Hodja Hussein

Medium humanoid (human), Lawful Evil

Armor Class 16 (studded leather armor)

Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)

Speed 30 ft.

STR 16 (+3) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 16 (+3) · INT 16 (+3) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Int +6, Wis +5, Cha +6

Skills Deception +6, Insight +5, Perception +5, Stealth +6

Gear Studded leather armor, saber (scimitar), dagger, merchant disguise kit, pouch of 150 gp.

Senses passive Perception 15

Languages Common, Thieves' Cant

Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Traits

Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If Hussein fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Master of Disguise. Hussein has Advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks made to pass himself off as a peaceful merchant.

Overconfident Strategist. Hussein’s intricate plots give him the upper hand, but his arrogance leaves him vulnerable to the unexpected. When Hussein misses with a melee attack, the next attack roll made against him before the start of his next turn has Advantage.

Actions

Multiattack. Hussein makes three attacks: two with his Saber and one with his Hidden Dagger. He can replace one of these attacks with his Spellcasting.

Saber. Melee Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Hidden Dagger. Melee Attack or Ranged Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the target is automatically knocked Prone as Hussein viciously strikes at their legs or throws the blade with staggering force.

Spellcasting. Hussein casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (Spell Save DC 14):

At Will: Command (PHB, p. 251)

1/Day: Suggestion (PHB, p. 321)

Bonus Actions

Call the Pack. Hussein targets one allied creature he can see within 30 feet of him. If the target can hear him, the target can immediately use its Reaction to make one Melee Attack or Ranged Attack.

Lore

In a certain Persian city lived two brothers: Cassim, who was rich but stingy, and Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter. While Cassim enjoyed the fortune that came with his wife’s dowry, Ali Baba could barely make ends meet, felling trees in the forest and hauling the wood to town on three donkeys.

One day, while cutting wood, Ali Baba heard the thunder of approaching hoofbeats. Afraid, he scrambled up a tall tree and watched as forty fierce bandits rode up. Their chief stepped to a massive rock and shouted, “Open, Sesame!” The cliff face slid apart, revealing the entrance to a cave. After the robbers stashed their plunder and rode off, Ali Baba climbed down, repeated the magic words, and slipped inside. Piles of gold and jewels filled the cavern. He loaded his donkeys with bags of coins, covered them with firewood, and headed home.

From The Fairy Tale Compendium · Fern Flower Press