Appearance

Physical Description

Slender. Vhaun was never a physically powerful man, but he does have some wiry, lean muscle. His middle is surprisingly compact.

Body Features

He has some interesting scars on his midsection and legs, including some minor acid burns.

Facial Features

His jaw is sharp, but not overly square; his face looks big compared to his body. His eyes are deep-set and dark red. His nose and lips are thin. His brows are white and straight. His hairline forms a bit of a widow's peak.

Apparel & Accessories

Vhaun favors black clothing with red accents. His armor is leather.

Mentality

Personal history

Vhauntagar was in love once, back when he still lived in Menzoberranzan. This was not his first dalliance, not by a long shot, but it was one of the first that hadn’t ended abruptly with the other person revealing themself to have ulterior motives (such as: theft, assassination, or gathering information to facilitate one of the other two).

This lover was Sabal of House Faen Tlabbar, similar to House Xorlarrin in terms of prestige. Sabal and Vhaun were acquintances for a time, but they did not become friends until they were in their 70s. Vhaun eventually confided in Sabal about everything, and Sabal was very supportive, even lending him some more masculine clothes until he could get his own tailored. Eventually friendship grew into young love, and the two became constant companions to the point that the question of marriage was floated in rumors around town.

Unfortunately, this was not to last. Sabal had made enemies as well as friends in Menzoberranzan, and one morning he was found dead in his chambers. The cause of death was never officially discovered, but Vhauntagar strongly suspected that this was the work of an assassin. He began looking into this on his own, and found that the matron of House Mizzrym had been in negotiations with a noted assassin mostly known as The Dagger. When he sought out the assassin (whose first name he found out—through a careful combination of veiled threats, generous bribes, and independent investigation—was Zyn), they laughed in his face. “This is only business,” they said, “and I know I left no evidence. Should you use what you
have found, know that it will bring down the wrath of not only House Mizzrym but also that of Faen Tlabbar and even your own.” So instead, Vhaun struck them in the face, for which he received a beatdown so severe he needed personal attention from healers for a tenday and a half. But this incident spurred him into action. He sought out the best trainers his mother would pay for and requested they give him “the kind of training that would frustrate an assassin into letting down their guard”.

But as Vhaun grew older, it became increasingly clear that he was supremely untalented in the art of magic and the art of politics alike. With no sisters he was the expected heir, and he was someday to be the next matron of House Xorlarrin. But he knew that he was not the leader the house expected. After much deliberating he approached his mother to let her know she had no daughter. For a moment, she considered him. “If you are my son, then you are my son,” she said. “But there is no value in a useless son and an impudent one to boot, who angers our allies and has no skill in magic whatsoever. You may leave now and go where you please, but you are no Xorlarrin, and as long as you remain in drow territory to disgrace us further… You know what happens to disappointments. Because I have loved you greatly, you will not be attacked before the night falls. Do not waste this generous gift.”

His heart beating out a furious march, Vhaun gathered his things and left. Just before he reached the city gates two hours before night, a hand fell on his shoulder and he heard the smooth, confident voice of Zyn the Dagger. “You should know that your family has contacted me. I look forward to catching up with you sometime tonight, friend. I only hope I can get to you before the others do. I hear you’ve trained for this.” Then they laughed, the hand was lifted from Vhaun’s shoulder, and before he could even turn around they had vanished into the
crowd.


Knowing that he was still no match for Zyn, much less Zyn AND the small army they implied his matron mother had hired, Vhaun fled. At this point he was well into his 90th year—a youth in the eyes of drow society, but an adult according to most other sapient species. He fled across the Underdark, fending off both its native beasts and the stray assassin who could actually catch up to him, until he reached Skullport.


There he found a pirate ship by the name of The
Evenlode and signed up. Its captain was an aging human woman by the name of Zdravka Verba, also known as Furious Drava. She had spent the better part of her life hunting for a magical weapon said to house the soul of some or other being. Vhaun lived quite well onboard the Evenlode, and he did well enough for himself.


There he also befriended a halfling sailor called Gilly Underbough. She was a raucous drinker and a
frenzied fighter with what could only be called an excessively loud laugh and a sometimes mean sense of humor, but she was loyal to a fault and immediately took to the lonely young drow. He warmed up to her quickly and they became inseparable right up until the end.


Vhauntagar never learned the name of the weapon they hunted, nor did he care enough to memorize what the island was called where they finally found it. All he remembers is the massive hoard of treasure they came across and the giant ghostly creature that appeared to protect the treasure, wielding a greataxe that was seemingly made of black stone. The entire crew fought it, none harder than Furious Drava, but by some stroke of fortune (misfortune?) the final blow went to Vhaun.

