A religious zealot has been traveling through all the cities of Elyria and spreading fear and a warning. A great storm is coming, one even worse than then the one that destroyed much of their land. This one will kill the rest of the land, leading to their ultimate destruction. Warning them that if nothing is done they will all perish.
Is he right? Is there anything they can do to stop the storm? Or is he spreading fear in order to create chaos or even in an attempt to bring the people together as one as they work to survive?
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Post by Creighton H. Callan on Sept 21, 2018 11:43:41 GMT -5
CREIGHTON H. CALLAN
TOREN
"The fastest way to make a fortune is to take someone else's."
| GENERAL INFO |
AGE | 32 HEIGHT | 6'2'' WEIGHT | 185 lbs. OCCUPATION | Master of the Pirates Guild, Captain of The Morrigan
FACE CLAIM | Tom Hardy YOUR OOC NAME | Vyril
| PERSONALITY |
Creighton is a man who is a slave to his baser desires. Never one to let notions of morality and honor stand in his way he's constantly seeking ways to sate his avarice and appetites. What he wants, he takes, what he cannot have, he ravages so that no others might possess it. Such simplistic views would not be so terrible when paired with a mindless brute, a thug. Creighton, however, is no such man. Knowledge, in his opinion, which he swears to be the truth, is just as good as coin. Educated and raised to be a priest, Creighton is learned in all manner of things beyond the nautical studies most Toren's receive. This insight has sharpened his intellect, refined his tactical wit, and made him something of a thinker. Those thoughts are often poised to satisfy his hunger for rum, women, and coin but they are near masterful in their construction and implementation.
Creighton presents himself as a jovial fellow, bearing the slightest of smirks on his haggard features in most instances. He laughs loudly, drinks heavily, and is never one to feel slighted when he becomes the butt of the joke. Pride, in truth, is a quality that Creighton seems to be lacking. This makes the man all the more dangerous as he will willingly sink to any level to obtain his current objective. The man actively acknowledges his amoral nature and embraces it wholeheartedly, never once feeling guilt for his actions. He belittles those that believe their sense of honor, status, and morality makes them better in some fashion.
The man seemingly exudes a strange charisma. His self-assured and brash nature earning him just as many friends as it does enemies. While he often comes off as being eccentric and whimsical his ability to get results has earned him the admiration of many sailors. This, in turn, has provided him with an ample amount of men and women to form a crew from. He has learned, through example, that leadership among the pirates is a position that is earned and kept through hard work and results. Creighton strives to provide for his crew and, befitting his status of Guild Master, the rest of the guild. While a blackhearted and vile individual, Creighton stresses the importance of hard work and the necessity of a unified front.
The friends that Creighton makes he holds in high regard. His gentler qualities come to light in their presence, what few there are. The man has displayed feats of kindness and charity that run counter-intuitive to his villainous nature. Most often these displays are aimed at those at the bottom of society, namely his only Toren fellows. When asked why Creighton often shrugs that if they stay at the bottom they'll never have anything worth taking. Many doubt the sincerity behind this statement. Creighton is prone to falling head over heels with whatever woman catches his fancy and he'll often shower her with lavish gifts and attention. When the relationship sours, as it inevitably does, he becomes dour. Days later he returns, proclaiming his love for a new woman much to the chagrin of his close friends.
When met in an official capacity Creighton tones down his antics. He adopts a sterner demeanor and tries to conduct business as efficiently as possible. He often refers to this as “puttin’ on my Guild Master hat.” He has little tolerance for incompetence in his service and those that fail him multiple times are dealt with quietly yet noticeably. He deals with threats to Tartus swiftly and without hesitation and seeks to safeguard its harbors. He has worked extensively to build a relationship with the other guilds in order to have a united front or at the very least a professional working relationship.
