Marad Vesrek
Captain (a.k.a. The Crimson Trader)
Captain Marad Vesrek is a ruthless pirate and slaver whose vessel, The Crimson Trader, serves as a critical logistical link between the pirate trade networks and the dark ambitions of the Temple of Elemental Evil. With deep connections to the Slave Lords and clandestine ties to the Scarlet Brotherhood, Vesrek is one of Nulb's most feared and influential figures. Through careful manipulation and strategic brutality, he maintains significant influence over the region's shadow economy.
Physical Description
Vesrek is an imposing, predatory presence with distinctive Suel features. His tall frame, stark white hair, and piercing steel-gray eyes command attention. He proudly wears crimson-dyed leather armor trimmed with silver accents, a shark-tooth-hilted rapier at his side, and a weathered black tricorn hat, emphasizing both elegance and intimidation. Sea-serpent tattoos winding around his forearms openly mark his piratical and Brotherhood affiliations.
Personality
Captain Vesrek is a cold, calculated manipulator. Every interaction is weighed for advantage; loyalty, compassion, and sentimentality have no place in his ruthless worldview.
- Manipulative & Ruthless: Unflinchingly cruel when necessary.
- Strategic Charm: Can switch seamlessly from charismatic to intimidating.
- Narwell Origins: Frequently uses rough slang from his Wild Coast roots.
- Intimidation Tactic: Constantly sharpens his weapons during negotiations.
Background
Born in the slums in Safeton of the The Wild Coast, Vesrek rose from a life of destitution by sheer will and brutality. The son of a dockworker and a washerwoman, Vesrek grew up in squalor, learning early the value of wit and ruthlessness. His early years as a dockside enforcer taught him the value of leveraging fear and alliances. A fateful encounter aboard the Iron Tide, where he saved his captain from mutiny, marked the beginning of his rise in the ranks. After years of service, Vesrek commandeered his first ship, the Crimson Trader, which became his ticket to wealth and infamy.
- Early Life: Born to Suloise Suel immigrants associated with the Scarlet Brotherhood; survived by wit and violence on Safeton’s dangerous docks.
- Spent his childhood in Safeton's dangerous docks, running errands for smugglers and thieves.
- Rise to Power: Swiftly moved from smuggling to piracy, capturing The Crimson Trader, transforming it into a feared slaving ship.
- Slave Lords Connection: Established critical trade routes, supplying slaves from Woolly Bay and Selintan River areas to distant markets and Temple buyers.
Motivations
Captain Vesrek is driven by power and wealth. While he serves the Slave Lords and the Temple of Elemental Evil, he harbors ambitions to expand his influence further. The discovery of a powerful artifact like the Yellowskull could become an obsession if he learns of its existence. Vesrek’s ambitions extend beyond Nulb and the Slave Lords. His ultimate goal is to establish his own dominion, using his connections to the Temple and the Scarlet Brotherhood to secure power.
Primary Goals
- Maintain and expand the Slave Lords’ operations.
- Amass wealth, power and retrieve powerful artifacts.
- Establish a base of operations beyond the reach of the Viscounty of Verbobonc.
Operations and Activities
Captain Vesrek’s operations revolve around piracy, slave trading, and smuggling. He specifically targets valuable human cargo for sale to the Temple of Elemental Evil and Nulb’s underground market.
- Slave Raiding: Targets merchants, isolated communities, and travelers along waterways.
- Contraband Smuggling: Secretly delivers luxury goods, weapons, and exotic items into Nulb’s market through intermediaries like Lorveth "The Broker."
- Temple Logistics: Regularly supplies slaves and special cargo to Canon Belsornig (Water Temple) and Barkinar (Greater Temple) for their rituals.
Role in Nulb
Captain Vesrek is central to Nulb’s illicit economy, supplying slaves and contraband essential to the town’s survival and the Temple’s operations.
- Economic Influence: Drives commerce in Nulb’s black market and local establishments such as the Boatman's Tavern and the Brothel above it.
- Supply Chain: Essential conduit for slaves and goods, working closely with Lorveth Thrask to manage slave distributions and profit maximization.
- Temple Agent: Carefully maintains good standing with Temple leadership, ensuring continued protection and profitability.
Relationships and Alliances
Captain Vesrek carefully navigates Nulb’s dangerous power dynamics, maintaining cautious alliances and deep rivalries:
- Captain Tolub (Iron Dagger): Collaborative yet tense; rivals for control over river piracy and smuggling operations.
- Lorveth Thrask “The Broker”: Close but volatile relationship; frequent negotiations for slave quality and prices.
- Madame Selentis (Nysera Krivaltis): Mutually beneficial but wary relationship; she taxes his land operations and monitors his Brotherhood connections closely.
- Canon Belsornig (Water Temple): Crucial partnership, regularly providing slaves for rituals, securing Temple protection.
- Romag (Earth Temple): Occasional business associate; wary of Belsornig's influence, sometimes seeks slaves directly from Vesrek to strengthen the Earth Temple’s rituals.
- Gefreid Patris & Commander Feldrin: Limited direct contact but occasionally delivers slaves and contraband indirectly through Nulb’s logistics managed by Madame Selentis.
