Vincent Obra

Official Art done by Chris (arcanegold on twitter)

> "Sometimes sorrow needs an audience."
>
> Vincent, Ep. 6 - Respited Reconnaissance

**Vincent Obra** is a player character in The Strings of Fate Podcast, played by Chris. He is a tiefling bard. Currently, he travels with Azzurum Esen-Carr, Lidara Mormaer, and Renaer Brandhart.

## Description

### Appearance

Vincent is a light olive-green tiefling with eyes that are completely yellow and have an oblong pupil, like that of a goat. His hair is dark brown and curly, half of it pulled up into a bun and the rest reaching down just past his shoulders. His ribbed horns start from his forehead, bending back around his head before making a sharp turn upwards. The ends of each horn are adorned with two golden rings. His nose is hooked, and he has a golden septum piercing. He keeps a nice scruff on his face, and his eyebrows have a natural wiggle to them. Each of his pointed ears has four piercings - two at the lobes, and two at the tips. Around his neck, Vincent wears a golden amulet with a deep red, square-cut stone set in the center. He also wears some golden rings on both hands.

He wears a long, dark brown trench coat that grazes the floor. It's fitted at the shoulders and sleeves, but loose and flowing everywhere else, It has a large collar and large lapels, each bordered in thin gold detailing. The bottom of the trench coat and cuffs of the sleeves also have this detailing. Instead of buttons the trench coat has three long, black leather straps for closure. Underneath, Vincent wears a cream colored shirt with no shortage of details and frills. It has a high collar, a small bow and a loose cravat tied around it. The button placket has small ruffles on either side, and there is a structured panel on both front sides of the shirt which has detailing along the inside edge and scalloped detailing on the outer edge. The ends of the shirt's sleeves each have a ruffle that sticks out from the cuffs of Vincent's coat. The rest of the shirt puffs out, tucking into a light brown leather harness that has a wide band at his waist and leather straps going up over his shoulders and one across his lower chest. Attached to this harness is the sheath of Vincent's rapier, which hangs at his waist.

A bright red sash comes from the top of Vincent's harness and wraps around to Vincent's back. Another sash comes from the bottom of the harness, hanging down to his knees with tassles at the ends. Vincent wears black pants with a fitted waist and four gold buttons on the front. The pants puff out and are tucked into knee high brown boots with heels. There is some floral detailing etched into the leather on the top of the boots.

### Personality

Vincent is a grumpy man with a dry sense of humor. He tends to have a bit of an attitude with people, running on a short fuse (especially with nobility), but is kinder to those he trusts and cares for. The affection he holds, platonic or otherwise, is difficult for him to put into words, and thus he shows it through action more often than not. It's hard for him to talk about any feelings at all, even though he feels them strongly.

He's protective of those he loves, doing his best to take care of them when needed.

## Biography

### Early Life

Vincent was an orphan on the streets in his younger years. Eventually, he was picked up by an orcish gentleman named Bo, who raised Vincent and cared for him. This same man gave him his violin and taught him to play. He had many siblings during this time, one of them being Archie.

Some years back, Vincent put on a cursed amulet and, as a result, lost many years of his memory. From then on, Vincent traveled onward with the amulet occasionally speaking with him and, at times, possessing him to do it's bidding.

### Pre-Podcast

 Vincent met Lidara Mormaer and Azzurum Esen-Carr in Ciniath and began working with them, eventually becoming their friends over time. During this time, he also met Renaer Neverember while on a job.

 Three months before the start of Episode 1: Welcome to the Painted Valley, Vincent and Renaer shared a romantic moment in a greenhouse and discussed their feelings for one another, getting into a relationship with each other.

### Goldstead Arc

Episode 1: Welcome to the Painted Valley

While sitting in the Goldstead saloon with Azzurum, the O'Donogan Gang arrives and shoots up the outside of the building, shouting for them to send out "the genasi boy." When Azzurum confronts the group in the street and cracks the whip on the ground, Vincent, hidden, conjures the sound of thunder with Thaumaturgy.

A fight breaks out, and when the leader of the gang members takes Azzurum hostage, Vincent Polymorphs the leader into a turtle.

