Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
Faction: Ally | Status: Active, departed for Nolunia (Session 31)
Race: Goliath | Class: Barbarian
Tags: #npc/ally #npc/military #npc/bane-watcher #npc/animal-companion
Description
7'8" tall Goliath barbarian and leader of the Bane Watchers. Led Bane Watcher initiation ritual for party, revealing extensive lore about The Bane, dragon gods, and ancient history. Currently competing in tournament to force military alliance contract with kingdom. Has personally seen The Bane in underground dwarven roads.
Session 26 Addition: Acquired permanent kitten companion that won't leave his side and hisses at everyone else. Demonstrated advanced Bane knowledge, warned Elvva Beltavar about corruption progression, urged party to visit Bane Watcher Citadel for training.
Key Details
Physical & Combat
- Weapon: 2H Battleaxe
- Height: 7'8"
- New Companion (Session 26): Tiny kitten (clings to him, hisses at others, won't leave)
Political Views
- Distrust: Does not trust Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
- Only trusts: Emperor Vladier Drakonhart (currently imprisoned)
Bane Watcher Knowledge
- Leader of Bane Watchers
- Extensive knowledge of The Bane and corruption
- Can assess Bane progression in others
- Session 26: Revealed critical Bane information to party
Dream Temple Knowledge (Session 28)
- Has been to temple of mirrors repeatedly
- Gets "stuck" there frequently
- Knows about mirror puzzle but never solved it
- Talks to "Steve" (boulder with face) doing both voices himself
- Can enter/exit temple freely (party cannot)
- Temple location: Mountainside ledge over endless chasm
Bane Knowledge Revealed (Session 26)
Nature of Bane Watchers:
- "Sad existence" - difficult path
- Can shorten lifespan
- More attuned to Bane = worse corruption becomes
- Corruption can "overflow and take over" the host
- Risk increases with deeper connection
About The Bane:
- Living entity
- "The earth itself"
- Origin unknown ("don't know where it came from")
- Manifests as green sprites in corrupted individuals
- Progressive corruption - starts subtle, becomes overwhelming
Sprites as Manifestation:
- Green fairy-like sprites indicate Bane presence
- Normal part of corruption progression
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's own sprite: Drunk mini-version with tankard
- Indicates level of corruption/attunement
Elvva Beltavar's Assessment:
- Tested party with Bane-infused drink
- Elvva Beltavar showed green sprite manifestation
- Warning: "You're further along than I thought"
- Urgent need for Citadel training
- Implication: Her corruption advancing dangerously fast
Bane Watcher Citadel:
- Located: Island in center of large lake (central kingdom)
- Island has mountain range
- Home of Bane Watcher organization
- Purpose: Train members to master abilities
- Leadership: Bane Watcher leader resides there
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's role: Wanderer/scout (not based at Citadel)
Training Necessity:
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian cannot provide advanced training
- Citadel has resources and expertise he lacks
- Urged party to visit "quickly"
- Timing flexible but increasingly urgent for Elvva Beltavar
Bane Test Results (Session 26)
Test Method: Passed tankard with Bane-infused drink to each party member
Results:
- ToooAh: Tasted nothing (no effect, low corruption)
- Elik'r Stormswallow: Tasted nothing (no effect, low corruption)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost: Tasted nothing (no effect, low corruption)
- Elvva Beltavar: Burned like whiskey, green sprite appeared (high corruption)
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: Green sprite appeared (drunk mini-version with tankard on shoulder)
Interpretation:
- Three party members: Minimal Bane corruption currently
- Elvva Beltavar: Significantly corrupted - "further along than I thought"
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: Also corrupted (expected as Bane Watcher leader)
Relationships
Organization
- Leader: Bane Watchers
- Colleagues: Two other Bane Watchers (one in Immortal Draconic Empire, one in Nolunia)
- Role: Wanderer/scout (not Citadel-based)
Party
- Initiated: All Riders of the Storm members (Session 18)
- Concerned about: Elvva Beltavar's corruption progression
- Teaching: Advanced Bane knowledge
Political
- Distrust: Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
- Trusts: Emperor Vladier Drakonhart
Companions
- New (Session 26): Tiny kitten (permanent companion, hisses at everyone except him)
- Joke Marriage: Elik'r Stormswallow (alternative reality magic)
Appearances
- Session 18 - 2 November 2024 - Led Bane Watcher initiation ritual, provided extensive lore
