Design Note
Zareth Kael is a personal homage to one of my all-time favorite characters — The Darkness, from the Top Cow comic series. I read the entire run starting from the 1990s, and the idea of a reluctant antihero bound to an ancient, sentient force of shadow left a permanent impression on me.

In reimagining this concept within 5E, I wanted to portray the Darkness not just as a weapon or curse, but as a primordial entity — protective and parasitic, elegant and monstrous. Its presence isn’t loud or overt, but it shapes every moment Zareth lives through, watching from behind a cracked mirror and whispering between spells.

Mechanically, this build sticks entirely to official content from the Player’s Handbook, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, with strategic reflavoring to evoke the tone of The Darkness. The Great Old One patron represents its unknowable origin; Pact of the Chain manifests the creature’s sentient extensions as a Shadowling familiar. And Armor of Agathys, reimagined as Armor of the Darkness, conjures its iconic necrotic retaliation.

Zareth’s arcane focus is his trinket — the Mirror of the Void, a cracked, obsidian glass that never shows his reflection. When he casts, its surface shimmers with veiled motion, a reminder that something inside always watches.

This isn’t just a character — it’s a tribute to a legacy I’ve carried for decades. The power, the corruption, the armor, the voice… they are all one and the same.

🕳️ Character Sheet – Shadowmarked Warlock (Level 3)

Zareth Kael - Reflavoured Tiefling Warlock as The Darkness

📛 Name: Zareth Kael

Race: Tiefling (Shadowmarked – reflavored via Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything)
Class: Warlock 3
Patron: The Darkness (reflavored from The Great Old One)
Pact Boon: Pact of the Chain
Background: Haunted One (from Curse of Strahd)
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

🧠 Ability Scores (Point Buy)

❤️ Vital Stats

• Hit Points: 24
• Armor Class: 13 (Leather) or 15 (Mage Armor)
• Initiative: +2
• Speed: 30 feet
• Passive Perception: 10
• Spell Save DC: 13
• Spell Attack Bonus: +5
• Spell Slots: 2 (2nd level)
• Proficiency Bonus: +2

🎯 Proficiencies

Saving Throws:

• Wisdom (+2)
• Charisma (+5)

Armor:

• Light armor

Weapons:

• Simple weapons

Tools:

• None

Languages:

• Common
• Deep Speech
• One other of your choice (e.g., Infernal, Abyssal, or Undercommon)

🧪 Skill Proficiencies

All other skills use base modifiers only.

🎭 Race Features – Shadowmarked Tiefling

• +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity
• Darkvision: 60 ft
• Necrotic Resistance
• Innate Spells:
  • Minor Illusion (at will)
  • Arms of Hadar (1/day at level 3)
  • Darkness (1/day at level 5)

🔮 Warlock Features

Awakened Mind

• Speak telepathically to any creature within 30 ft that knows a language.

Pact of the Chain

• Gain a Shadowling Familiar (custom-flavored Imp or Quasit)
• Can attack, scout, or deliver touch spells
• Use Voice of the Chain Master to speak/see through it at any range

Eldritch Invocations

If you prefer damage early, take Agonizing Blast at level 2 and swap to Voice of the Chain Master at level 3.

🪄 Cantrips

• Eldritch Blast – 1 beam, +5 to hit, 1d10 force
• Minor Illusion – Create a sound or image within 30 ft
• Mage Hand – Invisible shadow-hand for interaction (30 ft range)

✴️ Spells Known (4)

1. Hex (Bonus Action, Concentration)

   • 1d6 necrotic on hit, target has disadvantage on one ability check type

2. Mage Armor (8 hours, non-concentration)

   • Sets AC to 13 + DEX mod (15 total)

3. Cause Fear (Concentration, 1 minute)

   • Target must make WIS save or be frightened

4. Armor of the Darkness (Custom: reflavored Armor of Agathys)

   • Gain 10 temp HP
   • Deal 10 necrotic damage when hit in melee
   • Lasts 1 hour, no concentration

🧚 Shadowling Familiar

A chittering voidling, born from Zareth’s soul. Its claws glisten like obsidian glass and its laughter never quite fades.

Type: Tiny Fiend
Speed: 20 ft, fly 40 ft
AC: 13
HP: 10
Darkvision: 120 ft
Languages: Understands Common, Deep Speech
Magic Resistance: Advantage on all saves vs spells

Shadowmeld (1/day):

• Becomes invisible in darkness for 1 minute

Actions:

• Claw: +5 to hit, 1d4 + 3 slashing
• Can deliver your touch spells
• Can scout or attack when commanded

🧠 1/Day Spell – Arms of Hadar

• Area: 10 ft radius around you
• Effect: 3d6 necrotic, no reactions on fail
• Save: STR, half on success

🎒 Equipment

• Leather armor or robe (for flavor)
• Arcane Focus: Mirror of the Void

  A cracked obsidian mirror that never shows your reflection. Used to channel all spellcasting.

• Dagger or quarterstaff
• Scholar’s Pack
• Custom Trinket: Obsidian mirror (see above)

🛡️ Armor of the Darkness (Custom Spell)

The Darkness rises to protect its vessel — a living barrier of voidstuff and vengeance.

• Effect: 10 temp HP
• Trigger: When hit by melee attack, deal 10 necrotic to attacker
• Scaling: +5 HP/damage per spell level
• Duration: 1 hour
• No concentration

🧪 Combat Summary

• Cast Mage Armor at start of day (AC 15)
• Bonus Action Hex → Action Eldritch Blast
• Use Cause Fear on high-threat melee enemies
• When surrounded or ambushed → Armor of Darkness
• Familiar scouts, distracts, and delivers spells when needed

🎭 Roleplay Hooks

• Never makes direct eye contact — lets the mirror do it
• Voice is calm, but rarely blinks
• Doesn’t sleep — just meditates while the Shadowling watches
• Civilians feel uneasy but sometimes aid him without knowing why