JollyDoc's Savage Tide-Updated 10/8!
theredrobedwizard
Explorer
Lord Meravanchi said:
"We seem to have allowed you to walk the streets, why worry about a lesser monster?"
Good show. Needs more deception and less Meravanchis. Maybe it's Mandi's turn to slaughter one of them.
-TRRW
Joachim
First Post
I have been wanting to do a write-up for Mandi's character back story since I made her, and this seemed like the most opportune time yet. I hope it reads ok...I am not a professional like Jollydoc:
A WOMAN SCORNED
Mandi slunk back in the deep chair, silently drumming her fingers. After what seemed to be an interminable period of time spent crafting or enhancing enchanted items, she was finally done. The elf wizardess beamed with pride at her latest creation, a gown covered in sigils and runes. Mandi smirked, marveling aloud, “Who thought that couatl skin could be used for clothing that is both beautiful and practical?” At that instant, as if on cue, the candle on the table next to her flickered, and the light danced on the prismatic scales coating the garment. Apart from turning heads, Mandi knew that the magic imbued in her new robe would offer some small degree of protection and the runes would enhance her already potent Transmutation magic.
Closing her eyes and rubbing her temples, Mandi began to replay the events of the past several months in her mind. It had been five months since Lavinia’s Legion (or whatever in the Nine Hells Sepoto and Samson insisted on calling themselves) had returned from the cursed Shensite Temple. During that time Mandi had largely withdrawn from the group, working tirelessly in her laboratory.
Mandi would emerge and join the Legion at least once a week, most often for dinner with Lavinia at her home. At this time, each team member would report on their activities, if any, as well as discuss any new rumors they might have heard. The majority of these meetings, however, turned into the others discussing what they were going to do once they got their fortune in gold from the Seekers lodge. Jeran himself did not have the gold available to pay the group in full, so he sent word to the large Seeker lodge in Tashluta by the first ship to leave for the mainland. Considering the massive wealth that the Seekers would most certainly amass in the distribution of this lost lore, Mandi knew that the fortune due the Legion would easily be recouped. Colleges and sages across Faerun would pay the Seekers, and pay well for a trove of knowledge both so esoteric and complete.
The topic of conversation at this past evening’s dinner session was no different than seemingly countless ones before. From discussions of Sepoto’s proposed enhancements to his spiked chain, to Marius’ dreams of a set of heavily magicked mithral plate armor, each member shared how they were going to put that wealth to work…all except Mandi, who merely listened to each tale with growing boredom.
Mandi had made other provisions with Jeran when he prepared his letter to the Seeker Council. The elf wizardess was not interested in waiting for a boat to carry her wealth to her, and she requested that her Seeker superiors in Tashluta secure her portion in their vault there until such time as she was capable of retrieving it herself through powerful teleportation magic. To ensure that they would comply, Mandi had made sure that the lodge would receive a full tithe from her share, as well as a sizable donation for ‘the betterment of local Chapter’.
Reflecting deeper, Mandi found that she was actually relieved that the money would be kept away from her, at least temporarily. She feared that such a personal hoard would bring complacency and dull her focus. Mandi knew that she still had work to do.
Ozymandia Enoreth still had a score to settle.
The elf wizardess eyes narrowed, and in an instant all traces of mirth disappeared. The pain, the realization of loss all began to rush back. The memories and emotion, publicly held in check by a dam of cold stoicism, rushed forth…
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Blue Nixie plowed its way through the western reaches of the Sea of Swords, her deck a beehive of activity. After three months of hard travel, there was a palpable sense that they were nearing their destination. For the past several days, Mandi noted, the crew had been going about their business with renewed vigor. Standing near the ship’s prow, Mandi stared out across the unending horizon before her, hoping to catch her first glimpse of the Isle of Dread.
