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The Crew
Following successful crew adjustments in the
City of Taldàna, Paldor was able to muster a solid
crew of 35 men to sail the Aylyréar to Ildûn.
His hiring successes were due largely to there being
an abundance of "freed" and desperate sailors in
the wake of the Night of Burning Ships (15 Eren 653). Many
of the new crew were not displeased to see their old ships
burn and their old contracts disappear with them.
The officers are:
Captain. The captain of the Aylyréar
is Paldor Batrulan of
Ildûn. Paldor is a good captain with a less
than sterling history, having sailed with pirates and the
like during his earliest years at sea. That history
hidden far behind him, he is the primary merchant captain
for a Fvehèri shipping company. A loud, brash
man with an overly bushy black beard, Paldor maintains a good
and clean ship and requires discipline from all members of
his crew. His iron-fisted control may be related to
his experiences with mutiny early in his career.
First Mate. Eldùad
Juarn has travelled with Paldor for years and hopes to
captain a ship of his own once their voyages find them back
in Fveher. Eldùad's father is one of the ship's
owners and a partner in Olârad's Shipping Company of
Fveher. Paldor is acutely aware of his First Mate's
relation but has grown fond of his crewman, who has proven
himself capable and trustworthy on many ocassions. Eldùad
hired most of the new crew on behalf of his captain while
in the port of Taldàna. Eldùad oversees
the Beggars' Shift.
Quartermaster. Dorkun does not
climb onto the deck very often. While not frightened
by the sea, he is far from fond of it. He does not
deal well with open horizons and wide skies, preferring
to remain
in the ship's holds with the produce and cargo that is his
charge. A rare sight on an Uren merchant ship, this
Dwürden Mor hails from the mountains of Vulmura where
he lived the first sixty years of his life. He joined
Paldor's crew along northern Ildûn and has remained with
the Aylyréar ever since. Viewed by those
who know him as the most honest "man" on the sea, Dorkun
has few enemies among those with little to hide.
Cook. Baládâsha
(bal ah DAY-ahsh ah) was purchased
by Paldor from an Azálari slave market in 651 DR. He
was impressed by the slave and thought that he would save
her from an uncertain future and perhaps make a gentlewoman
of her. In 653 DR he officially arranged for her freedom,
having the proper papers prepared while in the port of Taldàna.
Following this, she agreed to his invitation as a paid
crew member aboard the Aylyréar. Paldor's intentions
toward the desert woman have been more than just business
since he first laid eyes on her in the slave market. She
however, remains uninterested.
The Beggars' Shift
(10pm - 6am) includes:
Argiun of Durul. Arguin (ahr
GUY uhn) was born and raised in the City of Durul.
He sailed on a merchant ship between Saranth and Caramis
for several years before joining a second ship that took him
to Taldàna. His ship was one of those burned
to the water on the Night of Burning Ships in Eren 653 DR.
Argiun was hired by Eldùad and Dorkun days before
the Aylyréar left port.
Eungor. Eungor (yun
GORE) is a native Taládan, born in the Town
of Armardin, south of Wymêr. His father died
when he was young and his mother worked as a seamstress until
three years ago (650 DR) when she died of Winter Fever (pneumonia).
Following years of trouble, Eungor hired on to a fishing
boat and later a trading ship that moved wine and cheese from
the City of Taldàna to Comlan. He was fired in
Taldàna for selling the ship's wine on the side.
Lorro. Lorro hails from parts
unknown. He prides himself on the fact that no-one is
able to place his accent. He plays the part of world-traveler
well, but in fact he's not sure where he comes from, having
woken in an alleys of Naddal with a large knot on his head,
and no memory of his past. He was wearing a sailor's
jacket and boots at the time, so he figured he was a sailor.
Gwenda Ironknee. One of three
women sailors aboard the Aylyréar, Gwenda is a tall
woman with long arms and legs and a severe, narrow face. Born
and raised in the Town of Pëwar, Gwenda has a reputation
for having little tolerance men's attentions. Most of
her crewmates treat her as just another man, and that's how
she likes it. Many are the tale of the poor unfortunates
that have made passes at her. Though Gwenda has sailed
on Paldor's ship for some years, she prefers the Beggars'
Shift.
Feghr. The most rotund of the
Aylyréar's sailor, Feghr is not a man of good health.
On his first voyage he saved the captain's life by slapping
him on the back during supper and dislodging a bone from his
throat. Since then, the captain's gratitude has kept
him aboard, even though his poor endurance keeps him from
working too hard. Feghr is not well-liked by most of
the crew, who see him as lazy. His closest friend on
board is Gwenda.
