Éponine Thénardier “the Jondrette girl”

“The Tragic Heroine of ‘Les Misérables’ – Meet Éponine Thénardier: A Heartbreaking Tale of Unrequited Love, Sacrifice, and Redemption!”

• Alias: The Jondrette girl
• Gender: Female
• Race: Human
• Occupation: None specified (although her family runs an inn)
• Religion: Not specified (likely Roman Catholic, given the setting of the novel)
• Allies: Marius Pontmercy, the ABC Society (a group of revolutionaries), Gavroche (her younger brother)
• Enemies: The Thénardier family (her own parents), Javert (a police inspector)
• Abode/Base of operations: The Thénardier inn and the streets of Paris
• Nationality: French
• Languages: French
• Alignment: Morally ambiguous (leans towards neutral good)
• Affiliation(s): None explicitly stated, but she is associated with the revolutionary movement in the story
• Significant others: Marius Pontmercy (though her love for him is unrequited)

Meet Éponine Thénardier, a complex character in Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” whose life unfolds in a vivid tapestry of hardship, unrequited love, and unwavering loyalty. Born into poverty and neglect as the daughter of the deceptive Thénardiers, Éponine possesses a resilient spirit that drives her actions and shapes her desires.

Éponine, with her disheveled hair and tattered garments, navigates the treacherous streets of 19th-century France. Her eyes, once filled with youthful innocence, now reflect the harsh realities of her existence. Despite her bleak circumstances, Éponine possesses a depth of character that is both captivating and poignant.

Driven by her ardent affection for Marius Pontmercy, a young revolutionary, Éponine’s heart beats with an unyielding love that surpasses her own personal happiness. She watches from the shadows as Marius becomes enchanted by Cosette, an enchanting young woman whose affection he reciprocates. Though consumed by heartache, Éponine selflessly dedicates herself to assisting Marius in his pursuit of happiness, even at the cost of her own.

Her actions are fueled by an unwavering loyalty to Marius, a desire to protect him from harm, and an underlying hope for his eventual contentment. Éponine yearns for a world where Marius finds the love and happiness he deserves, even if it means sacrificing her own desires in the process.

In Éponine’s heart, dreams intertwine with realities, and her journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Despite the cruel hand life has dealt her, she continues to forge ahead, fueled by an undying hope for a better tomorrow.

Éponine Thénardier, a character both tragic and courageous, leaves an indelible mark on the pages of “Les Misérables” and in the hearts of those who encounter her story. Her unwavering devotion, selflessness, and unfulfilled longing for love and happiness make her a captivating figure in the intricate tapestry of human emotions and the pursuit of noble ideals.

Éponine Thénardier

Medium humanoid (human), neutral good

Armor Class 15 (leather armor) Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10	18	14	12	16	16

Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +6 Skills Acrobatics +7, Perception +6, Persuasion +6, Stealth +7 Senses Passive Perception 16 Languages Common, French Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Actions

Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Flintlock Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Sneak Attack (1/turn). Éponine deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when she hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally that isn’t incapacitated and Éponine doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Cunning Action. Éponine can take a bonus action on each of her turns to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Éponine can see hits her with an attack, she can use her reaction to halve the attack’s damage against her.

Reactions

Loyalty’s Sacrifice. When an adjacent ally within 5 feet of Éponine is hit by an attack, she can use her reaction to interpose herself, taking the attack’s damage instead. The ally gains resistance against the damage type of the attack.

Legendary Actions

Éponine Thénardier can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. She regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

Distracting Flourish. Éponine makes a melee weapon attack with her rapier. On a hit, she deals damage and the target has disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of Éponine’s next turn.

Inspiring Melody (Costs 2 Actions). Éponine sings a haunting melody, inspiring her allies. All friendly creatures within 30 feet gain advantage on their next saving throw before the start of Éponine’s next turn.

Equipment Leather armor, rapier, flintlock pistol, dagger, quiver with 20 arrows.

Magical Item Medallion of Loyalty. This enchanted medallion bears the symbol of unrequited love. While wearing this medallion, Éponine can communicate telepathically with one creature within 60 feet that she can see, as long as the creature is willing.

