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Guest as Escher

On Playing as a Guest

Feel free to read all of this or just the tldr. You really can't mess any of this up. Play him however you see fit just with the summary of his current state in the tldr as a guide. The rest of this page goes into more detail about his history and what possible outcomes there might be with the party.

Tldr;

Escher is a vampire spawn, formerly one of Strahd's lovers, but now disillusioned with his place in Castle Ravenloft. He is charming, witty, and possesses a cynical outlook. Despite his outward confidence, Escher deeply resents Strahd and seeks a way out of his servitude. Your role is to subtly manipulate the party, sow seeds of doubt, or possibly ally with them if it means escaping Strahd's control.

Has already flirted with Anakir
- and is super flirty in general; he loves any sort of attention and is not getting it from Strahd recently
In conversation, Escher displays wit with a hint of melancholy
Beneath his arch mood is a dread that Strahd is growing bored of him and will lock him in the catacombs with Strahd's other castoff consorts

The Posh Socialite

one of the few sympathetic vampire spawn in the castle
- He drinks blood willingly, so he's maintained his mind (vampires that don't drink blood regularly go mad), but he takes no joy in battle
- He's a lover, not a fighter
Escher is extremely well dressed, if a bit overly so
- He loves fine clothes
Escher is a very social individual
- He loves talking to people and is very open and confident
- He's actually been quite downtrodden over recent years, since Castle Ravenloft has few people worth talking to

Escher's Insecurities

In an initial meeting, Escher should come across as overly confident
- He speaks his mind, is open about his sexuality, and overall knows he's a hot dish
- However, longer conversations and/or additional encounters should reveal his inner workings
Escher is, first and foremost, lonely
- He doesn't get along with any of the castle's current residents and Strahd has most certainly grown tired of him, which Escher suspects but doesn't know for certain
- He knows what Strahd will do to him in the end (seal him away in the crypts) and it absolutely terrifies him
- An eternity without human interaction or everyday comforts would be hell to Escher.

Story Progression

Escher's deepest fears are being unwanted and unloved, both of which are coming true. And that terrifies him. This motivation can go one of two ways with your party:

The players become a source of friendship to Escher, offering him better connections than his vampiric ones and Escher therefore switches sides. Or,
Escher's desperation to remain unforgotten by Strahd will turn him into an enemy. Whichever happens will depend on your players' interactions with him.

Should Escher switch sides

Remember that he's still a vampire spawn and must obey Strahd's orders
- He's clever enough to work around the wording of different commands, but he'll make it clear to the party that his actions cannot always be his own, and he's very sorry about that
Strahd just might put up with it for a little bit
- It's probably the most interesting thing Escher's done in a while in Strahd's opinion
- However, the end result will absolutely be Strahd crushing Escher
- Such a blatant traitor will have to pay in the end
- Unless, of course, the players deal will Strahd fast enough to save him.
In-Game Flirting
- Escher is one of the best characters in the game for flirting
- If there's a particularly attractive male in your group of PCs, Escher will totally flirt with them.
  - Remember, Escher is lonely and seeking companionship, even if it's meaningless sex
  - Heaven knows Strahd's not much fun right now
  - He's already flirted with Anakir, but wouldn't be ashamed of flirting with others too
- If the players continue to converse with Escher, his true personality should come through

Escher, Vampire Consort

Medium, undead, vampire, neutral evil

Armor Class

Hit Points

Speed

30 ft., fly 30 ft. (bat form)

Saves

Dexterity ++6, Wisdom ++3

Skills

Perception ++3, Stealth ++6

Damage Resistances

necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Senses

darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17

Languages

Common, Elvish

Challenge

5 (1,800 XP)

Proficiency Bonus

Regeneration

Escher regains 10 Hit Points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight or running water. If Escher takes radiant damage or damage from Holy Water, this trait doesn't function at the start of his next turn.

Vampire Weaknesses.

Escher regains 20 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in running water or sunlight. If he takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn.

Spider Climb

Escher can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Vampire Weaknesses

Escher has the following flaws:

Forbiddance: He can’t enter a residence without an invitation from one of the occupants.
Harmed by Running Water: He takes 20 acid damage if he ends his turn in running water.
Stake to the Heart: If a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into his heart while he is incapacitated in his coffin, he is paralyzed until the stake is removed.
Sunlight Hypersensitivity: While in sunlight, Escher takes 20 radiant damage at the start of his turn, and he has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

Spellcasting

Escher is a 4th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is his Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit (16) with spell attacks). Escher has the following spells prepared:

Cantrips (at-will):

friends, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery

1st Level (4 slots):

Charm Person, Heroism, Sleep, dissonant whispers, Faerie Fire

2nd Level (3 slots):

Invisibility, Crown of Madness

Actions

Multiattack

Escher makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite Attack.

Claws

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit (16), reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 2d4 + 3 (8) slashing damage. Instead of dealing damage, Escher can grapple the target (escape DC 13).

Rapier

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit (16), reach 5ft., one target. Hit 2d6 + 3 (10) piercing damage

Bite

MeleeWeapon Attack: +6 to hit (16), reach 5 ft., one willing creature, or a creature that is Grappled by Escher, Incapacitated, or Restrained. Hit: 1d6 + 3 (6) piercing damage plus 2d6 (7) necrotic damage. The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and Escher regains Hit Points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a Long Rest. The target dies if this Effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Taunt (2/Day)

Escher can use a bonus action on his turn to target one creature within 30 feet of him. If the target can hear Escher, the atarget must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving throw or have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws until the start of Escher's next turn.

Reactions

Parry and Counter

While wielding his rapier, Escher adds 2 to his AC against one melee or ranged weapon attack that would hit him. If the attack misses, Escher can make one melee attack against the attacker if it is within his reach.

Guest as Escher