That night everyone celebrated, ate and drank their fill, but Vhaun was oddly distant. He had heard the greataxe (which had become a greatsword when Zdravka picked it up) whisper something to him when he had carried it on board. He couldn’t make out what it was. But over the weeks it took them to return to Skullport, the whispers continued until he could not help but make a decision. He explained his plan to Gilly, who reluctantly agreed to help him. While Zdravka negotiated with the dock guards, Vhaun managed to sneak into her cabin and pick up the sword. It became a rapier in his hands, and he heard the ghostly voice grow ever clearer until there was a single distinct sentence.

The voice whispered: “Ah, Vhauntagar. What shall I do with you?”

He made his way off the docks and casually strolled away until he heard Zdravka’s voice roar with fury.

And then? Then he ran. He ran as fast and as far as he could. On his way he lost a precious dwarven brooch given to him by his father, briefly travelled with a friendly wizard who gave him a weak magical scroll he has yet to use, and in the end he reached his destination: Waterdeep, the City of Splendors, where the sun burnt his eyes, the language was familiar yet unfamiliar, and the pay for tasks like exploring abandoned houses in search of clues was good enough to feed him for several days. He has come to favor The Yawning Portal, but he still keeps an eye over his shoulder for assassins, pirates, and-- of course-- anyone he might know.

Education

Vhaun received the finest schooling at the hands of House Xorlarrin. Unfortunately, he was never their best student.

Employment

None. He has taken odd jobs as a mercenary here and there, though.

Accomplishments & Achievements

• Lived to be 90. In Menzoberranzan. As heir to the matronship of a noble house.


• Survived the dangerous journey from Menzoberranzan to Skullport, then from Skullport to Waterdeep

Failures & Embarrassments

• Lost his boyfriend to an assassin


• Exiled by his own mother

Mental Trauma

Let's not even get started on this boy's mommy issues.

Intellectual Characteristics

He has them. Somewhere. Probably.

Morality & Philosophy

If anyone comes within 5 feet of you, that probably means their poisoned dagger is at the ready.
 
If anyone looks through your things without consent, evidence of some horrible crime has likely been planted there.
 
Always scan your surroundings carefully. Make sure you have an exit plan AND a battle plan.
 
Being drunk is a very vulnerable state.
 
Being naked with someone is also a very vulnerable state.
 
Never be the first to eat or drink around a table.
 
Never be the first to disarm.
 
It's not rude to put your own interests first. Everyone's out for themselves, the difference is just whether or not you're honest about it.
 
Always watch your glass or cup carefully.
 
Suggesting a murder method for someone's enemy? That's flirting. Offer to help with the murder? SERIOUS flirting. Actually helping them? BASICALLY A PROPOSAL, unless it's a group bonding activity of some sort.

person.sexuality

Gray-ace, but theoretically bisexual biromantic.
 
He also likes them dumb. What? It's very unthreatening!

person.gender_identity

Trans guy

Known Languages

Common, Elvish, Undercommon, Thieves' Cant (oh yes they can)

Personality

Motivation

Earn enough money to pay mother to stop sending assassins.

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Oh, honestly, it's like none of you have ever had to assassin-proof a bedroom before. What kind of a messed up childhood did you have where you didn't learn a basic life skill like that?"
"What? I've been on the run for a long time now."
"Lolth's spidery asscheeks, what is that thing??"

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Pros:

Excellent lockpick, good at sneaking and hiding, adept liar, fast reflexes
Cons:
Was never the sharpest spoon in the drawer, not big on the cultural relativism, just a wee bit arrogant, a touch paranoid

Likes & Dislikes

Likes:
Music, stories, entertainment; being the center of attention, being admired; a good mushroom wine properly aged & stored; fine clothes, silk sheets; people who are honest or at least honest about being dishonest; showing off his magic
 
Dislikes:
Anything he deems to be of subpar quality; surprises; people violating his boundaries, even unknowingly; insults; most surface foods (although he'll begrudgingly admit their wine, cider and mead isn't bad "if you like your alcohol to taste non-alcoholic" sunny days

Social

Birthplace

Menzoberranzan

Current Residence

Waterdeep

Family Ties

Unfortunately, Vhauntagar has both a mother and two brothers. Jevan is older than Vhaun, Pharaun is younger. Presumably a father was involved at some point, but Vhaun can't remember ever meeting him. ("Probably dead. Possibly a drider. Who knows?")

Religious Views

Worships Vhaeraun, the son of Lolth and the patron god of male drow.

Social Aptitude

Vhaun is good with people, yes. Until recently, that-- along with being very good at running and hiding-- was his only real skill.

Mannerisms

Vhaun has an easy, languid manner that easily startles into self-defense.

Hobbies & Pets

"Pets? In Menzoberranzan? Please. The daughters of the noble houses kill each other's pets for fun. I couldn't even keep a pet rock alive in that environment."
 
Likes playing card games, but is very careful about betting anything.