Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

38
Equipment: As the wealthy leader of the mercenary
band Bregan D’aerthe, Jarlaxle has access to all
forms and types of drow items, equipment, and
weapons.
Magical Items: Jarlaxle is rumored to be covered,
head to toe, in potent magical items. The known (or
suspected) items include a necklace of missiles, drow
boots, a cape of scintillating colors (as a robe of the
same name), a hat of holding (treat as smallest bag), a
rapier of wounding (+1), a main-gauche of life-stealing
(+2), a wand of illumination, pouch of accessibility,
continual light pebbles (in the pouch), his eyepatch of
fiery fear (which acts as both a wand of fire and a
wand of fear). He also carries in a special bracer five
daggers of throwing +4. He always wears a ring of free
action, ring of protection +3, bracers of defense AC 2
and a scarab of protection.
Combat/Tactics: This drow fights in the twoweapon
style common to that culture, using his magical
rapier and main-gauche, often throwing his opponents
off balance by switching the blades back
and forth between his hands. He also makes good
tactical use of his many magical items.
Allies/Companions: The approximately 150
members of the Bregan D’aerthe company of mercenaries
and assassins (all have a minimum of 5th level
in pertinent classes; most of the members are
“houseless” males); and the matrons of Menzoberranzan’s
noble houses, all of whom seem to ignore
the fact that such a band is illegal even in the evil
drow society.
Foes/Enemies: Drizzt Do’Urden and his friends
and allies; other foes change as the band is hired to
accomplish various objectives. Jarlaxle and his
band have even switched sides in the middle of a
fight.
Appearance: Slender and tightly muscled, Jarlaxle
is the dandy of Menzoberranzan. He chooses
the brightest colors for his clothes and wears a cape
with every known color (even infrared shades only
those with infravision can discern). Jarlaxle wears a
(magical) eyepatch, but only as an ornament, since
he often switches the patch from eye to eye. He
commonly wears short vests with no shirt beneath,
and high, hard boots. He is seldom seen without his
outrageously plumed, wide-brimmed hat, worn atop
his clean-shaven pate.
Personality: More than anything, Jarlaxle is a
survivor. His wealth is considerable, but official station
in drow society means nothing to him. He’s
found the best way for a male to survive and prosper
in the matriarchal drow society, and was audacious
enough to take his life in that direction.
Always calm and graceful, Jarlaxle enjoys flaunting
his independence and is proud of the fact that the
noble houses come to him for aid. In the city of Menzoberranzan,
intrigue and double-dealing are a way of
life, and no one plays them better than Jarlaxle does.
Locales Frequented: Menzoberranzan and the
surrounding Underdark; Jarlaxle even has contacts
within the svirfneblin city of Blingdenstone.
History: Little is known of Jarlaxle’s past, but he
has led Bregan D’aerthe for more than 70 years Jarlaxle
and his band played into the downfall of not
one but two noble houses during that time. When
house Hun’ett attacked house Do’Urden, the attacking
drow were supported by Bregan D’aerthe, even
while Jarlaxle was in the presence of Matron Malice
Do’Urden. She made the rogue drow a better offer,
and in the middle of the battle, Bregan D’aerthe
switched sides, ensuring the end of house Hun’ett.
Jarlaxle and Bregan D’aerthe were also involved
in the massive drow force that attacked Mithral Hall
under the leadership of Matron Mother Baenre.
While the matron mother and several other Baenre
females were killed in the failed attack, Jarlaxle the
ultimate survivor came through unscathed.
Motivations/Goals: Jarlaxle is happy with his life;
he’s content to let his future be decided by the noble
house with the most gold to offer him. He’s supremely
confident in his abilities to handle any danger that
arises, and he looks forward to the constant challenges
his life offers him. He’s also determined to
squeeze as much adventure and pleasure from life as
he possibly can.
Campaign Uses: If your campaign involves the
drow, the Underdark, or Menzoberranzan, Jarlaxle
can certainly play a role. As a male outsider in the
city, Jarlaxle has much information few others beyond
Lolth’s priestesses are likely to have access to.
For enough money, Jarlaxle and his band might ally
with Gromph Baenre and the Spider Mage to set
about changing Menzoberranzan’s Lolth- and female-
dominated society.
Sources: Homeland, Exile, Sojourn, The Legacy,
Starless Night, and Siege of Darkness.