jdnd/people/Chen-Lifen-and-Kekele.md

# Chen Lifen and Kekele

When the PCs start researching Crow, tout Rico Sparks will
(on his own initiative) show up and say, "I found somebody
who fought Crow and survived."  That person is Kekele.

But first, a little back-story.  About eight years ago, Crow
acquired his fourth orb. Here's how it happened:

At the time, there was a powerful Eladrin wizard named Chen
Lifen, who specialized in movement spells. She was
exceptional, she could cast spells like spider climb, leap,
and the like with very little effort.  She had her race's
natural ability to misty step, and she knew a variety of
other teleportation spells as well.  She had a variety of
feats that allowed her extra spell slots for these movement
spells.  She was just an extraordinary movement mage.

Crow captured Chen Lifen, extracted her life force, and
discarded her corpse.   He then spent the next five years
working to transmute that life force into an orb.  His new
orb is now capable of casting a wide variety of movement
spells.

Kekele is a survivor of the battle in which Crow captured
Chen Lifen.  Kekele hates Crow with a passion.  Chen Lifen
was a close friend, and now she's gone.  Kekele wants
Crow dead, and is more than happy to help anyone who plans
to fight Crow.  However, Kekele is also terrified of Crow,
so he'll give all the information you want, but he isn't
going to show up at the fight.

Kekele is living an a boarding house in the lower ward.
Feel free to give him additional background if needed.

Kekele starts with the following story.

He explains that he, Chen Lifen, and a rogue named Amadou
were an adventuring party. Eight years ago, they were
between jobs.  To make some money on the side, Amadou and
Chen Lifen were working for a circus doing a unique
acrobatic routine that they had devised themselves.  Kekele
watched the show.

After the performance, the three of them were leaving
together when Crow descended from the sky and landed in
front of the three of them.

Crow was wearing a black leather trench coat.  Near him were
three twisting knots of magical energy.  They glowed
faintly, you could see ribbons of energy spooling out of
them and being pulled back inside.  They each hovered about
fifteen feet away from Crow.

Kekele says that Crow stiffly hobbled forward.  Crow was
clearly having difficulty walking.  He stood in front of
Chen Lifen, and spoke.  When he spoke, his words were
slurred, as if he was having trouble speaking.

Crow looked straight at Chen Lifen, ignoring the other two.
He said, "I watched your performance today.  You are
exceptional, you have the skills I need.  You will be
coming with me."

Then, a beam of magic emerged from one of the orbs, hitting
Chen, and she was stunned.  Crow then cast a spell,
levitating Chen, and Crow himself began rising into
the air, taking his orbs and Chen with him.

Kekele and Amadou immediately attacked. Amadou's
attack hit and drew blood, Kekele missed.  Crow's orbs
reacted almost immediately, firing on Kekele and Amadou.

Crow said "that was unwise."  He dropped Chen, who immediate
got to her feet.  Crow landed on the ground.  Then, one of
the orbs cast a protection spell on Crow: a transparent
spherical barrier.

Kekele didn't know what the barrier spell was, but he
says he did some research after the fact, and eventually
concluded that the barrier spell was "Otiluke's Resilient
Sphere."

After that, chaos broke out.  The three orbs did battle
against Kekele, Amadou, and Chen.  Crow stood passively
inside the sphere, just waiting.  




At that time, there was an adventuring party consisting
of three members:

* Kekele - Aaracokra, Battle Master Fighter.

* Amadou - Air Genasi, Acrobat Circus Rogue.

* Chen - Eladrin, Wizard specialized in Movement Spells.

Chen was the star of the team.  She was just exceptional
and led the team to many successes.

Crow captured Chen, ripped her soul out of her body,
and used her life energy to create a new orb.  The
new orb is able to cast a variety of powerful movement
spells.


However, Chen and Amadou are gone.  The PCs will be
having a conversation with the one remaining team member,
Kekele.


 Kekele - Aaracokra Battle Master Fighter (Level 5)

**Race/Class:** Aaracokra Fighter (Battle Master) 5  
**Size/Speed:** Medium | 25 ft., fly 50 ft.  
**Ability Scores:** STR 16 (+3), DEX 14 (+2), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 8 (-1)

**Armor Class:** 16 (mithral chain shirt + Defense fighting style)  
**Hit Points:** 42 (5d10 + 10)  
**Initiative:** +2  
**Proficiency Bonus:** +3  
**Saving Throws:** STR +6, DEX +2, CON +5, INT +0, WIS +1, CHA -1

**Proficient Skills:** Acrobatics +5, Athletics +6, Perception +4

## Attacks (2 per turn)

**Longsword (Melee):** +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target  
*Hit:* 1d8+3 slashing damage (1d10+3 if used two-handed)

**Talons (Unarmed Strike - Racial):** +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target  
*Hit:* 1d4+3 slashing damage

**Longbow (Ranged):** +5 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target  
*Hit:* 1d8+2 piercing damage

## Special Abilities

**Action Surge:** Once per short rest, take an additional action on his turn (4 attacks in one round).

**Second Wind:** Once per short rest, use bonus action to regain 1d10+5 hit points.

## Battle Master:

4 times per short rest, may make one of these maneuvers:

1. **Precision Attack** - Use if you miss an attack. Add d8 to attack roll (can turn miss into hit)
2. **Riposte** - When an enemy misses you with melee attack, use reaction to make melee attack and add d8 to damage
3. **Trip Attack** - Add d8 to damage, target makes Str save DC14 or is knocked prone
4. **Menacing Attack** - Add d8 to damage, target makes Wis save DC14 or is frightened until end of your next turn

## Equipment

- Mithral chain shirt (allows flight, AC 16 with Defense fighting style)
- Longsword
- Longbow and quiver of arrows