Dottidee Smander Vinekle

**[NAME]** short bio entry.

### **Personality**

ENFP. Devoted to her friends. Social and empathic. Somewhat inflexible, particularly in regards to things she thinks will put her friends at risk. Hoarder.

### **Personal Goals**

* free Galdor's children's shades

* reunite with the rest of the party, including Graf

## **Biography**

### **Background**

Dots was born and raised in a village of forest gnomes that, like most such villages, is utterly unknown and mostly undetectable by any non-gnomes. She left the village shortly after her beloved artisan husband of several decades died in a freak accident while working on a glass sculpture.

Heartbroken, but resolved to live more adventurously, Dots went to the biggest nearby city, Triquetra. She intended to live off her significant savings; however, her apartment was burgled in short order, leaving her with nothing.

She was manipulated into committing thefts for a halfling named Daevitt who claimed to be helping her get her fortune back, but who was actually responsible for her burglary in the first place - and who was using her gratitude to maintain access to her skills, as well as the lion's share of her heist profits. A mysterious gnome provided her with proof of his manipulations, and Dots confronted him with violent results. As a result, Dots - and/or her alter ego, Madame Blackgrove - *may* be wanted for murder back in Triquetra. Receiving an invitation to perform for Renee Taveolt was a welcome excuse to leave town quickly.

### **Arrival in Larinthia**

#### **Karakstad**

Met sorceress Taria Da'lindria. Met Lilia. Met Estorio. Stole Bjarty.

#### **Trees and Mammoths** [17 Feb 2017]

Investigated disappearance of Galdor's trees. Freed female mammoth with dead mate, whom had been enslaved by orcs. Shot at by rifleman who turned out to be Parre Despa. Graf bonded with the mammoth, whom he named "Vayan." Dots acquired a green spellstone ["Eye of Gruumpsh"] from an orc magic-user, which she later converted into a wand of sorts.

#### **Invited to the Shadows' lair in the North Wall** [22 Feb 2017]

Given the Mammoth Room. [To search: "The lands South of Valrhea are in turmoil."]

#### **Assassinations in Sharvel**

Met Thaesilvancii and Zomny for the first time...

Interrogated dwarf Grori and halfling assassin Berchar Hlothran. An attempted assassination by Berchar, the dwarf switched loyalties to our party.

#### **Rescue at Alby**

Zomny was trapped by orcs in the ruins of the Blighted city of Alby.

#### **Sharvel Ambush**

Despa

Nian - Taveolt's slave

[unsure about timing: Jesse: "My sister said, 'Landren is a trap. Taveolt has me hostage. He stole a boat.'"]

Roush, Dalen, Kiri, and Lilia: [search: "I still haven't heard from Roush or Dalen."]

Kiri was watching the boat Despa and Taveolt were expected to take to Hilmgorne. [?] After killing Despa and searching his room, Lilia mentioned that she hadn't heard from Roush or Dalen, who were supposed to have been keeping watch at the North end of Landren. Roush returned to the party without Dalen, claiming Dalen had departed for the group in front of him. While discussing how to find Taveolt, Roush repeatedly pushed several ideas, all involving splitting the party and taking Lilia with him, alone - while rejecting calls to slow down and discuss plans, or to travel as a group. Becoming suspicious, Irie cast Dispel Magic, Poesy prepared her dragon anchor, and Dots cast Charm Person.

Under the influence of the Charm spell (and a 28 Persuasion roll), Roush disclosed the following during a full hour of interrogation:

His intent had been to separate Lilia from the group, then slit her throat. He had slit Dalen's throat earlier, and had left him in the pig pen in the Stone Quarter.

He didn't know the name of the ship on which Taveolt had escaped, but he knew it was Dwarvish - from Graycliff - small, with mismatched planks, and a flag with a gold hammer on a blue background. (Jesse recognized the flag as that of the Stronghearts.) He also said it was probably 10 miles away - toward Graycliff - due to his head start. Taveolt had stated he was going to stay in Graycliff at a location unknown to Roush until the party stopped looking for him. Taveolt had intended to travel South with the steel on the ship he chartered to Hilmgorne, before he decided to flee instead.