Episode 2: Thievery, Pride, and Similar Sins

When Azzurum leaps out of the back of the wagon to confront the snapping turtle-like creature beneath the plains, Vincent convinces Bonnie to stop the cart and fight. Later, when Azzurum is knocked unconscious by the creature, Vincent brings him back to life with a Cure Wounds spell, with a slap as the somatic component.

After the battle, the group continues to ride towards the O'Donogan Gang camp, and Vincent plays music for the group on his violin. When Lidara attempts to sneak up to the camp, Vincent tries to follow after her, but when he realizes he is making too much noise, he chooses to turn back to the camp to wait.

Episode 3: Urgency and Frequency

As the party escapes from the O'Donogan Gang camp, Vincent is able to take down a number of bandits using Darkness and Heat Metal. However, his spells depleted, he must resort to physical weaponry for the rest of the battle (rather unsuccessfuly). One of the gang member hops onto the carriage and tries to pull Renaer off, and Vincent stabs at him with his dagger, but it is Azzurum's Lightning Lure which ultimately dislodges him.

On the trip back to Goldstead, when Azzurum is suddenly overtaken by a sharp pain in his veins, Vincent goes through the doctor's bag looking for something that might help. Inside, he finds a tuning fork. He recognizes it as a fork tuned to another plane and he raps it against his hand - while the sound rings out, Azzurum's pain lessens, but returns even stronger when the sound fades.

Fully tapped, Vincent agrees to try to rest while Lidara stays up with Doc Berry and Azzurum. When Bonnie and Lidara return from the street to report the arrival of the bandits, they wake Vincent. Vincent still has not been able to complete a long rest, but with ten minutes he could create a safe place in the doctor's office for Doc Berry to continue his treatment of Azzurum. Luckily, however, Doc Berry offers them another way out of the building, and Vincent puts his components away. When it becomes clear that a fight is inevitable, Vincent is also in favor of having Azzurum woken up to help fight the bandits alongside The Resistance.

Episode 4: Shotgun Diplomacy

As a group of the gunslingers heads down a street, they see a figure standing there - **Vincent**, disguised as Azzurum. Vincent taunts them into chasing him and takes off running towards a more desolate part of town. Turning just slow enough so that his pursuers can see him, Vincent veers into the church. Inside, the real Azzurum is waiting dynamite from the wagon in his hands. Vincent hides behind a pew so that Azzurum can confront the gunslingers, then slams the door shut behind the gunslingers with Thaumaturgy. Before blowing up the church, Azzurum Thundersteps himself and Vincent out the of the church.

The party makes their way down the main thoroughfare, where they see the minotaur, and the still-disguised Vincent and Azzurum speak with her. Once tensions reach the point of violence, Vincent, trying to use the same trick that had worked earlier, casts Heat Metal on the minotaur's gun, but she only grips it tighter as it burns into her hand. During the fight, Vincent focuses on doing damage to the minotaur using the combination of his crossbow and Psychic Blades.

Following the fight, Vincent and Renaer carry Azzurum back to Doc Berry's. The two share a moment in the waiting room as the doctor treats their friend, complimenting each other on how well they did in the battle. Vincent falls asleep on Renaer's shoulder.

Episode 5: A Camaraderie of Closed Books

Azzurum volunteers to take watch since he doesn't need to sleep - new information to the party. Vincent questions Azzurum further on this, and remarks that it's like pulling teeth to get information from him. Azzurum repeats that he wants to start living by the open book thing, and offers to answer any question Vincent asks. Vincent asks for the name of his father, and Azzurum immediately replies "not that one."

The next day, Vincent is the one to strike up a conversation with Kerry about the air genasi that had passed through Goldstead. Later, they play "I Spy" and Vincent says he sees something beige - Renaer guesses his own shirt, but Vincent says it was the sand. As the party speaks of their families, Vincent mentions the holes in his memory.

In the field of pink chrysanthemums, Renaer and Vincent sit together, shoulders touching, and reminisce about the garden in Ciniath. Following Bonnie's tale, Vincent thanks Bonnie for the beautiful story.