For all of his talk about wanting to be rich and only caring for himself Creighton does care deeply for his people and seeks to better their lot in the world. As the Master of the Pirates Guild, Creighton sees himself as a leader of the Toren people, specifically Tartus. Unlike previous Guild Leaders the young Master seeks to better the lot of his people. He advocates bettering the island's infrastructure and quality of life. With scarcely any resources worth mention the only way to add an influx of prosperity is through piracy. As such he's declared an "escalation of violence" on ships of all kingdoms in order to generate income. He routinely bolsters the amount of ships under his command, commandeering what his men raid and placing trusted men in positions of leadership. By the end of his tenure he hopes to retire a rich man and to leave Tartus in a better state than he found it.
| HISTORY | Four silver pieces and two bottles of rum
That was the price paid for the infant Creighton Callan. The price his father paid the priest of the sun and the sea to take his son. The exchange would leave the man known as Benjamin Callan slightly poorer but would ensure his son a future away from the slums of Tartus overseen by it's guilds. Priest Hanlon had little need for a child but the sincerity in which the man spoke had moved the priest. The bribe had helped as well.
Creighton's early years were spent much like other children in the service of the temple. They sang hymns, helped keep the temple clean, and were educated by the priesthood. The young Creighton proved to be remarkably mischievous, often playing pranks upon his elders and sneaking sweets from the temple pantry. Whenever anything went missing Creighton was the first suspect and more often than not the true culprit. Despite his rambunctious nature or perhaps because of it, Priest Hanlon had taken a particular shine to the inquisitive Creighton. The pair had developed a rapport with Creighton peppering the aging man with questions. Hanlon, in return, would respond vaguely to the questions, forcing the boy to reach for the answers. Life continued on like this for many years and when Creighton was finally old enough he assumed a position as a scribe within the order. His mornings were spent in prayer, his days educating and looking after the younger children, and his evenings spent copying text. His free time was spent sowing more mischief among the populace of the temple. He was content with his life. Content, but not happy. He felt strained under the structure and rules of the temple but it was the only life he knew.
Creighton's life was turned on its head when he was sixteen years old. He was granted leave to walk the streets of a nearby city in order to help the less fortunate and spread the blessings of the Sun and Sea. His mischievous nature placed him in the sights of the town guard almost immediately. From his first brush with the law they instantly identified him as a member of the Toren race. While he had committed no serious crimes he began to be hounded by the guards every time he visited. Taunts were thrown at him and he was often questioned about petty crimes. Creighton was often innocent of these accusations and he did his best to rebuff the harsh treatment. For months this continued until one day Creighton was no longer able to take it anymore. He retaliated but the life of a priest had not prepared him for a fight.
He got his ass handed to him but not before breaking the nose of his chief tormentor. He was thrown in jail for several days before being released back to the temple. Hanlon was the first to greet his charge and did his best to calm Creighton's wrath. They boy was furious at the treatment he'd received and plotted his revenge, turning his studious mind to more sinister ploys. He would not have his revenge. Two weeks later the guard came to the door and clapped Creighton in chains. They proclaimed that a merchant's daughter had been raped and Crei had been the accused of the crime. The girl describing a Toren boy in priestly robes. With cries of protest from his friends and family Creighton was pulled out of his home and thrown into the dungeon, a far cry from the holding cell he was originally kept in. Stripped of his robes and placed in little more than a burlap tunic Creighton was resigned to die in a cell.
There was no sun, no sea, and no books to help ease Creighton's pain. All he had was the company of the other convicts. For days Creighton remained silent, unable to come to terms with his situation. He was taunted and jibed by his cellmates. One was particularly vicious, a man by the name of Coulter. Coulter was eager to brag about his escapades and Creighton had the misfortune of being directly across from his cell. From his claims Coulter was a renowned pirate, a close friend of the Guild Master. Any day now his crew would break them out. His claims were met with laughter by the rest of the captives. Creighton simply say, stewing in his misery. Creighton was resilient, weeks after his capture he finally opened up. His first words spoken while incarcerated to were to ask Coulter about his crew.
Coulter began to recant all of his tales for Creighton and the boy listen, enamored by the tales of piracy and daring. For indulging him, Coulter taught the boy the Swift, deeming him a "piss poor excuse for a Toren" until he learned the silent language. Speaking with the man for as often as he did he began to buy into the man's declaration of rescue. At least for a time. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and finally a year had came and went and Creighton became more cynical. Nobody was coming, he was fated to die in this cell listening to Coulter's ravings. He retreated into himself once more, blocking out the reality of his situation.
