Darian Blackhand

Darian Blackhand was born in the mountain monastery of Kethral, a sanctuary hidden between peaks where monks devoted themselves to transcending the boundaries between body and spirit. His childhood was unremarkable until the night shadow-touched assassins stormed the monastery seeking an artifact of dark power. During the massacre, young Darian discovered that fear and light were illusions—only the void between them held truth. The monks who survived taught him that mastery came not from choosing between good and evil, but from understanding the necessity of both. As he matured, Darian studied every combat discipline the world had to offer, traveling from war-torn kingdoms to isolated dojos, absorbing techniques like a sponge absorbs water. Yet his greatest revelation came when he realized that the mystical energies flowing through all living things could be channeled through disciplined will, transforming his body into a conduit for both arcane power and devastating martial prowess. The monastery elders eventually asked Darian to leave, fearing his growing philosophy challenged their teachings—that neutrality in a world of conflict was not peace, but wisdom. He became the Warrior of Shadow, a wanderer bound by no code save his own understanding of balance. Darian neither hunts evil nor champions good; instead, he moves through the world as a corrective force, appearing where equilibrium has shattered, leaving only the memory of his passing. Some call him a savior, others a harbinger, but Darian answers to neither title. His scarred knuckles and the faint aura of shadow that clings to him serve as testament to countless battles fought in the gray spaces between righteousness and ruin. Now, with decades of mastery behind him, he seeks only to deepen his understanding of the paradox that defines him: that true strength lies in accepting the darkness within oneself.

Strength

16, modifier +3

Dexterity

20, modifier +5

Constitution

18, modifier +4

Intelligence

14, modifier +2

Wisdom

18, modifier +4

Charisma

12, modifier +1

Shadow Strike

Make two unarmed strikes. Each strike deals 1d10 + 5 damage. On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.

Arcane Flow

Darian channels arcane energy, casting a spell of 5th level or lower without expending a spell slot. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action.

Balance of Shadows

Darian creates a 20-foot radius sphere of dim light centered on himself. Allies gain advantage on Dexterity saving throws while in this area.

Master of Balance

Darian has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Shadow Step

Darian can teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space he can see in dim light or darkness.

Void's Embrace

Darian gains resistance to necrotic and psychic damage.

Martial Prowess

Darian adds his Wisdom modifier to damage rolls with unarmed strikes.

strength

+8

dexterity

+10

constitution

+9

wisdom

+9

Eclipse of the Mind

Darian targets one creature he can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Intelligence saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage and be incapacitated until the end of its next turn.

Shadow Dance

Darian can move up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks. He can then make one unarmed strike as part of this movement.

Veil of Darkness

Darian creates a 30-foot radius sphere of magical darkness centered on himself. This darkness lasts until the start of his next turn.

necrotic

psychic

charmed

frightened