npc Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Richelieu
In 1454, Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu is Cardinal Richelieu: a nobleman, churchman and the formidable principal minister of King Charles VII. Behind the courtly ceremony he has made a bargain with Asmodeus. His wealth of secrets matters more than any single army.
The Cardinal’s opponents call him the Blue Eminence. From his guarded household in Paris, he sends clerks, confessors and trusted riders across France. He has strengthened the King’s hand against defiant magnates, but he also takes pains to ensure that no royal order passes beyond his reach. Ambitious bishops and displaced captains seek his favour; courtiers who speak against him discover that their oldest letters are no longer private.
France is recovering from generations of war with England. Powerful noble households still command soldiers and hold fortresses, while royal officers struggle to administer recovered territory. Richelieu puts his own agents into households, bishoprics, ports and royal offices. He controls courier routes and paid informants, buys access to seal-makers and scribes, and sometimes has an inconvenient witness quietly detained. An intercepted dispatch is worth more to him than a public execution.
Across the Atlantic, Richelieu’s patrons and rivals seek charters, ships and influence in New France. The Cardinal pays for navigators and informants, then expects intelligence and profitable cargo in return. His ministers disagree about how much wealth France can spare for overseas settlements while the kingdom’s nearer frontiers remain unsettled.
If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.
Early life
Richelieu was raised among the courtly and ecclesiastical households of Paris. His father served in arms and royal service; family debts and disputed revenues taught the young Armand how fragile noble privilege could be. He received a rigorous education and learned to recognise the political value of a private confession, a sealed order and a well-placed patron.
He entered the clergy while his family struggled to preserve its position. His studies in theology and law gave him formidable powers of argument, while his dealings with wealthy abbeys and needy dioceses revealed the limits of sermons without money or soldiers. He won recognition as a reforming prelate, but also began gathering favours that could be collected years later.
Richelieu’s most dangerous confidant is Claude Frollo, a cleric with secret connections to the Cardinals of Asmodeus. Frollo offered him forbidden counsel and access to infernal patrons. Richelieu accepted a bargain whose exact terms remain known only to a few. Frollo has since acted as a discreet intermediary whenever ordinary diplomacy cannot reach the parties involved.
Rise to power
At the court of Charles VII, Richelieu first became useful as an ecclesiastical negotiator. He mediated between bishops, royal creditors and noble households whose support the Crown required after the long war. He argued for stronger royal authority while cultivating patrons who believed they could use him against their own enemies.
The victory in Gascony in 1453 strengthened Charles VII, but restored lands brought difficult questions of garrisons, titles and compensation. Richelieu secured responsibility for sensitive correspondence and negotiations with magnates. He used the fall of the royal financier Jacques Cœur to cultivate new financial allies, and his agents now compete with those of the Dauphin Louis for influence over frontier castles and court officers.
His rise was not uninterrupted. An accusation of illicit correspondence briefly cost him access to the King, and a rival minister sought to place his clients in the Cardinal’s offices. Richelieu answered by uncovering the minister’s private dealings with armed retainers, then returned to court as the man best placed to settle the resulting scandal.
Richelieu learned to turn reconciliation into power. When royal captains and great households threatened to defy one another, he offered a settlement, kept the incriminating letters and appointed the messenger who would carry the King’s answer. Families remembered the favour; their retainers remembered the threat.
By 1454 he is the Crown’s principal minister in practice, even when councils and magistrates carry out formal business. Charles VII appears to rely on his advice, while the Dauphin’s allies fear that Richelieu has become a second government within the first. Rival interests at the Burgundian court watch his manoeuvres closely, but few understand how much of his authority now rests on supernatural deceit.
Present
Richelieu seeks a stronger Crown without giving the princes a common grievance that would unite them. Royal garrisons, artillery and paid captains matter as much as noble loyalty. He recommends reducing the private armies of unreliable lords, strengthening carefully chosen royal fortresses and binding ambitious families to court through pensions and obligations. His opponents call this peace imposed by blackmail.
The English still hold Calais, and not every Gascon noble has accepted the French victories of 1453. Richelieu places informants around the ports, watches the roads from Bordeaux and seeks proof of covert dealings with England. He has no reason to wage the later religious wars or command a siege at La Rochelle: in 1454 the immediate contests are over recovered lands, royal authority, Burgundian influence and the King’s uneasy relationship with his heir.
Philip the Good of Burgundy holds territories and allies too powerful for Richelieu to dismiss. The Cardinal negotiates with Burgundian envoys while trying to separate their trading interests from their political ambitions. In Italy he seeks agents who can report on Milanese, papal and mercenary affairs. The struggle takes place in letters, marriages, loans, armed escorts and intelligence exchanges long before open armies meet.
The Dauphin Louis is Richelieu’s most dangerous domestic rival. From Dauphiné, Louis pursues his own alliances and cultivates courtiers who distrust the Cardinal. Richelieu answers by intercepting messages and pressing the royal council to treat independent princely diplomacy as a threat. He dares not move openly against the King’s son, but he can isolate a messenger, ruin an ally and make an official order arrive too late.
