Ariks Eshteross

Lord Ariks Eshteross is an orc living in Jrusar, Marquet. As an NPC, he is played by Matthew Mercer.

Appearance
Lord Eshteross is an older orc with grayish skin. He has gray, receding hair that is bald on top and a well trimmed goatee and beard. He stands about 6'2" and has broad shoulders and a wide neck. His face bears old scars. He walks with a cane, and when first encountered, he was wearing a pair of spectacles, a deep crimson-burgundy high-collared robe, and a scarf around his shoulders.

Personality
He is described by Bertrand Bell as having a strange manner. Bertrand also believed that Eshteross is "interested in preserving the good folk of Jrusar" and wanting to see good done in the city.

Eshteross keeps hidden weapons in several locations in each room of his estate, and many of the rooms are heavily trapped and kept purposefully dark, as there have been many attempts on his life.

Background
Ariks was a mercenary for 25 years, part of a group called the Ruddy Hilt. He captured more than 200 members of the Ivory Syndicate in his career. His mercenary career ended around 823 PD, when Mistress Prudaj died and passed her estate to him. He is reclusive, with little known about him beyond the "strange things" rumored by the people of Jrusar. He and Bertrand Bell previously worked together some months before in 843 PD.

Campaign Three
After Bertrand Bell gathered a group of wanderers and adventurers, he proposed that they go together to see Eshteross in pursuit of employment, though he refused to speak on what form that employment would take. The next morning, the group visited Eshteross' manor and, though he was not expecting a visit from Bertrand, were granted an audience in his study. Eshteross, distrustful of how highly Bertrand spoke of the group, asked the group if they felt they had much to offer and what they wanted. When the group hesitated to answer, he turned on Bertrand, who quickly provided that the group sought to be paid, to have a chance to prove themselves, and to build a reputation in the city. Lord Eshteross asked the group if they sought to prove themselves, and when Imogen Temult confirmed so, he signaled to his caretaker Evelyn Wress to leave the room and lock the door. When done, he threw his cane in the air, caught it one-handed, and rushed toward the group.

Bertrand Bell
Bertrand previously worked with Eshteross some months before in 843 PD. Bertrand had been sent as part of a group to look into the Ivory Syndicate, but he abandoned the group during the mission with bad results. Lord Eshteross and Bertrand have not spoken or seen one another in the time since, and Bertrand described himself as eager to bring Eshteross people able to help in his goals. Bertrand spoke well of Eshteross to others, characterizing him as having noble intentions for the city and sincerely believing this of him. Bertrand is nervous in his presence. Eshteross holds a disdainful view of Bertrand, describing his presence in the manor as a "stain" and immediately naming Bertrand's swaggering manner empty in front of others. However, he suggested that Bertrand could earn his forgiveness.

Orc abilities

 * Darkvision
 * Aggressive
 * Powerful Build
 * Primal Intuition

Fighter abilities

 * Fighting Style
 * Second Wind
 * Action Surge
 * Extra Attack (3 attacks)

Notable items

 * A solid metal, silvered cane with a heavy ball at the end. Twisting the ball produces a Zone of Truth with a DC of at least 15.