Darian Blackhand

Darian Blackhand was born in the forgotten city of Umbral Reach, a place where shadow and light perpetually danced across obsidian spires. His mother was a scholar of forbidden texts, while his father served as a sentinel to the Shadowless—ancient beings who existed between moments. When plague consumed the city, Darian's parents made a fateful choice: they bound their dying life force into their infant son, granting him extraordinary potential but cursing him to exist as a conduit between worlds. The monks of the Twilight Monastery discovered him wandering the ruins at age seven, half-starved and speaking in tongues unknown to mortal ears. They recognized the signs of a chosen vessel and took him in, training his body and mind with ruthless discipline while carefully teaching him to harness the chaotic energies swirling within his soul. For two decades, Darian mastered every martial discipline the monastery could teach, his movements becoming poetry written in violence and grace. His instructors soon realized his true gift lay not merely in combat but in the manipulation of arcane forces through pure will and physical precision—a rare fusion that allowed him to weave spellcraft into his strikes with devastating effect. When a schism erupted within the monastery over whether to bind or free the entities his parents had locked away, Darian refused to choose sides, instead departing into the wider world as a neutral arbiter of balance. He wanders now as the Shadow Master, neither hero nor villain, seeking only to understand the duality that defines his existence and to prevent others from suffering the burden of forced ascension that marked his own genesis.

Strength

16, modifier +3

Dexterity

20, modifier +5

Constitution

20, modifier +5

Intelligence

18, modifier +4

Wisdom

22, modifier +6

Charisma

14, modifier +2

Shadow Strike

Make two melee attacks. On a hit, deal 2d10 + 5 slashing damage and 3d6 necrotic damage.

Arcane Wave

Unleash a wave of energy in a 30 ft. cone. Each creature must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 6d8 force damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.

Twilight Step

Teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. You gain advantage on your next attack roll.

Whirlwind of Shadows

Make a melee attack against all creatures within 10 feet. Each target takes 3d8 slashing damage.

Ethereal Escape

Darian can become ethereal for 1 round, avoiding all damage and effects.

Binding Strike

Make a melee attack. On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn.

Shadow's Embrace

Darian can meld into shadows, gaining advantage on Stealth checks.

Arcane Precision

When he hits with a melee attack, he can add 2d8 force damage.

Master of Martial Arts

Darian can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action after using the Attack action.

Conduit of Worlds

Once per long rest, Darian can cast a spell without expending a spell slot.

strength

+10

dexterity

+12

intelligence

+11

wisdom

+13

Shadow Manipulation

Darian can manipulate shadows to create difficult terrain in a 20 ft. radius. Creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.

Arcane Infusion

Darian can infuse his next melee attack with magic, adding an additional 4d8 force damage.

Conduit Release

Darian can release chaotic energy, forcing all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 5d10 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half on a success.

Psychic

Necrotic

Charmed

Frightened