The Crooked Man
| Identity | Ithak'var, Shepherd of Countless Faces |
|---|---|
| Type | Demon / Fiend |
| Status | Historically bound in the Abyss; current confinement uncertain |
| Threat | The Mirrorwind |
| Followers | Tattooed Root Cultists |
| Associated Evidence | Journal recovered from the Shadow Harlequin |
The Crooked Man, whose true name is documented in ancient rare texts as Ithak'var, the Shepherd of Countless Faces, is a legendary and terrifying demonic entity originating from the Abyss. Long used as a bogeyman in sailors' tales to frighten young deckhands ("Behave or the Crooked Man will come for you"), Ithak'var is a real and apocalyptic threat whose return is prophesied to herald the Mirrorwind, a catastrophic storm capable of tearing the fabric of Lyra apart.
The First Defeat and Binding
Centuries ago, Ithak'var was bound and sealed in the depths of the Abyss by a legendary assembly of six ancient heroes:
- Aurelius Vane (Paladin): Known as the "Shield of the East," who held the planar breach alone for three days.
- Kaelen Moonwhisper (Druid): Who wove the living roots of the world to bind the demon.
- Bram Ironfoot (Cleric): A combat medic whose prayers kept the light from fading.
- Sariel "The Ghost" (Rogue): Who shattered Ithak'var's source of physical immortality.
- Thorvus Marshall (Fighter): The vanguard who broke the gates of the Abyss.
- Valerius Thorne (Wizard): Who crafted the final planar banishment spell.
Whispers and Cult Activity (1487 DR)
In recent years, whispers of the Crooked Man's return have grown. A shadow cult of followers, characterised by intricate root tattoos wrapping across their skin, has begun conducting dark rituals across Farmarch and Felldrei to break Ithak'var's ancient seals.
In the winter of 1487 DR, the gaunt, wretched figure of the Crooked Man briefly materialized aboard the ice-breaker The Stubborn Arse, delivering a chilling warning to the goliath warrior Muffin: "Your heart will crumble, your dreams will turn to ash." Shortly thereafter, Muffin's companion Marta was abducted into the sky.
The Fen Expedition
The Heroes of Eastport found further evidence of Ithak'var beneath the Temple in the Fen. A creature called the Shadow Harlequin bore familiar faces on its stalks and carried the Journal of Lost Echoes, described as a list of people targeted by the Crooked Man. The party killed the creature and recovered the journal.
After the battle, Urgin Dennison was encountered in the Fey and warned the party to hurry in its search for Ithak'var. The Peddler also disclosed that he had escaped from the demon, though the details of both accounts remain sparse. These reports do not establish whether Ithak'var is still fully imprisoned in the Abyss.