A young Lord Maravanchi walked up to the transmuter. “You elves have far too much patience. Every day I see you sitting up here, for as long as there is light, looking for the Isle. ” Mandi smiled warmly and genuinely, replying, “What else am I going to do here? It’s not like there is anything else I could occupy myself with.” Maravanchi chuckled.
I was so naïve to trust, even admire, that man. Or Maravanchi had not yet turned into such a self-serving self-important bastard. Or both.
At that instant, two words rang out from the crow’s nest…two words that carried relief and salvation for all of those on board.
“Land ho!”
Excitedly, Mandi stared ahead of the ship. Interminably slowly, she could see a portion of the horizon rising, ever so slowly. The scout was right. Verik needed to know.
Dashing off the foc’sle, Mandi darted into the ships hold. Pushing her way through throngs of excited sailors, she made her way to the Vanderborens’ state room, and banged on the door. “Master Vanderboren, you are needed on the deck immediately!”
The door to the chamber swung open abruptly. Verik was breathing hard, a look of anger in his eyes. Behind him, Mandi could see Larissa, the skin under her eyes puffy and red. They had been fighting. Again. Verik barked, “What is it now?”
Mandi gulped, but replied, “Sir, we have spotted land on the horizon. The Isle of Dread is within sight.”
Verik’s eyes widened, all signs of his anger melting away. The Master Seeker pushed past his apprentice and rushed off to the top deck, leaving Mandi and Larissa alone. After a couple seconds of awkward silence, Mandi bowed her head. “Milady, is there anything I can do for you?” The wizardess was beginning to understand what they were fighting about, and her fears were confirmed when the look of frustration and sadness on Larissa’s face was replaced with a cold stare.
“No. I am fine. Go now and attend to your ‘master’ as I am sure you want to.”
Bowing her head nervously, Mandi stepped back and closed the door to the room. Exhaling loudly, the wizardess began to make her way to the top level of the ship. Less than six months ago, she had been assigned by the Council to act as an apprentice and servant of a Master Seeker. During her short period of indentured servitude, Mandi and Verik had become extremely close friends. It was no secret that Larissa was become insanely jealous of the close relationship the two shared. It was a secret was that Verik and Mandi had, in fact, become paramours. Larissa’s suspicions must have been growing.
The dark-haired elf emerged from the hold, glad to be breathing air not reeking of pickled fish and unwashed humanity, and moved to stand by Verik’s side. Verik, brimming with pride, stared over the island. “Mandi, now matter how many times I make this trip, this part never grows old.”
“Yes, master.”
Leaning close, Verik whispered into the elf’s ear, “Larissa suspects. We need to start being careful.”
“Yes, master.”
--------------------------------------------------------------
After six months of hard labor, the outpost of Farshore was starting to take shape. Several small to medium sized structures had already been constructed, and both the town hall and hall of records buildings were well under way. Throughout the process, Verik never stopped. This was his dream and he would be damned if it weren’t going to become a reality. If the nobleman wasn’t visiting and entreating the nearby Maztican tribes, he was in planning meetings with the town elders. If he wasn’t there he could be found, axe or adze in hand, lending his own muscle to the construction efforts.
As Farshore grew, so too did the feelings between Verik and Mandi. While the elf was over twelve decades the human’s senior, she was still young as elves go. Despite his ‘older’ age, Mandi found herself completely falling for the strength of character in the man.
As Larissa scoured the island on her own grand adventures, that miserable phanaton Hatoi at her side, it was Mandi that tended to Verik’s every need. It was Mandi that stood beside Verik as he petitioned the Tanaroans for instruction in local agriculture. It was Mandi whose magic, on more than one occasion, protected the nobleman from the periodic rampaging beast. It was Mandi who led the Jade Ravens, the Vanderborens’ elite company of able troubleshooters and adventurers.
One evening, Verik entered Mandi’s hut unexpectedly. Mandi knew that Larissa had that afternoon returned from an aranea-infested portion of the island, and the lady Vanderboren’s presence meant that visits from Verik would be curtailed. Mandi had to stifle a giggle when she had learned that Larissa’s phanaton cohort had been captured (and most likely sucked dry) by the spider-people, and that the lady had barely escaped with her life.
