Kolth Marran — The Quartermaster
Medium humanoid (drow), Neutral Evil • Arena Quartermaster & Warehouse Master • Ex‑Champion turned broker
Controls access to the underground vaults and "maintenance passes" beneath the arena. Keeps records proving the Covenant’s vault was built with embezzled funds from a rival house.
Ability Scores
Core Stats
Proficiencies
Lore Description
Kolth Marran once fought for the roar of the sands; now he listens for the softer clink of coin. A retired arena champion who traded glory for leverage, he runs the quartermaster’s books, the stores, and the quiet doors that lead to the subterranean vaults. He sells “maintenance passes” to those who can pay and watches those who pay too little. Everything is for sale, and every sale becomes a blade he can turn later. He collects and trades secrets with the same care he counts coins, offering morsels to new faces just to weigh their worth in the city’s shadow market.
- Tie‑in: His black ledger shows the Covenant’s arena vault was funded with embezzled money from a rival house—disclosure could collapse their claim.
- Attitude to Bribes: A generous offer earns service; a small one offends him. Offenders find their names quietly circulated among cutthroats and magistrates alike.
- Tell: Rolls a gold coin over scarred knuckles while thinking; the coin stops when he’s chosen a price.
Features
- Ex‑Champion’s Presence. When combat starts with Kolth present, allied gladiators/guards gain advantage on their first attack this encounter.
- Black Ledger. Kolth keeps encrypted notes of bribes, routes, and contractors. A successful DC 16 Investigation (with access) reveals a damaging secret; stealing it gives leverage on one major faction.
- Double‑Edged Deal. When offered a bribe or bargain, Kolth can choose to twist it. Within 24 hours he creates a complication for the offerer (DM chooses a rumor, audit, ambush, or blackmail hook).
- Vault Mastery. Advantage to detect false credentials, hidden loads, or concealed magic within the arena complex; secret routes cut travel time in tunnels by half.
- Drow Magic. Dancing Lights at will; Faerie Fire 1/day; Darkness 1/day. Sunlight Sensitivity.
Combat Actions
- Multiattack. Two attacks: shortsword or shortsword + hand crossbow.
- Arena Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.; Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing + 2d6 poison.
- Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 30/120 ft.; Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing; DC 14 Con save or poisoned for 1 minute.
- Vault Guard’s Snare (Recharge 5–6). Throw weighted chain; DC 15 STR save or target is restrained until freed (action DC 15 STR or DEX to escape).
- Reaction — Bad Deal. When a creature within 30 ft. breaks a bargain with Kolth, impose disadvantage on its next attack/check before the end of its next turn (he triggers pre‑laid obstacles).
GM Tools — Bribery & Leverage
| Offer Quality | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Insulting | < 100 gp or petty favor | Offended; marks party for surveillance; triggers Bad Deal complication within 24 hours. |
| Workable | 200–500 gp, minor secret, or a one‑time service | Grants a maintenance pass or a small route; shares one mid‑tier rumor. |
| Serious | 1,000+ gp, strong blackmail, or valuable contraband | Opens restricted vault access window; reveals the Covenant embezzlement lead and one safe contact. |
| Exceptional | Relic, faction favor, or mutual leverage | Becomes a temporary ally; will misdirect a patrol or falsify a shipment log on request. |
Roleplaying Notes
- Speaks in clipped, pragmatic sentences; prices everything, even apologies.
- Offers a sliver of truth first to test strangers; the second truth costs dearly.
- Dislikes waste and bravado; respects professionals and punctual coin.
- If crossed, he does not rage — he recalculates, then ruins livelihoods quietly.