Roush stated he was loyal to Taveolt because Taveolt had given him 50 gold per month. Taveolt gave him a job when he was an orphan - when he was a boy, when Crestly was abandoned because the Blight got too close, seven years previously. Taveolt had directed him to go into the Labyrinth to become a Champion. Roush wasn't aware of any others Taveolt had similarly planted among the Champions.

The only remorse Roush expressed was for failing to kill his fellow Monks.

Roush said Taveolt didn't contact him regularly, but when he did, he most often used spells. He had contacted Roush earlier in the day and told him to kill Dalen... and as many others as possible, to keep the party from pursuing him.

Roush said Despa betrayed the Edgewoods as revenge for losing his family when General Edgewood flooded the valley. Despa planned to kill Sarah if he didn't need her to draw out Jesse. Taveolt, however, did not have a similar vendetta against the Edgewoods. He had left Parre as a distraction; as Parre had already trained his riflemen, Taveolt no longer needed him. (Roush didn't know how many riflemen Depsa had trained.)

Roush stated Taveolt's end goals were to raise an army to invade Triquetra.

Roush also identified the location of the portal between Larinthia and Triquetra as being in the ruins near Wolfdale.

The Charm spell then wore off, and Roush became hostile again, spitting, "Taveolt is going to burn Karakstad to ash." Dots gagged and blindfolded him, and stopped up his ears.

[Poesy and Irie, upon locating the pig pen, found Dalen alive but bleeding in one of the corrals. Irie cast Cure Wounds to save him. Dalen related that Roush had slit his throat upon their arrival, but had apparently relied too much on poison rather than assassination technique.]

Trip knocked Roush unconscious, and the Monks took possession of Roush and transported him back to Karakstad for interrogation.

#### **Splitting the Party**

After Irie allied herself with the orcs of the Crimson Pass, Dots failed to convince her that her actions were - in Dots' opinion - both poorly thought out, and potentially extremely dangerous to both her and the party. Out of frustration and rage, Dots reached out to Annise of the Shadows to request an alternate mission. Annise did have an immediate requirement for a field operative to gather intelligence on Darzen. Dots left, taking Trip with her at Annise's suggestion to "bring muscle." She did attempt to defuse the situation by implying to Poesy and Jesse that *Annise* had actually initiated the request for her assistance. She felt a great amount of guilt at leaving the group, none of which was alleviated by finding that Irie had been captured by the Crimson Pass orcs and turned over to the death cleric Cecin. She provided the party with some magical resources, but continued to pursue her new mission with Trip.

#### **Hilmgorne Bound**

Trip and Dots have been attempting to establish some sort of a relationship with Darzen's people. The first attempt to "assist" Annise's contact Belib led to multiple deaths, including that of the contact. However, the encounter did introduce them to another of Darzen's operatives, a black-haired half-elf assassin who introduced herself as Yavei Rella. Apparently believing Dots' improvised backstory, she has indicated that she will call on "Hanla" (Dots) and "Shon" (Trip) when Darzen requires work to be done within Spireport. She requested Dots and Trip stay at the Singer's Sorrow to await further communications.

Dots robbed a house in Spireport to set up another link to the Mammoth door. The robbery - of a house Nian identified as belonging to Zyltuc followers - was a success. Dots established a link from a semi-obscured door of the Lass's Ass, a dive tavern. She also recovered a set of documents in a language unknown to her.

#### **Invisible Stalker**

While robbing the house in Spireport, Dots received a message from Poesy via Ceila warning her that they had found evidence that an Invisible Stalker had been summoned and sent after Shadow's Edge - and, mostly by extension, Dots. Dots used her Mammoth door link network to move Trip to Sharvel, while she met with Annise, Thi'on, and Zhea in Karakstad. With Thi'on's help, Dots was able to kill the Stalker, and Thi'on trapped its essence in a bottle. Information from Ames indicates that the summoner was likely Alalmor, brother of Ellahin/"Cecin."

