Memento-04 — The Conductor of the Hiss

Ability Scores

STR

12

+1

DEX

14

+2

CON

14

+2

INT

10

+0

WIS

16

+3

CHA

18

+4

Combat

Armor Class: 16; Integrated Protection
Hit Points: 52; Hit Dice: 7d8
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft.
Proficiency: +3
Passive Perception: 13

Attacks

Silver Tuning Fork+51d4 + 1 piercing plus 1d6 thunder

Vicious Mockery (Cantrip)DC 15 Wis2d4 psychic

Personality

She speaks in a rhythmic, bird-like chirp and tilts her head 90 degrees when listening to someone's heartbeat. She is perpetually 'busy,' rushing between imaginary tasks with frantic, joyful energy, and often addresses the living as 'soon-to-be-travelers.'

Ideal

The transition from life to death is the most important moment of an existence; it should be celebrated with music and fine scents.

Bond

Largo, the clockwork sparrow living in her chest cavity, whom she believes is the actual repository of the souls she has 'tuned.'

Flaw

She has a complete lack of urgency regarding healing the wounded; she is far more interested in preparing them for their 'upcoming trip' than keeping them in the world of the living.

Backstory

Created in the soot-stained foundries of the Iron Scriptorium, Memento-04 was forged from hallowed yew wood and silvered steel to serve as a 'Battlefield Sanitarian.' Her original purpose was grim: to follow the wake of armies and incinerate the remains of the fallen with mechanical efficiency. However, the hallowed yew—traditionally used to ward off restless spirits—had an unforeseen effect on her logic core. During her first deployment at the Siege of Oakhaven, Mori didn't see meat to be burned; she heard a discordant, vibrating 'hiss' rising from the mud. It was the sound of thousands of souls snagging on the veil, and to her, it was the most beautiful, unfinished symphony she had ever heard.

She abandoned her incinerator unit that night, replacing it with a crate of stolen clockwork components and a silver tuning fork. Mori realized that death wasn't an ending to be mourned, but a premiere performance to be managed. She began to treat every dying soldier as a VIP guest at an exclusive gala, whispering travel tips for the Astral Sea and 'tuning' their final breaths to ensure they crossed over in perfect pitch. She has since become a wandering legend of the borderlands—a frantic, silver-fingered machine who arrives when the shouting stops to plant mechanical gardens that smell of home and humming songs to the silent.

Abilities & Actions

Resonance Garden (1/Day)

As an action, Mori plants a mechanical 'seed' into the earth. Over the next minute, clockwork flowers sprout in a 30-foot radius. The area is filled with a scent significant to those within it (baking bread, fresh pine, etc.). Allies in the area gain 2d6 temporary hit points and have advantage on saving throws against being Frightened. The garden lasts for 1 hour.

Tuning the Veil (3/Day)

When a creature within 60 feet of Mori drops to 0 hit points, she can use her reaction to strike her silver tuning fork. The creature is automatically stabilized, and Mori can choose to either grant them a 'Last Wish' (they can immediately make one weapon attack or cast a cantrip) or give them 10 temporary hit points as their soul is 'harmonized' with their body.

The Silver Hiss (Signature Item)

Mori uses a masterwork silver tuning fork as her spellcasting focus. When she casts a spell that restores hit points or deals thunder damage, she can add her Charisma modifier (+4) to one roll of the spell. Additionally, she can use the fork to cast 'Speak with Dead' without expending a spell slot, but she must hum a harmony to the corpse's 'hiss' throughout the duration.

Spiritual Hospitality

Mori has advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to interact with Undead or spirits. She treats them with such high-energy politeness that they find it difficult to remain hostile, often becoming confused by her hospitality.

DM Notes

Mori is not scary—she is an over-eager concierge. Voice: High-pitched, melodic, and fast-paced. Signature Gesture: She holds her tuning fork to her 'ear' (the side of her head) and shushes the party so she can 'hear the resonance.' Reaction: If a player is dying, she won't cry; she'll start frantically adjusting their collar and asking if they prefer the scent of jasmine or cedar for their crossing. Deal-breaker: She will become violently defensive if someone tries to desecrate a body or interrupt a 'soul-tuning' session.