Folken - Boatswain and First Mate of Whydah

Among the cutthroats and dark souls that crewed the Whydah, Folken stood out as a figure almost as fearsome as The Corsair himself. A human in his forties, Folken was the ship's boatswain and first mate, a position that put him in charge of the day-to-day operations on board. He was a man of iron discipline and ruthless efficiency, whose many scars told the story of a life spent in brutal service to the sea—and to his captain.
The Face of Ruthlessness
Folken was a man marked by violence, his face a canvas of scars, each one a testament to the countless battles he had survived. His visage was so marred by these marks that it was said he had more scars on his face than the rest of the crew had combined. Yet, despite the brutal appearance, Folken was not merely a brute. He was a cunning and capable leader, able to enforce the harsh rules of life aboard the Whydah with an iron fist.
To the crew, Folken was the embodiment of discipline. His methods were harsh, and his punishments severe, but under his command, the Whydah functioned like a well-oiled machine. There was no room for error, no tolerance for weakness. Those who crossed him—or failed in their duties—would quickly find themselves facing his wrath, often in the form of a vicious beating or worse. Yet, for all his cruelty, Folken was respected, even feared, by those under his command. He was a man who had earned his place, not just through his brutality, but through his unwavering loyalty and skill.
The Corsair's Right Hand
As first mate, Folken was The Corsair's most trusted officer. He was almost as ruthless as his captain, and the two men shared a bond forged in blood and fire. Folken had been at The Corsair’s side through countless battles, both against other ships and during the Whydah’s dark service to The Harbinger. It was said that Folken had saved The Corsair’s life more than once, taking blows meant for his captain and returning them with deadly precision.
His loyalty to The Corsair was absolute, and it was this loyalty that made him indispensable. Folken was the one who enforced The Corsair’s will among the crew, ensuring that their dark master’s commands were carried out without question. He was the hammer to The Corsair’s anvil, breaking down any resistance with cold efficiency.
The Mentor
Despite his ruthless nature, Folken had a soft spot for one person aboard the Whydah: Rolando. Unlike the rest of the crew, who viewed Rolando with suspicion or disdain, Folken saw potential in the younger man. Recognizing his latent talents, Folken took Rolando under his wing, teaching him the art of combat and the harsh realities of life at sea.
Under Folken’s tutelage, Rolando became a skilled fighter, learning to wield a sword with deadly precision. Folken’s lessons were brutal, pushing Rolando to his limits, but they were also effective. The young man quickly rose through the ranks, his skills honed by the same man who had earned his place as the Whydah’s enforcer. For Rolando, Folken was more than just a mentor; he was a figure of authority and a model of what it meant to survive in the deadly world they inhabited.
The Iron Hand of Whydah
Folken’s role as boatswain extended beyond just enforcing discipline. He was responsible for the daily operations of the ship, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. This included overseeing the maintenance of the ship, managing supplies, and coordinating the crew during battles. It was a task that required both skill and ruthlessness, qualities that Folken had in abundance.
He ruled the lower decks with an iron hand, making sure that every man knew his place and his duties. Under his watchful eye, the Whydah became a vessel of fearsome reputation, known for its efficiency and its brutality. Even when the crew grumbled about their harsh treatment, none dared challenge Folken’s authority—those who did rarely lived to regret it.
The Mutiny and Its Aftermath
When the mutiny erupted aboard the Whydah, Folken was as shocked as The Corsair by the suddenness of the uprising. The betrayal of the crew struck a deep chord within him, fueling his fury as he fought to quell the rebellion. He fought alongside his captain with a ferocity that left many of the mutineers dead at his feet, his scarred face twisted in a snarl of rage.
Folken’s loyalty to The Corsair never wavered, even as the ship tore itself apart under the strain of the dark forces unleashed by their captain. He managed to survive the destruction of the Whydah, emerging from the chaos alongside The Corsair and the few officers who remained loyal. The ship was lost, but Folken’s loyalty was as unbreakable as ever, and he continued to serve The Corsair and The Harbinger until the very end.
The Final Stand
In the final confrontation with the adventurers, Folken fought with all the ruthlessness that had defined his life. He was a force of nature, his every move precise and deadly. Yet, despite his formidable skills and his unwavering loyalty, Folken fell alongside his captain in the climactic battle that ended the reign of terror that The Corsair and his crew had brought to the seas.
Folken’s death marked the end of an era, but his legacy lived on in the scars he left behind—both on the crew he had commanded and on the soul of the man he had mentored. Rolando, who had once looked up to Folken as a mentor, was now among those who had brought an end to the dark chapter of the Whydah’s history. 
Folken’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers of blind loyalty and the cost of a life lived in the service of cruelty and power. He was a man who lived by the sword and died by it, his name etched into the annals of maritime history as one of the most fearsome officers to ever sail under The Corsair's black flag.