Near the end of his second year of confinement a great ruckus rang above them. Bells tolled, men shouted, and a the clang of iron shook their subterranean hovel. Creighton looked around in terror but Coulter only grinned repeatedly saying, "they're here, lad". Silence befell after what felt like hours of fighting. The men in the cells crowded forward awaiting to see if the prison door opened. When the door open and eight rough looking men walked in a cheer rang out among the prisoners. One by one they were rescued from their cells and herded up into the daylight. Eventually all that remained was Coulter and Creighton. Before they were released a ninth man joined them in the dungeons. A stern looking man with sharp features and ornate clothing. Creighton must have been overlooked because he watched as Coulter's cell was opened and he ran to greet the stern stranger. Coulter received the most devastating punch Creighton had ever seen because Coulter was laid out cold. Creighton cried out, finally noticed by his 'saviors'. Swearing at them vehemently he too received the same punishment Coulter received and he too was knocked unconscious.
When Creighton awoke he was greeted by the creaking of wood and the smell of the sea. Trying to stand he felt a pair of calloused hands help him up. It was Coulter and the stern man. In short order he was introduced to the captain of the vessel, Guild Master Buller, and Coulter's younger brother. Coulter had awoken quickly from the punch and had decided to bring Creighton along. Already leagues away from his home and branded a criminal Creighton had little choice in the matter.
The next decade of his life Creighton was molded from a simpering scribe into a true terror of the sea. He was, as Coulter put it, "made into a proper Toren". Coulter took the boy under his wing as he resumed his role as Quartermaster aboard his brother's ship, The Corvus. Creighton was worked hard by his mentor, learning every role and skill required of an able bodied sailor and then some. His wit and previous education aided him and he tackled the process of learning these new skills with gusto. By the age of twenty-five Creighton had proven himself a more than capable sailor and found himself promoted to the role of boatswain of the Guild Master's flagship. It was a role he performed admirably, a fitting mixture of the discipline he learned as a child and the freedom he had grown accustomed to. He dreamed of more though, he wanted more. He looked upon the Guild Master and the other captain's of Tartus and wished to join them.
At twenty-six, Creighton got his chance. While attacking a Venetian ship Creighton intercepted a blow meant for the Guild Master. Creighton’s loyalty earned him the greatest reward he’d ever received, the ship they had fought upon, The Morrigan. With a vessel of his own under his command Creighton set out to make a name for himself. Two years of adventures followed along with treasures and hardships that further served to temper Creighton. His daring and curious manners of claiming his vessels did indeed earn him renown among his fellows.
At the age of thirty-one, the former Guild Master passed unexpectedly. The Corvus was attacked by the Venetian Navy and every man was put to the sword. Immediately, a shadow war erupted between the largest crews on Tartus as they scrambled to grab power.While he did not have the largest crew at his disposal Creighton had made many friends aboard The Corvus many who were now captains. With their aid he proved a contender in the ensuing conflict.
Creighton's cunning, unscrupulous nature, and ability as a captain earned him the role of Guild Master of the Pirate's Guild relatively early in life. A series of illicit machinations, underhanded attacks at sea, and mysterious deaths destroyed those who stood in his way. The game of guild politics is never a fair one and it's openly acknowledged that any who seek to become a Guild Master must engage in some dubious doings. Creighton simply proved to be the most underhanded of all. For the last year, the Guild has begun to grow under the new leadership of Captain Callan. His desire to forge stronger bonds with the other guilds and allowance of the steady escalation of aggression against ships of the kingdoms has been met well but not without controversy. Many main landers despise this new figure and some of the veteran captains question the wisdom in this.
| BONUS INFO |
Creighton bears a multitude of scars and tattoos on his person. The most prominent scar runs vertically down his left eye, a souvenir from a Venetian sailor. Creighton often has a sword on his hip and several knives on his person. While not the greatest of warriors his size and dirty methods make him a difficult foe to conquer. His grasp of naval warfare is superb and it's often noted that with his ascension to Guild Master the guild has began acting more akin to an armada rather than a coalition of criminals.
Callan has yet to return to the temple where he was raised for fear of reprisal from Hanlon.
"Yes I have read and understand the activity requirement for this character"