![[GuruPathfinder-v2.webp]] # Guru _Wood Elf Monk | [[Heroes of Waterdeep]] | [[Chapel of Solitude]]_ ## Summary Wood elf monk of the [[Chapel of Solitude]], born Donzu Tyzeenaria. A sage and contemplative who spent fifty years in mountaintop meditation before being kidnapped by an archfey who misunderstood his inability to easily communicate his enlightenment as a refusal. Imprisoned in [[Aralu]] by the Cannibal Queen [[Jasmine]], where he became a helpful roommate to [[Xyrbwynn]] and [[Aerisi Kalinoth]] — though even the Guru couldn't fix their dysfunction. Later joined [[Vajra Safahr]]'s strike team into the [[Undermountain]] to reclaim the [[Blackstaff]] from [[Halaster Blackcloak]]. Saved the multiverse by offering to help the depressed Mad Mage find peace — a natural 20 on a persuasion check that convinced an immortal wizard not to destroy everything with an asteroid. %% ## At a Glance _Historical NPC from War of the Fey / Oblivion War. Fill in if he becomes relevant again._ ## Personality Genuinely kind, endlessly patient, and possessed of a quiet wisdom earned through decades of solitary contemplation. The Guru's approach to every problem — imprisoned by a cannibal archfey, facing a depressed demilich-level wizard on an asteroid, trapped on a Githyanki warship — was the same: listen, understand, help. Not insane enough to return to [[Aralu]] to deal with [[Aerisi Kalinoth]] again, which is perhaps his most relatable quality. Teamed up with [[Eris Bloom|the Ambassador]] to stun [[Halaster Blackcloak]] on a Githyanki warship, proving that monks who prefer talking can also hit very hard when required. ## Quote _"I can help you find peace."_ ## Background **Origins:** Born Donzu Tyzeenaria, a poor bastard child of a wood elf mother and a human lord who took advantage of her. Despite violent origins, his mother raised him with love and his childhood was happy. Spent his youth at the border of the Labyrinthine Weald and the Dragonridge Mountains, communing with nature and befriending a tribe of peaceful giants. **The Wandering Years:** After his mother's death, Donzu sold everything and wandered the Divided Coast for decades — from the Wellspring Grove to Citrine, from the tribes of Kraatan to the libraries of Silverwood. Eventually, homeless and fading on the streets of Burning Gate, he was saved by a brother of the [[Chapel of Solitude]] who brought stew to the urchins in his alley. He joined the Chapel and spent the next fifty years in mountaintop meditation, earning the moniker "Guru." **The Archfey's Misunderstanding:** During a teaching circuit, the Guru met an archfey at the Wellspring Grove. They spoke for days, but the Guru's enlightenment — earned through decades of focused contemplation — could not be easily communicated in words. The archfey left believing the Guru had refused to share his knowledge. Years later, a different archfey sought the same knowledge and, hearing the Guru's name, kidnapped him and cast him into [[Aralu]] until he was "willing to share." **The Flesh Pens:** In [[Aralu]], the Guru was assigned as a roommate to [[Xyrbwynn]] and [[Aerisi Kalinoth]]. He did his best to help. Even the Guru had limits. When [[Sarastra Aestruum|Marie]] later tried to recruit [[Black Kathleen]] for a return trip to [[Aralu]], the Guru talked her out of it — expressing that while he genuinely wanted to help people, he was not insane enough to deal with [[Aerisi Kalinoth]] again. **The Undermountain Strike Team:** During [[Graz'zt]]'s invasion of [[Waterdeep]], [[Vajra Safahr]] formed a strike team to reclaim the [[Blackstaff]] from [[Halaster Blackcloak]]. The Guru joined alongside [[Eris Bloom|the Ambassador]], [[Osah Firesong|Osah]], and [[Meloon Wardragon]]. The team fought through the Halaster Dome, survived planar hopscotch to [[Acheron]] and a [[Githyanki]] warship in the [[Astral Sea]], and eventually confronted [[Halaster Blackcloak|Halaster]] on an asteroid hurtling toward [[Toril]]. **Saving the Multiverse:** The depressed Mad Mage, burdened by immortality and frustrated that he wasn't the campaign's main villain, was prepared to destroy everything. [[Vajra Safahr|Vajra]]'s reasoning failed. Then the Guru, with a natural 20, simply offered to help [[Halaster Blackcloak|Halaster]] find peace. Combined with [[Osah Firesong|Osah]]'s promise to improve the writing on his show, this renewed the Mad Mage's will to live. [[Halaster Blackcloak|Halaster]] dismissed the Prismatic Wall, returned the [[Blackstaff]], and said: "Now, let's go save the multiverse." ## Stats *Official bestiary stat block — Slinker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy.* *Medium Humanoid (any race), Any Alignment* > A guru is a master mystical teacher. Its spellcraft focuses on uncovering secrets and probing the recesses of others' minds. When in danger, the guru can summon a psychic lance from a pocket dimension. This weapon is transparent and radiates dim blue light for 5 feet. When stabbed with it, the target suffers no physical damage but it wreaks havoc on the mind. **AC** 12 (hide) | **HP** 44 (8d8 + 8) | **Speed** 30 ft. **CR** 2 (450 XP) | **Proficiency Bonus** +2 | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | |:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| | 10 (+0) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 11 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 13 (+1) | **Saving Throws** Wis +6, Cha +3 **Skills** Arcana +2, Nature +2, Religion +2 **Senses** Passive Perception 14 **Languages** Common, Draconic, Primordial ### Traits **Devotion.** The guru has Advantage on saving throws against being Charmed or Frightened. **Discern Lie.** The guru knows when it hears a creature speak a lie in a language it knows. **Spellcasting.** The guru is an 8th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). The guru has the following cleric spells prepared: - **Cantrips (at will):** *guidance*, *light*, *sacred flame*, *thaumaturgy* - **1st level (4 slots):** *ceremony*, *command*, *detect evil and good*, *sanctuary* - **2nd level (3 slots):** *augury*, *calm emotions*, *hold person* - **3rd level (3 slots):** *clairvoyance*, *meld into stone*, *speak with dead* - **4th level (2 slots):** *divination*, *guardian of faith* ### Actions **Multiattack.** The guru makes two lance attacks. **Psychic Lance.** *Melee Spell Attack:* +6, reach 10 ft. *Hit:* 10 (1d12 + 4) Psychic damage. ### Notes **Combat rhythm.** Information broker — Discern Lie + *divination*/*augury*/*speak with dead* is the role. In combat, *hold person* on a heavy hitter, *guardian of faith* to wall a doorway, then poke with 10-ft Psychic Lance. *Sanctuary* on itself if pressed. Best treated as a non-combat NPC with teeth. **Source.** *Slinker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy* (Adam Hancock, DM's Guild, 2019), p. 19. %%