Npc, Porthos, Baron du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds

Porthos, Baron du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds

“Unstoppable Strength and Unbridled Charm: Meet Porthos, the Larger-than-Life Musketeer!”

• Alias: Porthos
• Gender: Male
• Race: Human
• Occupation: Musketeer
• Religion: Catholic
• Allies: Athos, Aramis, d’Artagnan, The Three Musketeers
• Enemies: Cardinal Richelieu, Milady de Winter, various adversaries throughout the novels
• Abode/Base of operations: Various locations in France, including Paris and their musketeer barracks
• Nationality: French
• Languages: French
• Alignment: Lawful Good
• Affiliation(s): The Musketeers, King Charles VII of France
• Significant others: Various romantic interests, including Madame Coquenard and Louise de la Vallière

Porthos, Baron du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds, is one of the most imposing veterans of the King’s Musketeers. His strength and generous manner conceal a sharp understanding of soldiers’ loyalties. After Richelieu dissolves the Guard in 1454, Porthos keeps a small circle of dismissed troopers housed and fed at his own expense while the Cardinal’s Blue Guard searches for their captain.

Known for his love of the finer things in life, from indulging in good food and wine to appreciating the company of women. His jovial and outgoing nature makes him the life of the party, bringing laughter and enjoyment wherever he goes. However, beneath his jovial exterior lies an unwavering loyalty to his friends and an unyielding sense of honor.

Porthos remains loyal to King Charles VII and to Athos, Aramis and d’Artagnan. The royal decrees brought by Richelieu’s servants sound increasingly unlike the King he knew, and Porthos refuses to surrender a comrade to an order he cannot trust. He is the group’s strongest defender when a hidden meeting becomes a street fight.

He already possesses a noble title, but a title does not pay unpaid troops or keep a manor safe from hostile creditors. Porthos seeks secure estates, reliable income and a legacy worthy of his name. His greatest weakness is his pleasure in public admiration: an enemy who offers him honour at court may lure him into the Cardinal’s reach.

In essence, Porthos is a character driven by a thirst for adventure, loyalty to his friends, and a yearning for personal glory. With his boisterous personality and unshakable strength, he embodies the spirit of a true musketeer, ready to face any challenge that comes his way in pursuit of honor, fame, and a life well-lived.

Porthos, the Mighty Musketeer

Medium humanoid (human), Fighter 12

Armor Class 18 (breastplate) Hit Points 165 (20d8 + 80) Speed 30 ft.

Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8 Skills Athletics +9, History +4, Intimidation +6, Perception +5 Senses Passive Perception 15 Languages Common, French Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Brave. Porthos has advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Actions

Multiattack. He makes three attacks: two with his rapier and one with his musketoon.

Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.

Musketoon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 40/120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d12 + 2) piercing damage. Porthos can use a bonus action to reload the musketoon.

Power Strike. Porthos can expend a superiority die to add it to the damage roll of one of his melee weapon attacks.

Second Wind (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). Porthos can use a bonus action to regain 1d10 + 12 hit points.

Indomitable (3/Day). He can reroll a saving throw he fails, but he must use the new roll.

Reactions

Parry. Porthos adds 4 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. To do so, Porthos must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Porthos can take a lair action to unleash a booming voice and inspire his allies. Each friendly creature within 60 feet of Porthos gains temporary hit points equal to his fighter level + his Charisma modifier (maximum of 10).

Equipment

• Breastplate
• Rapier
• Musketoon (ranged weapon, loading, two-handed, ammunition: range 40/120 ft., damage: 2d12 piercing)
• Explorer’s pack
• 50 feet of hempen rope
• A set of fine clothes
• An emblem of the Musketeers
• Horse (with saddle, saddlebags, and riding gear)
• Potion of Healing x2
• Medallion of Inspiration (magic item, once per day Porthos can cast the spell Heroism on himself without expending a spell slot)

Plot Hooks

• The Braggart’s Challenge: Porthos boasts of his legendary strength and challenges the players to a friendly arm wrestling or weightlifting competition.
• The Noble’s Favor: He seeks the players’ help in retrieving a family heirloom stolen by a conniving noble, offering his gratitude and a future favor in return.
• The Gastronomic Adventure: He invites the players to join him in a quest to find the finest cuisine in the land, leading them on a gastronomic journey filled with feasts, challenges, and eccentric chefs.
• The Lost Love: Porthos reveals his vulnerability as he confides in the players about a lost love from his past, seeking their assistance in finding closure or reconnecting with his long-lost paramour.
• The Duel of Honor: Porthos finds himself challenged to a duel by a renowned swordsman, and he enlists the players’ help in training and strategizing for the impending clash.
• The Missing Musketeer: One of Porthos’ fellow Musketeers has gone missing under mysterious circumstances, and he recruits the players to uncover the truth and rescue their comrade.
• The Secret Quest: Porthos entrusts the players with a secret mission of utmost importance, promising them great rewards and glory if they succeed, while cautioning them about the powerful enemies they may face.
• The Famed Tournament: Porthos plans to participate in a grand tournament of strength and skill, and he invites the players to form a team to compete alongside him, facing formidable opponents and testing their mettle.
• The Rebellious Noble: Porthos discovers a noble who abuses their power and mistreats the common people, and he seeks the players’ assistance in overthrowing the tyrant’s reign and restoring justice.
• The Epic Feat: Porthos shares tales of a legendary feat performed by an ancestor, and he inspires the players to undertake a similar heroic task, embarking on a perilous adventure that tests their courage and resourcefulness.

Currently in the World

Porthos is a robust and imposing figure, standing tall at around 6 feet with a muscular build. He has a strong, broad-shouldered frame that exudes strength and power. His chestnut hair is thick and slightly curly, and his beard is well-groomed, giving him a distinguished appearance. His deep-set, hazel eyes carry a mix of warmth and determination, reflecting his jovial and adventurous nature.

Porthos still favours rich doublets, embroidered cuffs and a fine hat, but the badge of the dissolved Musketeers stays beneath his cloak. A strong cuirass and a broad sword serve him better than ceremony when Blue Guard officers come to question the households sheltering his former soldiers.

Porthos finds himself in a bustling tavern, surrounded by the lively sounds of clinking glasses and laughter. The air is filled with the aroma of hearty meals and the warmth of camaraderie. Porthos is enjoying the company of his fellow musketeers, regaling them with tales of his exploits and raising his tankard in celebration. His mood is jovial and boisterous, his infectious laughter echoing throughout the establishment.

As Porthos indulges in the merriment, his eyes occasionally wander to the entrance, keeping a watchful gaze for any potential adversaries or a chance encounter with a new adventure. He relishes the thrill of the unknown, always ready to stand up for what is right and defend his friends. Porthos radiates an air of confidence and charm, drawing the attention of those around him and commanding respect with his larger-than-life presence.