Post by Arland on Dec 12, 2012 15:27:03 GMT -6
NAME: Arland Ruin
GENDER: Male
AGE: Adult
SPECIES: Feline (snow leopard)
RANK: First mate onboard the Barracuda
EYE COLOR: Blue
FUR COLOR: Smoky grey for the main part (with those characteristic black rosette markings), but white on his underside.
ELEMENTS: He appears to have some leaning towards Light Water, as did his mother before him; although neither feline was apprenticed to a sorcerer and neither progressed past the novice stage with their powers. All he can really do is stop the bleeding on small scrapes, and make a bit of water splash around in a glass. Thrilling stuff, I know.
DESCRIPTION: Arland is a handsome feline, if a little rough around the edges on account of his seafaring life (and his latent brutality). He has high cheekbones and striking, bright blue eyes. His voice, far from eloquent, indulges in the sort of slang and sailor talk that is used at sea. The leopard's fur is typically salty, and not exactly clean- who needs a bath when you have sea water? That's his reasoning, anyway.
And perhaps he's right: in any case, he still seems to get on well enough with the ladies of the seaside villages.
Arland is of a thin but acceptably muscular build- the sort that is more typical of a snow leopard than of a cheetah. He isn't as skilled in unarmed combat as some felines, much preferring to take on drunken bar patrons with words or trickery; but his expertise with a cutlass means that he does have some power to put behind unarmed attacks when necessary. He just wouldn't do very well unarmed against someone who specialises in, say, wrestling. But give him a cutlass or his flintlock pistol and he'd quickly cut that brute down to size.
PERSONALITY: Like many felines, Arland has the lust for adventure pulsing through his veins. And other lusts besides that- yes, he likes the women too. He also likes rum and ale and other such piratey beverages, although not to quite the same degree. He is aware that they addle his thoughts and, although he does enjoy the giddy confidence this inspires, he acknowledges that he may not always make the best decisions while under the influence. That's more than can be said for some felines...
But, like so many felines, Arland loves gold. A natural born liar and an enthusiastic swindler, he makes the most of his time ashore. He also enjoys working with his comrades in more elaborate cons. Arland strongly believes that "life is for the living"- i.e; they should live life to the full and have as much fun as they can while doing so. And so what if a few chumps get screwed over? It's their fault for being unable to recognise a con, after all. He and his fellows have cheated more than one overconfident gambler out of their day's earnings.
Nonetheless Arland is undeniably brave, and will rush up into the rigging in any weather to repair the sails or the ropes, or whatever needs to be done. He seems to have no fear of death, and likes to think of it (in somewhat poetic terms) as his dance partner. He does have a mild fear of fire, as it can blister the skin and cause immense long term, even crippling, pain. It's true that other things can do this too, but they don't press as heavily on his mind.
Arland can be utterly brutal in a conflict, partly on account of what happened aboard his first ship- he doesn't particularly trust other crews. However, he is not one to cast the proverbial first stone. While he will completely commit to violence when necessary, he would prefer that the other crew make a move first. That's not to say that he doesn't act on impulse- he will interpret a threat as being a very real indication of violence, after all, and act accordingly. It just means that he will not go out of his way to maim or murder those who don't have it coming (although generalised mayhem may be a different story).
He is deeply loyal to his captain: a loyalty forged through trial, adventure, and sheer camaraderie. He is loyal also to his friends, and you'd be hard pressed to convince Arland to betray them- he'd more than likely gut you at the suggestion.
Arland seems to have inherited his mother's stubborn resolve when it comes to matters of importance, which can be frustrating at times. During an argument he may use his pistol or his cutlass to threaten, or his sheer position of influence within the crew. In this way he may seem a bit of a bully, but at least Ren is always there to put him in his place!
But upon meeting Arland under ordinary circumstances, chances are you'd get no indication of how violent he can be. He is typically easygoing and, especially after he's been drinking, more than a little flirtatious. A lot like the stereotypical dirty old men who hang out in bars, I suppose; except younger and probably better looking. And he actually will do something about it if you don't get off his goddamn lawn.
HISTORY: Arland was raised at sea by his mother, his father being unknown (although he suspects it was the cannonloader who used to slip him coins from the plunder). It was through this crew that he met Ren, who came onboard as a swashbuckler shortly before Arland himself ascended to the position.
As a young adult, Arland demonstrated a fascination with sleight-of-hand card tricks. Although he has since moved on to more advanced, more costly (for the observer!) tricks; this was the start of his career of dishonesty and swindling. So thank you, customers of the Poison Barbara tavern. Thank you so very much.
He also spent a good portion of his young adulthood learning about the different sails and ropes (although you'd never hear him call them that now- all halliards and sheets) aboard the vessel. He was a swashbuckler, but even so his mother dreamed that he would oneday have a position of higher authority, and she educated him in the ways of the sea as best she was able. In becoming first mate onboard the Barracuda, Arland has fulfilled her dreams.
