Hylas, ‘The Beloved Companion’

“Tragedy and Temptation: The Enigmatic Tale of Hylas, Heracles’s Ill-Fated Youth”

• Alias: The Beloved Companion
• Gender: Male
• Race: Mortal (Human)
• Occupation: Squire, Warrior
• Religion: Linked to the gods of Greek Mythology
• Allies: Heracles, Argonauts
• Enemies: Naiads (Water Nymphs)
• Abode/Base of operations: The Argo (ship), Various locations during adventures
• Nationality: Greek
• Languages: Ancient Greek
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Affiliation(s): Argonauts
• Significant Others: Heracles (Companion and Mentor), Naiads (Water Nymphs, associated with his fate)

In the realm of Greek mythology, the figure of Hylas emerges as a captivating and enigmatic character whose destiny becomes entwined with both the mighty Heracles and the enchanting water nymphs. Hylas, a youthful soul of royal lineage, finds himself in a world of heroism and adventure, where his life’s course becomes a compelling narrative of love, loyalty, and untold mysteries.

Born of King Theiodamas and the nymph Menodice, Hylas’s origins are rooted in both the mortal and ethereal realms. As Heracles’s devoted companion, Hylas embarks on a journey that transcends the ordinary. It is within the shadow of Heracles’s immense presence that Hylas evolves from a young squire to a warrior of his own merit. The poetic words of Theocritus paint a tale of a unique bond, where Heracles imparts his strength and wisdom upon the enchanting Hylas.

But destiny takes an unexpected turn when Heracles brings Hylas aboard the grand Argo, setting sail as an Argonaut. The symphony of this story crescendos when Hylas’s beauty captures the hearts of the Naiads, water nymphs of unparalleled allure. Kidnapped by their irresistible desires, Hylas vanishes into the depths of the spring’s waters, leaving behind only echoes of his cries.

Driven by an insatiable longing for adventure and connection, Hylas’s fate becomes sealed in both sorrow and mystery. His disappearance is a source of immense grief for Heracles, who relentlessly searches for the one who has become his closest confidant. But the Naiads hold their secrets tightly, and his destiny takes on an air of tragic romance as the love of nymphs forever intertwines with his fate.

Hylas, with his innocent charm and daring spirit, is a character who embodies the ephemeral beauty and fragility of life. His actions, motivated by an unquenchable thirst for companionship and his desire to explore the uncharted, paint him as a figure of both youthful exuberance and unforeseen consequence. As he treads the line between the mortal and supernatural, Hylas becomes a symbol of the yearning for adventure and the mysteries that lie just beyond the ordinary.

In this eternal dance between human desires and the mystical realms, Hylas’s story resonates as a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s unending quest for connection, even when that journey leads to unforeseen depths.

Hylas, Enigmatic Companion

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral Good

Armor Class 12 (Leather Armor) Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18) Speed 30 ft.

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

Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +5 Skills Perception +4, Persuasion +5, Nature +3 Senses Passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Ancient Greek Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Actions

• Nymph’s Whisper (Shortsword). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by Hylas for 1 minute. The charmed target regards Hylas as a trusted friend. The effect ends if the charmed creature is directly harmed by Hylas or his allies. Once a creature succeeds on the saving throw against this effect, it is immune to it for 24 hours.

Mystic Enchantment. He can cast Charm Person and Enthrall at will without expending a spell slot. The DC for these spells is 13.

Mesmeric Whispers (Recharge 5-6). Hylas targets a creature within 60 feet that can hear him. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by Hylas. The charmed creature is charmed for 1 minute and must use its actions to move towards Hylas by the most direct route, using Dash if necessary. The effect ends if the charmed creature is more than 30 feet away from Hylas or is directly harmed by Hylas or his allies. Once a creature succeeds on the saving throw against this effect, it is immune to it for 24 hours.

Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If he fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Reactions

Mysterious Evasion. When he is targeted by an attack, he can use his reaction to magically teleport up to 20 feet away to an unoccupied space he can see, avoiding the attack.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Hylas can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• Enchanting Melody. He creates an enchanting melody that resonates through the air. Creatures within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. The charmed creature is incapacitated and ignores the melody’s effects if it takes damage. The effect ends if the charmed creature is more than 30 feet away from Hylas or is directly harmed by him or his allies. Once a creature succeeds on the saving throw against this effect, it is immune to it for 24 hours.
• Illusory Distortion. He distorts the perception of the environment, creating illusory images and sounds within 60 feet of him. These illusions last until the end of his next turn.

Equipment

Hylas wears simple leather armor and carries an ornate lyre. He wields the slender shortsword Nymph’s Whisper, its blade shimmering with a faint, iridescent glow.

Nymph’s Whisper (Shortsword)

• Weapon Type: One-Handed Melee Weapon (Finesse)
• Damage: 1d6 piercing damage
• Properties: Finesse, Versatile (1d8)
• Enchanting Aura: Whenever he successfully hits a creature with Nymph’s Whisper, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. The charmed target regards Hylas as a trusted friend. The effect ends if the charmed creature is directly harmed by Hylas or his allies. Once a creature succeeds on the saving throw against this effect, it is immune to it for 24 hours.

Roleplaying Notes

Hylas is an enigmatic figure with an aura of otherworldly charm. He carries an air of mystery and allure that draws people to him. His gaze is often distant, as if he is lost in thought beyond the mortal realm. He is driven by a desire to explore the boundaries between mortal and magical, always seeking new connections and experiences. He often finds himself torn between his yearning for adventure and his sense of duty to those he cares for.

Currently in the World

Hylas stands with a graceful yet enigmatic presence, his gaze wandering across the tranquil landscape that surrounds him. His features are softly defined, bearing an aura of youthful beauty that’s both captivating and ethereal. His eyes, the color of deep forest pools, seem to hold a distant wisdom that transcends mortal understanding. Cascades of wavy chestnut hair fall gently over his shoulders, framing his face like the tendrils of a hidden forest spring.

Currently, Hylas is seated by the edge of a serene pond, its crystalline waters reflecting the gentle hues of the surrounding flora. The air is filled with the harmonious melodies of birdsong, seemingly drawn by an unseen enchantment to the enigmatic figure that sits by the water’s edge. Hylas’s fingers glide tenderly across the strings of his ornate lyre, producing a melody that resonates with the tranquility of the natural world.

His attire is simple yet beguiling, consisting of supple leather armor that blends seamlessly with the woodland scenery. Adorning his form is a vial of enchanting perfume, a gift from the water nymphs, emanating a subtle and alluring fragrance that blends with the aroma of blooming flowers. His presence exudes an air of mystery and allure, as if he is a bridge between the mortal realm and the realms of magic.

As he sits there, lost in thought, Hylas’s mood is one of contemplative serenity. There’s a faint, knowing smile that graces his lips, as if he shares a secret connection with the natural world around him. His gaze occasionally lifts from his lyre, allowing his eyes to sweep over the surrounding landscape with a sense of wonder and appreciation. Amidst the rustling leaves and gentle rustle of the water, Hylas seems in perfect harmony with the world, embodying the mystique and magic that surrounds his very being.