Cassandra, The Cursed Oracle

“Cursed Seer of Troy: Meet Cassandra, the Tragic Priestess Whose Unheeded Prophecies Shaped Destiny!”

• Alias – The Cursed Oracle
• Gender – Female
• Race – Human
• Occupation – Priestess, Seer, Oracle
• Religion – Hellenic Pantheon, Devotee of Apollo
• Allies – Hector (brother), Priam (father), Hecuba (mother)
• Enemies – Apollo, Those who dismissed her prophecies, including many within Troy
• Abode/Base of Operations – Troy
• Nationality – Trojan
• Languages – Ancient Greek, Troyan Dialect
• Alignment – Neutral Good
• Affiliation(s) – The royal family of Troy
• Significant Others – None mentioned in the myth

In the ancient city of Troy, a priestess named Cassandra stood as both a beacon of divine insight and a tragic figure ensnared by a curse. Daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, Cassandra possessed the gift of true prophecy, granted by the god Apollo himself. Yet, in a cruel twist, her prophecies were doomed to be ignored by those around her, no matter how dire the warnings they held.

Cassandra’s life was woven with threads of beauty and tragedy. Admired by Apollo, she promised him her affection in exchange for the gift of foresight. However, once granted this power, she reneged on her promise, infuriating Apollo and prompting him to curse her with disbelief. As a result, Cassandra’s true prophecies were condemned to fall on deaf ears, her words brushed aside as mere ravings of a troubled mind.

She grew up alongside her heroic brother Hector and witnessed the turmoil of the Trojan War firsthand. Despite her ability to foresee the impending doom of Troy, her warnings were scorned by her family and people, who dismissed her as delusional. Yet, Cassandra’s insight was unwavering, and she carried the weight of her cursed knowledge with both determination and a sense of futility.

Cassandra’s life story intertwined with the grand tapestry of the Trojan War. She tried desperately to prevent the fall of her city, warning against the acceptance of the Trojan Horse and the return of Helen. Yet, her pleas were in vain, and her prophecies ignored once more. In a climactic act of defiance, she brandished an axe and torch, attempting to expose the hidden Greek warriors within the horse, only to be thwarted by her own people.

Her journey was one of tragic irony, her gift of prophecy a blessing that ultimately became a curse. Despite her struggles, Cassandra’s strength and resilience remained unbroken, a testament to her unyielding spirit. As her life came to a bitter end, Cassandra left behind a legacy of foresight that forever intertwined with the threads of Troy’s fate, embodying the tragic nature of a gift that brought both knowledge and isolation.

Cassandra, Cursed Seer

Medium humanoid (human), neutral

Armor Class 14 (mage armor) Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12) Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	18 (+4)

Skills Arcana +8, Insight +7, Perception +7, Persuasion +8, Religion +8 Senses passive Perception 17 Languages Common, Celestial

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Divine Insight. She has advantage on saving throws against being charmed and can’t be surprised.

Cassandra’s Curse. She is cursed by the god Apollo to have her true prophecies never believed by others.

Spellcasting. Cassandra is a 12th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). She has the following spells prepared from the cleric and wizard spell lists:

• Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, guidance, mending
• 1st-level (4 slots): command, comprehend languages, cure wounds, identify
• 2nd-level (3 slots): augury, hold person, silence
• 3rd-level (3 slots): dispel magic, clairvoyance, speak with dead
• 4th-level (3 slots): divination, guardian of faith
• 5th-level (2 slots): commune, scrying

Actions

Staff of Prophecy. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage. On a critical hit, the target is stunned until the end of their next turn. Cassandra can use her Staff of Prophecy as a spellcasting focus for her cleric and wizard spells.

Divine Vision (Recharge 5-6). Cassandra casts clairvoyance without expending a spell slot. She can use this ability once per day.

Reactions

True Prophecy. When Cassandra is targeted by a spell or effect that would inflict a condition or status on her, she can use her reaction to grant herself advantage on the saving throw against it. She can use this ability once per short rest.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Cassandra fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Legendary Actions

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

• Casting a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). She casts a spell from her prepared spells without expending a spell slot.
• Oracle’s Insight (Costs 1 Action). She imparts a word of warning or wisdom. One ally within 60 feet gains advantage on their next saving throw or attack roll before the start of Cassandra’s next turn.
• Foretelling (Costs 2 Actions). She predicts an enemy’s move. A target enemy must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 16) or have disadvantage on its next attack roll or saving throw.

Equipment

• Staff of Prophecy (quarterstaff, +1 to attack and damage rolls, can be used as a spellcasting focus)
• Robes of the Seer (+1 AC, advantage on Arcana and Religion checks)
• Amulet of Foresight (Cassandra can’t be surprised)
• Scroll of Divination (allows casting of divination spell once)

Description

Cassandra stands with an air of enigmatic wisdom, her piercing blue eyes seemingly seeing beyond the present. Her dark hair is woven with delicate threads of silver, reminiscent of the stars that foretell her prophecies. She wears robes adorned with celestial symbols and clutches a staff, its crystal tip emitting a faint glow. Cassandra’s surroundings are filled with an aura of mystery, as if her mere presence invites hidden truths to surface.

Despite the weight of her curse, Cassandra’s determination burns brightly. Her prophetic gift, though often disbelieved, serves a greater purpose in shaping the destiny of those around her. She is haunted by the knowledge of impending events, always aware of the skepticism her words will face. Yet, Cassandra persists in offering her insights, driven by the hope that one day her prophecies will be taken seriously, preventing the tragedies she foresees.

Currently in the World

Cassandra stands with an air of quiet intensity, her posture slightly hunched as if carrying the weight of her own knowledge. Her once-lustrous hair, now streaked with strands of gray, falls in unruly waves around her shoulders. The lines on her forehead and the corners of her eyes tell tales of countless sleepless nights, while her piercing gaze holds a mix of wisdom and a touch of sadness.

Clad in simple garments of faded blues and whites, Cassandra’s attire mirrors her somber demeanor. The intricately woven patterns on her clothes, a nod to her former role as a priestess, contrast with the plainness of her surroundings. She is often found near a modest altar adorned with dried herbs and simple offerings, remnants of her time serving the gods.

Cassandra’s current surroundings are a dimly lit chamber within the walls of Troy, a place that once resonated with her prophecies, now muted by disbelief and rejection. The room, adorned with intricate tapestries that have seen better days, seems to echo her melancholic state of mind.

Her mood is a mixture of weariness and determination. The burden of her foresight has etched a solemnity onto her features, yet there is an underlying fire in her eyes—a fierce desire to make others understand the truths she sees. Even as the world outside continues its bustling activities, Cassandra remains immersed in her thoughts, her fingers absently tracing the patterns on the altar as she contemplates the weight of her knowledge and the frustration of not being heard.