# Isolde the Black Veil ## Overview **Isolde the Black Veil** is the tenth of the Twelve Vampire Lords and a noble ruler of her own territory within the Kingdom of [[Hexa Landing]]. She is also one of the six master elders of the **[[Ebonclaw Conclave]]**, holding immense political and spiritual sway among vampirekind. A master of subtlety and seduction, Isolde is among the most politically volatile and feared figures in [[Hexa Landing]]. Though she still serves under Queen [[Callidora]], **she conspires from the shadows**, weaving a web of alliances and influence aimed at remaking the world under her eternal dominion. Isolde is driven by the fear of **losing control**—of rebellion from her own subjects or exposure to divine forces capable of unraveling her carefully maintained mystique. - **Name:** Isolde, the Black Veil - **Race:** Vampire (Ancient) - **Title:** 10th Vampire Lord of [[Hexa Landing]], Elder Master of the [[Ebonclaw Conclave]] - **Affiliation:** [[Ebonclaw Conclave]], independent sub-factions loyal to her within [[Hexa Landing]] - **Known Alias:** “The Painted Widow” --- ## Appearance - Raven-black hair flowing in waves down her back - Alabaster skin and sharp, elegant features - Amber eyes that gleam with predatory cunning - Black-and-red velvet gowns embroidered with baroque patterns and hidden runes - Ruby lips and a constant smile that masks venomous calculation Isolde is often described as **impossibly beautiful**—a vampire who uses allure as much as power to rule. Her presence disarms as much as it intimidates. --- ## Personality - **Disposition:** Elegant, secretive, emotionally unreadable - **Fears:** Being usurped, divine light exposure, and disloyalty - **Beliefs:** Power must be sculpted, not seized; survival demands adaptability - **Habits:** Cultivates black roses in her private garden; collects dark art; engages in covert diplomacy with rebellious clans - **Flaws:** Ruthlessly manipulative, occasionally underestimates divine threats due to her reliance on intrigue --- ## Background Born into nobility during an era of civil collapse, Isolde was turned during a desperate court alliance that went sour. She embraced vampirism as an opportunity—not a curse—and used her cunning to climb through layers of vampiric society. Eventually, she rose to become the six masters of the Conclave, not by raw strength but through **ruthless manipulation, centuries of plotting, and charm laced with steel**. She now sees herself as a rightful successor—or superior—to Queen [[Callidora]]. --- ## Interests - **Black Roses:** Tends a blood-fed rose garden symbolizing the lives she has claimed - **Art:** Favors haunting or violent imagery; has been known to commission artists to recreate her visions - **History:** Obsessed with historical betrayals, wars, and political collapses - **Hunting:** Not for food, but for dominance—chases and eliminates prey to remind herself of control --- ## Ebonclaw Politics - Leads a faction within the Conclave sympathetic to **breaking from Queen [[Callidora]]’s rule** - Suspected to be involved in the creation or patronage of the **Whispershades**, an intelligence force challenging the traditional hierarchy - Holds an uneasy rapport with [[Lucien Serpentis]] and openly opposes [[Eldrion]]’s inquisitorial zeal --- ## Campaign Relevance - May recruit, manipulate, or betray the party depending on their usefulness - Could be a source of forbidden lore or access to vampiric inner circles - Might attempt to form an uneasy alliance against [[Raphael]]—or to steal his power --- ## Future Development - Could spark a **civil war within [[Hexa Landing]]** - Might attempt a coup against Queen [[Callidora]] using mortal or vampiric pawns - May try to convert a PC or NPC into her heir, mate, or spy in exchange for great power --- ## Quotes - _“Beauty is never harmless.”_ - _“Every empire dies. I intend to birth the next.”_ - _“A throne built of roses still has thorns.”