The look on the Master Seeker’s face was foreboding. Verik, as was his wont, cut straight to the chase, “Farshore is on its feet and should be somewhat self-sustaining. In the morning, Larissa, I, and the Jade Ravens will be returning to the mainland on the Blue Nixie. It’s time to initiate trade between Tashluta and the island.”
‘Odd that he said “the Jade Ravens” as though I weren’t a part of them,’ Mandi mused. Nodding expectantly, the elf replied, “Yes, of course. I will pack my things and alert the rest of the Ravens. I am sure they will be glad to spend some time back in civilization.”
Verik looked down, kicking at the dirt floor of the hut. “It’s not that simple. You will not be joining us.”
Mandi looked as though she had been kicked in the chest. “What…what? You’re going to leave me here?”
The man nodded. “Mandi, Larissa knows. Not just suspects, this time, but she knows. Despite out best efforts to hide, that rat Maravanchi saw you and I…He’s been trying to undermine my control here, and he told Larissa. I suppose he thought by upsetting my affairs at home I would lose my grasp here.”
Tears streaming, Mandi yelled, “I will kill that bastard!” Verik cut her off quickly, “No. You won’t. Do not disobey me on this. His death would only trigger unrest here. Besides, we need his money to maintain this expedition. There is another problem. You see, when I married Larissa, the Vanderborens were in dire straits financially. All of our family’s money belongs to her. If she leaves me, then I lose everything, including the ability to fund Farshore. I can’t let that happen.”
Mandi spat, “Coward. I thought you were a man, not some sniveling kobold!”
Grabbing Mandi by the forearms, Verik promised, “I swear to you, by all that I hold dear, I will be back for you. Once I have established trade with the mainland, I will have no need for Larissa’s fortune, and I will be yours. Until that time, certain…appearances must be kept up.”
Mandi wrenched herself free and pointed to the door. “Go. I will wait for you here, but right now I just want you out of my sight.”
Verik nodded, and left the hut, softly closing the door behind him. He could still hear the sobbing coming from the other side as he walked away.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mandi’s eyes snapped open, her reverie ended. As time on the island had passed, the elf knew that she became more and more bitter, her heart increasingly cold. All that she had needed was for her love’s vessel to show in the Farshore bay and all would have been forgotten and forgiven. So she had waited. And waited. Four long years passed, and still no sign. Through sending spells, Verik would keep her apprised of his progress, always ending his message with three words: I love you. One day, the messages stopped.
Upon learning of his and Larissa’s death from members of the Legion, Mandi’s heart turned black. There was nothing fueling her actions now except for an insatiable thirst for revenge. True, Vanthus was the actual murderer of his parents and now he was dead, but there was so much more to do. Vanthus could not have become that debased and demonic creature himself. He had to have been elevated by someone…or something else.
Mandi knew that they had found some information regarding some operations of the Kraken Society on one of their captured vessel. In the morning, she would inform the other Legionnaires that she was leaving to investigate. If they wanted to join her, their help would be appreciated, but she was not sitting around waiting any longer.
Mandi was about to start pulling on a string, seeing where it led to. In her wake, she planned on leaving piles of corpses. Only once she had destroyed the root cause of her lover’s death, or been destroyed herself, would she find peace.
A WOMAN SCORNED
Mandi slunk back in the deep chair, silently drumming her fingers. After what seemed to be an interminable period of time spent crafting or enhancing enchanted items, she was finally done. The elf wizardess beamed with pride at her latest creation, a gown covered in sigils and runes. Mandi smirked, marveling aloud, “Who thought that couatl skin could be used for clothing that is both beautiful and practical?” At that instant, as if on cue, the candle on the table next to her flickered, and the light danced on the prismatic scales coating the garment. Apart from turning heads, Mandi knew that the magic imbued in her new robe would offer some small degree of protection and the runes would enhance her already potent Transmutation magic.