Thyar of Naddal. A Taládan
sailor, Thyar joined Paldor's crew in Eren 653 DR following
the Night of Burning Ships. Thyar has always loved
the sea and watched ships passing along the coast to and from
the City of Taldàna while a child. He throws
himself into all his duties with an enthusiasm that much of
the crew mocks, but he doesn't care.
Oston. Oston has been
a sailor for so long, the only language he speaks is Azálari
(the trade tongue). If Oston had a life before becoming
a sailor, he doesn't admit to it. An expert fighter,
Oston is proficient with his curved Azálari longsword
and a whip. He claims to have won the masterwork longsword
in a duel over another man's woman in Samigir; following the
duel he left Samigir with only the sword. He calls his
blade "My Ladies" because the blade is etched with
scenes of women engaged in homoerotic acts.
Elen Syransval. A Westwall
native from Ezirren, Elen was born into privilege but as a
sixth son his inheritance were only the mention of his name
on the Lord's will. Following schooling in Evermith,
Elen traveled to Shalvàsal where he spent three years
draining what coins he did have in houses of debauchery. Broke
and without prospects, he wandered north taking small jobs
for which he had no skill along the way. Reaching Naddal
and finally Taldàna he managed to learn something of
sailing aboard several fishing ships that skirt the Nyr Alùrin.
An intelligent young man, Elen was able to bluff his
way aboard the Aylyréar, telling Eldùad about
distant ports he'd read about in books.
Bolyn. There's not much
to say about Bolyn. Some people exist in the average
of all others. No one pays much attention to Bolyn.
Eldùad and Dorkun hired him to round out the
Beggars' Shift. He doesn't seem to be a particularly
experienced crew member, but he knows some things. Born
and raised in Wymêr, Bolyn speaks Taládan and
a small amount of Ezmiri.
Garrul. A good sailor who is
missing his right ear. Garrul originally hails from
Taldàna where his captain's ship was burned to the water
during the Night of Burning Ships (15 Eren 653 DR). He
has an ugly scar on the side of his head where once was his
ear, having lost it as a young man in an ox and plowing accident. He
has served as a crewman on various ships for almost two-decades
and has saved a substantial purse which he has banked in
the City of Wymêr. He hopes that this or the
next voyage will be his last.
Salur Urdeth. Salur
joined the crew of the Aylyréar in Eren 653 DR at the
port of Taldàna. At the time he seemed very nervous,
especially during the detour to Laítharan. The
further the ship gets out to sea however, the more sociable
Salur has become. Many suspect that he is an army deserter
and await the day he admits it. It is not uncommon for
sailors to be running from something when they join a crew,
but few crews "accept" new members until the newcomers
comes clean about his past.
The Morning Shift
(6am - 2pm) includes:
Calidae of Osylmith. One of three
women sailors aboard the Aylyréar, Calidae is the sister
of Daemeda, also of Osylmith. An experienced sailor,
Calidae would serve as First Mate in a pinch should Eldùad
become incapable. Calidae and her sister inherited their
father's ship years ago, but it was lost in the Night of Burning
Ships in Eren 653 DR. Before then, they shared captaining
duties on the old Môrógar.
Salur the White. Salur is one
of the more experienced sailors on the Aylyréar, having
sailed with seal hunters to the frozen coasts of northern
Teréthor. On the third voyage to the frozen
north, the merchant fleet was set-upon by Elve ships and all
but a handful of ships were lost. After days of hiding
in a "field" of icebergs, his ship sailed quickly
and directly home. Reaching temperate ports, he disembarked
and pledged never to return to the region again. He
was hired by Eldùad and Dorkun in Eren 653 DR.
"Bad Eye" Sewin. A competent
sailor born with a deformed left eye that bulges from its
socket, Sewin is the target of many sleights. Despite
being blind in his "bad eye", the milky orb tracks
with the good one. His eyelids on that side cannot close
over the eye. Sewin prefers working with the ship's
rigging, only coming down to the deck to sleep or eat. His
sole valuable is a collapsing brass telescope that was given
to him so he wouldn't have to touch anyone else's.
Ulvis Gayr. Paldor found
Ulvis wandering the wharfs of Caramis in 650 DR and "recruited"
him for his crew, several of which had been lost earlier in
the fall season. Ulvis knew little of sailoring then,
and little more now. A sadsack, Ulvis often pines for
his three sons that he will never see grow-up. His wife
took them some weeks before he was "found". He
assumes she took them to her mother's home in the Caramis
highlands. His body is covered with terrible scars and
malformations that he claims are evidence of his wife's beating
of him. Despite this, he can sometimes be found in his
hammock late at night singing an old love song about his "fair
Erédia".
