Samuel Grimm

Overview

Samuel Grimm is Sayton's former second-in-command in the Dark Brotherhood, now facing an uncertain future after Sayton's death.

Current Psychological State

Sayton is gone. He was the only reason keeping Samuel alive, an anchor whose strength kept at bay the forces that have plagued Samuel since his youth. Now they're beginning to return. Samuel isn't sure what awaits him. On the very first night he had dreams he hasn't had since he met Sayton. Samuel has started keeping a journal of symptoms, but the book is still very short.

Leadership Ambivalence

Samuel would logically be Sayton's successor. However, the position doesn't interest him at all:

• Samuel is more of a researcher, not a leader
• Myrkul is back now, and that's enough for Samuel
• Leading the organization requires skills Samuel barely has and doesn't value: charisma, political resolve, the ability to inspire devotion
• He also believes the position is ultimately hollow anyway. The organization is small and fragmented, resources are low, and all the eldest scholars are gone.

Faith Crisis

Samuel also isn't sure he believes enough. His devotion always ran through Sayton; he believed in a debt he was trying to repay, but now Sayton is gone.

Personality

Samuel isn't threatening. He's polite, formal. He answers questions directly and comprehensively. He can be strangely candid. He values capable individuals, and the party is clearly full of them. He doesn't lie about what he did or what the organization Sayton built was. The only thing he doesn't speak openly about is his own personal situation: his fate, his doubts. Samuel is unsure about sharing his own feelings.

Future Plans

Samuel also tells the truth about what he plans to do next: he doesn't know. Some possibilities:

• Samuel returns to research, perhaps studying what's afflicting him
• Samuel goes back to studying what he did before meeting Sayton
• Samuel may travel with the party for a while
• Samuel also officially closes out the Deerwater operation

Background with Sayton

Like Sayton, Samuel comes from the far side of the great desert. Sayton once saved Samuel from the gutter, and Samuel carries eternal gratitude for this. Together they have followed Sayton's visions, which led them to this part of Faerûn in pursuit of the crown's pieces.

Samuel's own belief, since childhood, has rested with the Raven Queen. He followed Myrkul for Sayton's sake.

Mechanical Details

Class: Cleric Level: 15

Ability Scores

• STR: 15
• DEX: 7
• CON: 14
• INT: 10
• WIS: 20
• CHA: 9

Combat Statistics

• HP: 99
• HD: d8
• To hit: +7
• DMG: 1d6 + 2
• Spell DC: 18 (8 + 5 + 5)
• Spell attack modifier: +10 (5 + 5)

Death Domain Features

• Reaper: One necromancy cantrip from any spell list
• Necromancy cantrip: Can target two creatures within 5 feet of each other instead of one
• Channel Divinity (2/rest): Touch of Death — When hit a creature with melee attack, extra 20 necrotic damage
• 6th lvl: Inescapable Destruction — Necrotic damage dealt with spells & channel divinity ignores necrotic resistance
• 8th lvl: Divine Strike — once per turn: 2d8 extra necrotic damage
• Bonus proficiency: Martial weapons

Spells

Cantrips (5):

• Chill touch (reaper)
• Light
• Sacred flame
• Thaumaturgy
• Guidance
• Resistance

Death Domain Spells (always prepared):

• 1st: False life, Ray of sickness
• 3rd: Blindness/deafness, Ray of enfeeblement
• 5th: Animate dead, Vampiric touch
• 7th: Blight, Death ward
• 9th: Antilife shell, Cloudkill

Prepared Spells (20):

• 1st (4 slots): False life, Ray of sickness, Inflict wounds, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith, Guiding bolt
• 2nd (3 slots): Blindness/deafness, Ray of enfeeblement, Calm emotions, Hold person, Spiritual weapon
• 3rd (3 slots): Animate dead, Vampiric touch, Bestow curse, Spirit Guardians, Meld into stone
• 4th (3 slots): Blight, Death ward, Banishment, Guardian of faith, Control water
• 5th (2 slots): Antilife shell, Cloudkill, Contagion, Flame strike
• 6th (1 slot): Harm, Word of recall
• 7th (1 slot): Divine word, Regenerate
• 8th (1 slot): Antimagic field
• 9th (0 slots):

What he shares about the instrument

He agreed with the players to look further into the legendary Tear of Samuel, an instrument dating back to the era of ancient Netheril. Besides the instrument, there are about a dozen other legendary items still waiting to be found. See The Tear of Samuel.

Contradiction Note

The OneNote file portrays Samuel as part of the Myrkul resurrection conspiracy, while earlier material shows him uncertain and potentially stepping away. This is a character development arc — Samuel was part of the conspiracy under Sayton's leadership, but with Sayton gone, he's questioning his path. Both aspects are valid and represent different points in his journey.