Esther

Lady Esther is a member of the Society of Brilliance. She is on the Rosymorn Monastery Trail during Act One.

“

I left your stupid crèche, why are you still chasing me? I don't even want your bloody eggs! <...> Well, not your eggs specifically...

„

— Esther, when approached by a Githyanki character (including Lae'zel)

Involvement

Act One

Esther is an adventurer employed by the Society of Brilliance to acquire a githyanki egg for a long-term nurturing experiment. Upon meeting Esther, she asks the party to steal an egg from the crèche inside Rosymorn Monastery. The interacting party member can convince her to offer an advance payment by passing a  DC 21 Persuasion Check, earning at least 200 gold with no effect on companion approval.

The party can give Esther an  Owlbear Egg instead of a githyanki egg. She will suspect its different and question the party, but she can be convinced to accept it.

• No, it's an owlbear's. I just like it.
• [NATURE] The curves, the colouration, the size - looks right to me. (DC 21)
• [DECEPTION] No, but this owlbear egg is worth much more. And it can all be yours. (DC 21)
• [PERSUASION] Of course not. It's from an owlbear. But I bet your employers won't know the difference. (DC 21)

If the entire Monastery is destroyed during ⁠Find the Blood of Lathander, Esther witnesses the building's collapse from her camp. If she is spoken to afterward, she complains about this disaster ruining her plans, going so far as to brand the party as 'uncouth' if they claim responsibility for it.

Act Three

If Esther is given a genuine  Githyanki Egg in Act One, Esther is dead at the docks of The Lodge, killed by  Ptaris who hatched from the egg. Several notes are then along the docks which relate how she and her employers subjected Ptaris to an abusive upbringing until he finally killed them in retaliation.

Store

Corresponds to CRE_Expeditioner_Trade 

Notable items sold

• Arrow of Undead Slaying
• Boots of Elemental Momentum
• Cacophony
• Gloves of Baneful Striking
• Gloves of Cinder and Sizzle
• Hoppy
• Periapt of Wound Closure
• The Graceful Cloth
• Winter's Clutches

Combat

Attacks and actions

 Disarming Attack (Melee) ( + )   –  Rapier

Damage: 5~12 + modifiers

1d8 + 4⁠Piercing

+ Superiority Die

Focus your attack on your foe's hands and possibly force them to drop the weapons they are holding.

 STR Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Main Hand Attack ()   –  Rapier

Damage: 5~12

1d8 + 4⁠Piercing

Make a melee attack with your equipped weapon.

 Melee: 1.5 m (5 ft)

 Menacing Attack (Melee) ( + )   –  Rapier

Damage: 5~12 + modifiers

1d8 + 4⁠Piercing

+ Superiority Die

Possibly  Frighten your target. They'll have  Disadvantage on  Ability Checks and  Attack Rolls and be unable to move.

 WIS Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Pushing Attack (Melee) ( + )   –  Rapier

Damage: 5~12 + modifiers

1d8 + 4⁠Piercing

+ Superiority Die

Spend a superiority die to deal an additional 1d8⁠⁠Physical damage and possibly push the target back 4.5 m (15 ft).

 STR Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Second Wind ()

Healing: 1~10 + modifiers

1d10 + Fighter level⁠Healing

Draw on your stamina to protect yourself. You regain 1d10 + Fighter Level⁠⁠Hit Points.

 Range: Self

 Recharge: Short rest

Tactics

Esther can be a surprisingly dangerous opponent because of her relatively high dexterity, combined with  Extra Attack,  Duelling, and  Menacing Attack (Melee). She can easily burst down one of the party members if she is not killed quickly, especially if she uses  Action Surge. Despite this, a full party should be able to easily finish her after her first turn.

Loot

• An Opportunity from the Society of Brilliance
• Basic Poison
• Breastplate
• Open Call for Adventurers on Behalf of the Society
• Rapier

Related literature

• Correspondence from Lady Esther

Related quests

• ⁠Steal a Githyanki Egg