Artwork by Matthew Brackney.
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"Please don't hurt me! Here, everything I own of value is in this purse." - Amberyll, whenever she's robbed.
Amberyll spent her childhood as a poor servant in the rich Von Deetz household, envious of the wealth around her, but resigned to her lot in life. Her beauty only marked her for scorn by the wealthy ladies she served, who often humiliated her for fun.
One day, the Von Deetz family awoke to find their silverware missing. Convinced that the poorest servant in the household was most likely to steal, Amberyll was tossed out on the street. Furious that she would be so callously dismissed, and even angrier with the thieves who had robbed her mistresses' home, Amberyll vowed revenge.
Amberyll adapted quickly to life on the streets. Using her charm and wits, she discovered the identity of the thieves. Amberyll then set out to frame them for another robbery - she would break into the very same Von Deetz house to steal something so valuable that it would lead the authorities straight to the thieves!
She bluffed her way into the house by fooling the servant they had hired to replace her. Then she crept silently into the royal treasury. There, curiously unguarded by any traps or defenses, was a beautiful bag, gilded with pearls. Surely whatever was in the purse would bring down the wrath of the royal household!
Amberyll fled with the bag into the night, only to run headlong into the very thieves she sought to frame. Aware of her plan, the leader wrested the purse from her and, hearing coins jingling inside, thrust his hand into it.
A look of surprise passed over the leader's face, then panic as he furiously tried to yank his hand back from the purse's maw. For a moment he struggled, sweat beading on his brow. Then his entire arm sank into the purse.
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Amberyll the Thief-Taker (CR 6) Female Human Rog6 N Medium humanoid Init: +3 Senses: potion of darkvision; Listen +9, Spot +6 Languages: Common, Dwarven, Gnome AC: 15, touch 13, flat-footed 15 hp: 29 (6 HD); DR: none Fort +6; Ref +11, Will +5 Spd: 20 ft. Melee: masterwork dagger +8 (1d4-1) Ranged: bag of devouring +7 or tanglefoot bag +7 (entangle) Space: 5ft.; Reach 5 ft. Base Atk: +3; Grp +3 Attack Options: Dodge, sneak attack Special Atk: Sneak attack +3d6 Combat Gear: bag of devouring, potion of cure light wounds, potion of expeditious retreat, potion of spider climb Abilities: Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 15 SQ: Evasion, trap sense +2, traps, uncanny dodge Feats: Armor Proficiency: light, Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bag, Run, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Weapon Finesse Skills: Appraise +6, Bluff +9, Climb -2, Diplomacy +9, Disguise +9, Escape Artist +1, Forgery +3, Gather Information +9, Hide +6, Jump -2, Knowledge (History) +3, Knowledge (Local) +3, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +3, Listen +9, Move Silently +1, Open Lock +4, Ride +4, Search +6, Sense Motive +9, Sleight of Hand +6, Spellcraft +3, Spot +6, Survival +1, Swim -2, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +9, Use Rope +5 Possessions: bag of devouring, potion: cat`s grace, potion: cure light wounds (3), potion: darkvision, potion: expeditious retreat, potion: spider climb, cloak of resistance +3 , 19 amber gems worth 100 gp each and 88 gp. |
The thieves fled in terror as the purse sucked their leader in whole, never to be seen again. When she recovered her wits, Amberyll realized that she had been the victim of a double-cross: the Von Deetz family had hoped to recapture the thieves with a bag of devouring!
Amberyll moved on to greater things, but never forgot her heritage. Having carefully observed the Von Deetz ladies, she was an apt choice to impersonate nobility. She has since joined the Lucky Lady gambling establishment and plies her trade in the surrounding area.
Amberyll is a thief-taker, but not in the traditional sense. She plays the victim, to teach thieves a lesson they never forget. The Lucky Lady prides itself on its secure surroundings, but the money that flows through the establishment attracts all manner of ruffians, which is bad for business. Amberyll is the solution.
Amberyll is more than just an innocent noblewoman. She gladly hands over her bag (which she calls her purse), to anyone who asks. She is careful to jingle the contents and speaks of the riches contained within, "if only they won't hurt her." Being a greedy lot, thieves invariably reach inside - and meet Boung, her pet bag of devouring.
Amberyll uses a variety of wigs, makeup, and clothes to appear as a wide range of potential victims, all funded by the Lucky Lady establishment. She is paid well for her services, and robbery (at least, money taken by force) is almost non-existent when she's in town.
Still, not every thief takes the bait. In those cases, Amberyll is quite adept at bringing Boung to the thieves. She has learned to yank Boung over her opponent's heads as a sneak attack during a surprise round. Opponents whom she hits have a 60% chance of being drawn into Boung's "mouth" each round.
Boung has developed an appreciation of Amberyll's frequent feedings, and will not attempt to consume her. This makes the ruse all the more convincing when Amberyll reaches into the bag with no ill effects. Even when adventuring, Amberyll takes Boung with her. She's very attached to it and treats the bag better than she treats most people. When she lets down her guard, thieves cant slips into her language and her accent clearly indicates she's no noblewoman. Her private joke: "boung" means purse in cant, and "boung nipper" is a cutpurse. In Boung's case, it does far more than nip!