Harold Carnap¶
"Am I what? Evil? Goodness no. I wouldn't even swear in front of the children, and they have children of their own now."
Halfling Warlock grandpa who accidentally became a cult leader by turning blood rituals into potluck dinners and community daycare. May be an evil genius.
Character Overview¶
- Species: Halfling
- Class: Warlock 5 (Pact of the Fiend)
- Background: Cloth Merchant (Homebrew)
- Age: 65
- Alignment: Lawful Good (?)
Quick Intro
At the Table
- Devilishly wholesome—treats everyone like family and calls them "dear," "lad," "duck," or "my sweet"
- Utterly oblivious to the demonic nature of his powers or the cult he accidentally reformed
- Wants everyone to feel included; fears forgetting people's names, fastidious about tea breaks and lemon drops
- The community organizer who somehow seamlessly combines demon worship with bake sale
Backstory (Short Form)
Harold joined what he thought was a historical reenactment group with excellent catering. Through relentless friendliness and organizational skills, he transformed an actual demon-worshipping cult into a thriving community center with Thursday quizzes, monthly baking events, and Wednesday daycare. When the original cult leader tried to make him perform blood sacrifice, Harold refused—and the members chose Harold.
Playing Harold
- Combat: Blaster Warlock with staying power and good luck
- Roleplay: Chatty, agreeable, effortlessly likable. Treats cosmic horror like entertaining misunderstandings. Learning sign language despite arthritis complaints.
- Party Synergy: Natural face and morale booster who will absolutely invite the party to cult meetings (now basically town halls with interpretive chanting)
Deep Dive
Full Background
Harold Carnap lived an entirely ordinary life as a fabric and tailoring supplies merchant with a happy wife, children, and grandchildren. He started in the cult of the Crimson Veil believing it was a historical reenactment group with excellent catering.
The initial meetings were fun: costumed evenings, community gossip, and mysterious-but-pleasant toasts to "The Father." He's entirely oblivious to the world of religion and doesn't remember signing anything important, maybe except for what he assumed to be the guestbook ("Right lovely evening, look forward to come back soon, will bring wife and kids, you'll be the best of friends! And something special from the shop. Harold Carnap"). Now, he's a Pact of the Fiend Warlock.
He quickly started introducing new social activities to the cult such as Thursday night quizzes with hot mead and monthly baking events, negotiated group rates for robes with the local tailor, and became the star recruiter by bringing slightly confused friends, relatives, and distant acquaintances to the meetings. He also made welcome bundles for new members: scented candles, fruit preserves, and a pamphlet with "Fun Facts About the Veil" (that he mostly made up; it's all in good reenactment fun anyway).
The branch leader made the fatal mistake of letting him continue his antics. Because not only did he bring in slews of people, things slowly started to change in the cult dynamics.
Finally, the cult leader Malvaric tried to make Harold perform a blood sacrifice of live animals, and Harold, aghast, promptly refused. When Malvaric threatened him with excommunication and worse, the other cult members protested and together drove him out.
Now the "cult" sees Harold as their leader and has shifted focus entirely. The older members still believe they worship the Father of Lies and believe Harold to be His Herald on earth, due to his effortless manipulation and perfectly innocent demeanor. He's also introduced communal daycare groups for busy parents on Wednesdays in the cult HQ, which is very appreciated by the older members who think introducing the Father of Lies at an early age is clever indoctrination. They're now introducing "interpretive chanting," and the kids love it.
Malvaric in his hasty retreat forgot a trinket behind—an obviously cursed doll that chants litanies. Harold has repurposed it as a communal greeter, now using its creaky wooden voice to chant welcome phrases in the cult lobby.
Playing the Harold Concept¶
Harold could be parody: Blackadder absurdity meets Hobbiton's wholesomest grandpa. Double down on obliviousness and constant reframing of obvious evil into pastoral small-town drama. Rest easy with the suspicions of him being the most successful cult leader in the history of the town. Harold's "superpower" is that he likes people, not that he schemes. The ambiguity lies not what he says and does, but in how others (especially terminally genre-savvy players with years of scrolling on Reddit and Tumblr) interpret him.
Harold never meets a stranger. Everyone's "dear," "lad," "duck," or "good sir." He lives for making new acquaintances and sharing funny anecdotes about that one time when acolyte Tim, bless his heart, almost tipped over the brazier when he was going to barbeque those goat hearts. "Not much of a chef that boy, but he likes heart-y food! Hah! Get it?"
Harold is materially oriented, if a bit mischievous in that charismatic halfling grandpa way. He leaves discussions about demonic possessions, cosmic anomalies, and esoteric stuff to others. Meanwhile, he plans Thursday's potluck, plays with someone's baby or casts Suggestion on the party Paladin to make them join the candle-making class.
Harold struggles to be inclusive. He's even learning Common sign language, but he complains that he's developing arthritis and some signs hurt his index finger.
