Zeburon

The Lore

Zeburon is the leader of the Black Sands Raiders, a brutal and feared bandit gang that hides out in the Black Sands. According to rumor they always number a hundred, and ride war-trained kanks to assault caravans and settlements around the Black Sands.

The Iron Rider got this title because of his signature metal helmet, which has a pair of prominent horns and completely conceals his face. Not even most of the Raiders have ever seen it - only his most trusted lieutenants (such as the defiler Fevik) know what he looks like.

And this is because Zeburon’s big secret is that he’s a tiefling. The book lists reasons why no one has figured it out yet, and they’re actually a little funny. He lacks a tail because he cut it off himself years ago. People tend to mistake the reddish tone of his skin for sunburns instead of natural pigmentation. And they think the horns are part of the helmet, when in fact they’re poking through a pair of holes in it.

Zeburon hides his true nature from the rank and file of his gang because he’s afraid of how they’d react if they found out. Given bigotry is never in short supply around Athas, I’m guessing the answer is “not well”. And being a fearsome individual warrior is not very helpful if about ninety guys on war kanks decide they want you dead and charge you all at once.

The Numbers

Zeburon is a Level 12 Elite Soldier with 246 HP. He has a ground speed of 6, low-light vision, and Resist Fire 10.

All of his attacks deal bonus damage against bloodied targets due to his Bloody Violence trait. He fights with a Bastard Sword that can make standard basic attacks and be used in a Wild Bloodletting maneuver, attacking a Close Burst 1. A hit deals damage, slows the target, and inflicts ongoing 10 damage (save ends both). This recharges when he’s first bloodied.

As a minor action he can use his Iron Fist (metal gauntlet!) to make another attack, which does the same damage as the sword, and immobilizes for a turn.

Finally, he has the tiefling Infernal Wrath power which, when used, gives him a bonus to attacks and damage against any enemy that hit him since the end of his last turn. This lasts for a turn or until he hits an enemy.

Encounters and Final Impressions

A fight against Zeburon will also include a sizable contingent of Black Sands Raiders, as well as his best buddy and top lieutenant Fevik the Defiler. Plus any amount of kank mounts you deem necessary. It will likely come after the PCs have fought multiple encounters against the raiders, too.

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen someone a lot like Zeburon in one of the many Brom illustrations for DS: muscles, leather straps, face-concealing horned helmet, menacing pose. I haven’t read any older DS material to know whether he’s someone from the old days, or if he’s new and just likes following local fashions.