Rudesind Pyr

Basics:

Prefered Name: Rude or Pyr Race: Tiefling Sex/Gender: Male Age: 48 y/o Role: Pilot

Appearance:

With a permanent scowl on his face Rude has the appearance of an irate and irreproachable character. 5 feet 8 inches tall he is decently sized, but the permanent slouch in his back makes him a slightly shorter than he actually is and appear older to top it all off. In part his appearance does give away his personality, as his temper can be as volatile as his face suggests him to be. Rumours have it that his eyes light up in the dark, or that they flash when sufficiently angered, but that really is only an illusion because of dark composition, right?

Strengths:

+ Maritime knowledge - With his sharp eyes Rude has trained and studied the movements of the waters and learnt to recognise the shallow parts of the seas. With a taste of the air the tiefling is able to tell how far from land they are and with a finger in the water he knows where they float. His years of experience and careful studies having taught him all this precious knowledge that saved his life so many times.

+ Excellent eyesight - Very little escapes Rude's eyes, the way the gulls soar through the sky, the tiniest speck of land or a rock that is threatening the ship. Some say that the man has eyes in the back of his head, as nothing on the ship escapes him even if it happens at his back. For that reason every hook that misses its aim will receive a scowl and a curse from the man. No gunner is safe from his criticism.

+ Internal compass - Rude always had an uncanny talent in finding his path. This talent has been polished and honed by observing the sea so closely as he has done for most of his life. To Rude being lost is a foreign experience as he always know what direction to go; to the sea and beyond. And if not it usually means he is out for blood.

+ Booming voice - One of the most notable traits about Rude is his unmistakably booming voice. No one can ever say that they can't hear the tiefling unless they truly can't hear or are dead, there is no muting this man and nor should the attempt be made to silence him.

Weaknesses:

- Superstitious - Rude's fear to encounter or trigger a curse is so great that set rituals are in place that he must follow to counter bad luck. Before the ship's departure a blessing must have taken place, when salt is spilled it must be thrown over the shoulder and smaller things such as never steal from a corpse. Needless to say, telling ghost stories to Rude is a very bad idea if one doesn't wish to partake in a cleansing ritual.

- Alcoholic - Over the years Rude had learnt how to drink and how to do so heavily. Over the years he has found that drinking takes away the gnawing feeling of guilt he permanently carries. That it takes away the voices in his head that whisper all that could go wrong and how the blessings isn't saving his soul at all. Rude likes his liquor and he likes to have it throughout the day, every day.

- Explosive - It is known on the ship that Rude’s temper is short and as volatile as the heaviest storms the seas have seen. Perpetually stuck in a bad mood Rude only needs so much to flare up and attack with bloodshed in mind.

- Sore joints and a limp - Perhaps it is the age and harsh labour catching up onto Rude, however his body isn't as nimble and able as it has been since his youth. Though he isn't particularly old Rude does feel weary in ways and realises that he simply doesn't possess the same strengths anymore to take the risks he is used in taking. Though unwilling to admit that he is growing old he does know that he should take it easier else injury will happen.

Biography:

The story starts four decades ago. Rudesind Pyr was only eight years old when he ran away from home. The reason of why has been long forgotten and Rudesind supposed it was about something silly. After all, thinking back home wasn't so bad. He had never known his father, but his mother was as loving as she could be in the circumstances they lived. Rudesind just remembered how she could never be alone, bringing man after man to her house to keep her bed warm. Thinking back Rudesind supposed that he should have taken it on himself to protect her, but he never did. Not back then and not in all the while that he grew stronger. Home was simply not that place anymore.

However, that isn't the story of Rudesind, or Rude as he prefers --demands-- to go by. Eight years old he was, running away from home and somehow finding himself in the harbour where he climbed onto a ship and was found when they were well onto the journey. The initial idea was to throw him overboard, but as Rude was a healthy strong boy and hands were needed the blessing was given to take him in as a cabin boy. This is where Rude's career started on the sea, but not as a pirate.

Quickly showing promise for the seaman's life Rude travelled the world and was taught the ropes. Soon he climbed up in the ranks, the older he got the more they appreciated his experience. Before he knew it he was a man and steering the wheel belting out what direction they were to go. Rude was right at home on the ship and on the sea.

It was one fateful day that changed his life, however. As it often happens in such memoirs lives are upturned in a single hour and so was Rude's. One forgotten blessing and the ship was filled to the brim with foreigners raiding their loot and taking the crew. Those who were spared were given an option, join their league or jump into their grave. Rude's option was obvious. Young as he was and a mind full of adventure he followed along, assuming his role as the pilot. It was never about the money for the tiefling, it was the sea he wanted and he would follow as long as the ship wasn't sinking. Art by: TheMinttu from DeviantArt