Alcott (Character; DEAD)

Steel Realms
CREATED 2022/DEAD 8-2022
Player: Arabus Grenier
Campaign: Dunstrand Rising
11-2020: Paladin 2/Bard 2
Background: Sailor
Age: 38

Equipment

Bannermen Signifiers

Duke of Dunstrand: (patch; left arm) The ducal heraldry is a red (blood) outlined white pine tree overlaid on a yellow triangle (mountain). A green background is cut diagonally from left to right – the left has the tree and the right a stone chair – the chair of Innis Dunstrand.

House Malor: (patch; right arm) – A White Pigeon on a diagonal red slash, leaning right and gripping a scroll.

Gallantine: (tabard – full chest and back display) The bird is a phoenix, facing right, wearing a helm – symbolizing rebirth and majesty/a noble defender. The background is black – symbolizing the evil of the world. A green vertical strip on the right symbolizing life, with a sword tip down. A yellow vertical strip on the right symbolizing the rising sun, with a sword tip up. The phoenix is covered by a shield on its breast, with a blue lightning bolt superimposed over it – symbolizing strength in arms, and the divine power of righteousness.

Tracking of Gallantine Items

Crestwold Inventory

History

OATH > HOUSE MALOR: (Oath of Erudition – the ‘least’ oath to the mages order) “I hereby swear, upon penalty of censure, exile, and even death if it betrays the ducal interests and leads to death, mayhem, and division, that… The magic I practice, acquire, and that which I witness, shall be reported to authorities of House Malor along with any impressions and ideas that said magic may be against the betterment of the Ducal family and/or the stability of their lands.

Current state of the campaign, post Blackwells.

Alcott was born with a strange mark upon his chest, one that caused embarrassment and unease – a strange light blue mark where the soul gem of an elf would be. His eyes were also a flashing light blue – nothing like the dark blue eyes of other Umbakians. As a 2nd son of his father’s first wife he stood to inherit much. However, he was skipped over, officially written out of the family succession because of his perceived impurity. He was raised on the sea though, like his siblings and cousins, to be a sailor – one of the few naval houses of Umbak. He is at home more on sea than land, and more at home with his nose in a book than other people’s business. Being ostracized meant he spent a lot of time with books and learning about the world beyond the borders of the kingdom. And, when he became of age, his father gave him an inheritance to provide for his education. In a move to get slight revenge upon his family who had written him off, he penned a letter to the head of a bardic order in the duchy of Dunstrand – Umbak’s rival neighbor to the north. He left his family and traveled to the Malorian Academy there when he was 14. He studied for 4 years, and served for another 4 years around the central heartlands for the order, interacting with the High King’s bards, settling trade disputes, and fulfilling the business of House Malor – the ducal wizards of Dunstrand. He achieved some measure of skill in magic – something he knew would upset his parents and relatives. The entire time, he wrote as if he were studying to be a sage in the capital or Oerdney, creating an elaborate system of letter paths and contacts to fool them. After he made a small reputation for himself under the name of Alcott Traveler, he received word that though he was removed from succession, he must still serve the obligatory time in the Umbakian military before he was 30. He leveraged his reputation to enter The Sheltering Brotherhood of defenders. They knew his name and background, and with a letter of recommendation from the Malorian Academy, he began his studies to be a holy warrior of Whelm. He spent the next 7 years in devoted study and martial defense of the hills and farmlands around southern Dunstrand/northern Fandelok.

At the age of 25, he returned home to serve his time in the military. His family’s final contribution to his livelihood was to purchase a captain’s commission for him. Alcott served for 10 years in the Umbakian navy. His commission as a captain got him in, but it was soon clear he was a natural tactician and sailor. He chafed under the strict regimen of his countrymen, for him the war with imperial Gwinn was a godsend. He sold his commission in the navy, and bought himself a swift ship. Before his family’s honor was decreased by his actions, he used their name to get loans to outfit the ship. His previous connections got him a privateer contract on the Queen’s Coast of Umbak (north). For three years he terrorized the Gwinnish shipping. It was not the Gwinnish that finally brought him low, it was his own hubris. He chose to use a storm as cover for his hunting, got caught up in it, and lost his ship. His name was ruined. He paid his debts from his gains, and fell into a bottle of cheap wine. He’s been looking for a way to redeem himself in his own eyes.

Offered by the Blackwells via Lucky. He was brought to Crestwold and asked to put together a crew to sail the boat. This he began, before being caught up in local troubles, not as part of The Blackwells, but on his own as an agent of them. This business cost him has hand. Wondering what he would do, he was contacted by House Malor, though the Malorian Academy, and sent to see Tal Beckam in Torrelson’s Ford. She runs the shop of Diamond Curios and Antiques at Torrelsons Ford, and is the Malor contact there in the capital of the Barony. She has been commanded to instruct him to travel to Mev. He is to stay there until whatever great announcement is to be made and return with the news as fast as possible.

The Villa Neroway is the Gallant’s home base, rented from the land holder Lady of Dogwood Flats (Lady Mary)

EXTENDED STORY: The merging of Alcott and Asuai story.