Artus Cimber is a human explorer and former Harper who possesses the legendary Ring of Winter, making him immortal and a target for multiple factions throughout Chult. He travels with his loyal companion Dragonbait, a saurial paladin.
Background and Motivation
Artus helped defend the city of Mezro over a century ago against the warlord Ras Nsi and his undead horde. During this time, he fell in love with Alisanda, a human paladin and one of Mezro’s immortal defenders (the barae). When Mezro was transported to a safe demiplane to protect it from the Spellplague, Alisanda promised to return when the city was no longer in danger. Artus guards the secret of Mezro’s true fate and will not endanger the Mezroans by revealing that the city still exists.
Artus visits Mezro’s ruins periodically, hoping for Alisanda’s return. When not at the ruins, he searches for Orolunga to consult with its guardian naga, hoping to learn how to reunite with his wife. Nothing matters to him more than this goal. The Ring of Winter keeps him immortal, but he has grown impatient over the intervening years.
The Ring of Winter
The Ring of Winter is an artifact that grants its wearer immortality and shields them from divination spells and scrying sensors, making Artus impossible to locate through magic. Multiple factions hunt for the ring:
- Frost Giants: Twenty frost giants led by Drufi sailed from the Sea of Moving Ice to retrieve the ring for Jarl Storvald, who wants to freeze the world and bring about the Age of Everlasting Ice
- Zhentarim: Black Network spies and teams, including the tabaxi guides River Mist and Flask of Wine, search for Artus to wrest the ring from him
- Harpers: His former organization sends spies to find him, ostensibly to protect the ring from falling into evil hands
- Xandala: A half-elf who falsely claims to be Artus’s daughter, accompanied by her pseudodragon Summerwise
- Valindra Shadowmantle: The lich at the Heart of Ubtao seeks him
- Red Wizards of Thay: Also pursue the ring
Artus is unwilling to part with the Ring of Winter, justifiably concerned that it would dominate any other owner. Without it, he would begin aging normally and lose his chance at immortality with Alisanda.
Role in the Adventure
Artus and Dragonbait can be encountered anywhere in Chult, potentially at locations including Camp Righteous, Heart of Ubtao, Jahaka Anchorage (freeing prisoners), Kir Sabal, or Orolunga. They might also be found fleeing from monsters in the jungle. There’s a small chance of meeting them as a random encounter.
Artus is initially reluctant to reveal why he’s exploring Chult and tries to assess the characters’ intentions before sharing information. Once confident they’re allies, he exchanges information freely. When he learns of the Soulmonger and its danger, he’s willing to help destroy it.
At Orolunga, the guardian naga Saja N’baza tells Artus that Mezro won’t return as long as Ras Nsi lives, giving him strong motivation to accompany the party to Omu and confront the yuan-ti leader.
Personality and Behavior
Artus is cautious but ultimately good-aligned and helpful to those who prove trustworthy. Any party including him and Dragonbait will find challenges easier to overcome. However, if Artus believes his presence endangers the characters (due to those hunting him), he will leave the party and take Dragonbait with him.
He maintains ties to the Society of Stalwart Adventurers (a Cormyrean group that maps uncharted places and hunts lost artifacts) and would be motivated to help other members in danger.
Aftermath
If Artus survives the adventure, he continues searching for means to reach or summon Mezro’s demiplane. Characters might assist through divination magic or research. The Harpers possess relevant lore but demand the ring in exchange—a deal Artus refuses. Alternatively, a portal to Mezro might exist somewhere in Chult, offering potential for future adventures.