Simon Orthus

Simon's Current Design

## Description

### Appearance

At the beginning of the campaign, Simon originally appeared as a slender, white-skinned changeling in their 'true form', with pupil-less eyes & short but very curly locks of white hair. It later came to light that this body was 'borrowed' by Simon after their escape from the Shadowfell as they didn't have one of their own. Their outfit consisted of a mostly black ensemble, most notable for a long ruffled coat, blood-red ascot, and large flat-brimmed hat.

While in the Shadowfell, this borrowed body began falling apart, revealing a black shadowy substance underneath. After meeting with the Raven Queen, Simon was gifted a body of their own, which they requested took on the appearance of a sibling of Lethelle Delaeren.

This new body is that of an equally slender build, but with more high-elven features like long pointed ears and pale lavender irises. Their hair has become much longer, and their slightly less pale skin is decorated with golden 'scars' indicating past injuries. Notably, Simon also retains the ability to shapeshift. They currently wear an outfit of a similar color scheme to their first, but featuring more grays and reds. Their top has a deep v-neck trimmed by a scarlet ruffle as well as long, flowing sleeves. Their legs sport white tights & Phantom Steps shoes while their hat has been replaced by a raven-winged circlet.

### Personality

Far from out-spoken, Simon is the kind of person you can count on to tell you like it is. They are usually well-meaning, if not dramatic, and enjoy incorporating their sarcastic sense of humor and wit whenever and however they can. Simon has grown extremely fond (and protective of) their fellow Guidance Counselors, as well as Dean Wesrey, their partner, and would do nearly anything to ensure their safety and well-being. They try to not let it show, but Simon is a very sensitive soul, and tends to take criticism from the ones they care about extremely personally. They are a romantic at heart and have a passion for orchestral music, as well as the opera.

## Biography

### Background

Born of the resulting Cataclysm caused by the Raven Queen's ascension to godhood, Simon was originally what is referred to as a 'Shadowsoul.' However, unlike most of their kin, they were not content to stay in the Shadowfell. They craved life and everything that came with it--music, laughter, love--and wished for the ability to decide their own identity and fate. Seeing a tear between planes as their chance, Simon leapt at the opportunity to escape and dove through. They soon realized that without a vessel, they would quickly be destroyed on the Material Plane, so they made the decision to possess a body from a nearby graveyard. Clawing their way to the surface, they would bequeath themselves the name Simon Orthus by using names on nearby gravestones.

## Relationships

Simon is, of course, close friends with all of the Guidance Counselors, as well as Ilkas. They consider Lethelle their sibling, the Raven Queen their mother, and are currently in a romantic relationship with Dean Wesrey. There is also some sort of unspoken tension between them and Buckshot.

## Character Information

### Notable Items

#### Raven Crown

The tarnished silver & raven-winged circlet on Simon's head was gifted to them by Nicolai Silver-Soul, the mayor of a town in the Shadowfell, who in turn received it from the Raven Queen. It has the ability to scare away undead if broken.

#### Phantom Steps

A pair of tight fitting leather boots that go transparent at the end and fade into starlight. When wearing these boots, your steps are halfway into the ethereal plane. They make no sound, leave no trace and don't trigger traps or magical effects that require you to step on them.

### Abilities

Simon's foremost abilities revolve around their penchance for creating illusions, staggering the mind, summoning ghastly spectres, and enhancing or hindering the abilities of others.

#### Intangible Instrument

As an action, Simon can summon a glowing spectral violin (or other instrument of their choice). This also acts as their spellcasting focus & gives them the ability to cast the spells Hocuspocus, Spirit Shroud and Summon Undead.

#### Spectral Displacement

Creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against Simon until they take damage, in which case it ceases to function until the start of their next turn. It is also suppressed if they are incapacitated, restrained, or otherwise unable to move.

## Trivia

\*Simon has a soft-spot for raunchy vampire-themed novels, even going so far as to begin penning one of their own

\*They have an extreme dislike of any activity that can cause them to become sweaty, wet & or dirty. Blood does not appear to bother them

\*Has the startling ability to eat large quantities of food in one sitting

\*Simon's current KO count: 1