Homebrew Feat: Crimson Covenant
Prerequisite: 2nd level. monk of the red crown
- Vaelkor's Form: Vaelkor has his own custom stat block (see below). He is a Fiend.
- Telepathic Bond: You and Vaelkor can communicate telepathically within 100 feet.
- Vaelkor's Turn: Vaelkor acts on his own initiative. He can move and take the Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Help action. You can use your bonus action on your turn to command him to take the Attack action or use one of his special abilities instead.
- Blood Recall: (This ability now fits perfectly) If Vaelkor is reduced to 0 HP, he dissolves into a pool of inert, golden-tinged blood. If you are within 30 feet of the pool, you can use your action to expend one of your Monk Hit Dice. Vaelkor reforms from the "red water" in an adjacent space with hit points equal to the number you rolled + your Wisdom modifier.
Vaelkor's Stat Block
small - medium Fiend, Lawful EvilArmor Class 12 + your Proficiency BonusHit Points 5 + (5 times your Monk level)Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 3 (-4) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 8 (-1) |
Senses darkvision 60 ft., Blood Scent 60 ft. (see below), passive Perception 12 Languages Telepathy 100 ft. (with Rhaen only) Proficiency Bonus +PB (matches yours)
Actions
Fiendish Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: Your Ki Attack Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft.
Hit: 1d4 + your Wisdom modifier Necrotic damage.
Vaelkor's Homebrew Abilities
These are abilities (commanded by your bonus action) that are directly tied to blood, murder, and his fiendish nature.
1. Crimson Covenant Mark (Combat)
Vaelkor spots a weakness in a foe's bloodstream, "priming" them for your "red water" control.
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Ability: (Requires a Bonus Action) You command Vaelkor to mark a creature he can see within 30 feet. The next time you hit that creature with an attack (like your Blood Whip) before the start of your next turn, you can automatically move the target 10 feet in any horizontal direction as you violently pull their "red water". This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.
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Story Hook: Vaelkor telepathically hisses, "Heart-pulse is weak here." or "This one's blood is thin." He identifies the vulnerability, and you exploit it.
2. Scent of Fear (Utility/Social)
Vaelkor's "Blood Scent" isn't just for tracking; it's for reading intent. He can smell the adrenaline and chemical changes in the blood.
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Ability: (Requires a Bonus Action) You command Vaelkor to "taste the air" around one creature within 60 feet. He telepathically reports if the creature's blood "sings" with fear, aggression, or deceit (calm, but with a rapid pulse). You gain advantage on your next Wisdom (Insight) check against that creature.
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Story Hook: This is Vaelkor's "Lucifer" side. He's a perfect, sadistic lie detector, telling you why someone is nervous (fear) or if they are lying (deceit).
3. Caustic Spray (Combat/Defense)
As a "vicious protector," Vaelkor uses his own fiendish nature to defend you, drawing inspiration from his cruel, cat-like inspiration.
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Ability: (Requires a Bonus Action) You command Vaelkor to harass a creature within 5 feet of him. Vaelkor makes a vicious, distracting display, culminating in him "flicking" or "spraying" his own caustic, fiendish blood at the target's face. The target must make a Constitution saving throw (against your Ki Save DC). On a failure, it is Blinded until the start of your next turn.
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Story Hook: This is a purely fiendish act. The blood stings and burns the eyes, reeking of sulfur. It's a petty, cruel, and effective defensive maneuver.
4. Read the Blood (Utility/Roleplay)
This is a direct re-flavor of the last idea, moving from "souls" to "blood".
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Ability (Out of Combat): You can command Vaelkor (as an action) to taste the blood of a creature that has died within the last 10 minutes. By "reading" the "red water", he gleans a single, visceral piece of information: their last strong emotion (terror, rage, resignation) or a single image they saw as they died (the killer's face, a specific symbol, the weapon used).
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Story Hook: This is the perfect tool for a follower of a murder god. You can approach a crime scene, and Vaelkor can sip from the blood pool and tell you exactly what the victim saw, all while Rhaen's blood-bending feels a "kinship" with the spilled life force.