Don't shy away from the visceral stuff. Cast Fear and Hunger of Hadar, Summon Lesser Demons. And of course be sincerely amiable to the Lesser Demons for the full hour they are summoned, while lamenting the poor band of hobgoblins you decimated together in gruesome fashion. That contradiction is what makes Harold interesting.
Also workshop with your DM why this grandpa would decide to hit the roads with a party of adventurers. Perhaps he always, constantly happens to have errands the same way the party is going? A rumor about new thread-dense fabrics in a nearby town to the quest objective, an impulse to visit a distant nephew, twice removed (unfortunately the name slips his mind, but it's a fine young lad). Or create a more compelling reason: A grandchild has disappeared, or that nephew twice removed has been involved in the plot somehow and needs rescuing?
Personality Traits Agreeable, chatty, helpful, cheerful, oblivious, insouciant, effortlessly likable and sincere in a way that suggests evil can find no purchase here.
Ideals Civility, hospitality, community. Always expect the very best of others, and be patient with mistakes and accidents. We're all just people, nobody is perfect, and sincerity and hot mead wins the day.
Bonds He has a large family: Wife Raphaela, children Howie, Milena and Rose, grandchildren Beithalda, Wilmina, Gasco, Dorian, Tilda, Anwar. He's friends with everyone, from street urchins to archdeacons, but is getting worse at remembering names, which worries him terribly.
Flaws Possibly Evil Mastermind
Cloth Merchant Homebrew Harold is a fabric and tailoring merchant by trade, not a traveling peddler, so the following adjustments were made to the Merchant background: Removed Navigator's tools and Animal Handling proficiency, added Investigation proficiency and Weaver's tools.
Sample Quotes
"That doll? Bit dramatic, isn't she! Adds flair to the lobby like you wouldn't believe it."
"Oh! That reminds me! I had the strangest dream last night—must have been the kidney pie. I was in a room with this big fellow, horns, wings, red all over. 'Harold old boy,' thinks I, 'you must be lucid dreaming! The children will be delighted to hear this at breakfast!' And this crooked thing starts talking, right garbled gobbledygook it was. So I said, 'My dear sir, I've always wanted to feel what it's like to fly, so if it's all the same to you, I'd rather grab the moment!' And get this—that's when I wake up. What a disappointment!"
"Am I what? Evil? Goodness no. I wouldn't even swear in front of the children, and they have children of their own now."
"Who would have thought 'Harmless Harold' would turn out to be a sorcerer in his old days? Not me! But come to think of it, my great aunt Tilde used to claim a Brass Dragon fell in love with her in her youth. Maybe there's some truth to it all? Yes, true, I may not be her progeny, but these forces work in mysteries ways, do they not?"
"That was a right heartbreaking shame we had to dispatch those bandits in such a gruesome manner. What with all those dreadful tentacles? Righty-oh, look at the time! Is it tea already? Who wants a lemon drop?"
"I'd never speak ill of anyone in their absence, but I just have to say, that Malvaric lad? Bless his heart, but he needs to learn proper animal husbandry. It may have been a reenactment thing, but you don't put down healthy livestock, even for the sake of the art. Why Rose, my youngest one, she's working dairy now. She wouldn't believe when I told her what that man tried to do. Did you know he's from the city?"
Key Relationships
Raphaela Carnap: Just as oblivious and pleasant as Harold, but much more eager to change subject any time pacts and demons come up. She cheers him on and obviously looks up to him, calling him "her darling wizard" and claiming "she always knew there's something magical about him." She's from a fine family of halflings and has more refined city manners compared to her more pastoral husband.
Tim: Has his sights set to be the next Cult Leader once Harold ascends from the branch office. So far, he's not had any luck getting into contact with the Fiend (as far as he admits), but not for a lack of trying. He's genuinely confused by Harold's manners but won't argue with the results. Teaching the children his new "pact chant" keeps him occupied, and their cheer has noticeably started to rub off on him. Between them, preparing the Thursday quizzes and dying all the fine bolts of wool blend Harold brings, he almost doesn't have time for the animal sacrifices anymore.
Olwin Delaney: Dwarven Cleric at the local temple. He's deeply devout, bordering zealotry. He's also convinced there's something seriously wrong with the "Crimson Veil Community Center", but has so far been powerless to convince the other villagers. Next to Harold's effortless charm, Olwin's ascetic sessions of church tea with rusk simply can't hold a candle. He's never learned to talk to people the way Harold can.
Notes for the DM
Key Relationship dramatic questions¶
- Will Tim's exposure to genuine warmth redeem him, or will his frustration at failing to contact the Fiend curdle him from mediocre cult-trainee into something more dangerous?
- Does Raphaela know more than she lets on? Maybe she enjoys her husband's new power more than he realizes?
- What will break first—Olwin's faith or his sanity?
Hooks and Ideas¶
Malvaric complains at the head Cult office. At first, HQ shrugs—it's just petty local infighting. But then rumors spread that the Herald's chapter membership is booming (because Harold's social skills beat any fear-based recruitment). The chapter is financially thriving. People like it there. Children are openly worshipping the Dark One, but the aesthetics are simply wrong, barely even legible as a true cult anymore. This terrifies the central cult hierarchy, who see it as a dangerous precedent.