Closing her eyes and rubbing her temples, Mandi began to replay the events of the past several months in her mind. It had been five months since Lavinia’s Legion (or whatever in the Nine Hells Sepoto and Samson insisted on calling themselves) had returned from the cursed Shensite Temple. During that time Mandi had largely withdrawn from the group, working tirelessly in her laboratory.
Mandi would emerge and join the Legion at least once a week, most often for dinner with Lavinia at her home. At this time, each team member would report on their activities, if any, as well as discuss any new rumors they might have heard. The majority of these meetings, however, turned into the others discussing what they were going to do once they got their fortune in gold from the Seekers lodge. Jeran himself did not have the gold available to pay the group in full, so he sent word to the large Seeker lodge in Tashluta by the first ship to leave for the mainland. Considering the massive wealth that the Seekers would most certainly amass in the distribution of this lost lore, Mandi knew that the fortune due the Legion would easily be recouped. Colleges and sages across Faerun would pay the Seekers, and pay well for a trove of knowledge both so esoteric and complete.
The topic of conversation at this past evening’s dinner session was no different than seemingly countless ones before. From discussions of Sepoto’s proposed enhancements to his spiked chain, to Marius’ dreams of a set of heavily magicked mithral plate armor, each member shared how they were going to put that wealth to work…all except Mandi, who merely listened to each tale with growing boredom.
Mandi had made other provisions with Jeran when he prepared his letter to the Seeker Council. The elf wizardess was not interested in waiting for a boat to carry her wealth to her, and she requested that her Seeker superiors in Tashluta secure her portion in their vault there until such time as she was capable of retrieving it herself through powerful teleportation magic. To ensure that they would comply, Mandi had made sure that the lodge would receive a full tithe from her share, as well as a sizable donation for ‘the betterment of local Chapter’.
Reflecting deeper, Mandi found that she was actually relieved that the money would be kept away from her, at least temporarily. She feared that such a personal hoard would bring complacency and dull her focus. Mandi knew that she still had work to do.
Ozymandia Enoreth still had a score to settle.
The elf wizardess eyes narrowed, and in an instant all traces of mirth disappeared. The pain, the realization of loss all began to rush back. The memories and emotion, publicly held in check by a dam of cold stoicism, rushed forth…
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Blue Nixie plowed its way through the western reaches of the Sea of Swords, her deck a beehive of activity. After three months of hard travel, there was a palpable sense that they were nearing their destination. For the past several days, Mandi noted, the crew had been going about their business with renewed vigor. Standing near the ship’s prow, Mandi stared out across the unending horizon before her, hoping to catch her first glimpse of the Isle of Dread.
A young Lord Maravanchi walked up to the transmuter. “You elves have far too much patience. Every day I see you sitting up here, for as long as there is light, looking for the Isle. ” Mandi smiled warmly and genuinely, replying, “What else am I going to do here? It’s not like there is anything else I could occupy myself with.” Maravanchi chuckled.
I was so naïve to trust, even admire, that man. Or Maravanchi had not yet turned into such a self-serving self-important bastard. Or both.
At that instant, two words rang out from the crow’s nest…two words that carried relief and salvation for all of those on board.
“Land ho!”
Excitedly, Mandi stared ahead of the ship. Interminably slowly, she could see a portion of the horizon rising, ever so slowly. The scout was right. Verik needed to know.
Dashing off the foc’sle, Mandi darted into the ships hold. Pushing her way through throngs of excited sailors, she made her way to the Vanderborens’ state room, and banged on the door. “Master Vanderboren, you are needed on the deck immediately!”
The door to the chamber swung open abruptly. Verik was breathing hard, a look of anger in his eyes. Behind him, Mandi could see Larissa, the skin under her eyes puffy and red. They had been fighting. Again. Verik barked, “What is it now?”
Mandi gulped, but replied, “Sir, we have spotted land on the horizon. The Isle of Dread is within sight.”
