Li

Around the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of Chinese Christians from nearly every denomination of Christianity were killed during a series of violent uprisings in China. The nature of these uprisings were complicated and dealt with a range of political issues that had very little to do with religion; but unfortunately Christians became caught in the crossfire of this volatile conflict, and an era of Christian persecution began.

According to stories passed down by survivors, Li gave shelter to a community of Christian families who were on the run from anti-Christian vigilantes. When a group of these armed men came and demanded that she turn over the refugees, she refused. Li stood in the doorway of her home, armed only with the basic martial arts training she had received from a wandering Shaolin monk. She was outnumbered and unarmed, but she was also prepared to die defending the vulnerable.

With superior numbers and weaponry, the attackers overpowered and killed Li, but her sacrifice gave some of the families the chance to escape through the back door and live to tell their story.

Li as an Elder. After her death, Li desired to become an Elder rather than enter eternal rest. She did all she could in life to protect the innocent, but she cannot help but feel that what she did was not enough. Since her death, she has spent many ages wandering the Veil and seeking out instruction from famous martial arts masters of ages long past. Her discipline has improved, and she eagerly awaits the day that she will be called upon to once again put herself in harm’s way to protect others.

Li

Medium Humanoid, Lawful Good

Armor Class: 18 (unarmored defense)

Hit Points: 83 (15d8+15)

Speed: 55 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	18 (+4)	12 (+1)	11 (+0)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)

Saving Throws: Dex +9, Wis +9

Skills: Acrobatics +9, Athletics +5, Perception +9

Damage Resistances: poison, psychic

Senses: passive perception 19

Languages: Common, Chinese, Russian

Challenge: 8 (3,900 XP) Proficiency: +5

Features

Unarmored Defense: While Li is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, her AC includes her Wisdom modifier.

Magic Weapons: Li’s unarmed strikes are considered magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks.

Actions

Multiattack: Li makes one Maneuvering Strike, one Protective Strike, and one Stunning Strike.

Maneuvering Strike: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet in a direction of Li’s choice.

Protective Strike: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage and a creature of Li’s choice within 5 feet of her gains a +2 bonus to its AC.

Stunning Strike: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or be Stunned until the end of Li’s next turn.

Reactions

Deflect Missiles: When Li takes damage from a ranged weapon attack, she can use her reaction to reduce the damage by 25 (1d10 + 19). If this reduces the damage to 0 and she has a free hand, she catches the projectile.

Slow Descent (3/Day): If Li falls, she can use her reaction to slow her descent, taking no damage from the fall.

Azrael's Guide to the Apocalypse, printed page 240.