Matriarch Elara Soft-Step — The Velvet Penitent

Ability Scores

STR

14

+2

DEX

10

+0

CON

16

+3

INT

18

+4

WIS

14

+2

CHA

13

+1

Combat

Armor Class: 15; Loxodon Natural Armor (12 + CON)
Hit Points: 58; Hit Dice: 8d6
Initiative: +0
Speed: 25 ft.
Proficiency: +3
Passive Perception: 12

Attacks

Quarterstaff+51d6+2 bludgeoning

Trunk Grasp+5Grappled

Personality

She speaks in a low, resonant rumble that vibrates in a listener's chest. She moves with an eerie silence that contradicts her massive frame and always offers a cup of chamomile tea before discussing anything of weight.

Ideal

Self-Sovereignty. No mind, no matter how troubled, should be steered by another's hand.

Bond

I carry a ledger of every person I have ever charmed; I will not rest until I have performed a mundane, difficult service for each of them to balance the scales.

Flaw

In moments of high stress, her reflex is to cast a 'calming' spell—a drug she is desperately trying to quit.

Backstory

For forty years, Elara was the invisible spine of the Starfall Traveling Menagerie. While the ringmaster took the bows, Elara stood in the shadows of the wagons, her trunk swaying to the rhythm of unseen weaves. She was the 'Soft-Step' because she moved through the minds of others without leaving a footprint. When a tiger paced its cage in a blood-frenzy, she whispered a dream of the jungle into its brain. When a corrupt magistrate demanded bribes, she simply made him forget he was angry. She thought she was being kind, providing a life of frictionless joy for her circus family.

The awakening came during the Great Winter in Oakhaven. She realized the circus performers were helpless children in adult bodies; she had 'smoothed' away their resilience, their courage, and their growth. They couldn't even negotiate for firewood because she had always charmed the woodsman for them. Horrified by the hollow shells she had created through her 'maintenance,' she fled. Now, she wanders the backroads, a mountain of gray flesh draped in the faded glitter of her past, seeking to mend the very minds she once so carelessly curated.

Abilities & Actions

Instinctive Charm (Reactions)

When a creature Elara can see within 30 feet makes an attack roll against her, she can use her reaction to divert the attack, provided another creature is within the attack's range. The attacker must make a WIS saving throw (DC 15). On a failure, the attacker must target the creature that is closest to it, not including Elara or itself.

The Weight of the Velvet Glove

Whenever Elara casts an Enchantment spell of 1st level or higher, she takes 1d6 psychic damage per level of the spell as she forcedly resists the urge to take total control. However, the target has disadvantage on the saving throw as she meticulously weaves the spell to be as painless and 'soft' as possible.

Porcelain Peace (Signature Item)

Elara uses her trunk to offer a delicate porcelain teacup to a creature. As an action, she can expend a spell slot to cast 'Calm Emotions' without somatic or verbal components. The magic is infused into the tea. A creature that drinks the tea automatically succeeds on its saving throw against being frightened for 1 hour.

Split Enchantment

When Elara casts an enchantment spell of 1st level or higher that targets only one creature, she can have it target a second creature.

DM Notes

Elara never looks a player directly in the eye while speaking, fearing she might accidentally 'slip' into their thoughts. She constantly fidgets with her copper tusk-rings. Sample Dialogue: 'Child, your anger is a fire that will cook your own heart. Please, sit. The tea is hot, and the silence is free.' She will refuse to cast 'Dominate Person' even if her life is at stake.