![[VaniferPic.png]] # Vanifer _Tiefling Revolutionary | [[Firebringers]] | [[City of Brass]]_ ## Summary One of the campaign's most complex arcs—a tale of ambition, betrayal, forced redemption, and ultimate transformation. Originally the Prophet of the [[Cult of the Eternal Flame]] and [[Kali]]'s former teacher, whom [[Kali]] blamed for her family's death in a school fire. After her defeat by the [[Heroes of Waterdeep]], [[Pelor]] forced her into redemption and sent her to aid the party against [[Iblis|Sultan Iblis]]. She spent thirty years fighting alongside her lover [[Thervan Caerdone]] in the [[Lightbringers]] resistance. When Thervan was captured and broken through torture by [[Rahib al Tabish Zafir]], her faith in [[Pelor]] shattered completely. She rejected the god of light, embraced [[Kossuth]], and transformed the idealistic [[Lightbringers]] into the violent [[Firebringers]]—now searching for [[Ashur Ban]]'s ring as either weapon of liberation or final destruction. She no longer cares which. %% ## At a Glance Crimson-skinned tiefling radiating dangerous heat. Modified paladin armor with brass fittings and [[Kossuth]]'s burning brand replacing [[Pelor]]'s defaced sun symbol. Creates small explosions in her palm when making points. Unconsciously rubs old burn scars when thinking of [[Thervan Caerdone|Thervan]]. ## Personality Prideful, manipulative but genuinely caring in a twisted way. Driven by resentment and bitter wisdom earned through repeated betrayal. Speaks with quiet intensity that builds to passionate fury. Her journey from cult prophet to reluctant paladin to bitter revolutionary embodies themes of redemption's fragility and the corrupting nature of repeated betrayal. ## Quote _"I tried the light. I tried redemption. For thirty years I prayed to Pelor while tyrants laughed and my lover screamed. Now I understand—fire doesn't judge, doesn't forgive, doesn't fail. It simply burns away the lies until only truth remains."_ ## Background **The Street Dancer:** Born in Calimport's squalid streets, clawed her way out through mesmerizing dance performances that incorporated fire magic. Caught the eye of a wealthy pasha who made her his concubine. Her pride festered until she fled, robbing him and burning his palace to the ground—setting the tone for a life of defiance through destruction. **The Teacher:** Established a dance school in Baldur's Gate's Little Calimshan where she became entangled with the [[Firesong]] siblings. When [[Shadow Thieves]] serving [[Graz'zt]] attacked, [[Cecily Firesong]] perished while Vanifer saved [[Kasdeya Firesong|Kasdeya]], [[Osah Firesong|Osah]], and [[Adram Firesong|Adram]]—though they were soon captured. [[Kali]], absent during the attack, was left to fend for herself on the streets. **The Prophet:** In Amn, [[Rhinnom Dannihyr]]—the cruel leader of the [[Shadow Thieves]] and Amn's secret spymaster—courted her with promises of power and revenge, making her Prophet of the [[Cult of the Eternal Flame]]. Unknown to Vanifer, she was being used to weaken Baldur's Gate for an Amnian invasion. The conflict climaxed at the Weeping Colossus, where she unleashed Meteor Swarm that nearly wiped out the party and killed [[Adram Firesong|Adram]]. [[Kali]] and [[Osah Firesong|Osah]] delivered the final blows to their former teacher. **The Surrender:** Confronted again in Sigil after resurrection, she surrendered and revealed [[Rhinnom Dannihyr]] as the true puppet master. She offered to help kill him and warned that [[Osah Firesong|Osah]] was still secretly controlled by Dannihyr. [[Kali]] spared her life but imprisoned her. **The Paladin:** [[Pelor]] intervened—giving her a gold dagger, paladin powers, and the task of saving [[Kasdeya Firesong|Kasdeya]]. Her return to [[Waterdeep]] caused controversy despite her claims of reformation. She proved crucial in defeating [[Iblis|Sultan Iblis]], using her connections to lure him into a trap and playing a key role in banishing [[Efreeti]] warriors during the confrontation. **The Revolutionary:** [[Kali]] and [[Osah Firesong|Osah]] connected her with [[Thervan Caerdone]], leader of the [[Lightbringers]]. For thirty years, she fought alongside Thervan, their resistance searching for [[Ashur Ban]]'s ring while battling [[Rahib al Tabish Zafir]]'s tyranny. Their shared vision grew into genuine love. **The Broken:** When Thervan was finally captured and broken through torture, Vanifer's faith in [[Pelor]] shattered. Unable to save the one person who believed in her redemption, she saw Pelor's promises as yet another betrayal. Rejecting the god of light, she embraced [[Kossuth]]—the amoral god of elemental fire. The [[Lightbringers]] became the [[Firebringers]], trading idealistic liberation for strategic destruction. Her new doctrine attracted those who had also lost faith after witnessing Thervan's fate. ## Stats **Vanifer** — CR 15 - **AC:** 17 | **HP:** 190 | **Speed:** 40 ft. - **Saves:** Dex +10, Con +10, Cha +10 - **Immunities:** fire, poison - **Resistances:** cold; nonmagical B/P/S **Key Abilities:** - **Legendary Resistance (3/Day)** - **Magic Resistance** - **Flaming Soul:** Melee attackers within 5 ft. take 3d6 fire damage - **Innate Spellcasting (Cha, DC 18):** At will: *fire bolt*, *burning hands*; 3/day: *fireball*, *flame strike*; 1/day: *fire storm*, *meteor swarm* **Actions:** - **Multiattack:** Three Tinderstrike attacks - **Tinderstrike:** +10, 1d4+5 piercing + 3d8 fire, DC 18 Con or poisoned 1 min **Legendary Actions (3/round):** - Attack, Conjure Flame (*fireball*), Immolation (10d6 fire + ongoing) %%