Ezikus Gorn. A well-travelled
sailor from Irclunne, this Othic expatriot has served on a
dozen different ships over the years. Over time, his
goal has become to visit each of the ten ancient seats of
the Old Empire; he is now lacking Ildûn, Azálari
and Jadth. He intends to leave Paldor's crew upon reaching
Ildûn and trek across the island to visit the ancient
capital for no ships may find harbor along the Crescent Desert.
Having left Oth in in 636 DR, he is interested to hear
of news from his home, though he knows little of the City
of Oth.
Myrad. The youngest member of
the crew, Myrad is a runaway from Gorgynath who claims to
be following a dream that he sails to the five continents
of Teréth End. Eldúad was perplexed by
this geographical insight but after some research was reassured
by people in Taldàna that there were in fact five continents.
During a second interview, Eldúad asked Myrad
how he knew this to which the incredulous young man explained
again 'that he dreamt it'. Though not as strong as the
older saliors, Myrad learns quickly. His efforts to
prove his maturity however have been stifled by Daemeda's
mothering.
Gathud. An older sailor that has
seen many things in his years at sea, Gathud is a competent
drunk. There is not an hour in the day that he does
not reek of alcohol, and Imerid is beginning to take bets
on when last Gathud bathed (bets begin at two years). Gathud
was hired by Dorkun three days before the ship left Taldàna
because the old man was able to drink the Dwürden Mor
under-the-table (pun intended). Gathud has been unemployed
for years, but is happy to be back at sea.
Yyered of Alúrin. An
unassuming man, Yyered works quietly, laughs softly in the
background and generally keeps to himself. In 651 DR,
Yyered left his wife and children with his family in the Town
of Kezylen, to find work in the City of Taldàna. His
employment was infrequent and only once was he been able to
send money home to his family. His dreams of supporting
and returning to his family were dashed in the winter of 652
DR when Ortor raids descended from the Tor'n Emràdor.
Villagefolk reported them missing and they have not
been seen since. Once the news was received, Yyered
has not been the same. Everywhere he went and everything
he did reminded him that he was alone and had failed his family.
When the prospect of leaving his past behind was offered
him, he could not refuse.
Kavrus Karder. It has
been said that Kavrus was born on a ship at sea and has never
laid foot on dry land; he merely hops from deck to deck across
anchored ships. This is of course, not true. What
is true about Kavrus is more difficult to determine. Eldúad
was going to refuse his hire but Paldor stepped in an offered
him a job. When Eldúad asked why he wanted him,
Paldor gave no convincing answer. Kavrus has proven
himself a skilled sailor, but there are many on the crew who
wonder where he learned the trade. More than one have
suggested that he is a pirate and wonder aloud why Paldor
wants him aboard.
"Tattoo" Nilgyir an Tirwyn.
An experienced sailor that has sailed with Paldor for
many years, "Tattoo" is an Ildûn native that
is covered head-to-toe with the designs of the Aylyraen people.
The ship is indirectly named after Nilgyir, who spoke
long and often of his clansmen and their ancient warrior traditions.
When Paldor first saw the painted ship he made comments
that it looked like "Tattoo" and the name soon followed.
Tattoos tales of his native lands are popular among
the sailors.
"Mean Jor" Fasturgoth.
"Mean Jor" earned his epithet working the
docks of Taldàna, where he was known for a terrible
temper and tantrums that would clear the docks as he kicked
crates, barrels, dogs and children that happened to be in
his path. A thin man with a grim look about him, Mean
Jor decided to put his dockworking days behind him and become
a sailor after he overheard some sailors talking about the
wonders of the open sea and the welcoming arms of exotic women.
To date, Mean Jor hasn't been too impressed with the
open sea but he's holding out hope for his first port.
The Third Shift
(2pm - 10pm) includes:
Daemeda of Osylmith. One of three
women sailors aboard the Aylyréar, Daemeda is the sister
of Calidae, also of Osylmith. Daemeda and her
sister inherited their father's ship years ago, but it was
lost in the Night of Burning Ships in Eren 653 DR. Before
then, they shared captaining duties on the old Môrógar.
Unlike her sister, Daemeda is more interested in finding
a wealthy husband and starting a family. Since it does
not look like she will have a family any time shortly, she
has "adopted" young Myrad instead.
Handir. A young man hired in the
City of Taldàna in Eren 653 DR, Handir wasn't completely
forthcoming with Eldùad and Dorkun about his past.
When they saw that he was uneasy with the question,
they followed-up by asking him if he was actively being hunted
to which he quickly answered, "Gods, no!" He
was hired for a pittance for he has no sailing experience.
Handir gets dark looks from time to time because he
laughs inappropriately loud and long to things that are not
funny.