#### **Sharvel**

Dots went to Sharvel to recover Trip, to drop off the elemental essence with Estorio for research purposes, and to restock magical items. Estorio provided her with a necklace of comprehension that allowed her to read the documents she had stolen from the house in Spireport, which were in Hilmgornian. They contained coded messages disclosing the existence of an army of sleepers in Spireport - presumably of Zyltuc and/or Darzen followers. Dots relayed this info to Annise, and provided the documents to Ames, a halfling Shadow, to take to her. Ames provided Dots with information about Cecin/Ellahin and his brother Alalmor - who likely sent the Invisible Stalker after Shadow's Edge. He requested she provide any information that might indicate communication between the brothers and Darzen.

## **Relationships**

### Bjartr

Shortly after arriving in Karakstad, Dots liberated an intelligent rat from Estorio's Emporium, after hearing Estorio yell at him. Now he travels in Dots' cloak, and seems to enjoy her company. They can communicate via Dots' ability to Speak with Small Beasts. Estorio has since expressed regret for his treatment of Bjartr, and has shared that Bjartr is both undead and apparently unkillable. For her part, Dots is grateful for his presence, as she misses the rats she had befriended in Triquetra, and has also specifically benefited from Bjartr's advice on several occasions. Dots is extremely protective of her Bjarty.

### Xalmin

A mysterious, handsome gnome who first provided Dots with proof of Daevitt's deceit and exploitation of her in Triquetra, he recently reappeared to her in Landren prior to her ill-fated meeting with Belib. In addition to admonishing her to return to the more spontaneous, mischievous ways of her past, he also taught her a new spell allowing her to charm multiple people at once. [The magic of this spell appeared to be of a different type than the standard arcane magic she's familiar with.] He seemed pleased when she used it to punish some children for tormenting a dog by forcing them to jump into the harbor, ruining their clothes and getting them into trouble with their parents. She has not seen him since.

### The Shadows

Lilia has stated that Annise doesn't recruit locals into the Shadows because of concerns someone who is already sympathetic or loyal to Hilmgorne might be able to infiltrate the group. Annise only recruits from Triquetra.

### Trip Hammersmith

Dots feels a connection with the only other gnome in the party. She feels that due to their ages and experience - both being over a century older than any of the other party members - they have more of a tendency to see the big picture and assess risks than the others. While she loves the other party members, Trip is the only one she sees as a real "adult."

### Poesy de Carstiens

Dots admires Poesy for her self-possession, boldness, and skill - all highly developed, particularly for a young human. She believes that age and experience will eventually temper Poesy's tendency to make bridge-burning statements and impulsive actions.

### Irie of Karakstad

Dots feels protective of Irie, whom she sees as fundamentally well-intentioned, if terminally naive. She respects her as a healer. She thinks of her as a companion of proven bravery - and, unfortunately, proven recklessness. While she has great affection for her, she has recently pulled away somewhat due to her fear that Irie will, through her naivety, cause great harm to herself or other party members that Dots will be unable to prevent.

### Graf

Dots misses Graf, who has been away from the party for months. His selflessness in the Labyrinth impressed her greatly, as did the strength of his attachment to the mammoth, Vayan.

### Aazriel

Dots is amused by this young sorceror, who - while still wet behind the ears - has such vast destructive power. She feels compelled to help protect him from the potentially corrupting force of such immense power.

## **Character Information**

### **Abilities**

#### **Feats**

* N/A - Dots has taken ASIs instead of feats.