France’s war debts are heavy, and soldiers who once fought England still expect payment. Richelieu raises money through royal creditors, estates and customs revenues, while his private Blue Guard protects his clerks, prisons and secret couriers. Where a commander resists, the Cardinal sends auditors before soldiers. Angry townsmen and dispossessed retainers know that tax collectors are easier to reach than the man directing them.
Richelieu’s greatest secret is the disappearance of King Charles VII. He has kidnapped the true king and placed a sentient wax golem in his likeness at court. The prisoner is confined in the Bastille under the charge of a single jailer; a black velvet mask conceals his face. The Cardinal has disbanded the King’s Musketeers of the Guard and replaced them with his Blue Guard. The surviving musketeers still serve their king, but now meet in secrecy and hunt the truth behind his altered conduct.
Armand Jean du Plessis – Epic Cardinal of Asmodeus
| Armand Jean du Plessis, cardinal-duc de Richelieu et de Fronsac | |
| Cleric 10, Cardinal of Asmodeus 19 | |
| Medium humanoid (Sapien) | |
| Hit Dice | 10d8+19d6+58 (173 hp) |
| Initiative | +3 (+3 Dexterity) |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 31 (+3 Dexterity, +8 armor, +5 deflection, +5 natural), touch 18, flat-footed 28 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +19/+23 |
| Attack | Scepter of the Dark Cardinal +27 melee (1d8+8 plus 2d6 axiomatic plus 1d6 hellfire plus 2d6 unholy/19- 20); or spell +23 melee touch or +22 ranged touch. |
| Full Attack | Scepter of the Dark Cardinal+27/+22/+17 melee (1d8+8 plus 2d6 axiomatic plus 1d6 hellfire plus 2d6 unholy/19-20); or spell +23 melee touch or +22 ranged touch. |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Art of Hell, benediction of Hell, hegemony of Hell, lure of Hell, rebuke undead 12/day (+4 synergy bonus), spells, voice of Hell |
| Special Qualities | Favored of Hell, Rite of the Diabolical See |
| Saves | Fort +16, Ref +13, Will +27 |
| Abilities | Strength 18, Dexterity 17, Constitution 15, Intelligence 22, Wisdom 29, Charisma 28 |
| Skills | Bluff +57, Concentration +30, Craft (sculpture) +21, Decipher Script +20, Diplomacy +28 (+30 against evil creatures), Disguise +22 (+26 when acting in character), Gather Information +21, Intimidate +43 (+45 against evil creatures), Knowledge (Arcana) +16, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +19, Knowledge (religion) +38, Knowledge (the planes) +28, Perform (oratory) +30, Profession (composer) +24, Sense Motive +21, Spellcraft +38, Survival +9 (+11 on other planes) |
| Feats | Dark Speech, Devotee of Darkness (Asmodeus), Eschew Materials, Evil Brand, Leadership, Maximize Spell, Persuasive, Quicken Spell, Sacrificial Mastery, Twin Spell |
| Epic Feats | Epic Leadership (40), Epic Reputation, Epic Spellcasting, Improved Metamagic |
| Environment | Any land or underground |
| Organization | Solitary (unique) |
| Challenge Rating | 29 |
| Treasure | 333 gp, amulet of natural armor +5, belt pouch (with 200 sp), bracers of armor +8, circlet of persuasion, cloak of charisma +6, gem of seeing, gloves of arrow snaring, jewelry (200 gp), noble’s outfit, periapt of wisdom +6, ring of mindblank, ring of protection +5, Scepter of the Dark Cardinal (+4 axiomatic hellfire unholy Light Mace with the abilities of a rod of epic rulership), signet ring, silver Unholy Symbol (Asmodeus), unholy water font (100 gp), waterskin, winged boots |
| Alignment | Lawful evil |
Richelieu has received a +5 inherent bonus to all of his ability scores.
The Art of Hell (Su):
Three times per day, Richelieu may select to enhance the power of spells bearing the Evil or Lawful descriptors, or spells from the school of Enchantment, as a free action. Evil and Lawful spells find all of their variable modifiers improved as per the Empower Spell feat; Enchantment spells receive a +2 bonus to the DC (this bonus stacks with any other bonus).
Benediction of Hell (Su):
Once per day, Richelieu may grant a blessing to any willing to treat with Hell in the form of a limited wish. The results of the limited wish occur ‘naturally’ over the course of three days and always to the benefit of Lawful Evil. When Richelieu grants his Benediction to another, he pays no experience cost; if, however, he uses the Benediction for himself, he pays the appropriate cost as described. Those who take advantage of a Benediction of Hell always end up ‘owing’ Richelieu. Within nine days of the Benediction, he will demand a quest upon the client who receives no save against the request and suffers double penalties until the quest is fulfilled.
