Vaelis Nocthyr, The Thornbound Castellan

Regent’s Bulwark. While Vaelis is within 60 ft. of the Heart-Throne, it has resistance to all damage.

Blood-Forged Blade. Melee attacks deal an extra 3d10 necrotic damage.

Regeneration. Vaelis regains 20 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point and isn't in sunlight. If he takes radiant damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of his next turn.

Thornbound Body. A creature that touches Vaelis or hits him with a melee attack while within 5 feet of him takes 7 (2d6) piercing damage.

The Living Shadow (Passive Trait). Because Vaelis’s shadow moves before he does, he cannot be surprised, and he has a +5 bonus to Initiative.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Vaelis fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Multiattack. Vaelis makes three attacks: two with his Thorn-Fused Greatsword and one with his Sanguine Lash.

​Thorn-Fused Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be Restrained by black thorns growing from the blade until the start of Vaelis's next turn.

​Sanguine Lash. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. Vaelis heals for half the total damage dealt as the thorns drink the target's blood.

Shadow-Preceded Strike (Recharge 5–6). Vaelis’s shadow lunges forward a split second before his physical body. Vaelis teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see adjacent to a creature. He then makes a melee weapon attack with Advantage. If the attack hits, it deals an extra 14 (4d6) psychic damage as the shadow severs the target's focus.

​Castellan’s Entrapment (Recharge 5-6). Vaelis slams his shield (bearing the thorned bat) into the ground. Black briars erupt in a 20-foot radius centered on him. The area becomes difficult terrain. Any creature starting its turn there takes 10 (3d6) piercing damage and is Grappled (escape DC 16).

Exsanguinating Bloom (Recharge 5-6). Requirement: A creature must be Restrained or Grappled by Vaelis’s thorns. Vaelis causes the thorns embedded in the victim to blossom into dark, crystalline flowers. The target takes 21 (6d6) necrotic damage, and Vaelis regains an equal number of hit points. The target’s maximum HP is reduced by the amount of necrotic damage taken until they finish a long rest.

Misty Step of the Gloam. Vaelis briefly dissolves into a cloud of black petals and silver mist, teleporting up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see. If he reappears in dim light or darkness, he has Advantage on the next stealth check or attack roll he makes before the end of his turn.

​Tighten the Briars. Vaelis commands the thorns fused to his armor or those he has summoned on the battlefield to constrict. Every creature currently Restrained or Grappled by his thorns takes 7 (2d6) piercing damage and must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be Stunned until the end of their next turn as the thorns inject a paralytic fey toxin.

​Shadow’s Whisper. Vaelis commands his shadow to detach and harrying a foe. One creature within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened of Vaelis until the end of his next turn, as the shadow mimics their death or whispers their greatest failures.

Predictive Shadow-Parry. Trigger: Vaelis is hit by a melee attack. Because his shadow moves before he does, it raises a spectral blade to intercept the strike. Vaelis adds +4 to his AC against that attack, potentially causing it to miss. If the attack misses, the attacker takes 9 (2d8) psychic damage from the shadow’s touch.

​Thornbound Retribution. Trigger: A creature within 5 feet hits Vaelis with a melee attack. The black thorns fused to Vaelis's flesh lash out violently at the attacker. The attacker must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 11 (2d10) piercing damage and be pulled 5 feet closer to Vaelis, potentially entering his reach for his next turn.

​Vampiric Rebirth (1/Day). Trigger: Vaelis is reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright. Vaelis’s body explodes into a swarm of thorned bats. He instead drops to 1 hit point and teleports 60 feet away. He remains in the form of a cloud of bats (granting him resistance to all damage) until the start of his next turn, at which point he reforms in his knightly shape.

Vaelis can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. He regains spent actions at the start of his turn.

​Move. Vaelis moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

​Lash Out. Vaelis makes one Sanguine Lash attack.

​Shadow’s Command (Costs 2 Actions). Vaelis’s shadow lunges at a creature within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened until the end of its next turn.