The Focus Point Link
Vaelkor is an extension of Rhaen's will, so let's link him to her core resource: Focus Points.
Add this to the feat: "When you spend a Focus Point to use Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, or Step of the Wind, you can grant Vaelkor a related benefit until the start of your next turn:"
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Flurry of Blows: Vaelkor's fiendish nature surges. His Fiendish Claws attack deals an extra 1d4 Necrotic damage on a hit.
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Patient Defense: Vaelkor's "Lucifer" side takes over. He becomes preternaturally evasive and takes the Dodge action as a free action.
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Step of the Wind: Vaelkor becomes a "vicious" blur of motion. His movement speed (including climb) is doubled.
Why it's better: This mechanically links Vaelkor to every single one of Rhaen's core combat choices. It makes them feel like a true, two-part team.
The "Murder God" Link
Vaelkor is a fiend drawn to a follower of a murder god. He should revel in Rhaen's work.
Add this trait to Vaelkor's stat block:
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Savor the Kill (Trait): When a creature that Vaelkor can see within 30 feet of him is reduced to 0 HP (i.e., murdered), Vaelkor can use his Reaction to savor the "red water" being spilled. He gains temporary hit points equal to your Proficiency Bonus.
Why it's better: This is incredibly thematic. It gives Vaelkor a unique reaction that doesn't cost you any actions. He is literally empowered by the murders Rhaen commits, growing more resilient as he enjoys his "work." This is a perfect, sadistic "Lucifer" trait.
The Roleplaying "Tell"
You mentioned the Golden Monkey. The most terrifying thing about him was his silence and how he was a perfect mirror. Let's add a "tell" for your DM and party to latch onto.
This is a pure roleplaying-to-mechanics flavor idea:
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Trait: The Golden Eyes: Vaelkor's eyes are normally a dull, bored, or smug-looking color. However, when Rhaen activates a "red water" ability (like Blood Whip) or when Vaelkor uses one of his special actions (like Sanguine Mark or Caustic Spray), his eyes glow with a cold, terrifying, golden light.
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Ability: Menacing Gaze: As an action, you can have Vaelkor lock his glowing golden gaze on a creature. You then make a Charisma (Intimidation) check with advantage.
Why it's better: This gives you a powerful, non-verbal way to communicate Rhaen's power. She's not just a monk; she's a supernatural threat. The glowing eyes are a signal to everyone that the "red water" is flowing and the fiend is active. It's pure, uncut style.
Vaelkor's "Voice" (To Rhaen)
This is where the Golden Monkey inspiration comes in. He doesn't "talk" to her in full sentences. Their telepathic bond is more primal. He communicates in a stream of unfiltered emotions, intentions, and short, possessive urges.
Rhaen doesn't hear a person talking; she feels Vaelkor's cold approval, his smug amusement, or his spikes of protective rage.
Here are examples of what Rhaen "hears" in her mind:
- When meeting a new person: A wave of cold contempt. The telepathic "sound" of a bored sneer. "Weak." or "Lying."
- When someone threatens Rhaen: Not words, but a sharp, cold spike of pure killing intent. A feeling of "Mine to protect." and "Hurt them. NOW."
- When he uses "Scent of Fear": A feeling of smug satisfaction. "It stinks of panic. Good."
- When he's being "Lucifer" (tripping someone): A telepathic "snicker." A shared feeling of amusement at another's expense.
- When Rhaen is injured: A flash of fury directed at the source. "They will pay. Make them pay."
- When he wants to use "Caustic Spray": A surge of his own "sadistic" desire. "Let me blind it. Please."
- During a tense negotiation: He'll send a feeling of boredom if he thinks the person is worthless, or a sharp "hiss" of interest if he (using Scent of Fear) detects a lie. "He's afraid of you. Push."
- When Rhaen is resting: A feeling of possessive, smug contentment. He's a dragon guarding his hoard. "Mine."