John Rann — Sixteen-String Jack
Rann dresses like a tournament champion to rob travellers, because being remembered is half the point.
John Rann is a flamboyant mounted robber whose ribbons, bright cords and expensive-looking gear make him instantly recognisable. Most highwaymen fear witnesses; Rann cultivates them. His legend gives him access to taverns, admirers and imitators, but it also means every robbery performed by a brightly dressed rider is blamed on him whether he committed it or not.
At a Glance
- Role: Flamboyant road outlaw and reputation criminal
- Primary region: Roads around London
- Status: Alive and active
- Campaign use: Rival outlaw, charismatic contact, false-suspect plot
- Power: CR 6 mounted skirmisher
Game Statistics
5.5e / 2024
John Rann — CR 6 Medium Humanoid; AC 17; HP 76; Dex 19, Cha 18. Skills Acrobatics +8, Animal Handling +7, Deception +8, Persuasion +8. Daring Hold-Up. Bonus action: one creature within 30 feet must make a DC 15 Wisdom save or lose reactions until the start of Rann’s next turn. Ride the Applause. While mounted, after making a weapon attack Rann may move up to half his mount’s speed without provoking from that target. Reputation Precedes Him. Advantage on Charisma checks with commoners who admire famous outlaws, disadvantage when anonymity is essential.
Pathfinder 1e
John Rann — CR 7 human swashbuckler 4/rogue 3; hp 66; AC 21; sneak attack +2d6; Bluff +15, Intimidate +14, Ride +15, Sleight of Hand +14; Weapon Finesse, Mounted Combat.
D&D 3.5e
John Rann — CR 7 human swashbuckler 4/rogue 3; hp 56; AC 20; sneak attack +2d6; Weapon Finesse, Improved Initiative, Mounted Combat, Persuasive.
What Is John Rann Doing Right Now?
Someone wearing Rann’s distinctive cords has murdered a courier during a robbery. Rann insists the killing is an insult to his style and wants the imitator found.
He is simultaneously planning an absurdly public robbery of a wealthy creditor’s carriage, making it difficult to know whether his outrage is genuine or convenient.
Encounters
- A mounted outlaw politely demands purses while three witnesses whisper that it must be Sixteen-String Jack.
- Rann offers information about another road gang in exchange for a song or public story that improves his legend.
- A rival uses his colours to frame him for murder.
- Rann appears at a tavern in plain clothes and is offended nobody recognises him.
Personality, Appearance and Manner
Flamboyant, vain, quick-witted and courageous enough to confuse spectacle with planning. He wants victims to remember the encounter.
He wears bright cords and ribbons on boots, sleeves and tack, carries a fine sword and crossbow, and chooses horses for appearance almost as much as speed.
Relationships and Influence
- James MacLaine and William Plunkett: fellow gentleman-road outlaws with very different attitudes toward attention.
- Jack Sheppard: useful when Rann needs locks or custody defeated.
- Tavern admirers: spread stories faster than official notices.
- Road officials: hate that his reputation encourages imitators.
Equipment and Possessions
- Riding horse with conspicuous tack
- Fine arming sword
- Light crossbow and bolts
- Bright cords, ribbons and cloak
- Several purses containing other people’s money
Using This NPC at the Table
Rann fights as a mobile duellist and flees before becoming trapped. He values dramatic escapes more than finishing a beaten opponent.
Adventure Hooks
- The False Jack: an imitator turns robbery into murder.
- The Public Hold-Up: Rann announces a crime in advance.
- The Stolen Ribbons: his identifying gear is taken to frame someone else.
- The Outlaw Competition: three road gangs compete for reputation as well as loot.
- The Ballad Price: Rann trades information only if the party helps shape his story.
Related Places and People
Sources and Adaptation
Inspired by John Rann, adapted into a fifteenth-century mounted road outlaw. His flamboyance remains central while his equipment is fully period-appropriate for the campaign.
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