Verik’s eyes widened, all signs of his anger melting away. The Master Seeker pushed past his apprentice and rushed off to the top deck, leaving Mandi and Larissa alone. After a couple seconds of awkward silence, Mandi bowed her head. “Milady, is there anything I can do for you?” The wizardess was beginning to understand what they were fighting about, and her fears were confirmed when the look of frustration and sadness on Larissa’s face was replaced with a cold stare.
“No. I am fine. Go now and attend to your ‘master’ as I am sure you want to.”
Bowing her head nervously, Mandi stepped back and closed the door to the room. Exhaling loudly, the wizardess began to make her way to the top level of the ship. Less than six months ago, she had been assigned by the Council to act as an apprentice and servant of a Master Seeker. During her short period of indentured servitude, Mandi and Verik had become extremely close friends. It was no secret that Larissa was become insanely jealous of the close relationship the two shared. It was a secret was that Verik and Mandi had, in fact, become paramours. Larissa’s suspicions must have been growing.
The dark-haired elf emerged from the hold, glad to be breathing air not reeking of pickled fish and unwashed humanity, and moved to stand by Verik’s side. Verik, brimming with pride, stared over the island. “Mandi, now matter how many times I make this trip, this part never grows old.”
“Yes, master.”
Leaning close, Verik whispered into the elf’s ear, “Larissa suspects. We need to start being careful.”
“Yes, master.”
--------------------------------------------------------------
After six months of hard labor, the outpost of Farshore was starting to take shape. Several small to medium sized structures had already been constructed, and both the town hall and hall of records buildings were well under way. Throughout the process, Verik never stopped. This was his dream and he would be damned if it weren’t going to become a reality. If the nobleman wasn’t visiting and entreating the nearby Maztican tribes, he was in planning meetings with the town elders. If he wasn’t there he could be found, axe or adze in hand, lending his own muscle to the construction efforts.
As Farshore grew, so too did the feelings between Verik and Mandi. While the elf was over twelve decades the human’s senior, she was still young as elves go. Despite his ‘older’ age, Mandi found herself completely falling for the strength of character in the man.
As Larissa scoured the island on her own grand adventures, that miserable phanaton Hatoi at her side, it was Mandi that tended to Verik’s every need. It was Mandi that stood beside Verik as he petitioned the Tanaroans for instruction in local agriculture. It was Mandi whose magic, on more than one occasion, protected the nobleman from the periodic rampaging beast. It was Mandi who led the Jade Ravens, the Vanderborens’ elite company of able troubleshooters and adventurers.
One evening, Verik entered Mandi’s hut unexpectedly. Mandi knew that Larissa had that afternoon returned from an aranea-infested portion of the island, and the lady Vanderboren’s presence meant that visits from Verik would be curtailed. Mandi had to stifle a giggle when she had learned that Larissa’s phanaton cohort had been captured (and most likely sucked dry) by the spider-people, and that the lady had barely escaped with her life.
The look on the Master Seeker’s face was foreboding. Verik, as was his wont, cut straight to the chase, “Farshore is on its feet and should be somewhat self-sustaining. In the morning, Larissa, I, and the Jade Ravens will be returning to the mainland on the Blue Nixie. It’s time to initiate trade between Tashluta and the island.”
‘Odd that he said “the Jade Ravens” as though I weren’t a part of them,’ Mandi mused. Nodding expectantly, the elf replied, “Yes, of course. I will pack my things and alert the rest of the Ravens. I am sure they will be glad to spend some time back in civilization.”
Verik looked down, kicking at the dirt floor of the hut. “It’s not that simple. You will not be joining us.”
Mandi looked as though she had been kicked in the chest. “What…what? You’re going to leave me here?”
The man nodded. “Mandi, Larissa knows. Not just suspects, this time, but she knows. Despite out best efforts to hide, that rat Maravanchi saw you and I…He’s been trying to undermine my control here, and he told Larissa. I suppose he thought by upsetting my affairs at home I would lose my grasp here.”
