Thuldin the Fallen, the Lord of Pride

Lord of Pride. All rights reserved.

The Lord of Pride is an ancient dwarf who appears grizzled beyond recognition. He was once the son of Thundin Greathammer, king of the Dwarfhold Khallin in the Northern Teeth. He had the utmost pride in the Dwarven race and believed they were superior to other races. Because of this, he convinced his father to pursue a xenophobic policy towards the neighboring human barbarian tribes, ceasing trade with them and even attacking them and forcing them to pay tribute. When an ancient green dragon harassed Khallin, Thuldin pursued the dragon with a small force of 300 dwarves, against his father's wishes. He wished to impress his father and the rest of his people. The dwarves managed to wound the dragon, angering it, but the force was decimated. Only Thuldin escaped, and he was vastly angry at his race for not having shown their "true might" and slain the dragon. Thuldin staggered home, wounded, but when he beheld the gate of the dwarfhold his prideful anger and disappointment surged and he turned away, vowing in anger to leave them to their fate. He could not face his father, knowing that all his proud boasts had proven false and that his father was right. When the dragon flew to Khallin for revenge, the hold was undefended and her gates were wide open. Khallin fell and Thuldin subsequently shaved his beard to show contempt for the race that had proved him wrong in the eyes of his father. His pride in the Dwarven race was overreaching and caused his fall. Thuldin then began wandering for many years, eventually making his way to the pass of Doom, where he was captured and sent to the Nameless City. He would emerge years later as the Lord of Pride.

The psychology of the Lord of Pride is complex; even though he hates dwarves, he cannot get over his pride in the accomplishments of his race, particularly in metalworking. He ruled Kale, the weakest of the Seven Kingdoms during his time. Kale was primarily weak because of the economic policies pursued by the other Lords. Saithith, the Lord of Gluttony, had no real economic policy to speak of. Brathelathor the Lord of Lust was derogatory and cruel to the Lord of Pride and purposely would not trade with him, although he heavily taxed all trade that came through his Kingdom from the East and headed towards Kale. Thuldin was slain by Valanduil the Elf and Bartarius the Barbarian in the year 8161 F.R.

The Dark Will: Each Lord of Sin has been instilled by the Book of Seven with a power that has come to be known as the Dark Will, the ability to send general orders to all dark folk in his respective domain. The Will cannot give specific orders, such as to recover a certain item, but it can direct groups of dark folk to head in a certain direction or gather in a certain spot, to go to war, to harry travelers, or to loot and burn. When dark folk (except Oluks and Hobgoblins) under the dark will are directed to go to war, they begin to breed at an increased rate, producing massive amounts of soldiers for the evil armies; their gestation period is reduced by one to three months depending on the race.

The Lord of Pride

Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful evil


Armor Class   18 (plate mail)
Hit Points   180 (18d8+90)
Speed   25 ft.


STR  18 (+4)   DEX  12 (+1)   CON  20 (+5)   INT  11 (+0)   WIS  10 (+0)   CHR  14 (+2)


Saving Throws   Str +8, Con +9, Wis +4
Skills   Intimidate +6, Persuasion +6
Damage Resistances   fire, poison
Condition Immunities   charmed, frightened, poisoned
Senses   Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages   Dwarven, Kalish, Dark Speech
Challenge   10 (5,900 XP)


Magic Resistance. The Lord of Pride has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Poison Resistance. The Lord of Pride has advantage on saving throws against poison.

Proud Strike. The Lord of Pride deals an extra 4 (1d8) when he hits with a melee attack (included in the attacks.)

Wounded Pride. While he has 50 hit points or fewer, the Lord of Pride has advantage on attack rolls. In addition, if the lord of pride hits and rolls maximum damage against a target, the target must succeed at a DC 16 saving throw or be stunned. The target can save again at the end of each of its turns.

Actions


Multiattack. The Lord of Pride makes three melee attacks or two ranged attacks.

Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (1d12+8) slashing damage.

Hand crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

Hubristic Battlecry (1/day). The Lord of Pride gives a stentorian shout that is filled with pride and rage. Each creature of his choice within 30 feet of the Lord of Pride that can hear him must succeed at a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned. Targets stunned by Hubristic Battlecry can save again at the end of each of their turns.

Reactions


Parry. The Lord of Pride adds 4 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. To do so, the Lord of Pride must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Legendary Actions


The Lord of Pride can take three legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Lord of Pride regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Greataxe or crossbow attack. The Lord of Pride makes one attack with his greataxe or crossbow.

Saving Throw. The Lord of Pride makes an immediate saving throw against a condition or effect that is affecting him.

Challenge your Pride. The Lord of Pride taunts an opponent and challenges its pride. One creature that can see and hear the Lord of Pride must succeed at a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws. The target can save again at the end of each of its turns.

Lair Actions


Those who live within half a mile of the Lord of Pride's lair tend to be touchy and quick to anger if insulted. Petty fights and scuffles are rampant close to his lair. If the Lord of Pride is encountered in his lair, his CR is 11 (7,200 XP). On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Lord of Pride takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects. The Lord of Pride can't use the same effect two rounds in a row.