### Wheldon Arc

Episode 19: A Toast to Unity

Renaer and **Vincent** dance together, enjoying each others company. Vincent compliments Renaer's dancing, and makes a point to emphasize that he's having fun. Vincent looks around at the others, just to check on them, and notices that Lidara looks visibly disturbed, with anger in her face. Vincent voices his concern to Renaer, and they agree to keep an eye on things and protect her.

Vincent laments that he was planning to enjoy this night, but Renaer - ever optimistic - says that they still can. They reminisce about the last ball they went to, when they were afraid Azzurum was going to turn into a statue, and about the afterparty. Renaer suggests that maybe they can do something like that after the ball, and Vincent agrees.

Later, Vincent tracks down a businesswoman from the Veran Principalities who introduces herself as Rayna of Limon. Vincent tells her that they are trying to gain passage east to the Principalities, and that he would particularly like to see Lochsha, the Shining City. He also tells her that he visited the Principalities as a child. Vincent and Rayna agree to help each other out if either one of them is able to gain the Prince's favor.

Vincent breathes a sigh of relief when their conversation is over, and Renaer reassures him that his confidence was very convincing. The two then take a moment together at the balcony. They speak softly about how hectic things have been, and Renaer asks Vincent if he has ever thought about a quiet life. Vincent has, but he has things he needs to do since he is bound by something he does not want to be bound to, and his friends need him... but afterwards, a quiet life would be nice. Renaer agrees to help Vincent with his own quests if he will agree to stay by his side during his own. Vincent asks - is that even a question? and they agree to stick together.

At this point, they are the only two remaining on the balcony, and Vincent takes a moment to compliment Renaer's outfit - but says there is one thing missing. He goes over to a nearby rosebush, part of the Thorn decorations, and plucks a flower. He then places it on Renaer's jacket, and deems it "perfect." Renaer blushes, and they share a gaze. Vincent asks if they want to go back in, but Renaer says they should stay here a little longer.

Episode 20: A Malediction of Red and Gold

On the balcony, **Vincent** and Renaer hear gunshots and screams from inside the ballroom, but Renaer is focused on the red glow of fire consuming the Thorn and Walsh manors. They decide to go get the others.

Vincent and Renaer enter the ballroom from the northern balcony. Looking around, they see Tasha frozen in fear on the stage while Valentina moves towards her with an ebony black dagger in her hands. Vincent bolsters one orchestra member with bardic inspiration as he makes his way to Tasha on the stage, trying to cut Valentina off. Valentina shouts at Vincent to get out of her way and lunges forward with her dagger - and Renaer jumps into her path, taking the strike instead. Vincent recognizes the poison on the dagger as the same one used on Aona. Valentina continues to rave at Vincent, saying how the party had been against her from the beginning, and had been working for Tasha the whole time. Vincent, not having time for this, grabs Renaer and casts Dimension Door to pull them onto the balcony.

To leave the ball, Vincent casts Polymorph to turn Lidara into a giant eagle. Vincent casts a Message towards Finnegan when they spot them on the balcony, asking what they hoped to accomplish. Finnegan replies monotonously, "Just a bit of chaos, I suppose." They then send a crackling red energy towards Lidara, which Vincent Counterspells.

As they approach the manor, Vincent contacts Selk with Sending but receives no response. While the others go to rescue the family, Vincent asks Tasha for directions to Tyron's study and heads there himself, hoping to find information on the poison. Although he does not find what he's looking for, he does take a ledger. He rejoins Renaer and Tasha in the foyer as Azzurum and Lidara arrive, and Azzurum asks if he had gotten his friend.

Guilt at forgetting Archie overcomes Vincent, and he freezes as the voice in the amulet laughs. Renaer grabs his face and casts his version of Calm Emotions, and offers to go get Archie. Vincent refuses to let Renaer go. A message to Archie confirms he is in his room, but trapped. Vincent clears the debris blocking the door to Archie's room. Entering, he lifts Archie and leaps from the window, where they are safely caught by Azzurum's magic.

With everyone rescued from inside, the party runs away from the building, which finally collapses behind them. The force created by the collapse knocks Azzurum unconscious, but a Cure Wounds (delivered by a slap to the ass) by Vincent brings him back quickly. They meet up with the genasi family on the grounds, where they discover that Selk has slipped away. Vincent and Lidara attempt to calm the group down, reassuring them that Vincent will be able to do something to help. They relocate to a small garden shed for safety, and Vincent casts Private Sanctum around them, again summoning the image of the astral sea.