#### **[Class/archetype] Abilities**

* **Forest Gnome**
	+ Darkvision: She can see in dim light within 60 feet of herself as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. She can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
	+ Gnome Cunning: She has advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
	+ Natural Illusionist: She knows the minor illusion cantrip. Intelligence is her spellcasting ability for it.
	+ Speak with Small Beasts: Through sounds and gestures, Dots can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts. (Forest gnomes love animals and often keep squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, woodpeckers, and other creatures as beloved pets.)
* **Charlatan**: She has always had a way with people. She knows what makes them tick, she can tease out their hearts' desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few leading questions she can read them like they were children's books. It's a useful talent, and one that she's perfectly willing to use for her advantage.
	+ FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY
		- She has created a second identity that includes documentation, established acquaintances, and disguises that allows her to assume that persona. Additionally, she can forge documents including official papers and personal letters, as long as she has seen an example of the kind. Dots' second identity is "Madame Blackgrove," a rune-slinging fortune teller. Most of the people in Triquetra knew her solely by this name.
* **Rogue**
	+ Sneak Attack: She knows how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction. At her current level (Rogue 7), once per turn, she can deal an extra 4d6 damage to one creature she hits with an attack if she has advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. She doesn't need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn't incapacitated, and she doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.
	+ Thieves' Cant: During her rogue training she learned thieves' cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows one to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. In addition, she understands a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous, or whether the people in an area will provide a safe house for thieves on the run.
	+ Cunning Action: Her quick thinking and agility allow her to move and act quickly. She can take a bonus action on each of her turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
	+ Roguish Archetype: Arcane Trickster: Some rogues enhance their fine-honed skills of stealth and agility with magic, learning tricks of enchantment and illusion. These rogues include pickpockets and burglars, but also pranksters, mischief-makers, and a significant number of adventurers.
		- SPELLCASTING
			* She has gained the ability to cast spells.
		- MACE HAND LEGERDEMAIN
			* When she casts mage hand, she can make the spectral hand invisible, and she can perform the following additional tasks with it: She can stow one object the hand is holding in a container worn or carried by another creature. She can retrieve an object in a container worn or carried by another creature. She can use thieves' tools to pick locks and disarm traps at range.
			* She can perform one of these tasks without being noticed by a creature if she succeeds on a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check contested by the creature's Wisdom (Perception) check. In addition, she can use the bonus action granted by her Cunning Action to control the hand.
	+ Uncanny Dodge: When an attacker that she can see hits her with an attack, she can use her reaction to halve the attack's damage against her.
	+ Evasion: She can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon's fiery breath or an ice storm spell. When she is subjected to an effect that allows her to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, she instead takes no damage if she succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if she fails.

### **Notable Items**

#### **Shadow's Edge, aka *Umbra Ora***:

* Dots acquired this dagger after the party took the halfling assassin Berchar Hlothran into custody.
* Research from the Arcane Archive: "Shadow's Edge: A dagger said to grant the user the ability to shift planes to the Shadowfell, the Shadow's Edge was retrieved from the labyrinth by the Champion, Berchar Hlothran. As is true of its sister blade, the Terminus Hyperean, any use of the Shadow's Edge is theorized to create a planar thread, though no experimentation has proved such a claim."
* Doa told the party that the Terminus Hyperean was forged by Ianne to destroy Zyltuc "as he forged Umbra Ora to destroy her and Udici." Based on this information and the summoning of the Invisible Stalker to retrieve the blade from Dots, one of the party's enemies is likely planning to kill Udici.
* While attuned and on the Prime Material Plane, as a free action Dots can sense the presence of creatures within 60 ft in the Shadowfell. As an action, Dots can plane shift from the Prime Material Plane to the Shadowfell in her exact relative position. While in the Shadowfell, Dots can see creatures in the Prime Material Plane. If she makes an attack against a living creature, it is an instant crit, including damage from an automatic sneak attack, and she will return to the Prime Material Plane. She can take one willing creature with her. Thi'on informed her that the dagger works by Banishing the blade and user to the Shadowfell; if no attack is made within a minute, any affected users will return to the Prime Material Plane.

#### **Shimmering runestone**

* Bound to her, it can only be removed by her will unless it is destroyed. Once per long rest she can spend ten minutes to scry on the run, seeing anything it can see, hearing anything it can see - *if* it's on the same plane. She always knows what direction the rune is from her. Finally, it can change forms over a long rest as long as it is roughly palm sized, e.g., a rune stone, playing/tarot card, rock, etc. The actual image/carving on the runestone [or card, etc.] can be changed at will to show any image she desires.

#### **pRNG Spellstone Wand**

* Dots acquired a green spellstone ["Eye of Gruumpsh"] from a defeated orc magic-user, which she later converted into a wand of sorts by shoving it into a twig. It holds 7 charges, and it uses 1d4 charges per use. If all 7 charges are spent, the wand is destroyed. [Effect is determined by a 1d100 roll.]

#### **Pendant of Comprehension**

* On activation, she can understand and speak any languages spoken or written for one (1) hour. Resets after long rest.