Saul Vancaskerkin

From PathfinderWiki
Saul Vancaskerkin
(Person)

Alignment
Ancestry/Species
Class
Gender
Male
Homeland
Organization
Source: Shadow in the Sky, pg(s). 21

Saul Vancaskerkin (pronounced SOL van-CASK-ker-kin)1 was a moderately successful crimelord in the city of Riddleport and the head of a sprawling family. As of 4718 AR, he was destitute and isolated from many of his relatives.2

History

While he was a youth in Riddleport, Saul moved from gang to gang, selling out old bosses to gain favour with the next. He fell in love with a Varisian harrower from Magnimar named Adreea Valitrosa, who was affiliated with the rival Sczarni; they married and had a child, Natalya, who the Sczarni attempted to claim as payment for Adreea's perceived betrayal. Saul and the family attempted to flee to Riddleport, but Adreena was killed by a poisoned bolt.3

Saul eventually remarried to a woman believed to be the former wife of Saul's second brother,4 with whom he had two sons, Orik and Verik. This wife also died, and Saul remarried again to Bertrida Vancaskerkin.3

Saul's burgeoning criminal enterprise came crashing down when his son Orik murdered an alchemist named Falk Zincher in a crime of passion also involving the cambion prostitute Lavender Lil. Falk's older brother, the crimelord Clegg Zincher, demanded revenge and took his rage out on Orik's father since the perpetrator himself had skipped town for Sandpoint.5

The Gold Goblin.

In desperation, Saul tried to destroy key evidence with the help of his other son Verik, but he had grown sick of his father's criminal activities and abandoned him to his fate. Saul then found his home surrounded by Riddleport gendarmes and decided to set fire to his own residence in an attempt to fake his own death, killing his wife Bertrida in the process. Despite his efforts to escape, he was nevertheless captured by the gendarmes and only narrowly avoided execution. Instead, and at Clegg Zincher's request, he was fined heavily and had his left hand taken as punishment.6

Although disgraced and considered washed-up by most, Saul managed to purchase and renovate the Gold Goblin gambling hall, opening the doors to the public in 4708 AR with the intention of scamming his patrons during a massive gaming tournament called "Cheat the Devil and Take his Gold". Although his plot failed and his business suffered, he nevertheless began regaining his reputation and client base over time.7

As of 4718 AR, Saul had survived these events but was destitute.2

Family

Saul is father to Natalya, Orik, and Verik,89 and has two brothers, Damon Vancaskerkin10 and an unknown brother believed to live in Absalom.11 Lullaby Vancaskerkin is his niece; she grew up in his household212 after her mother left Saul's unknown brother and married Saul. Reginald Vancaskerkin of Absalom is believed to be Saul's nephew, the son of this unknown brother and his second wife.11

References

  1. James Jacobs. (December 9, 2023). The Vancaskerkins, Paizo Forums.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Adam Daigle. “Secrets of Roderic's Cove” in Secrets of Roderic's Cove, 24. Paizo Inc., 2018
  3. 3.0 3.1 James Jacobs. “The Shattered Star” in Shards of Sin, 60–61. Paizo Inc., 2012
  4. James Jacobs. (December 7, 2023). The Vancaskerkins, Paizo Forums.
  5. James Jacobs, et al. “Persona” in Second Darkness, 31. Paizo Inc., 2008
  6. E. Jordan Bojar, et al. “The Gold Goblin” in Shadow in the Sky, 56. Paizo Inc., 2008
  7. James Jacobs, et al. “Welcome to Riddleport” in Second Darkness, 17. Paizo Inc., 2008
  8. Greg A. Vaughan. “Shadow in the Sky” in Shadow in the Sky, 20. Paizo Inc., 2008
  9. James Jacobs. “The Shattered Star” in Shards of Sin, 60. Paizo Inc., 2012
  10. Richard Pett, et al. “Pathfinder Adventure Path Friends and Foes” in A Song of Silver, 106. Paizo Inc., 2015
  11. 11.0 11.1 James Jacobs. (December 7, 2023). The Vancaskerkins, Paizo Forums.
  12. The brother is not named in Secrets, but was confirmed not to be Damon Vancaskerkin by James Jacobs.