Arland is only a little younger than Ren and, as fellow swashbucklers and somewhat like-minded individuals, they became firm friends during their young adult lives. However, tragedy struck when a more powerful vessel attacked their ship. Many of the crew died that day, and Arland was captured by the enemy felines (along with several others). His mother was badly injured during the conflict, and presumably died. As for Ren, he was not captured by the enemy crew and Arland assumed that his comrade had died.
The captured felines got lucky one-day when, while passing near land, their oppressors were approached by a hostile vessel. A chance cannonball blasted a hole in the side of the ship bordering their cell, and they were able to escape into the ocean. Arland was one of those who were lucky enough to make it to safety in a nearby fishing village, but two of his comrades were not so lucky and were killed in the raging conflict. Once in the village, Arland stuck with some of the other felines while they waited to see if news would come of any other survivors from their ship. When it didn't, the disillusioned felines parted ways. Arland found a job serving meals at a local tavern, and managed to keep it for a whole year despite a habit of relieving some of the more wealthy patrons of their gold.
When Ren returned to Motley a few years later, Arland hurried to the capital as soon as he heard the news. When Ren suggested that they form a new crew, Arland was a staunch advocate for the idea. It wasn't him who suggested that Ren become captain, but the idea was on his mind, and he was happy enough to go along with it. After all, Arland had never really viewed himself as a leader. Oddly enough for a feline, he considered himself too dishonest.
Arland was not the original first mate aboard the Barracuda, although he and Ren were already firm friends at the time. He was given the position after its initial occupant drowned at sea- apparently he got a little too intoxicated for his own good one night whilst on night watch, and fell overboard and drowned.
EQUIPMENT: Arland wields a cutlass with ivy designs that curl along the blade and around the handle. He also has a flintlock pistol, and is just as good with that as he is with the cutlass; but he finds other weapons more difficult to use, seeing as he is unaccustomed to their unfamiliar lengths and/or weights.
He wears a tattered brown waistcoat, which isn't in the best condition but which does the trick. After all, Arland has no real need for vanity. In addition, he wears a belt of sorts to which he can attach the sheath for his cutlass and the holster for his pistol.
RELATIONSHIPS: He is a longtime comrade of Ren Avery, and is his second-in-command aboard the Barracuda.
Marine Ruin is Arland's daughter, although he doesn't see her very often. When he does visit, however; he sometimes gives her small gifts and things- such as the necklace which she always wears. This is partly because Arland's own father was never truly known, and partly because he is actually somewhat proud of the girl. I mean, come on. She can already pretty much take care of herself. That's something to be proud of!
GENDER: Male
AGE: Adult
SPECIES: Feline (snow leopard)
RANK: First mate onboard the Barracuda
EYE COLOR: Blue
FUR COLOR: Smoky grey for the main part (with those characteristic black rosette markings), but white on his underside.
ELEMENTS: He appears to have some leaning towards Light Water, as did his mother before him; although neither feline was apprenticed to a sorcerer and neither progressed past the novice stage with their powers. All he can really do is stop the bleeding on small scrapes, and make a bit of water splash around in a glass. Thrilling stuff, I know.
DESCRIPTION: Arland is a handsome feline, if a little rough around the edges on account of his seafaring life (and his latent brutality). He has high cheekbones and striking, bright blue eyes. His voice, far from eloquent, indulges in the sort of slang and sailor talk that is used at sea. The leopard's fur is typically salty, and not exactly clean- who needs a bath when you have sea water? That's his reasoning, anyway.
And perhaps he's right: in any case, he still seems to get on well enough with the ladies of the seaside villages.
Arland is of a thin but acceptably muscular build- the sort that is more typical of a snow leopard than of a cheetah. He isn't as skilled in unarmed combat as some felines, much preferring to take on drunken bar patrons with words or trickery; but his expertise with a cutlass means that he does have some power to put behind unarmed attacks when necessary. He just wouldn't do very well unarmed against someone who specialises in, say, wrestling. But give him a cutlass or his flintlock pistol and he'd quickly cut that brute down to size.
PERSONALITY: Like many felines, Arland has the lust for adventure pulsing through his veins. And other lusts besides that- yes, he likes the women too. He also likes rum and ale and other such piratey beverages, although not to quite the same degree. He is aware that they addle his thoughts and, although he does enjoy the giddy confidence this inspires, he acknowledges that he may not always make the best decisions while under the influence. That's more than can be said for some felines...
But, like so many felines, Arland loves gold. A natural born liar and an enthusiastic swindler, he makes the most of his time ashore. He also enjoys working with his comrades in more elaborate cons. Arland strongly believes that "life is for the living"- i.e; they should live life to the full and have as much fun as they can while doing so. And so what if a few chumps get screwed over? It's their fault for being unable to recognise a con, after all. He and his fellows have cheated more than one overconfident gambler out of their day's earnings.
