Tharok

Tharok, the Hidden Lord’s Champion

Medium humanoid (Goliath), lawful evil

Armor Class 18 (Chain Mail Armor, Shield of the Hidden Lord)
Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64)
Speed 30 ft.

Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +6
Skills Athletics +7, Intimidation +6, Deception +6, Perception +4
Damage Resistances fire, cold
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Infernal
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4

Traits

False Front. Tharok disguises his infernal abilities behind martial prowess. His spellcasting focus is hidden within the Shield of the Hidden Lord. Creatures must succeed on a DC 17 Insight check to suspect he’s more than a fighter before he uses a spell or invocation.

Stone’s Endurance (Recharges after Short or Long Rest). As a reaction, Tharok can reduce damage he takes by 1d12 + 4.

Pact of the Blade. Tharok’s Greatsword is his pact weapon, wreathed in faint embers when he strikes.

Fiendish Resilience. When Tharok finishes a short or long rest, he can choose one damage type other than bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing. He gains resistance to that type until he chooses another (already factored above as fire/cold).

Magic Resistance (from Shield). Tharok has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Spellcasting.

Tharok is a 10th-level warlock (Charisma is his spellcasting ability; spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). His patron is Gargauth, the Hidden Lord. He uses his shield as a focus.

Cantrips (at will): Eldritch Blast (2 beams, 1d10 + 3 each), Thaumaturgy, sword burst
1st–5th level (2 spell slots, regained on short rest):
Armor of Agathys, Command, Counterspell, Fear, Fireball, Hold Person, Vampiric Touch,Wall of Fire

Invocations. Agonizing Blast, Devil’s Sight, Thirsting Blade, Fiendish Vigor, Mask of Many Faces, Lifedrinker.

Actions

Multiattack. Tharok makes two melee attacks with his pact weapon or two eldritch blasts.

Infernal Greatsword (Pact Weapon). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing plus 7 (2d6) fire damage. On a critical hit, Gargauth whispers through the strike — the target must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

Eldritch Blast (2 beams). Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) force damage per beam.

Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 ft. back and knocked prone.

Reactions

Hellish Rebuke (2/Day). When hit by an attack, Tharok can cast Hellish Rebuke at 3rd level (DC 14).

Unholy Guidance (Recharge 5–6). When Tharok fails a saving throw, Gargauth’s voice intervenes. He rerolls the save with advantage, taking the new result.

Bonus Actions

Fiendish Step (Recharge 4–6). Tharok magically teleports up to 30 ft. to a space he can see in a puff of sulfurous smoke.

Dark Command (1/Day). As a bonus action, Tharok speaks a single word of authority imbued with Gargauth’s will. One creature of his choice within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom save or immediately use its reaction to make a melee attack against a target of Tharok’s choosing.

Tactics & Flavor

• Opening Round: Begins with armor of Agathys active (25 temp HP, cold retaliation). Opens with melee to appear purely martial.

• Round 2–3: Reveals infernal nature by casting fear or fireball, laughing as the “fighter” burns with unholy fire.

• If cornered: Uses fiendish step to reposition, or counterspell to shut down casters.

• When reduced below half HP: Gargauth’s voice erupts, causing the shield’s face to animate and bellow commands; use wall of fire to divide the battlefield.

Description

A towering goliath clad in blackened chain and carrying a gilded shield bearing a solemn, almost divine face. To outsiders, Tharok seems a stoic warrior — disciplined, devout, perhaps even holy. Yet in his dreams, Gargauth whispers truths of power and conquest. His laughter echoes faintly from the shield when Tharok bleeds.

CR 10 Encounter Notes

• Designed for a 4-person level 9–11 party.

• Plays as a deceptive boss: physical first, then magical reveal.

• You can increase to CR 11 by giving greater armor of Agathys (30 temp HP) and one additional fireball use.