Aetas

"My friends...it shames me, but my master calls. Brugdus Crippleskull holds sway over me with both arcane rite and valuable knowledge. I must go to him—I have no choice. But know this. As soon as I am able, I shall return to this place. We shall rebuild, and we shall be ready when the gray leviathan returns."—Aetas to an assembled village of Dalahas people. The village survived an attack in his absence, in part thanks to the fortifications Aetas helped construct.

Overview
A death knight and false god to the Dalahas people, Aetas is the closest thing the people of the swamp have to a hero or leader. He is a champion who rides on a bog nightmare, swearing to right wrongs and slay monsters whenever and however he is able.

Appearance
Aetas is a sight of rot, decay, and neglect. His cape, once white, is tattered and stained with blood and dirt. His brassy armor has lost much of its shine and bears the marks of decades in the swamp. A filthy gray rag covers his lower face, exposing only two gleaming eyes and circles of undead flesh around his eyes.

Divine Mission
Aetas is a Death Knight, a paldin in life who forsook his oaths so intensely that the gods of of the grave rejected him. Lacking memories of his former life, Aetas wanders Dalahas, seeking redemption by helping the people there in any way possible. His ultimate goal is death—he cannot die and rises again no matter how many times he falls.

Unknown to him, his crime is simple: he fell in love and broke his vows of chastity. Ashamed, he fled into Dalahas with his new wife. His fellow order members sent executors after him, and he slew them all in self-defence before succumbing to his injuries. He awoke in the swamp alongside the bodies and assumed he was guilty of a terrible crime. To be released, he must only forgive himself, something he cannot bring himself to do. Brugdus and Hoinlitranvizadriak both know the truth about his fate, but keep his status secret for their own reasons—Brugdus for the command of his undead troops, and Hoinlitranvizadriak because he nurtures the Dalahasi, providing a regular food source.

Notable Followers
In addition to the zombies of Brugdus' armies, Aetas commands a small force of human soldiers. The Atoners are a collection of criminal exiles seeking redemption and hard labor as favorable to execution. Underequpped but well-trained under Aetas' command, they are commanded to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of men whenever necessary.

Religion
Virtually every human in Dalahas welcomes Aetas' arrival. Most wear a simplified version of his sigil on their clothing or carve it into their possessions. Even those held sway by the other "gods" of the marsh welcome his presence, as it indicates a safer, more secure period is about to begin.

Despite his protests, the people of the swamp hold him in enormously high esteem, worshiping him for his many attempts to assist and guide them against the other sentients and monsters hoping to exploit, consume, or destroy them entirely. Their faith enhances his own unnatural powers, though he isn't consciously aware of the changes yet. But he has become far superior to an ordinary death knight. The closest of the monstrous swamp pantheon to a real god, pleas for his aid have given him a limited, unconscious clairvoyance that informs him of people and places that need his help next.

Divine Appearances
Aetas rides a gray-and-green-flamed nightmare across the boggy ground of Dalahas, aiding villages wherever he can. While he serves primarily as direct defense against attacks or helps plan fortifications, he is also known to advise on agriculture, water purification, and hygiene, leading to a higher quality of life for the people of the swamp.

Afterlife
Aetas is a false god, and thus has no afterlife. Their humanity and close interaction with nature means that many of his followers are chosen by Yageb or Bredal. Those without their protection are given over to the Lower Planes like other unclaimed souls.

Magic Properties
His magic glows with the same unnatural golden glow as his eyes and animating magic. It is slow-moving and viscous, often flecked with gray. Those subjected to his magic often report a feeling of deep melancholy or sorrow, and may experience forgetfulness that lasts no longer than a few moments.

Combat Stats
Unlike true gods, Aetas can be fought in combat and slain, though he regenerates 1 hour after being destroyed.

Spells and Spellcasting
19th-level spellcaster, spellcasting stat Charisma, save DC 19, +10 to hit with spell attacks. It has the following spells prepared:
 * 1st level (4 slots): Command, Compelled Duel, Armor of Agathys
 * 2nd level (3 slots): Hold Person, Magic Weapon
 * 3rd level (3 slots): Dispel Magic, Elemental Weapon,
 * 4th level (3 slots): Banishment, Staggering Smite
 * 5th level (2 slots): Destructive Wave (necrotic only), Commune with Nature (ritual only)