Background
What is the King of the Seas waiting for? I’m stuck right in the middle of him so why won’t he just finish whatever it is he has planned for me. I don’t even know what it is that he thinks I did!

It was easier in my home village of Turk, they understood the sea. My father a fisherman and my mother ran the nets. I learned to swim before I could walk. My dad would joke with my mother that she had lain with a merman while he was out on the boat and tell me that I was half fish. As soon as I could walk, I started working on the family’s fishing boat and spent a lot of time underwater, working and clearing the nets and the like.

The crew took to calling me “Gills” because of how long I could stay underwater. They also told me the tales of the seas, stories of sea battles, monsters, and, of course, mermaids. I also learned the skills of a sailor and fisherman: how to throw nets, tie knots, navigate, hoist the sails, and the like. I learned how to handle all these tasks with either hand…you never know which hand might be free to do a critical task. Most importantly though, I was taught the code of the sea: fight to keep what is yours, give quarter if asked, honor women, and respect the sea.

I also learned to respect and fear the Gods, especially Poseidon. I once mocked the King of the Waves and my father beat some sense into me and put the fear of the Gods into me. He taught me that Gods know your fears and, while in their temples, they can read what is in your mind and your heart. I still get a creepy feeling when I enter a temple.

When I turned 13, I answered the call of the open seas just like all my older brothers. I joined the crew of the Macallen. Captain Mendenz ran this merchant ship and transported cargo for a consortium of merchants out of the city of Rillion. I got on well with the Captain and the crew and I learned everything a sailor needed to know: how to fight, drink, gamble, and to watch my back while in port. We successfully ran the trade-routes for many years.

On Captain Mendenz’ last trip before retiring, we were attacked by pirates outside the port of Crydee. The ship was burned and I barely made it to shore. I don’t know why Poseidon showed me favor but it’s the only way I could have survived. I went to the Sea Temple to pay my respects, just as my father had taught me, and was overwhelmed with awe and fear when I entered. In a booming voice, like waves crashing against rocks, a priest shouted, “You owe your life to the King of the Sea! He knows what you have done and he still waits!” I dropped my planned donation and ran from the temple.

I thought about returning home to Turk but I just couldn’t imagine staying on land for long. So, even though the priest’s words—or was it a warning—echoing in my mind, I signed on with another ship. Captain Shillen was taking his ship, the Morangie, to ports out east with a hold of cargo. Once at sea, he told the crew that we’d instead be heading to the war-torn western seas where we’d sign on as privateers for one of the fighting nations. Anyone who didn’t like this could leave ship at the next port with full pay.

Several of us, myself included, were not happy with having been shanghaied. Most of the crew, however, were enticed by the Captain’s talk of the money to be earned as privateers. As we made the long passage to the western ports, the Captain and crew grew suspicious of those who expressed concern at the situation. The Captain, in particular, became increasingly paranoid and even killed one crew member who, the Captain claimed, had tried to poison him. Fights amongst the crew became increasingly violent and the situation grew ever more tense.

A few days out of the western ports, we spotted a ship on the horizon, black smoke rising into the air. Captain Shillen ordered that we maintain our course. I argued that there might be survivors and others argued that there might be loot. The Captain was unmoved and threatened that any who disobeyed would be joining the burning wreck. I grabbed the wheel and turned the Morangie towards the drowning wreck. The tension of the preceding weeks exploded. The Captain drew his pistol and shot at me but it only grazed my cheek. The crew took up arms and squared off…the would-be privateers on one side and the rest of us, “mutineers,” on the other.

The fight was short and, given the numerical superiority of the other side, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. In a short time, we mutineers either lay dead or had surrendered. Captain Shillen ordered the survivors to be bound and thrown overboard. For added effect, the Captain also ordered chain-shot tied to the ropes to help, as Shillen put it, “you sink to mutineer’s hell, Mr. Flynn.”

None of the others survived. I was barely able to save myself. By the time I surfaced, the Morangie was out of sight. I swam towards the wreckage of the burning ship and hauled myself up upon a barrel…a cask of ale by its markings. My only hope is that another ship will pass by and find me before the King of the Seas decides to finish me off.

Appearance
Gill is average height about 5’8’’, he has a dark complexion like he has been out in the sun. He doesn’t look strong, but is wiry from long hours of hauling rope. He has long hair that goes to his shoulders, he usually ties it up with a dark blue bandana. He has a scar that runs the left side of his cheek, that is relatively new.

Personality
He has an easy smile and but can get angry at what he sees as disrespectful behavior. He does like to gamble, never seems to win as much as he loses but likes how everyone has a fair chance (most of the time).

Secrets, goals, and plans
He feels he needs to get back on a ship, he would like to pay a visit to Captain Shillen and invite him to hell first. He still wants to eventually save enough money to buy his own boat and eventually return back to Turk. He is fearful that he has been listed as a mutineer and dead to his family. He feels he needs to explain to his father and brothers what has happened and hope they believe him. Since there is no one to back his side of the story, he has to think about how to get a new name. He may have to start back from the bottom.

Game Stats
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d4, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Boating d6, Fighting d8, Swimming d8, Shooting d6, Throwing d4, Guts d4, Stealth d4, Gambling d4, Taunt d4
Charisma: 0
Pace: 6
Parry: 6
Toughness: 6
Hindrances: Bad Reputation “Mutineer (minor), Phobia of temples and churches (minor), Enemy-Shillen and Crew of the Morangie (minor), Superstitious-spit into his hands before battle (minor)
Edges: Diver, Quick, Ambidextrous
Gear: Leather Armor, cutlass Str+d6, Dagger Str+d4, Stinger (2d6-1), sailor’s outfit (traveler’s outfit equivalent?) flint and steel, fishing net, bedroll, backpack, Rope (hemp), oil, lamp waterskin, belt pouch, waterskin.