Lord Pompaduke the Third

Faction: Ally
Status: Active (joined party as companion S35)
Race: Human
Class: Bard (College of Enchantment, estimated level 7-9)
Tags: #npc/ally #npc/bard #npc/companion #npc/performer #npc/powerful-mage

Description

Tall, very attractive human male bard with theatrical, lordly personality. Wears maroon shirt with extensive gold inlays and cowboy-style hat with long feather. Carries multiple instruments including lute, flute (holstered on leg like pistol), violin/fiddle. Speech is very posh with hint of campness - theatrical, mischievous, roguish. Claims to be "sensation around entire kingdom" with exploits known throughout Odessia. Can pull items from magical hat. Uses enchantment magic and powerful bardic abilities including portal creation.

Key Details

True name revealed Session 35: Lord Pompaduke the Third
Second identity revealed Session 36: Introduced at Cathedral of Gentle Redemption as "Brother Algrim" — guest brother from afar, led morning worship in monk's robes
Bane aura confirmed Session 36: Green aura visibly rose from his lute during the cathedral service; party noticed, congregation did not; connection to The Bane unconfirmed but significant
Human male, tall, very attractive ("pretty boy")
Posh theatrical personality - lordly yet mischievous
Powerful bardic magic:
- Enchantment magic (can make entire tavern dance)
- Healing Word (restored 14 HP to ToooAh)
- 2-turn portal ability (teleported Ser Tessell Highfrost to safety in combat)
- Performance magic ("rock ballad"/"boss music" that affects battlefield)
Multi-instrumental virtuoso (lute, flute, violin/fiddle, others)
Magical hat (can pull items from it, Mary Poppins style)
Regular performer at Crossroads Inn - well-known to patrons
Generous with money (tosses satchel to staff)
Joined party Session 35 - travelling to Thalas'Miriel
Nicknamed "Banjo Man"/"Pompous Banjo Man" by party
Claims fame throughout kingdom (verification pending)
Current location: Road to Thalas'Miriel (mid-combat with party)

Abilities

Demonstrated Powers:

Enchantment magic - can magically compel entire tavern to dance simultaneously
Healing Word (1st level minimum) - bonus action healing spell
Portal creation - 2-turn bardic ability creating dimensional gateway to teleport allies across battlefield
Multi-instrumental mastery - lute, flute, violin/fiddle, others
Magical hat - can produce items from cowboy hat
High Charisma (crowd loves him, theatrical presence)
Combat effectiveness (rolled Natural 20 initiative, acts decisively in battle)

Estimated Level: 7-9 (based on spell access and portal ability)

Personality

Theatrical and lordly with mischievous, roguish edge. Speaks in very posh manner with hint of campness. Confident to point of arrogance ("Obviously you've heard of my exploits already"). Generous spirit (tosses money satchel, accepted Ser Tessell Highfrost's failed lute attempt graciously). Quick to insert himself into situations - jumped from tree onto party's cart uninvited, announced he was travelling same direction. Plays aggressive "boss music" during combat. Claims to be famous sensation throughout kingdom.

Relationships

Party Members (Joined Session 35):

Companion to: Riders of the Storm (all party members)
Riding with: Lady Odonia of Galantri (in cart)
Healed: ToooAh (Healing Word, 14 HP)
Rescued: Ser Tessell Highfrost (portal teleportation from surrounded position)
Performed alongside: Ser Tessell Highfrost (lute), ToooAh (flute)
Witnessed dancing: Elik'r Stormswallow and Elvva Beltavar

Previous Connections:

Regular performer: Crossroads Inn (Pippa Porridgepot, Tansy Porridgepot, Porridgepot family)
Well-known to Crossroads Inn patrons (cheered upon arrival)

Equipment

Lute (primary instrument)
Flute (holstered on leg like pistol)
Violin/fiddle
Multiple other instruments (strapped to body)
Magical cowboy hat (can pull items from it, long feather decoration)
Maroon shirt with extensive gold inlays
Money satchel (tosses to staff)

Appearances

Session 34 - 25 January 2026 - Performed as "Unnamed Minstrel" at Crossroads Inn, used enchantment magic to make tavern dance, Ser Tessell Highfrost attempted to join on lute (failed, string snapped on roll of 5), accepted failure graciously
Session 35 - 8 February 2026 - Identity revealed as Lord Pompaduke the Third. Playing lute in tree 100 yards from Crossroads Inn, performed alongside ToooAh's flute, jumped from tree branch onto party's cart uninvited, introduced himself with theatrical flourish. Joined party heading to Thalas'Miriel. In combat ambush: rolled Natural 20 initiative, cast Healing Word (1st level) on ToooAh for 14 HP, began 2-turn portal ability whilst playing "rock ballad"/"boss music", completed portal to teleport Ser Tessell Highfrost to safety behind rock. Nicknamed "Banjo Man" by party.
Session 36 - 21 February 2026 - Appeared at Cathedral of Gentle Redemption introduced by the abbot as "Brother Algrim", a guest brother from afar. Led morning worship in monk's robes, playing morose music on his lute. A green Bane-like aura rose visibly from the instrument — noticed by party, not by congregation. Did not acknowledge the party during the service. Allegiance and true purpose at the cathedral unknown.

Quests - Active#Rally the North - Travelling with party to Thalas'Miriel, then Neverwinter
Quests - Mysteries#Lord Pompaduke's Claims - Is he truly famous "sensation around entire kingdom"? What are his "exploits"?

Crossroads Inn (The Burrow and Barrel Inn) - Regular performance venue (Session 34)
Thalas'Miriel - Current destination with party (Session 35)

Notes

"Brother Algrim" identity — monk's robes, introduced by cathedral abbot as guest brother; whether this is a disguise, a genuine religious role, or something else is unknown
Green Bane aura from lute (S36) — consistent with Bane influence/corruption; significance unclear
Uses enchantment magic casually in public (suggests either legal in Odessia or authorities don't frequent tavern)
Portal ability is rare and powerful magic (suggests College of Lore or high-level bard)
Claims of fame throughout kingdom unverified — party doesn't recognise him
No hesitation joining party of strangers heading to cathedral town
Combat-ready (initiative Natural 20, immediate tactical decisions)
Possible noble background ("Lord" title) or adopted affectation
Party has dubbed him "Banjo Man" despite playing lute
May be seeking adventure or has own agenda for travelling to Thalas'Miriel