Episode 21: Brilliant Diamonds and Wretched Gold

In the gardenshed, Vincent approaches Tasha, asking how she is doing. Vincent gently tells Tasha that adventuring is dangerous, and although some do it for money or glory or power, some people do it because they have to, and it's not all fun. But Vincent reassures her that she will be ok. Tasha asks for some time, and Vincent lets her have it, but leaves her with an offer to teach her to defend herself when she's ready.

Vincent switches out with Lidara to take second watch. He can feel the weight of the responsibility of resurrecting Selk, and he feels guilty - like he could have done more to prevent this in the first place. The insecurities, however, continue to intrude, and Vincent realizes that not all of the thoughts are his own. The voice from the amulet intrudes.

The amulet tells Vincent that it's here to help him, saying that it is responsible for many of his powers, such as the psychic blades and mantle of whispers. Vincent disagrees, saying he learned that on his, but the amulet asks - "Did you? Or could you just \*do it\* one day?" It asks if Vincent had ever met any other bard as powerful as he is, who could save a whole city. It says that Vincent is special, and that is why it is helping him. As a show of trust, the amulet offers Vincent a question. Although he thinks its a trick, Vincent asks for the amulet's true name. Astera continues to speak about how it is giving Vincent powers, and hints that some day it may make an offer to give him more as a patron. It also says that the deal that currently powers their arrangement was not made between Vincent and Astera, but between Vincent and Tu'eria.

The next morning, the party wakes before the others, and Vincent begins the resurrection ritual. Placing the diamond on Selk's chest, he begins to play the violin. Astera's words creep into his mind, that Astera gave Vincent his powers and could somehow interfere here - but he is able to push them back out again, remembering that it was not Astera who taught him to play the violin. Bolstered by memories of larger hands on his and a stern but comforting guidance, the chill of the amulet is replaced by warmth. As the final note fades into silence, the light that had tethered Vincent to Selk flows down from Selk's forehead to the diamond, which bursts into starlight - the ritual is successful.

Episode 22: Allies, Old and New

The party faces off against the four creatures in the alleyway, which Vincent recognizes as vampires. Vincent is stunned by the hypnotic pattern of the gold in the alleyway, and is bitten by a vampire in a blue dress. Wolfgang protects him until he regains his bearings. During the fight, Vincent is also stabbed several times by Lidara, who was being controlled by blood creature.

As they catch up with Bonnie, Vincent apologizes again to her for not finding her. Bonnie is understanding, saying that they should have called out, and that they were well hidden.

At the Sanctum near the Thorn Manor, the party fills in the genasi family and their friends on what they had seen outside in the city. The family (minus Aona) is alarmed by the descriptions of the hellish landscape and the monsters, and although Vincent tries to explain the technicalities of the magic, it does little to calm them. Renaer bandages the party's wounds before they leave, and Vincent implores him to take it easy and not do anything reckless. Vincent also gives Tasha a dagger for her to defend herself.

At the headquarters of the Tempest of the Unheard in the undercity, Vincent supplies Doctor Neerja with the ledger that he had taken from Tyron's office, hoping it could help them heal the poison. Although it is not relevant to the poison, it does prompt the Doctor and Lidara to provide information about Elysian Lily and Crimson Lily.

Vincent calls Doc Berry by way of Sending, briefly explaining that the lower planes were bleeding in and asking for any help. Doc Berry recommends asking the Aquaine people, since they had been able to keep the bleed at bay. Vincent doesn't know much about the Aquaine people, but has he thinks about the time they've spent in Wheldon, he thinks about the clocktower. He knows that every hour, on the hour, something is supposed to happen that has not happened since they've been here.

Episode 23: Much Ado About Submersibles

While Azzurum speaks with Selk, Vincent seeks out Tasha. She is curled up in a cot, apparently sleeping. The dagger that Vincent had given her is curled up lazily in her hand, and although she's still shaking a bit, she seems to finally be getting a bit of rest.