Harold will of course invite the party to the cult branch HQ. Expect shenanigans. He will explain away any oddities. "Oh that's just Tim, he's a dear lad if a bit socially awkward. You should try his pulled goat stew!" (Meanwhile, Tim, in the kitchen, burning goat hearts in a brazier marked with ancient runes)
The party may start noticing some older members firmly believe Harold's warmth is a mask, an even more devious face of the Father of Lies. This may become a big point of controversy in the party throughout the campaign. Is this charming little gentleman actually evil incarnate or not?
Working With Ambiguity
In a cult that worships lies, the greatest liar may be the truly earnest one. Work with misunderstandings.
Harold claims the blasphemous chants are clearly interpretive breathwork. Half the members think Harold is the literal Herald of the Father of Lies. The other half think it's just a social club with an oddly committed theatre troupe. The Fiend might think Harold is a mastermind and is impressed enough to let him keep going, or just wildly amused by the whole misunderstanding and feeding into it.
If you want to lean into the ambiguity, let NPCs have wildly divergent opinions about the Cult and its oblivious leader, but leave the truth without resolution.
Recurring Location: The Crimson Veil Community Center
Turn Harold's painfully stereotypical Fantasy Underground Cult HQ into a recurring safe house, resource hub, and rumor mill. Tim could be a recurring sidekick—a young, zealous cultist who thinks Harold is the second coming of Asmodeus and is very confused about the knitting circles. Have literal Fiends and lesser Demons show up and politely wait in line with the local halflings ("We heard there's chili?")
Have the other cultists introduce chilling nursery rhymes and "craft circles" during daycare activities:
Step by step and spin around,
Lay the silver on the ground.
Whisper thrice and blink your eyes,
Then wave hello to Lord of Lies!
If he grins, you're doing well.
If he frowns, don't ever tell.
Share your sweets and mind your tongue—
The pact was made when you were young.
Mechanical build (lv 5) and PDF download
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (-1) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 8 (-1) | 8 (-1) | 18 (+4) |
Combat Stats¶
| AC | HP | Hit Dice | Speed | Initiative | Prof. Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 53 | 5d8 | 30 ft. | +2 | +3 |
Saving Throws: Wisdom: +2, Charisma: +7 Resistances: None
Proficiencies¶
Skills: Deception +7, History +3, Investigation +3, Persuasion +7
Armor: Light Armor | Weapons: Simple Weapons
Tools: Weaver's tools | Languages: Common, Halfling, Common Sign Language
Feats¶
- Lucky: PB(3) Luck points /LR, use to give advantage or disadvantage to one roll
- Inspiring Leader: Every SR/LR, give up to 6 Allies (including you) Temp HP equal to your character level(5) + CHA modifier(4)
- Eldritch Invocations
- Tough: +2 HP/level
- Agonizing Blast: Add CHA modifier(4) to damage rolls of Eldritch Blast
- Repelling Blast: Push Large or smaller creature back 10 feet per hit with Eldritch Blast
- Pact of the Tome: Add 3 cantrips from any spell list +2 Ritual spells, can switch at SR/LR
- Eldritch Mind: You gain Advantage on Concentration saving throws
Equipment¶
Studded Leather, Dagger, Arcane Focus, Weaver's Tools.
Suggested Magic Items
- Ring of Mind Shielding (Uncommon, Attunement. Can't have your thoughts read, no magic can determine if you're lying, know your true alignment or creature type. Essential if you want to play Harold ambiguously.)
- Pipe of Smoke Monsters (Common, Harold blows smoke shapes to entertain the children at Wednesday daycare. Little dragons, dancing figures, ships at sea, the kids love it. The fact that his smoke animals occasionally take shapes he didn't consciously choose—something with too many eyes, something with wings that aren't quite right—well, the draft does funny things sometimes.)
- Ring of Warmth (Uncommon, attunement. Gives Harold Cold resistance. Good on those nippy late autumn mornings.)
- Hat of Vermin (Common. Harold reaches into his cap and pulls out a rat, a frog, or a spider. The children think it's hilarious. Tim thinks it's a summoning ritual.)
Spellcasting¶
- Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Blade Ward, Prestidigitation, Minor Illusion, Guidance, Sorcerous Burst
- Level 1: Burning Hands, Command, Unseen Servant [R], Detect Magic [R]
- Level 2: Spider Climb, Scorching Ray, Suggestion
- Level 3: Hunger of Hadar, Fireball, Counterspell, Thunderstep, Fear, Stinking Cloud, Summon Lesser Demons
Session Zero Considerations
Content Notes: Comedy horror elements (cult imagery, demonic pacts), but played for absurdist humor rather than genuine horror. Suitable for most tables—the tone is closer to Terry Pratchett than serious occult fiction.
Representation Notes: Harold is learning sign language (Common Sign Language) and struggles with it due to developing arthritis, which he complains about good-naturedly. This is played as a sincere effort at inclusivity with realistic physical limitations.