Kaia Shadow

Born into a family of scholars obsessed with arcane knowledge, Kaia discovered the forbidden Cipher Cards—a legendary set of fifty-four enchanted artifacts said to grant power to those who could decipher their cryptic meanings. While others sought merely to collect them, Kaia alone managed to assemble the complete collection, only to find herself inexplicably bound to the cards through a curse of her own making. Rather than flee this supernatural prison, she embraced it with disturbing enthusiasm, transforming her confinement into a twisted vocation as a divine arbiter of deadly intellectual trials. She now orchestrates elaborate games where the stakes are absolute: solve her riddles and puzzles to survive, or perish in creative and often poetic ways that match the nature of one's failure. Her clerical powers, once intended for healing, have been perverted into tools of torment and dark judgment, allowing her to craft challenges that blur the line between enlightenment and execution. Kaia has become a force of chaotic malevolence who finds genuine joy in watching mortals struggle against impossible odds, viewing intelligence itself as a weapon and wisdom as merely another form of currency in her sadistic marketplace. To her victims, she is both teacher and executioner; to herself, she is an artist perfecting her masterpiece through blood and broken minds.

Strength

10, modifier +0

Dexterity

14, modifier +2

Constitution

18, modifier +4

Intelligence

20, modifier +5

Wisdom

18, modifier +4

Charisma

16, modifier +3

Riddle of Ruin

Kaia poses a riddle; if failed, the target takes 4d10 psychic damage and is stunned until the end of their next turn.

Trial of Torment

Kaia creates a magical trap; targets must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence saving throw or take 6d6 necrotic damage and be restrained.

Mind's Grasp

Kaia targets one creature within 60 ft.; they must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute, taking 2d8 psychic damage each turn they remain charmed.

Divine Judgment

Kaia channels her clerical powers to heal herself for 3d8 hit points, but all creatures within 30 ft. take 2d10 necrotic damage.

Cursed Collector

Kaia's connection to the Cipher Cards grants her advantage on Intelligence checks and saving throws.

strength

+0

dexterity

+2

constitution

+4

intelligence

+8

wisdom

+7

charisma

+6

Psychic

Necrotic