Queen Reeny — Lyra’s Friend, Vecna’s Harbinger

Daughter of King Corvin Braxton Wilford. Coronated as Queen of Highpoint after her father’s death. Titled herself “Defender of Hightaeria” and “Supreme Governor of the Churches”. Now serving as Vecna’s chosen harbinger — a mortal princess who ended up fighting in the Blood War on Avernus and was recruited by a god in chains.

At her core, Reeny is Lyra’s friend. That’s the tragedy.

History

First met [[Lyra Shadowthorn]] at the Highpoint Thieves Guild drop zone — Reeny followed Lyra after they crossed paths
They connected after the Council of Stewards met following the events of Silverton
Survived an assassination attempt during the Highpoint Arc
Her father King Corvin Braxton Wilford was killed — the [[Elixer of Undying]] that was intended for him was taken
Coronated as Queen of Highpoint — issued the [[Queen’s Declaration]]
Disbanded the Council of Stewards, subjugated The Opposable Force, banned Necromancy/Enchantment/Divination without permits
Offered 100,000 GP reward for the return of the Elixer of Undying
Gave Ilmater Clerics special licence under her authority
Last seen by Nemesis: getting drunk with the party in Highpoint
At some point, ended up on the Plane of Avernus fighting in the Blood War (the Infinite Battle between Devils and Demons)
Lyra saw her there during her Fugue Plane death experience — Reeny was having the time of her life and beckoned Lyra to join

Session 17 — Lyra Kills Reeny

Imprisoned Lyra in a bottle-shaped cell. Called her “Lyra Shadowthorn.”
Their conversation still had warmth — on Reaghl: “That’s Reaghl. He’s all about killing everyone.” / “To be fair. He is really cool.”
Lyra escaped using Kelemvor’s shadow powers and killed Reeny with the soul-consuming blade
Reeny’s soul was consumed by the blade — could not be revived
Clifton’s soul was traded to bring Reeny back

The Dream Plane (Session 24)

Lyra found Reeny in a dream on the Fugue Plane. Reeny was confused, scared — reliving childhood nightmares of not being allowed out. She broke down:

“Lyra? Where am I? What’s happening?”
“I just wanted to get out.”

She gave Lyra her dagger back and warned: “Don’t let them know that you have it, because it can kill them.” Words appeared on paper: “You’ve broken their pact. Help me. Help me. Kalemvor was a lie. Vecna knows.”

Then something took over — her eyes went blank and a voice said: “Oh, nobody is home anymore. This little bitch is fucked now!”

Reeny is possessed or controlled. Not willing.

Vecna’s Recruitment

During the Fugue Plane encounter (~session 31):

Vecna cut through to the Fugue Plane using [[Shadowthorn’s Bane]] (Lyra’s dagger)
He invoked an ancient contract with Kelemvor: “Deliver unto me the rogue’s shadow, as agreed”
Kelemvor opened a portal to the Infinite Battle on Avernus
Bane stepped forward with Reeny

Vecna’s address to Reeny:

“Welcome, dear one, to my realm of darkness. You have been chosen to serve as my harbinger, my instrument of doom. Embrace the shadows that now envelop you, for they shall grant you power beyond mortal comprehension. Together, we shall reshape the world in our image, casting aside all who dare oppose us.”

Session 34 — Arrival at the Star Forge (Canon)

Arrived through the first giant king face portal on the back of a Pit Fiend
She seems a little bit older. Armoured in black and gold, wearing a crown
The party knew her as a friend — her appearance as an armoured harbinger is the gut-punch
Note: Asmodeus and his daughter ([[Glasya]]) appeared through the second portal, separately. Reeny is NOT Asmodeus’s daughter — the players’ notes conflated the two portals.

Current Status

Serves as Vecna’s harbinger and instrument of doom
A mortal princess caught up in the Blood War, recruited by Vecna through Bane from Avernus
Had Shadowthorn’s Bane (Lyra’s dagger) — Vecna destroyed it because it contained an ancient contract threatening him
Destroying the dagger released Kelemvor’s Champion from service
Connection to Bane, God of Tyranny and Strife
Now physically present on the Star Forge floor with the Pit Fiend
The dream plane scene (session 24) strongly suggests she is possessed or controlled, not acting of her own will

Stat Block — Vecna’s Harbinger

Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral (corrupted)

Armour Class 18 (Blood War half plate + DEX)
Hit Points 104 (16d8 + 32)
Speed 35 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 20 (+5)

Saving Throws DEX +9, CHA +9, INT +7
Skills Deception +13, Persuasion +9, Stealth +9, Acrobatics +9, Intimidation +9
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Common, Infernal, Abyssal
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Traits

Evasion. Half damage on failed DEX saves, no damage on success.

