Vaelish Gant is the new "Lord Protector" (militarized mayor) of Bremen in the Icewind Dale, following a heroic role protecting the town during the so-called Desolation in the Year of Three Ships Sailing (an attack by a dragon made of Chardalyn). He joined with Targos to form the Chardalyn Syndicate, a faction competing for and profiting from the region's resources - and building blind support by directing anger and hatred at the Frostmaiden.
Vaelish "the Brown" is a Master Abjurer, closely tied to Jendrick the Blue in the Host Tower, now showing progress after years of trying to get a foothold of power in the Ten Towns. (But it would appear now to be with dangerous strings attached by way of affiliation with the Zhentarim, long known to be seeking hooks into the Arcane Brotherhood).
Gant is a heavy man of medium height, with short, black hair, dark eyes, and light brown skin that clearly marks him as a foreigner in Icewind Dale. He dresses the part of a wizard, wearing a brown robe with a fancy white mantle fastened with a seashell brooch. His ornate metal staff is tipped with a glowing sapphire, displaying his magical acumen for all to see. This arrogance extends to his every mannerism - he is cocky and confident, believing himself to be destined for greatness and superior to everyone he meets.
The way Vaelish Gant sees it, ivory and scrimshaw is only the beginning. As the Arcane Brotherhood gains access to the dwarven mines of Kelvin's Cairn and the unexploited wealth of the tundra - with its rich furs and pelts (currently wasted on the Reghed barbarians), the dale grow in wealth. Now with potential alliances with the Duergar in the Spine of the World, Ten-Towns might become another Mirabar.
After the hardships imparted on him personally by the Children of Auril and in particular the White Inquisitor, Gant has stirred up fanatical anger and hatred toward all who sympathize with the Frostmaiden Auril. This thirst for revenge has led to wholly unnecessary cruelty to worshippers, frost druids, and the creatures often associated with Auril - including yeti, ice trolls, and coldlight walkers. Perhaps the most dangerous attention this has attracted, outside of the enmity of the White Inquisitor, is growing organization of war-bands of the usually nomadic and isolated Frost Giants.
Against these threats, including almost unrelenting foul winter weather from the Sea of Moving Ice, he has begun to employ spells and enchantments to raise the land itself as shields and tactical weapons around Bremen and against these sources of assault.
Background
- born in the southern city of Athkatla, far down the Sword Coast.
- He joined the Arcane Brotherhood under Jendrick's tutelage and started his operations in Waterdeep, hoping that effort would be the key to his career.
- Gant was soon frustrated by stifling competition, and he decided that gaining a stranglehold on the markets in Ten-Towns would be a better use of his energy and an easier way to impress his mentor.
- Obtained numerous protective wardings via tattoos, implants, spirit guardians
- Sleazy, slick operator, grifter. Leveraged connections with Waterdeep's Zhentarim to draw their attention north (in secret and knowing this would be against the better judgment of the Brotherhood). His attempt a few years ago to become head speaker in Bryn Shander also created the opportunity for Naerth to rise up in Targos.
- Tactically, Gant is a "wall monster" spellcaster, and super resistant (all but one thing he can change each round).
- By the arrival of the group in 1492, Sheriff Markham Southwell is ready to finally capture Gant and send him off to Revel’s End, even having already arranged the matter with the Lords Alliance.
- Though reluctant to work with the White Inquisitor, she is brought to town to assist in apprehending the wizard - when (very unfortunate timing) the party arrives and appears to be reinforcements from the AB. The entire group gets sent off to the prison, awaiting negotiations with the Host Tower.
- The party would have been released (although not quickly) - but then the escape has made this matter more complicated. While the party’s name may be restored in Bryn Shander, it is most certainly not so with the Lords Alliance (or the Children of Auril). Fortunately, none were killed in the prison break - but evenso, the Lords Alliance is unamused with any who would have even tried, let alone embarrassed them by succeeding. In Luskan, while the break adds a mess needing cleanup, it is also somewhat a source of amusement and credit to the team.
- Gant tries to engage party, knowing he needs fresh (naïve?) allies, whole group is sent to Revel's End.
- Escapes in the Oblex chaos, using defenses to survive the onslaughts, is punishingly harassed by all things Frostmaiden - barely surviving to reach Bremen.
- Connects with discontents in the town, calls his minions there to re-begin what he had started in Bryn Shander.
- Receives a very fortunate Sending from Alyks Askaria - recognizing this event as the windfall he needed.
- Vaelish the Brown successfully defends Bremen against the Chardalyn dragon, riles anger of both public sentiment - and the newly-forming Chardalyn Syndicate against Children of Auril as an existential threat, and has a bounties placed, including a significant one on the White Inquisitor (cementing his arch-rivalry with her).
- Builds renewed support as he takes on the mantle of Town Protector, and begins to build the power-base.
Henchmen
Slim (thug with incredible resilience to survive)
- A sly human rogue who is quick with his rapier and equally so with his insults.
- A smooth talker whose charm is moderated a bit by a shifty, sneaky demeanor.
- He has close-cropped, light brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin.
- His forearm carries the tattooed mark of Ship Rethnor - a sailing ship pierced by a sword coming down from above as the tentacles of a kraken rise up from the water beneath it.
- Ran Gant's "protection" racket prior to becoming legitimate with the Town Protector title - now he is Gant's coldhearted and savage enforcer (using the title "Blade of the Protector") - always secretly hoping that his foes will put up a fight.
Marek "the Shank" (Hobgoblin thug)
- Marek is a tall, strong hobgoblin with long, black hair and yellow eyes. His face is heavily scarred, a testament to the brawls he has survived as part of Ship Rethnor in Luskan. His arm bears the same tattoo worn by Slim, identifying him as part of Rethnor's crew. He speaks in a harsh growl that is backed by the clear threat of physical violence, which helps keep the local thugs under control.
- Hobgoblins aren't a common sight in Icewind Dale, so the Shank's hood covers his red-skinned face most of the time.
- His main talent seems to be recruiting unsavory characters to aid Vaelish Gant's efforts. Scoundrels seem drawn to the hulking brute, who has an exotic air to him - a sense of defiance and danger.
- Although his primary role is recruitment, Marek also backs up Slim's worst threats. He is a trained warrior, skilled at laying ambushes in streets and alleys.