Squire Richard Cabell (“Dirty Dick”)

“Unearth the Dark Secrets of Squire Richard Cabell: Devilish Deeds, Phantom Hounds, and the Sinister Legacy!”

• Alias: “Dirty Dick”
• Gender: Male
• Race: Human
• Occupation: Squire and landowner
• Religion: Christian (Presumed)
• Allies: Some local aristocrats and landowners
• Enemies: His reputation and the legends surrounding him posthumously.
• Abode/Base of Operations: Buckfastleigh, Devon, England
• Nationality: English
• Languages: English
• Alignment: Neutral Evil in legends due to his infamous reputation.
• Affiliation(s): Local aristocracy and landowners, although his notoriety led to isolation in death.
• Significant others: Anne Cabell (wife), Mary Cabell (daughter)

In the heart of Devon, a shadowy figure emerges from the pages of history – Squire Richard Cabell. His name resonates with tales of malevolence, eerie legends, and an enigmatic tomb that continues to captivate minds and stir imaginations.

Character Description: Squire Richard Cabell is a man veiled in whispers and mysteries. His stern countenance and piercing eyes seem to hold secrets only hinted at by the winds that sweep across the moors. His presence, a blend of aristocratic authority and ominous intrigue, casts an aura of unease on those who dare delve into his story.

Driving Fear and Motivation: Though no longer of this world, Cabell fears eternal judgment and the reckoning for his supposed wicked deeds. As his days drew to a close, the looming specter of retribution gripped him, propelling him to seek remedies that might grant him solace in the afterlife. Fear of facing his misdeeds without redemption became his driving force, pushing him to make arrangements for his burial and tomb in a desperate bid for salvation.

Unveiling the Why: Beneath the layers of dread, a complex character emerges. Cabell’s actions, shaped by a turbulent existence, become a reflection of his inner turmoil. As a man of privilege and power, he indulges in vices, leaving behind a trail of rumors that transforms into a legacy of villainy. Yet, his quest for absolution and redemption remains a poignant thread in his tale. The weight of his deeds and the shadows that clung to him drove him to design a tomb as unique as his life – a testament to his fear of a divine reckoning.

The Grand Ambition: Squire Richard Cabell’s aspirations are far from the conventional quests for power or riches. His ambition lies in securing an afterlife free from the torment of guilt and divine punishment. Through his actions and the legend that envelops him, he seeks to forge a path toward redemption, a legacy of atonement that might mitigate his reputation as a wicked man. His tomb, adorned with macabre symbolism, stands as both a monument to his fear and a monument to his yearning for salvation.

In the annals of history, Squire Richard Cabell is an enigma whose tale intertwines dark deeds, spectral hounds, and an enduring quest for peace beyond the grave. His story reminds us that even the most notorious figures are driven by the complex interplay of fear, ambition, and a longing for redemption, leaving behind a legacy that continues to bewitch and beguile across the ages.

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Squire Richard Cabell

Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil

Armor Class: 15 (studded leather armor) Hit Points: 104 (16d8 + 32) Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	10 (+0)	14 (+2)

Saving Throws: DEX +5, CON +4, INT +4 Skills: Deception +4, Intimidation +4, Persuasion +4, Stealth +5 Senses: Passive Perception 10 Languages: Common, Infernal, CR 8

Actions

Cabell’s Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

Phantom Hound. As a bonus action, Squire Richard Cabell can summon an illusory phantom hound that appears to be a hellish creature. It moves with Cabell and has the statistics of a wolf (MM 341). The hound disappears if Cabell is reduced to 0 hit points.

Spectral Presence. Cabell can use an action to make himself invisible until he attacks or casts a spell or until his concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell).

Abilities

Name	Description
Evasion.	When Squire Richard Cabell 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.
Illusory Cunning.	Squire Richard Cabell has advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed.
Cryptic Whispers.	Squire Richard Cabell can communicate telepathically with creatures he can see within 120 feet of him.
Cursed Reputation.	Creatures that have heard of Cabell’s wickedness have disadvantage on saving throws against his frightful presence.
Mysterious Past.	Squire Richard Cabell is proficient with disguise kits and forgeries. He can create false documents and disguises with exceptional skill.

Equipment

• Studded Leather Armor
• Cabell’s Dagger (dagger, finesse, light, 1d4 piercing)
• Ledger of Secrets (a book filled with cryptic notes and accounts)
• Dark Hooded Cloak
• Signet Ring of Cabell

Magic Items

• Amulet of Invisibility: Cabell wears an amulet that allows him to become invisible at will.

Legendary Actions

Cabell can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Cabell regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Phantom Hound Attack. Cabell’s phantom hound makes a bite attack.
• Cryptic Whispers. Cabell telepathically communicates with a creature he can see.
• Illusory Disappearance. Cabell uses his Spectral Presence ability.

Lair Actions

Cabell can take lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), causing one of the following effects:

• Cursed Aura: Cabell’s lair becomes filled with eerie whispers and shadows. Creatures within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute.
• Summon Phantom Hounds: Cabell summons 1d4 phantom hounds (MM 341) to his lair. These hounds act immediately after Cabell in the initiative order.
• Invisibility Shroud: Cabell becomes invisible until he attacks or casts a spell or until his concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell).

Currently in the World

Squire Richard Cabell, an imposing figure in his mid-50s, stands within the dimly lit chambers of his manor. His tall frame is cloaked in a deep, richly embroidered robe that hints at his aristocratic standing. His salt-and-pepper hair cascades down to his shoulders, a testament to his advanced years. His eyes, once vibrant, now carry a weight of secrets and weariness.

In his hands, he clutches a leather-bound ledger, its pages filled with careful script that hints at the meticulous nature of its contents. The soft flickering of candlelight casts wavering shadows across his features, emphasizing the lines etched by years of both privilege and trials.

His surroundings are a mix of opulence and solemnity. Ornate furniture, draped in brocaded fabric, speaks of his social standing, while the somber tones of the room echo his haunted reputation. Antique portraits gaze down from the walls, their subjects seeming to observe the squire’s every move.

Cabell’s mood is contemplative, a mixture of melancholy and resignation. His gaze shifts from the ledger to the window, where a distant view of the moors hints at the eerie legends that surround him. The heavy air within the room seems to carry the weight of his deeds, leaving him trapped between the facade of his position and the shadow of his reputation.

As he stands there, enveloped by history and darkness, Squire Richard Cabell’s thoughts remain a mystery. Does he reflect on the rumors that shroud his name, or does he ponder the whispers that dance among the wild winds of the moors? Whatever the case, his presence is a convergence of past and present, a testament to the power of tales that blur the line between reality and the ethereal.