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

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