Once per day, Richelieu can call upon the aid of Asmodeus, granting him a +3 profane bonus to any one roll. Against chaotic or good foes, Richelieu gains a +1 profane bonus to Armor Class, and once per day can gain a +2 profane bonus on saving throws against a spell with the chaotic or good descriptor. He also gains Spell Resistance 29 against chaotic and good spells and spell-like abilities. Whenever dealing with a higher-ranking servant of Asmodeus (or the Overlord of Hell himself), Richelieu takes a 2 penalty on attacks, checks, and other rolls, a 3 penalty to Armor Class, and a -6 penalty to saving throws. In addition, no Spell Resistance Richelieu obtains is ever effective against such creatures.
Favored of Hell (Ex):
Richelieu is a dark beacon of evil and villainy, a reflection of his favored status in Hell. He has received Evil Brand as a bonus feat. Additionally, Richelieu has an imp which serves him loyally.
Hegemony of Hell (Su):
Once per day, Richelieu can impose the ordered might of Hell against all tainted by evil within 90 feet of his person, forcing them to obey him as though struck by mass charm monster. All evil aligned aberrations, giants, humanoids, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, and undead possessing fewer than 19 HD can be affected, and must succeed at a Will save (DC 33). Chaotic Evil beings receive a +4 modifier to their Will saves, while Neutral Evil beings receive neither a bonus nor a penalty. Lawful Evil beings suffer a -4 penalty to their save; furthermore, if the Lawful Evil being fails by more than 9 points, it becomes a permanent thrall to Richelieu as though under the effects of dominate monster. Otherwise, the Hegemony of Hell persists for 24 hours, after which those under its power receive another saving throw with a +1 bonus; this cycle continues until a save is made. Once released from the Hegemony of Hell, the victims perceive Richelieu in a friendly fashion. Richelieu may have up to five thralls (including any thralls gained by means of the Lure of Hell ability); he has the ability to release a thrall at any time, although doing so is treated as the daily use of Hegemony of Hell.
Lure of Hell (Su):
Once per day, Richelieu can proselytize to those not of his alignment. If he can speak to a single victim for at least one full round with no interruption, Richelieu can force it to succeed at a Will save (DC 41) or become subject to one suggestion offered by him and move a step closer to lawful evil. Should the victim become lawful evil due to a suggestion offered by Richelieu, the victim must make another Will saving throw or become one of his thralls. Richelieu may have up to five thralls at a time.
Rite of the Diabolical See:
Having performed the Rite of the Diabolical See and been found worthy by The Overlord of Hell, Richelieu has exchanged his immortal soul in exchange for rich diabolical rewards. He can see in darkness (even that created by deeperdarkness spells) and can engage in telepathic communication with any creature within 100 feet. When casting corrupt spells, Richelieu is treated as a devil (and thus does not pay the corrupt cost). Finally, he receives a +9 bonus to all checks related to summoning a power of Hell (Duke of Hell, arch-devil, or Lord of the Nine); this bonus stacks with those of other cardinals during cooperative or ritual magic.
Voice of Hell (Su): Richelieus voice commands attention and respect. He receives a +14 profane bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Perform (oratory) check, and a +6 bonus to language-dependant enchantment spell DCs (but not cardinal powers).
Typical Cleric Spells Prepared (6/7+1/7+1/6+1/6+1/6+1/5+1/4+1/4+1/4+1; save DC 19 + spell level):
- 0 – create water, detect magic, detect poison, mending, purify food and drink, read magic;
- 1st – bane, cause fear, command, comprehend languages, deathwatch, disguise self*, obscuring mist, protection from good, sanctuary;
- 2nd – calm emotions, darkness, desecrate, detect thoughts*, hold person, shatter, silence, zone of truth;
- 3rd – bestow curse, blindness/deafness, contagion, clairaudience/ clairvoyance*, deeper darkness, locate object, protection from energy, speak with dead;
- 4th – cure critical wounds, death ward, divination*, divine power, freedom of movement, poison, sending, tongues;
- 5th – commune, death knell (quickened), greater command, false vision*, righteous might, slay living, spell resistance, unhallow;
- 6th – blade barrier, greater dispel magic, harm, heal, mislead*, word of recall;
- 7th – blasphemy, dictum, greater restoration, greater scrying, legend lore*, mass inflict serious wounds;
- 8th – dimensional lock, discern location, fire storm, flame strike (twinned), polymorph any object*, unholy aura;
- 9th – energy drain, harm (twinned), implosion, miracle, storm of vengeance, time stop*.
*Domain spell.
Domains: Knowledge (all Knowledge skills are cleric class skills; cast divination spells at +1 caster level), Overlord (prestige domain),
Trickery (Bluff, Disguise, and Hide are cleric class skills).
Epic Spells Known (3 per day; save DC 29): epic mage armor, let go of me, ruin, spell worm.
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