Who — or What — is the Mysterious Accomplice of Dal-dian Abbar?

Our friends from Penny Dragon Games put together a fantastic collection of all things beast inside Bergin’s Book of Beasts. The awesome project brings more than 200 new beasts and beast-flavored subclasses to fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. The folks from Penny Dragon sent us a little tease from Bergin’s Book of Beasts to share with the Nerdarchy community. We’ve got a cool NPC who’s unique familiar whose signature feature hits with real world relatability.

A D&D beast for any occasion

Dal-dian Abbar is the only daughter, and only child, of a rather successful merchant. She spent her younger years getting into trouble, pilfering small insignificant trinkets from her father’s stores, and sneaking aboard his ships. Then on her fifteenth birthday, she received a small pet Capuchin monkey named Pau, as a gift from her father. Together, the two of them were inseparable, causing mischief wherever they went.

That was until the day a rival merchant came for her father, claiming he had gained his wealth through piracy and theft. This rival merchant came with mercenaries and guards, seizing several of her father’s ships, not knowing that Dal-dian and Pau were amongst one of the ships.

While her father was placed under house arrest, Dal-dian and Pau escaped.

Now, after years of hiding from the rival merchant, who would have used her as a hostage to ransom the rest of her father’s wealth, her and Pau have gone in search of the proof to free her father.

Dal-dian is of average height with a slender build and dark raven hair. She wears simple studded leather armor which has been altered with straps to accommodate Pau when he wants to ride on her shoulder. She carries several seemly insignificant trinkets, keepsakes and souvenirs from her many adventures, and some that remind her of her father.

Plot Hook: Dal-dian knows where the rival merchant keeps his more illicit products. For those interested in a bit of adventure, and an equal share of the profits, she is willing to lead a party of adventurers to the goods.

Dal-dian Abbar

Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Good

Armor Class 16 (Studded Leather)

Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)

Speed 30 ft.

• STRENGTH 9 (-1)
• DEXTERITY 18 (+4)
• CONSTITUTION 16 (+3)
• INTELLIGENCE 14 (+2)
• WISDOM 14 (+2)
• CHARISMA 11 (0)

Saving Throws Dex +8, Int +6

Skills Animal Handling +10, Perception +10, Stealth +12

Senses passive Perception 20

Languages Common, Elvish, Thieves’ Cant

Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

Proficiency Bonus +4

Sneak Attack. Once per turn, Dal-dian deals an extra 17 (5d6) damage when she hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of hers that isn’t incapacitated and Dal-dian doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Partner In Crime. Once per short rest, Dal-dian can cast the spell find familiar as a ritual, without material components, to summon Pau. When summoned in this way, Pau is still a beast, is capable of attacking, and his attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

Evasion. If Dal-dian is subjected to an effect that allows her to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, she instead takes no damage if she succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if she fails.

ACTIONS

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target, Hit: 6 (1d4+4) piercing damage.

Short Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target, Hit: 7 (1d6+4) slashing damage.

BONUS ACTIONS

Cunning Action. Dal-dian can take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

REACTIONS

Uncanny Dodge. When Dal-dian is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, she instead takes no damage if the saving throw is successful, and only half damage if the roll is a failure.

Disappearing Act. Whenever Pau is attacked or forced to make a Dexterity saving throw, Dal-dian can use her reaction to dismiss it as described in the find familiar spell. When dismissed in this manner, Pau is no longer affected by whatever triggered the saving throw. Dal-dian can resummon Pau within 30 feet of her as per the find familiar spell, as a bonus action.

Pau

Tiny Beast, Unaligned

Armor Class 13

Hit Points 27

Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

• STRENGTH 5 (-3)
• DEXTERITY 16 (+3)
• CONSTITUTION 10 (0)
• INTELLIGENCE 6 (-3)
• WISDOM 12 (+1)
• CHARISMA 8 (-1)

Skills Acrobatics +7, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7

Senses passive Perception 11

Languages —

Challenge 0 (10 XP)

Proficiency Bonus +4

Prehensile Tail. Pau cannot be knocked down from trees or similar structures as long as it is conscious.

Partner In Crime. Pau’s attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

ACTIONS

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Throw Feces (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10/20ft., one target. Hit: The target must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be blinded until the end of their next turn.

BONUS ACTION

Nimble Escape. Pau can take the Dodge action as a bonus action on each of its turns.

Cunning Action. Pau can make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, or take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

REACTION

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Pau can see hits him with an attack, he can halve the attack’s damage against him.

Check out Bergin’s Book of Beasts and discover the best pledge level for you and your group of gaming friends here.