Character Description Éponine Thénardier, the embodiment of resilience and unrequited love, moves gracefully through the shadows of the city. Clad in worn leather armor and wielding a rapier and a flintlock pistol, her actions are swift and precise. Her haunting melodies inspire her allies, and her loyalty drives her to protect them at all costs.

Plot Hooks

• Mysterious Ally: Éponine, known for her loyalty and selflessness, approaches the party in secret, seeking their help in protecting someone dear to her. She provides cryptic clues and requests their discretion to avoid attracting attention from her enemies.
• Unrequited Love: Éponine becomes infatuated with one of the player characters, mirroring her unrequited love for Marius in Les Misérables. She navigates her emotions, torn between her feelings and her duty to assist the party, adding a layer of complexity to their interactions.
• Streetwise Guide: Éponine offers to guide the players through the dangerous streets of a city or urban setting, utilizing her knowledge of back alleys, secret hideouts, and shortcuts. Her presence adds a sense of authenticity and insider information to their adventures.
• Revolutionary Spirit: Éponine, inspired by her involvement in the student revolution, seeks to spark change in the realm. She enlists the party’s aid in gathering allies, uncovering corruption, and planning daring acts of resistance against oppressive regimes or tyrannical rulers.
• Haunted Melodies: Éponine’s haunting voice captivates those who hear it. Legends tell of a magical song that can break curses, restore memories, or reveal hidden truths. The party seeks Éponine’s aid in harnessing this power, leading them on a quest to collect fragments of a forgotten melody.
• Family Ties: The notorious Thénardier family, known for their criminal activities, resurfaces, threatening Éponine’s newfound life. She seeks the party’s help in confronting her past, facing her treacherous parents, and redeeming her family name.
• Sacrificial Guardian: Éponine becomes a guardian angel for a young child or a group of orphans, protecting them from danger at all costs. The players are drawn into this protective circle, as they join Éponine in ensuring the children’s safety and finding a secure future for them.
• A Stolen Heirloom: Éponine’s prized possession—a locket containing a precious memory—is stolen by a notorious thief. She implores the party to aid her in recovering it, delving into the criminal underworld, and facing off against the thief’s cunning and ruthless gang.

These hooks provide opportunities for rich storytelling, emotional depth, and exploration of Éponine Thénardier’s character and experiences, allowing players to engage with her in meaningful ways.

Currently in the World

Éponine Thénardier stands with an air of quiet resilience, her slender frame draped in ragged clothing that bears the marks of a life lived on the streets. Her disheveled chestnut hair cascades loosely around her face, accentuating the weariness etched upon her delicate features. Dark, melancholic eyes gaze out into the world, a mix of determination and longing evident in their depths.

In the present moment, Éponine finds herself in the heart of bustling Paris, amidst the swirling chaos of revolution. She navigates through the teeming crowds, her steps purposeful and swift, blending into the shadows with practiced ease. The city streets, lined with weathered cobblestones and flickering gas lamps, bear witness to her tireless presence as she traverses its labyrinthine alleys.

Éponine’s surroundings are a juxtaposition of poverty and revolutionary fervor. Dilapidated buildings loom overhead, bearing the scars of neglect and decay, while the distant echo of impassioned voices and rallying cries fill the air. Despite the adversity that surrounds her, a sense of quiet determination radiates from Éponine, as if she has carved out her own space amidst the tumultuous backdrop.

Her mood is a complex amalgamation of emotions. Beneath the surface of her weary facade, there lingers a flicker of hope—a spark that refuses to be extinguished. She is driven by a fierce loyalty to Marius Pontmercy, even as the weight of unrequited love rests heavily upon her heart. A tinge of sadness colors her gaze, a constant reminder of the sacrifices she has made and continues to make for the one she holds dear.

As Éponine traverses the city streets, her presence carries a subtle aura of both vulnerability and resilience. She moves with a purpose, her actions guided by an unwavering commitment to protect and support those she cares for, even as she herself remains trapped in a world of longing and unfulfilled desires.