5e: NPC, Signifier Kyuuban

Presenting the first in a planned series of (hopefully) interesting NPCs for you to insert into your games!

Signifier Kyuuban

Art by and © Brett Neufeld

Race

Half-Orc

Path

Arcanic Monk

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Gender

Male

Sexuality

Heterosexual (celibate)

Age

32

Height

5'9"

Build

Athletic, Powerful

Skin

Olive Green

Eyes

Brown

Hair

Brunette (shaven)

Feature(s)

Mystic tattoos

Personality

Intellectual, calm and slow to anger, appreciates humour and whimsy.

Appearance

A muscular half-orc man who dresses in the simple garb of a monk. He is tattooed from head to foot with mystic symbols which act as his spellbook, and glow with a golden light when he casts magic spells.

Background

Signifier Kyuuban was given the name "Bertal Biddle" at birth. He was the son of a half-orc caravan guard and a human seamstress who lived in Waterdeep's poor South Ward. Bertal's mother died during an outbreak of featherlung when he was young, and his father began taking him along with the caravans which employed him. Bertal's life took another tragic turn when the caravan was attacked by dekanter goblins as it passed through the graypeak mountains. His father set him aside a horse, and bid him ride for his life.

Two days later, Bertal was discovered by monks from the Monastic Order of the Woven Road, a group who worshipped Mystra and combined meditative and martial arts practices with a deep study of arcanic lore. The monks took him in, and investigated what had happened to his caravan. When it was discovered that there were no other survivors, the monks decided to let Bertal live among them as an initiate.

In the intervening decades, Bertal embraced his studies and became one of the most promising of the order's initiates, finally earning the title Signifier Kyuuban, indicating his rank as a signifier and his seniority as the ninth of that circle.

Signifier Kyuuban's responsibility to the Order is to travel far and wide, seeking out promising recruits for the continued survival of the monastery. He searches for youths whose lot in life is suffering, and offers them the same opportunity he was once given.

Proficiencies and Talents

• Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Insight, Religion
• Excellent whistler

Significant Possessions

—

STR

12

+1

DEX

14

+2

CON

13

+1

INT

16

+3

WIS

15

+2

CHA

10

+0