As the group meets with Astrid, Rowen, and Wolfgang, Vincent takes the lead in the discussion on the topic of the planar bleeding and the role of the frequency of the bell. The group has a small disagreement about whether to trust Jarlaxle to help these people before Lidara and Azzurum finally convince Vincent to contact him with Sending. Jarlaxle's response to the spell is weak coughing, and he says that he can't join them in his "current state" and asks them to meet him at the tower. Plans are made - after a long rest, in the late night/early morning, Vincent, Azzurum, and Lidara make their way to the overcity to find the bell and Jarlaxle.

Vincent polymorphs Lidara into a bat being polymorphed himself into the same shape to cross the molten gold. Inside the clocktower, Vincent finds the servant staircase that Tasha had mentioned, and they begin the very very long walk. When they near their destination, Vincent uses Clairvoyance to look into the ballroom, reporting what he sees of the vampires to the rest of the group. Although he is able to spot several familiar faces, he doesn't see Jarlaxle. Vincent then uses Message to try to make a connection - and the spell works. Jarlaxle says that he didn't expect them to actually come, and tells him that he is where the wine was being stored along with a few others who are being used as bloodbanks. He also warns Vincent to watch out for the head chef.

During the chase and fight with the head chef, Vincent grabs Lidara and casts Dimension Door to move them outside the tower at the edge of the molten gold. At the base of the tower, the four regroup. Vincent and Lidara work together to slice the chains that bind Jarlaxle while they decide how to get back across. Vincent again polymorphs Lidara into the giant black eagle, and they fly away - but they're seen, and soon a screeching swarm of vampiric bats is on their tail.

## Relationships

### Azzurum Esen-Carr

Vincent and Azzurum are close friends, although they generally clash due to their differing personalities and world views. Despite the scolding or teasing, they’re ultimately good companions who appreciate the other. It was Vincent and Azzurum who brought the others down for "bestie bonding," trying to get Renaer to be closer to the other members of the group.

### Renaer Brandhart

Renaer and Vincent are boyfriends, and thus care a great deal about each other. They're both overprotective in combat, but get a bit nervous when it comes to more intimate romantic gestures.

## Character Information

### Stats

* STR: 10 (+0)
* DEX: 14 (+2)
* CON: 10 (+0)
* INT: 13 (+1)
* WIS: 13 (+1)
* CHAR: 19 (+4)

### Proficiencies

* Languages
	+ Common
	+ Infernal
	+ Sylvan
	+ Undercommon
* Arcana (+9)
* Insight (+9)
* Investigation (+5)
* Performance (+12)
* Persuasion (+12)

### Racial Abilities

As an tiefling, Vincent has the following traits/features:

* Char +2
* Darkvision 60ft.
* Hellish Resistance

### Class Abilities

Vincent is currently a level 10 College of Whispers Bard. As such, he has the following abilities:

* Bardic Inspiration (d10)
* Jack of All Trades
* Song of Rest (1d8)
* Magical Inspiration (Optional)
* Expertise
* Psychic Blades
* Font of Inspiration
* Countercharm
* Words of Terror
* Magical Secrets
* Mantle of Whispers

## Trivia

* Vincent has ADHD. This is expressed in hyperfixations with magic (including the different planes of existence, particularly the Feywild), music, and the construction of musical instruments (such as violin care and maintenance). Although there is no obvious sign in canon, Vincent probably keep his hands busy discreetly (he wears lots of rings). He is bad in crowds, bad with impressing people, can snap at people/be mean when overstimulated. He can also go nonverbal in those situations. When he performs, however, he is able to put on that mask.
* Vincent is demiromantic, demisexual and gay. "Attracted to men in theory, only ever attracted to one man in practice" - Chris
* Likes to dance, but won't admit it due to lack of practice.
* Vincent will only play music in front of those he trusts.
* He has a soft spot for children, especially those he can relate to. He wants them to have a better life than himself.
* He has never been in love before Renaer, and his feelings for him came as a surprise.
* Despite having been together for three months, him and Renaer have never kissed.
* His love language is physical affection.
* Vincent is a bit afraid of heights
* His favourite colour is yellow.

## References

1. ↑ Tavern chat on Discord with Chris, May 15, 2021.
2. ↑ Episode 19