_ ## **Stats** **Isolde, the Black Veil** Ancient Vampire | CR 28 (120,000 XP) Medium Undead, Lawful Evil Proficiency Bonus: +9 **Armor Class:** 22 (Veilwoven Gown, defensive enchantments) **Hit Points:** 502 (41d8 + 328) **Speed:** 30 ft., Mist Glide 40 ft. (hover), Shadowstep 60 ft. **STR** 16 (+3) **DEX** 24 (+7) **CON** 26 (+8) **INT** 22 (+6) **WIS** 20 (+5) **CHA** 30 (+10) --- **Saving Throws:** Dex +16, Int +15, Wis +14, Cha +19 **Skills:** Insight +14, Persuasion +19, Deception +19, History +15, Arcana +15, Perception +14 **Damage Resistances:** Cold, Necrotic, Psychic **Damage Immunities:** Poison; Nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing **Condition Immunities:** Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Restrained **Senses:** Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 24 **Languages:** Common, Infernal, Elvish, Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft. --- ### Traits **Legendary Resistance (4/Day):** If Isolde fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. **Mistform Sovereignty:** While bloodied or in dim light, Isolde gains incorporeal movement, can pass through walls, and cannot be targeted by opportunity attacks. **Veil of Influence:** Whenever a creature begins its turn within 30 feet of Isolde, it must succeed on a DC 24 Charisma saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. While charmed this way, the creature sees Isolde as a beloved monarch, not a threat. Once the charm ends, the creature is immune for 24 hours. **Web of Black Roses (1/turn):** When a creature within 60 ft makes an attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, Isolde can impose disadvantage as thorned illusions erupt around their mind’s eye (no save). **Woven Lies (1/round):** The first time each turn that Isolde is targeted by a spell, she can force the caster to make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or treat the spell as if Isolde were not a valid target (wasted or redirected). --- ### Spellcasting (Archmagus of Shadows) Isolde is a 20th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Charisma (Spell Save DC 24, +16 to hit). She requires no components and casts silently and flawlessly within dim light or shadow. **Cantrips (at-will):** _Prestidigitation, Minor Illusion, Message, Toll the Dead, Mage Hand_ **1st level (4 slots):** _Shield, Command, Charm Person_ **2nd level (3 slots):** _Mirror Image, Suggestion, Detect Thoughts_ **3rd level (3 slots):** _Counterspell, Hypnotic Pattern, Vampiric Touch_ **4th level (3 slots):** _Greater Invisibility, Phantasmal Killer, Dimension Door_ **5th level (3 slots):** _Dominate Person, Mislead, Dream_ **6th level (2 slots):** _Mass Suggestion, Eyebite_ **7th level (2 slots):** _Project Image, Forcecage_ **8th level (1 slot):** _Feeblemind, Maddening Darkness_ **9th level (1 slot):** _Foresight, Power Word Kill_ --- ### Actions **Multiattack.** Isolde makes three attacks with her Black Veil Dagger or casts one spell and makes one dagger attack. **Black Veil Dagger (Magical, Vampiric):** Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d8 + 8) piercing + 22 (5d8) psychic damage. Target must succeed DC 22 Wisdom save or be silenced (cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components) until the end of its next turn. **Thorned Embrace (Recharge 5–6):** Isolde targets a creature within 60 ft. That creature must make a DC 24 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, they are restrained by illusory vines for 1 minute (can repeat the save at end of each turn). While restrained, they are considered charmed, and Isolde learns their greatest regret or weakness. **Rose Mind Surge (Recharge 6):** All creatures of Isolde’s choice within 60 ft must make a DC 24 Intelligence saving throw. On a failure, they take 12d10 psychic damage and are stunned for 1 round. On success, they take half damage and are not stunned. --- ### Legendary Actions (3/round) **Veiled Step:** Isolde teleports up to 30 feet in mist or shadow without provoking opportunity attacks. **Command Bloom:** One charmed creature within 60 ft must immediately use its reaction to move 30 feet and make a melee weapon attack against a target of Isolde’s choice. **Mind Thorns (Costs 2 Actions):** Isolde targets a creature she can see within 120 feet. That creature must make a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or suffer 6d10 psychic damage and fall prone as pain-laced illusions unravel its focus. --- ### Lair Traits (Isolde’s Black Garden, or her Estate) On initiative count 20 (losing ties), Isolde can use one of the following effects: - **Illusory Fog:** The lair is filled with a thick, dreamlike fog. All perception checks are made with disadvantage. - **Thorned Reflection:** When a creature attacks Isolde and misses, it takes 4d10 psychic damage as a mirrored version of itself lashes back. - **Scent of Betrayal:** One creature Isolde can see within 60 ft becomes marked for death. Undead under her command have advantage on attacks against it for 1 minute.