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Professor James Moriarty. “The Napoleon of Crime”

“Meet Professor James Moriarty: The Diabolical Mastermind Behind Sherlock Holmes’ Greatest Foe!”

By Sidney Paget - The Strand Magazine, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69209162, Professor James Moriarty
By Sidney Paget – The Strand Magazine, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69209162
  • Alias: The Napoleon of Crime,
  • Gender: Male
  • Race: Human
  • Occupation: Criminal mastermind, Professor of Mathematics (cover identity)
  • Religion: Unknown
  • Allies: A network of criminal associates, including Sebastian Moran
  • Enemies: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, and the forces of law and order
  • Abode/Base of Operations: Various secret locations across London, including a well-hidden office in a nondescript building
  • Nationality: British
  • Languages: English, Greek, Latin, Infernal and likely several others given his intellect
  • Alignment: Lawful Evil
  • Affiliation(s): Leader of his own criminal organization
  • Significant Others: None mentioned in canonical literature

Professor James Moriarty is a man of unparalleled intellect and unquenchable ambition, a shadowy figure whose presence is as elusive as his motives are inscrutable. In the annals of criminal history, Moriarty’s name is synonymous with brilliance, and his reputation as the Napoleon of Crime is well-earned. He operates from the shadows, pulling the strings of an intricate web of criminal enterprises, all carefully designed to evade the clutches of the law.

What drives Moriarty, above all else, is his fear of stagnation and ennui. The mundane, the predictable, and the ordinary are his greatest adversaries. He abhors a life without intellectual stimulation and is perpetually in search of new challenges that can test the limits of his prodigious mind.

At the heart of Moriarty’s existence lies a perpetual game of wits, a cerebral duel with his most formidable opponent, the great detective Sherlock Holmes. Their encounters are legendary, and Moriarty revels in the thrill of outsmarting the brilliant detective, even as he plots crimes of unprecedented audacity.

Moriarty’s ultimate ambition is nothing short of establishing an empire of crime. He envisions a London where he holds the strings of every criminal enterprise, where his power is unassailable, and where chaos and lawlessness reign supreme. For him, it’s not wealth or material gain that matters; it’s the intoxicating sense of dominion and control.

In pursuit of his nefarious goals, Moriarty’s actions are calculated and precise. He recruits an army of loyal henchmen, each an expert in their field, and he orchestrates schemes that baffle and confound the authorities. His every move is driven by a relentless desire for supremacy, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his vision of a criminal utopia.

Professor James Moriarty

Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Hit Points 120 (16d8 + 48) Speed 30 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
10 (+0)14 (+2)16 (+3)18 (+4)14 (+2)20 (+5)

Saving Throws Int +7, Wis +5, Cha +8 Skills Deception +8, Insight +5, Persuasion +8 Senses passive Perception 12 Languages English, Greek, Latin, Infernal Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)

Cunning Action. On each of his turns, Moriarty can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Evasion. If he is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure.

Scheming Mastermind. He has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened. Additionally, he has a network of spies and informants across the city, allowing him to gather information quickly.

Spellcasting. Moriarty is a 10th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). Moriarty has the following wizard spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation 1st level (4 slots): Charm Person, Detect Magic, Shield 2nd level (3 slots): Detect Thoughts, Mirror Image 3rd level (3 slots): Counterspell, Sending 4th level (3 slots): Dimension Door, Greater Invisibility 5th level (2 slots): Modify Memory, Teleportation Circle

Actions

Multiattack. Moriarty makes two attacks with his dagger.

Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Infernal Contract (Recharge 5-6). Moriarty can call upon infernal forces to make a pact. He selects a single target within 60 feet and forces them to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by Moriarty for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success. Moriarty can have only one target charmed this way at a time.

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker Moriarty can see hits him with an attack, he can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage against him.

Lair Actions

Moriarty’s lair is filled with traps, secret passages, and deadly puzzles. He can use lair actions to control the battlefield:

  1. Misdirection. He causes a wall to slide, creating a new maze of corridors. All creatures in the lair must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become disoriented for 1 minute.
  2. Hidden Snares. He activates concealed traps in the lair, creating difficult terrain in a 20-foot radius around him for 1 minute.
  3. Trap Activation. He activates a hidden trap against one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 4d10 piercing damage.

Equipment

Moriarty carries a dagger, a pocket watch, and a notebook filled with cryptic notes and plans.

Description

Professor James Moriarty is a man of intellect and cunning. He is always impeccably dressed in a dark suit and carries an air of sophistication. His eyes are sharp, and his expression is one of calculated curiosity. Moriarty is known for his devious mind, and his plans are always intricate and meticulously executed. He fears failure and the possibility of being outsmarted, which drives him to constantly seek new challenges and opponents.

His base of operations is his secret lair hidden beneath the streets of London. The lair is a labyrinth of traps and puzzles designed to confound and ensnare anyone who dares to enter. He operates from the shadows, manipulating events to his advantage and using his network of informants to gather information.

His ultimate goal is to prove his intellectual superiority by defeating his greatest adversary, Sherlock Holmes. He revels in the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of outsmarting others. His schemes often involve complex plots, espionage, and manipulation of powerful individuals. Moriarty’s reputation as the “Napoleon of Crime” is well-earned, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Currently in the World

Professor James Moriarty is a middle-aged man of average height with graying hair, neatly combed and slightly receding at the temples. He possesses a sharp and calculating gaze, with piercing blue eyes that seem to hide a mind teeming with intellectual prowess and sinister intentions. His thin lips often curl into a sardonic smile that hints at his malevolent intellect.

He typically dresses in well-tailored, dark-colored suits, giving off an air of refinement and sophistication. A pocket watch, gleaming gold chain, and an intricately designed tie pin complete his ensemble, reflecting his attention to detail and appreciation for the finer things in life.

Moriarty is often found in his meticulously organized study, surrounded by a vast collection of books on various subjects, with particular emphasis on mathematics and criminal psychology. The room is dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn to obscure any prying eyes from outside. His desk is cluttered with papers covered in complex equations and elaborate schemes, a testament to his brilliant but nefarious mind.

His mood is typically one of cold, calculated determination, as he constantly plots and schemes to outwit his arch-nemesis, Sherlock Holmes. Moriarty’s surroundings mirror his calculating nature, providing the perfect environment for crafting devious plans that could disrupt the very fabric of society.

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