Nonetheless Arland is undeniably brave, and will rush up into the rigging in any weather to repair the sails or the ropes, or whatever needs to be done. He seems to have no fear of death, and likes to think of it (in somewhat poetic terms) as his dance partner. He does have a mild fear of fire, as it can blister the skin and cause immense long term, even crippling, pain. It's true that other things can do this too, but they don't press as heavily on his mind.
Arland can be utterly brutal in a conflict, partly on account of what happened aboard his first ship- he doesn't particularly trust other crews. However, he is not one to cast the proverbial first stone. While he will completely commit to violence when necessary, he would prefer that the other crew make a move first. That's not to say that he doesn't act on impulse- he will interpret a threat as being a very real indication of violence, after all, and act accordingly. It just means that he will not go out of his way to maim or murder those who don't have it coming (although generalised mayhem may be a different story).
He is deeply loyal to his captain: a loyalty forged through trial, adventure, and sheer camaraderie. He is loyal also to his friends, and you'd be hard pressed to convince Arland to betray them- he'd more than likely gut you at the suggestion.
Arland seems to have inherited his mother's stubborn resolve when it comes to matters of importance, which can be frustrating at times. During an argument he may use his pistol or his cutlass to threaten, or his sheer position of influence within the crew. In this way he may seem a bit of a bully, but at least Ren is always there to put him in his place!
But upon meeting Arland under ordinary circumstances, chances are you'd get no indication of how violent he can be. He is typically easygoing and, especially after he's been drinking, more than a little flirtatious. A lot like the stereotypical dirty old men who hang out in bars, I suppose; except younger and probably better looking. And he actually will do something about it if you don't get off his goddamn lawn.
HISTORY: Arland was raised at sea by his mother, his father being unknown (although he suspects it was the cannonloader who used to slip him coins from the plunder). It was through this crew that he met Ren, who came onboard as a swashbuckler shortly before Arland himself ascended to the position.
As a young adult, Arland demonstrated a fascination with sleight-of-hand card tricks. Although he has since moved on to more advanced, more costly (for the observer!) tricks; this was the start of his career of dishonesty and swindling. So thank you, customers of the Poison Barbara tavern. Thank you so very much.
He also spent a good portion of his young adulthood learning about the different sails and ropes (although you'd never hear him call them that now- all halliards and sheets) aboard the vessel. He was a swashbuckler, but even so his mother dreamed that he would oneday have a position of higher authority, and she educated him in the ways of the sea as best she was able. In becoming first mate onboard the Barracuda, Arland has fulfilled her dreams.
Arland is only a little younger than Ren and, as fellow swashbucklers and somewhat like-minded individuals, they became firm friends during their young adult lives. However, tragedy struck when a more powerful vessel attacked their ship. Many of the crew died that day, and Arland was captured by the enemy felines (along with several others). His mother was badly injured during the conflict, and presumably died. As for Ren, he was not captured by the enemy crew and Arland assumed that his comrade had died.
The captured felines got lucky one-day when, while passing near land, their oppressors were approached by a hostile vessel. A chance cannonball blasted a hole in the side of the ship bordering their cell, and they were able to escape into the ocean. Arland was one of those who were lucky enough to make it to safety in a nearby fishing village, but two of his comrades were not so lucky and were killed in the raging conflict. Once in the village, Arland stuck with some of the other felines while they waited to see if news would come of any other survivors from their ship. When it didn't, the disillusioned felines parted ways. Arland found a job serving meals at a local tavern, and managed to keep it for a whole year despite a habit of relieving some of the more wealthy patrons of their gold.
When Ren returned to Motley a few years later, Arland hurried to the capital as soon as he heard the news. When Ren suggested that they form a new crew, Arland was a staunch advocate for the idea. It wasn't him who suggested that Ren become captain, but the idea was on his mind, and he was happy enough to go along with it. After all, Arland had never really viewed himself as a leader. Oddly enough for a feline, he considered himself too dishonest.
Arland was not the original first mate aboard the Barracuda, although he and Ren were already firm friends at the time. He was given the position after its initial occupant drowned at sea- apparently he got a little too intoxicated for his own good one night whilst on night watch, and fell overboard and drowned.
EQUIPMENT: Arland wields a cutlass with ivy designs that curl along the blade and around the handle. He also has a flintlock pistol, and is just as good with that as he is with the cutlass; but he finds other weapons more difficult to use, seeing as he is unaccustomed to their unfamiliar lengths and/or weights.
He wears a tattered brown waistcoat, which isn't in the best condition but which does the trick. After all, Arland has no real need for vanity. In addition, he wears a belt of sorts to which he can attach the sheath for his cutlass and the holster for his pistol.
RELATIONSHIPS: He is a longtime comrade of Ren Avery, and is his second-in-command aboard the Barracuda.
Marine Ruin is Arland's daughter, although he doesn't see her very often. When he does visit, however; he sometimes gives her small gifts and things- such as the necklace which she always wears. This is partly because Arland's own father was never truly known, and partly because he is actually somewhat proud of the girl. I mean, come on. She can already pretty much take care of herself. That's something to be proud of!