- Session 19 - 16 November 2024 - Competed in Tournament of Wits and Wisdom (third overall), heavily drunk celebration, exposed Elik'r Stormswallow's failed drinking deception
- Session 23 - 6 April 2025 - Held tavern door during siege, injured with stab wound in side, slapped Elik'r Stormswallow's physical body during ethereal ritual (2 bludgeoning damage), guarded unconscious Patriarch Siegfried Wildner and Avicia
- Session 24 - 4 May 2025 - Continued guarding tavern hideout while injured, protecting Avicia and Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
- Session 25 - 14 June 2025 - Arrived on battlefield in full rage mode with white bandage patches visible, charged into enemy rear lines alongside Castle soldiers, led assault coordinated with Patriarch Siegfried Wildner's wyvern destruction
- Session 26 - 16 July 2025 - Broke through throne room door asking "Right, where's the baddies?" to room full of corpses. Tested party with Bane-infused drink, revealed green sprite manifestation, warned Elvva Beltavar: "You're further along than I thought." Explained Bane Watcher nature (sad existence, shortened lifespan, corruption risk). Revealed Bane is "living, the earth itself, origin unknown." Directed party to Bane Watcher Citadel (island in central lake). Acquired tiny kitten companion (won't leave him, hisses at others). Manifested drunk mini-sprite of himself with tankard during Bane test. Hunted wild boar with Elik'r Stormswallow while both singing (feast), woke to raw meat on table.
- Session 28 - 6 September 2025 - Accompanied party to Stormhold Keep, gave Elik'r Stormswallow recovery drink that upgraded Flame Breath to Fireball for one hour. Appeared in party's shared dream/vision of temple of mirrors - revealed he's been there repeatedly, gets "stuck" there, knows about mirror puzzle but never solved it. Introduced "Steve" (boulder with face in cave) - does both voices himself, talks to rock. Can navigate temple freely unlike party. Jumped off endless chasm ledge to reach Steve's cave, left party to solve puzzle themselves.
- Session 31 - 18 October 2025 - Revealed to Elik'r Stormswallow that entire dream vision (Sessions 28-30) was intentional Bane Watcher training he created: "Every Bane Watcher has to learn to control their hidden abilities and talents." Explained Steve's manifestation and voice. Gifted painted rock "Mini Steve" as parting gift. Departed Stormhold Keep for Nolunia to meet "old, mad coot" friend.
Combat Style
Rage Mode (Session 25):
- Full barbarian rage activated
- Leading large-scale cavalry/infantry charge
- Coordinated assault with Patriarch Siegfried Wildner
- Fighting through injuries (visible bandages)
- Command presence on battlefield
Session 26 Post-Combat:
- Secured throne room after breaking door
- Coordinated Castle security
- Strategic command role
Character Traits
Leadership:
- Commands Bane Watchers
- Battlefield tactical expertise
- Mentors party on Bane corruption
- Direct, blunt communication style
Personality:
- Usually loud, Session 26 unusually quiet/serious (discussing Bane)
- Protective of those under his guidance
- Distrusts politics and politicians
- Values Emperor over Princess (unusual stance)
- New trait: Acquired unexpected kitten companion (comedic contrast to intimidating warrior)
Bane Knowledge:
- Extensive understanding of corruption
- Can assess progression in others
- Knows limitations of his own training ability
- Urgent about Citadel visit for Elvva Beltavar
Dream Temple Familiarity:
- Repeatedly visits temple of mirrors in visions/dreams
- Gets "stuck" in vision frequently
- Never solved mirror puzzle himself despite knowing about it
- Talks to "Steve" (rock) doing both voices - unclear if aware it's himself
- Can navigate temple freely (enters/exits at will)
- Leaves others to solve puzzles independently
- Temple connection suggests deeper mystical nature beyond standard Bane Watcher abilities
Related Quests
- Quests - Active#The Bane - Expert knowledge, leading party education
- Quests - Active#Visit Bane Watcher Citadel - Directed party to visit for advanced training
- Quests - Active#Visit Bane Watcher Citadel - Assessed Elvva as "further along than thought" - urgent concern
- Quests - Mysteries#Shared Dream Vision Nature - Familiar with temple, appeared as guide, can navigate freely
DM Notes
Character Role:
- Bane lore exposition
- Party mentor for corruption
- Comic relief (kitten companion)
- Military ally
- Political complication (distrusts Princess)
Session 26 Significance:
- Revealed critical Bane information
- Established Citadel as quest location
- Warned about Elvva Beltavar's corruption urgency
- Kitten companion adds character depth