

"The law doesn’t reach out here, and if it did, I’d break its fingers."

Motivation

Osred’s motivations are simple and self-serving.

• Power: He craves authority and will do whatever it takes to maintain his position within Lareth’s forces.
• Wealth: Plunder and coin are his primary incentives, driving his enthusiasm for raiding.
• Survival: He understands the stakes of serving the Cult of Elemental Evil and aligns himself with powerful figures like Lareth for protection.

"The swamp hides many secrets, and I know them all. Cross me, and you’ll become one of them."

Relationships

Osred plays a critical role in the dynamics of the Moathouse and its bandit operations.

Relationship with Lareth

• Osred views Lareth with a mixture of awe and fear, respecting his cunning and cruelty.
• He follows Lareth’s orders without question but harbors resentment over being excluded from Lareth’s inner circle.

Relationship with Gattas Void

• Osred is fiercely loyal to Gattas Void, recognizing him as his direct superior.
• The two share a professional relationship, with Osred often acting as Gattas’s enforcer.

Relationship with the Bandits

• Osred maintains control through intimidation, making him a feared leader among the rank-and-file bandits.
• His ability to train and discipline recruits has made him invaluable to the Moathouse operation.

DM-Only Secret Section

Show spoiler

Osred harbors his own secrets and ambitions, adding complexity to his role within the campaign.

• Hidden Resentment: While loyal on the surface, Osred resents the power held by Lareth and Gattas. He dreams of one day leading his own bandit group or rising within the Cult of Elemental Evil.
• Knowledge of Logistics: Osred is privy to critical details about the bandit raids, including the locations of staging areas, prisoner transfers, and supply routes.
• Secret Stash: Osred has a hidden cache of stolen goods, including jewelry and rare coins, buried beneath the Moathouse. Clever players who investigate his quarters may uncover clues to its location.
• Potential for Betrayal: If captured or sufficiently bribed, Osred could reveal critical information about Lareth’s operations, including the connection to Gefreid Patris and the Hunting Cabin.

Adventure Hooks

Osred Burch’s presence in the Moathouse offers numerous opportunities for player interaction.

• Interrogation Target: Capturing Osred could provide players with valuable intelligence about Lareth’s plans and the Greater Temple.
• Enemy in Combat: As a skilled fighter, Osred serves as a formidable opponent during battles in the Moathouse.
• Potential Recruit: Charismatic players might convince Osred to betray Lareth in exchange for promises of power or leniency.
• Treasure Hunt: Discovering Osred’s hidden stash could reward players with rare loot and valuable items.

Mouthouse Bandit room 8 captured/questioned

Show spoiler

They all turned quickly when the door opened, apparently not expecting someone to be coming through that way. One of the chain mail wearing humans stammered, "Wa…What…What’s this? Who are you and what are you doing here?"
He looked up as the group began to move into the room, shouting, "So someone dares challenge us. Kill them and we will make trophies of them for the front gate."
The mercenary, blood seeping from his wounds, dropped his crossbow and sank to his knees. He held his hands aloft, "Okay, Okay. I surrender. Don’t kill me." The ruffian, seeing that his commander had surrendered and the other bandits were dead, dropped his mace and held his hands up.
One of the bandits held up one hand palm forward defensively. “Okay, I can see that I’m beat here. Please. I’ll surrender. Just don’t kill me.”
The mercenary looked over at *PC*, "We buried our loot in the rubble." He pointed over to the debris strewn area where the wall had collapsed. "These are all the men I have," he said as he gestured at the bodies on the stone floor.
“And you won’t kill me?” the man pressed.
The bandit nodded and dropped his blade, shoving it away with his foot. “What will you do with me?” the defeated man asked, eyeing you askance.
“I haven’t killed anyone, I swear!” said the bandit.
The captive’s shoulders slumped. “Not a lot of other prospects, really. ‘Specially now. Started as sort of a ’join or die’ thing. But my hands aren’t clean. I’ve helped this gang rob. And watched them kill.” With renewed hope, nodding quickly. “I don’t like lurking about in ruins that’re haunted, like as not. Was a farm hand before this life. But that’s been years ago now.”
“Listen,” said the bandit, “We got a bit of scratch stashed here. Take it. Return it or donate it or do whatever you want." Where the bandit had indicated their treasure was buried. You could see the tell-tale signs of digging and the stacking of debris. "If you let me go, I’ll … I’ll figure something out. Heard tell they’re building a castle in Hommlet. Might be they need another hand.”
“Thank you, sir,” said the bandit. “That’s better’n I deserve, but I’m grateful for it.”
You moved over, looking out beyond the rubble and could see that the side wall of the keep had fallen in, probably a result of the war so many years ago. One could climb over the debris to exit the keep and follow it down to the moat. There were several stones from the keep wall that were now stepping stones to facilitate crossing the moat. This looked to be, at the very least, the escape route of the bandits, one that they didn’t have an opportunity to use.
The bandit looked up, shaking his head, "No, we didn't take any casks. We only robbed a couple of passing travelers, I swear. We're just using this place as a temporary hideout." He shrugged his shoulders, "We've only been here a couple of weeks...and we've tried to keep clear of the critters that roam around. That chest over there is all the loot we've got, haven't really been anywhere else in this fortress." He waved his hand towards the rubble area, "Look, I told you where we buried our loot, why would be holding anything back." He looked around the room, "Where would we be hiding casks anyway?"
The bandit looked out of the crumbled opening, into the marsh beyond, "Well, there’s some big toads and snakes lurking around the marshes. They’ll eat you whole in one bite, don’t want to mess with them." He shook his head as he looked over towards the entrance to the room, "We’ve heard some noises around here at night, not sure what is creeping around and not wanting to find out."
He looked up at *PC*, "Look, you all busted into here, started hacking us up…what were we supposed to do? We couldn’t get out, you blocked that…we were just defending ourselves. Yes, we’ve done some not-so-great things, but you don’t have to kill us for them." He gestured towards the chest, "You’ve found the loot we stole, now just let us go. We aren’t going to hang around here anymore…head somewhere a little safer."
The bandit looked out the opening from the collapsed wall, "Do you mean what’s out there? That’s just the marsh. My gang is all right here and that hole in the wall was our escape route. We didn’t have enough time to flee when you busted in." The bandit looked back in the direction of the doorway the group had entered through, "We’ve heard stuff back out in the hallways, both to the south and west. Nothing came and bothered us in here and we left those areas alone, getting in and out of the fortress quickly and quietly."

"The world’s a rotting carcass, and I’m just the first to feast. Follow me, and you'll eat too."

Osred Burch 

Human, Level 3 Fighter

• AC: 16 (chainmail, shield)
• HP: 26
• Speed: 30 ft
• Str 14, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
• Skills: Intimidation +3, Athletics +4, Survival +2
• Actions: Longsword (+4 to hit, 1d8+2 slashing) or Shortbow (+3 to hit, 1d6 piercing)
• Special: Tactical Expertise – Grants bandits within 10 feet +1 to attack rolls when under Osred’s command.

Alignment

Lawful evil

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Flannae Flan

Year of Birth

543 33 Years old

Sex

male

Eyes

dark brown

Hair

short-cropped black hair

Height

6'1"

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Trust is as rare as gold around here. Earn it, and maybe I won’t gut you in your sleep."

Belief/Deity

Elder Elemental Evil God