Session statline (draft): Grandrake fights like a hardened boarding veteran rather than a duellist. For tonight, treat him as a 12th‑level Battle Master fighter: a reliable front‑line tank with disciplined control.
AC 16 (natural armour; no shield/armour). HP 132 (includes Tough). Speed 25 ft. (wooden leg).
Attacks. Grandrake fights tooth-and-claw. For tonight, treat his natural weapons as magical +1 (as if wielding a +1 weapon): Bite +8 to hit, 1d10+4 piercing; Claw +8 to hit, 1d8+4 slashing. Extra Attack (2 attacks).
Battle Master. 5d10 superiority dice; save DC 15. Manoeuvres (suggested): Trip Attack, Disarming Attack, Menacing Attack, Precision Attack, Rally.
Features. Second Wind (1/short rest), Action Surge (1/short rest), Indomitable (1/day).
Fighting Style (pick one). If you want the classic "duelist" damage bump, use Dueling (+2 damage) and apply it to his claw attack on turns when he makes only claw attacks (house rule: treat the claw as his "one-handed weapon"). If you want RAW-cleaner, use Interception instead to protect allies.
Feats. At fighter 12 he has 4 ASI/feats (levels 4/6/8/12). For tonight: Sentinel, Tough, Resilient (Wis), and Lucky.
Tactics. He plays bodyguard: locks down threats with Sentinel/Trip, spends Rally to keep someone standing, and only uses Action Surge when the party needs breathing room.