Lady Mortis — The Shadow Lioness

Born into a merchant family of lesser lions in the Obsidian Marshlands, Mortis learned early that strength of body meant nothing without strength of intellect; she watched her father's pride crumble when he trusted the wrong allies, and she swore never to repeat his mistakes. She studied the art of negotiation and human psychology with obsessive precision, recognizing that the most devastating weapons were not claws but carefully chosen words and perfectly timed revelations. When she encountered Maleficus during a territorial dispute, she saw not a rival but a kindred spirit—someone whose raw ambition could be shaped and amplified through her strategic brilliance, and she bound herself to him not through love but through a calculated partnership that would elevate them both beyond their origins. Her silver markings, a rare genetic anomaly that marked her as an outsider among her own kind, became her signature; she transformed her otherness into an advantage, using her distinctive appearance as a reminder that she was fundamentally different from ordinary power-seekers. Over decades, Mortis perfected her craft of orchestrating discord, discovering that families—whether noble or common—contained fracture lines waiting only for the gentlest pressure to shatter completely. She moved through courts and councils like smoke, never demanding loyalty but instead offering each person she encountered a path forward that seemed uniquely favorable to them, all while their interests naturally collided with those of their own blood. Now, with the Golden Pride in her sights, Mortis prepared to demonstrate the masterwork of her life's study: how to transform a dynasty's greatest strength—their unity—into the instrument of their complete dissolution.

Strength

14, modifier 2

Dexterity

18, modifier 4

Constitution

16, modifier 3

Intelligence

20, modifier 5

Wisdom

16, modifier 3

Charisma

18, modifier 4

Whispers of Discord

Choose up to 3 creatures within 30 ft. Each must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or take 4d8 psychic damage and become frightened until the end of their next turn.

Shadowy Pounce

Move up to 30 ft. and make a melee attack. On a hit, deal 2d10 + 4 slashing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the end of their next turn.

Divide and Conquer

Choose two creatures within 60 ft. They must succeed on a DC 17 Charisma saving throw or become hostile to each other for 1 minute, attacking each other if able.

Cunning Retreat

As a bonus action, Lady Mortis can disengage and move up to her speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Master Manipulator

Lady Mortis can influence others' decisions, granting advantage on persuasion checks.

Silver Markings

Her unique appearance grants her advantage on stealth checks in dim light or darkness.

strength

6

dexterity

8

intelligence

9

wisdom

7

constitution

7

charisma

8

Psychic