Ben Winston

Ben Winston

A mercenary by trade, Ben had spent much of his younger life on the ocean waves. Forced to flee the oceans after angering a sea spirit, Ben has atlast made peace with the enraged spirit, and is back home on the sea, helping to guide 'Tempest' through the Ghost Archipelago.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Tall and Muscular

Facial Features

Long beard, sea-weathered face

Apparel & Accessories

Eastern-kingdoms clothing and Turban

Specialized Equipment

Sailor and mercenary

Mental characteristics

Personal history

As a boy, until he was a young man, Ben lived on the Eastern seas, working as a deckhand on various ships. The Ocean was home and he would have it no other way. However, through the greed of another, Ben had to run from his ocean-faring life, on one fateful voyage. The ship he was on at the time, was captained by a man who sought great wealth, wishing to be richer than the kings and Sultans of the Eastern kingdoms. He sailed his ship to an island, where a group of people lived, who were the children of a great ocean spirit. The people on the island had immense wealth, in the form of gems, and many precious metals they would mine from the caves of their island, and give to the ocean spirit. The Captain of the ship was ruthless, and put every last man, woman and child to the sword on the island, and instructed his crew to fill the ship with the plentiful riches of the people. One islander pleaded with Ben, telling him of the rage that the Ocean spirit would bring against those who harmed them. Seeing the fear and sincerity in the islander's eyes, Ben refused to take part in the Captain's orders. For his refusal to carry out the command, Ben was tied to the mast of the ship, and would be keel-hauled when the crew had finished loading the ship. When the moment came for Ben's punishment, a Shark of unbelievable size slammed against the ship's hull, causing it to nearly capsize. As all the crew on board were on the deck, ready to watch Ben's punishment, they were all flung overboard, or forced to grab hold of the railings or rigging. Those who splashed into the water, were greedily devoured by the shark, many consumed in a single mouthful. Ben watched on in horror as one by one, each man still on the deck slipped into the red waters and was swallowed by the shark. When at last, Ben was the only survivor, the shark appeared before him, and much to his surprise, spoke. It said that it would spare Ben his life, as he had refused to take part in the deaths and theft of the Ocean Spirit's children. However, he had still sailed with the Wicked Captain, and the punishment for the crew had been decided. Instead of death, Ben was to be given banishment from the seas. never again, would Ben be safe on the ocean. wherever he went, the Shark would follow, as well as storms, and great waves, unfavourable currents, and thick fogs he would never escape. Ben asked the shark, how he would get to familiar shores, if this was to be his fate on the seas. The Shark replied there would be ten days in which Ben would be free to familiar shores, before the first troubles would start. it took Ben fourteen days to return home, sailing the wreck of his former Captain's ship on his own. On the eleventh day, a great storm erupted from seemingly Blue skies. Lightning cracked the last remaining mast, and a rogue wave capsized the ship. For two days after, Ben clung to a floating barrel in calm seas, desperate to live, and fearful of the shadow of the shark beneath the surface of the water. Whether through pity, or some other reason, the shark pushed Ben through the ocean until a fishing ship found him, and pulled him on board as they headed home. For a great many days, Ben grieved on the shores of the Eastern kingdom, his home, the ocean, now forbidden to him. After a while, Ben decided to try and move on with his life, and journeyed west, crossing the great Desert that separated the Eastern- and Western-kingdoms. In the Desert, he met a group of Eastern-Nomads, and was welcomed to share their fire for the night. A Wise-woman form the Clan told Ben the spirits that were angry with him, would forgive him in time, and would show their forgiveness many days from now. Filled with joy at these words, Ben continued his journey West, and arrived at last in one of the Western kingdoms. Desperately in need of coin, Ben joined a Mercenary Company, led then by Ulfric Phinnius, and later Helga Stormchild. It was Under Helga's command, during the siege of Ondos that Ben received forgiveness from the Ocean Spirit. During the battle, Ben's Company had been joined by a band of Sailors from a Ship visiting the city, after returning from the legendary Ghost Archipelago. When the enemy broke the city wall and the soldiers were forced to fight for their lives, many of Ben's company were cut down, along with the sailors from the ship. Ben saw one crewman, knocked to the ground and about to be run through with a spear. Leaping to action, Ben cut down the Crewman's assailant, before helping the wounded crewman to their feet. After the battle, the crewman approached Ben, revealing them self to be the Warden of the ship, and a Wave warden too. They told Ben, that all wardens of the sea had ties to the Spirit that had banished Ben from the waves, and that spirit had told them to let Ben know, his banishment had ended, for saving one of their voices on the waves. For Ben, it felt as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he was restored with vigor. When Helga Announced her own voyage to the ghost Archipelago, Ben was overjoyed that he would return to the waves so soon. In thanks to the Spirit, he vowed to make an offering of wealth when he returned from the Ghosts.

Gender Identity

Male

Sexuality

Heterosexual

Education

Ben has no proper education for literacy, but is highly skilled in Sailing and all other duties required on the seas

Employment

Ben is a Mercenary and Deckhand

Accomplishments & Achievements

Saved a Wave warden during the siege of Ondos, earning the forgiveness of the ocean spirits.

Failures & Embarrassments

Exiled from the Oceans after involvement in the deaths of an Ocean Spirit's children.

Mental Trauma

Ben spent many years longing for the ocean after his banishment, which has only recently ended.

Intellectual Characteristics

on the outside, Ben looks like a typical, hardened sailor from the Eastern ocean, but he is a Caring, respectful and patient man.

Morality & Philosophy

Ben is a Strong believer in Karma, after having to endure many years in exile from his home on the waves.

Taboos

Ben does not like to speak of the deeds of the crew which caused his exile from the Ocean.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Ben is motivated by the call of the Ocean. Every day, he longs to see the distant lands of the world, hiding behind the peaks of the distant waves

Likes & Dislikes

Ben Likes being at sea, drinking, fishing and diving.

Hygiene

Ben only cleans himself in the ocean waters

Social

Religious Views

Ben greatly respects the spirits of the Oceans and winds

Hobbies & Pets

Ben likes to dive, searching for Pearls and food to share with his Shipmates.

Speech

Ben speaks with a strong Eastern-kingdom's Accent.

Wealth & Financial state

Ben has a few coins to his name to live modestly while at sea. the rest of his wealth he sends to the depths of the oceans, to thank the Spirits of the sea for the end of his Banishment

Current Location

Beneath the waves in the Ghost Archipelago

View Character Profile

Birthplace

Grigins

Current Residence

Aboard the Barque "Tempest"

Gender

Male

Eyes

dark blue

Hair

short, curly, black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

tanned-white

Height

5'7"

Weight

182lbs

Known Languages

Common tongue, some Eastern-Kingdoms languages