Uncanny Dodge. Reaction to halve one attack’s damage.

Blood War Survivor. Reeny has advantage on saves against being frightened and against effects that would charm her. She’s seen worse.

Harbinger’s Authority. As a bonus action, Reeny commands one devil within 30 ft. to make a single weapon attack.

Shadow Step (3/Day). As a bonus action, Reeny teleports up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space she can see that is in dim light or darkness. She has advantage on the first melee attack she makes before the end of the turn.

Actions

Multiattack. Reeny makes two Infernal Rapier attacks.

Infernal Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Shadow Strike (Recharge 5-6). Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage, and the target must make a DC 17 CHA save or be frightened of Reeny until the end of their next turn. “Did you miss me?”

Vecna’s Whisper (1/Day). Reeny channels Vecna’s voice. Each creature within 30 ft. that can hear her must make a DC 17 WIS save or be stunned until the end of Reeny’s next turn as they hear Vecna speak their deepest secret. Creatures that succeed are immune for 24 hours.

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. Halves one attack’s damage.

“I’m a Queen” (1/Day). When Reeny is reduced to half HP or below, she can use her reaction to make a CHA check (contested by attacker’s WIS) to force the attacker to hesitate. On success, the triggering attack deals no damage. “You don’t get to do that to me.”

Personality — Azula × Anna Delvey × Lost Princess

Reeny is performing royalty while unravelling. She treats cosmic forces like business transactions. Dismissive, cutting, supremely confident — but the confidence is a shell. Underneath is the girl from the dream plane who just wanted to get out.

DM Feed Lines

General attitude — the Anna Delvey mask:

“Do you know how boring the afterlife is? Nobody has any ambition.”
“I didn’t choose Vecna. Vecna chose correctly.”
“You’re still playing adventurers. That’s adorable.”
“Everyone acts like I was tricked. I negotiated. There’s a difference.”

To Lyra specifically — the history:

“You look… diminished. Is that what freedom does to people?”
“We used to be friends, you know. Before you became a project.”
“I had your dagger. It was… underwhelming. Like everything else about you.” (pause) “That was mean. I don’t care.”
“They told me you’d come. They tell me a lot of things.”

When challenged — the Azula snap:

“I am the harbinger of a GOD. You don’t get to PITY me.”
“Stop LOOKING at me like that. I chose this. I CHOSE this.”
“You want to save me? Save me from WHAT? Success?”
(to the Pit Fiend) “Why are you just STANDING there? DO something!”

When the performance cracks — the real Reeny:

(quietly, if someone is kind to her) “…you shouldn’t be nice to me right now.”
(if Lyra says something that hits) “Don’t. Just… don’t.”
(if losing the fight) “I was supposed to be more than this.”

If Jesse Mildspear appears:

Complete silence. The performance stops. She has no script for this.
Then, barely audible: “…Jesse?”
She does not attack while Jesse is visible. The Pit Fiend looks confused.

Tactical Notes

Mirror of Lyra — similar AC, speed, evasion, burst damage
Necrotic instead of sneak attack. Shadow Step instead of Mobility.
She WILL fight if pressed, but she’s more dangerous as a distraction. Her real weapon is words.
If the party reaches her emotionally (especially through Lyra or Jesse), she can be turned. DC 18 Persuasion, but with Jesse present it drops to DC 12. With Lyra AND Jesse: DC 10.
If turned, she tells the Pit Fiend to stand down (it obeys). She can operate a forge station, freeing a PC.
If Reeny stands down, the Avernus portal stays open but no one is commanding the devils. They become disorganised — no more coordinated station assaults.

DM Notes

Reeny is no longer a dormant threat — she is ON THE FORGE FLOOR
She was recruited by Vecna through Bane — but the dream plane suggests possession, not allegiance
The Pit Fiend is her handler — twelve feet of infernal military command
A confrontation with Reeny is one of the most emotionally charged moments of the campaign
Reeny is Lyra’s friend. An unfortunate story. The redemption question is real.
The dream: “I just wanted to get out.” She’s a prisoner in her own story.
The distance between getting drunk at the fight club and standing in infernal armour on the forge floor — that’s what this campaign has cost.