Captain Vesrek’s Secrets
- Scarlet Brotherhood Operative: Uses his piracy to secretly funnel intelligence and resources back to the Brotherhood; keeps meticulous hidden ledgers documenting this relationship.
- Hidden Ledger: Detailed records of his illicit operations with Lorveth, the Temple, and the Scarlet Brotherhood—potentially devastating if exposed.
- Artifact Ambition: Obsessed with finding powerful relics like the Yellowskull to leverage his dominance and expand his personal power.
Connections to the Brothel
Captain Vesrek maintains a profitable and personal alliance with Elvanna Thorne, the mistress of the brothel above the Boatman’s Tavern.
- Supply Line: Provides carefully selected captives for the brothel's operations.
- Information Exchange: Trades valuable intelligence with Elvanna gathered from his travels and captives.
- Personal Patronage: Regular visitor; invests significantly, ensuring preferential treatment and continued influence.
Role in Slave Trade Logistics
The Crimson Trader is uniquely outfitted for slave transportation, making Vesrek a pivotal figure in the Nulb slave market. Captain Vesrek of the The Crimson Trader maintains a lucrative and secretive relationship with the 'Broker' at the Nulb Brothel in the Boatman's Tavern. This partnership forms one of the darkest aspects of Nulb’s economy, fueling the slave trade that supports the brothel, and the broader criminal enterprises in the region.
- Selection and Capture: Carefully selects high-value targets from raids for optimal profit or Temple utility.
- Negotiations and Sale: Works closely with Lorveth to tailor slave shipments to specific buyers, maximizing profits and influence.
- Slave Quality Management: Ensures slaves are delivered alive and in good condition for maximum resale value.
Adventure Hooks for Dungeon Masters
- Slave Liberation: PCs infiltrate the Crimson Trader to rescue captives destined for Temple sacrifices or Nulb’s brothel.
- Hidden Ledger Discovery: Finding Vesrek’s ledger sparks dangerous power struggles involving Nulb’s factions, the Scarlet Brotherhood, and Temple leaders.
- Artifact Chase: Vesrek learns of the Yellowskull, triggering a high-stakes race between Vesrek, Temple agents, and the adventurers.

"Every soul has a price, friend. Gold or blood—either way, I always collect."
— Captain Marad Vesrek
Captain Vesrek
Pirate Slaver, Scarlet Brotherhood Agent, & Temple Ally
Captain of The Crimson Trader
Vesrek is a highly adaptable enemy using martial skill, and cunning strategies.
- Role: Captain of the Crimson Trader, an integral vessel in the Slave Lords’ network.
- Location: Frequently in Nulb to trade slaves and goods.
- Connection: Serves the Temple of Elemental Evil, working closely with its leaders.
- Influence: Commands respect and fear among Nulb’s criminals and power players.
Captain Vesrek (Fighter level 8)
AC: 16 (Crimson leather armor)
HP: 76 (8d10+32)
Speed: 30 ft.
STR 16 (+3), DEX 14 (+2), CON 18 (+4), INT 14 (+2), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 16 (+3)
Skills: Intimidation +7, Deception +7, Athletics +6, Perception +4
Languages: Common, Elvish, Orc
Attacks: Rapier (+6, 1d8+3 piercing), Dagger (+6, 1d4+3 piercing)
Scene: Docks of Nulb — Twilight, as fog rolls in from the river
The Crimson Trader rocks gently at anchor. The smell of tar, brine, and something less wholesome wafts from her hull. From the mist steps a tall half-elf in a dark captain’s coat trimmed in crimson braid, silver chains glinting at his chest. A rapier, elegant and coiled like a viper, rides his hip.
He walks toward you with the gait of a man who owns the dock beneath his boots. His dark eyes flick over your gear, your posture—calculating.
Marad pauses a short distance away, hands clasped behind his back.
“Ah. New faces in Nulb. And so few know the way here by accident.”
His voice is calm, rich, and polished, each word deliberately chosen.
He takes a slow step closer, the butt of his dagger tapping against his thigh.
“I am Captain Marad Vesrek. I command The Crimson Trader—and oversee certain… delicate exchanges in this harbor.”
A faint smile plays on his lips, unreadable and practiced.
His gaze sharpens, head tilting slightly as if studying a rare coin for imperfections.
“You wear steel, but not like river guards. You’ve coin enough for gear, but no trade tokens. And you walk like people used to trouble. So…”
He gestures with a gloved hand toward you.
“Who, precisely, are you? What stirs your boots through Nulb’s mud—and whose cause do you march for?”
He lets the silence linger just a little too long, watching who meets his eyes and who flinches.
“Is it coin you seek? Revenge? Or some deluded crusade wrapped in good intentions and bad maps?”
He steps to your side and gazes down the misted docks toward the inland path.
“Nulb is no place for the uninvited. The Talons, the Crimson Reapers, the Temple’s errand-men… they all keep watch, in one form or another. And I assure you—so do I.”
He turns back, that faint smirk returning.
“Now. Impress me.”
His voice hardens just enough to chill the air.
“Tell me your names. Or lie. But either way, I’ll know which it is.”
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