Geddiç Borm. Geddiç
was released into the indenture of Paldor by the guards of
Taldàna in the hopes that the captain could make some
good of him. Geddiç was imprisoned in 651 DR
for raping young boys near Baráde. Instead of
releasing him back into the public, a representative of the
city offered ship captains a small fee to take on the man
as an indenture, which Paldor agreed to (despite Eldúad's
advice to the contrary). Paldor placed Geddiç
on the Third Shift and told Big Woogar to watch him, day and
night. Only the captain, Eldúad, Dorkun and Big
Woogar know Geddiç's story.
Arkur. A dark haired sailor that
mostly keeps to himself; Arkur rarely smiles. When he
does smile, the viewer is greeted by an impressive display
of silver teeth (all but four). A skull and dagger tattoo
on the back of his left hand has made tongues wag since leaving
Taldàna (Eren 653 DR) that their crewmate was a pirate.
Arkur is very skilled and never questions commands.
People's distrust of him his echoed in his distrust
of others.
Lourn. A whaler by trade, Lourn
was a harpooner for a ship that was lost on the Night of Burning
Ships (15 Eren 653 DR). Seeking to return to Ildûn,
and join another whaling ship there, he joined the Aylyréar
crew. A muscular man with long limbs, Lourn ties back
his long black and graying hair with beautifully carved whale
bone-rings. The oldest sailor on the ship at 46 years,
Lourn has traveled the Dekàlan and Vulmuran Seas for
his entire life. There are few coastlines he does not
recognize at first sight.
Farwin the Daft. Farwin follows
orders well but is hard-pressed to have an original thought.
A good man in a crunch, Farwin never seems stressed
and is always armed with a smile. Paldor has kept Farwin
on his crew since 650 DR and in return receives detailed reports
on everything his shift-mates say and do. Before harboring
in Taldàna in 653 DR, Farwin was beaten to within an
inch of his life by sailors that discovered he was reporting
on them. He was saved by Big Woogar and Dorkun who emerged
to fight off his accusers. When they pulled his attackers
off they found him bruised, bloodied and faintly smiling.
Those who remember the event also tell that four of
his assailants never made it to port.
Big Woggar. Feghr may be the largest
sailor on the Aylyréar, but Big Woggar (WOOG
ger) is the strongest. A common sight around
the capstan, Big Woggar hails originally from Olood and has
a reputation for being brutal and wild. Big Woggar is
the only crew member with a voice to rival the captain's and
can be heard well even in the strongest storms. A proficient
swordsman with two-handed blades, Paldor insists that he use
smaller or thrusting weapons while on board.
Salas Maradis. A Candàlan
sailor with a few years under his hat, Salas is viewed as
someone that might captain a ship some day. A clean-cut,
handsome young man from the Fertile Coast, Salas entertains
the men with stories of his feminine conquests at various
ports (while the member of another crew). His most recent
story recounts how he bedded three Amran priestesses (at once)
the night before leaving Taldàna, leaving them pleading
him to join the Temple. Only Salas knows the truth of
his tales.
Imerid the Red. Imerid (ihm
MARE ihd) the Red was born in southern Candal where
he was a petty thief until a judge ordered two fingers from
each hand (he got to pick which ones) be chopped-off. In
the region of this judgement he is thus forever branded as
a common thief, while elsewhere he is merely an oddity. He
is referred to as "Red" due to the color of his
hair and his sunburned cheeks and neck, which never seem to
tan properly. Imerid is usually at the center of all
gambling and gaming activities on the ship.
Amùlo. A thin dark-skinned
native of Panath, Amùlo serves as both sailor and spiritual
guide on the Aylyréar. An adept of Path-Kugùntor,
Amùlo has led the crew through funerals and general
counseling on many occasions over the years. Not a religious
man himself, Paldor recognizes and appreciates the calming
effect Amùlo has on many of the sailors despite the
fact that none worship Path. Amùlo's reasons
for serving aboard the Aylyréar are unclear. Like
other old-timers aboard the Aylyréar, Amùlo
is protective of Farwin the Daft.
Riding in the hold lurks a large wooden construct:
Graiç of Mazzam. Graiç
(gratch) is a Wood Golem that
was constructed by the wizardress Mazzam in the 6th century
DR. Oppossed to the slavery he found himself in, Graiç
killed his creator and all her mindless constructs. He
was hunted for sometime but managed to elude capture and leave
the land of his construction (rf. Caramis).
A century later, the golem was found by Paldor along
the Taládan coast while anchored to find wood and supplies
to repair storm damage to the Aylyréar. Paldor
'befriended" the creature and agreed to take him around
the Great Sea if Graiç would see to the repair of his
ship. Graiç agreed to this.
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