Tears streaming, Mandi yelled, “I will kill that bastard!” Verik cut her off quickly, “No. You won’t. Do not disobey me on this. His death would only trigger unrest here. Besides, we need his money to maintain this expedition. There is another problem. You see, when I married Larissa, the Vanderborens were in dire straits financially. All of our family’s money belongs to her. If she leaves me, then I lose everything, including the ability to fund Farshore. I can’t let that happen.”
Mandi spat, “Coward. I thought you were a man, not some sniveling kobold!”
Grabbing Mandi by the forearms, Verik promised, “I swear to you, by all that I hold dear, I will be back for you. Once I have established trade with the mainland, I will have no need for Larissa’s fortune, and I will be yours. Until that time, certain…appearances must be kept up.”
Mandi wrenched herself free and pointed to the door. “Go. I will wait for you here, but right now I just want you out of my sight.”
Verik nodded, and left the hut, softly closing the door behind him. He could still hear the sobbing coming from the other side as he walked away.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mandi’s eyes snapped open, her reverie ended. As time on the island had passed, the elf knew that she became more and more bitter, her heart increasingly cold. All that she had needed was for her love’s vessel to show in the Farshore bay and all would have been forgotten and forgiven. So she had waited. And waited. Four long years passed, and still no sign. Through sending spells, Verik would keep her apprised of his progress, always ending his message with three words: I love you. One day, the messages stopped.
Upon learning of his and Larissa’s death from members of the Legion, Mandi’s heart turned black. There was nothing fueling her actions now except for an insatiable thirst for revenge. True, Vanthus was the actual murderer of his parents and now he was dead, but there was so much more to do. Vanthus could not have become that debased and demonic creature himself. He had to have been elevated by someone…or something else.
Mandi knew that they had found some information regarding some operations of the Kraken Society on one of their captured vessel. In the morning, she would inform the other Legionnaires that she was leaving to investigate. If they wanted to join her, their help would be appreciated, but she was not sitting around waiting any longer.
Mandi was about to start pulling on a string, seeing where it led to. In her wake, she planned on leaving piles of corpses. Only once she had destroyed the root cause of her lover’s death, or been destroyed herself, would she find peace.
Last edited:
carborundum
Adventurer
Woah.
Blimey.
Awesome!
Blimey.
Awesome!
Neverwinter Knight
First Post
Wow, that's like two updates in one go! 
Great way of solving the adventure (for the Legion). Maximized profits for the risks taken, although some evil is left to endure...
Joachim, thanks for Mandi's background! It actually does make her a lot more likeable. Although I'm guessing if Meravanchi keeps pushing she will forget about her promise. I'm sure she could come up with something...interesting.
gfunk, I hope you will get to practice your skills in your new home. What would you do with all that free time anyway?
Great way of solving the adventure (for the Legion). Maximized profits for the risks taken, although some evil is left to endure...
Joachim, thanks for Mandi's background! It actually does make her a lot more likeable. Although I'm guessing if Meravanchi keeps pushing she will forget about her promise. I'm sure she could come up with something...interesting.
gfunk, I hope you will get to practice your skills in your new home. What would you do with all that free time anyway?
Aholibamah
First Post
Hi there--I'm planning on running this adventure path sometime and I am really enjoying reading it so far. It reads more like a story than anything else. One thing I really appreciate are the vivid descriptions, certainly it will give me good ideas for my own game. Very interesting cast of PCs as well. I've not read all of this but I plan to. Kudos so far!
Joachim
First Post
Quartz said:
Yeah, that was kind of the idea...redemption is not outside the realm of possibility. I envision Mandi's original alignment as being LN, having shifted now to LE. Mandi is not "I'm crazy and want to take over the world"-type evil, more like "I have an agenda and I have no moral qualms to destroy whatever comes between me and my goal"-type evil.
