Balabar

Balabar is the party's loyal Lion companion. In the world of Corsairs, lions are ageless supernatural beings that were driven to near extinction by the Koan Armada. It is said that the roars of lions were so powerful, they could break the ranks of entire armies. Balabar's long life amidst such legendary companions has granted him boundless knowledge and wisdom, which seldomly proves much help to the Party given that lions cannot speak.
Originally a friend and companion to Nasser Graham, Balabar helped overthrow the Koan Empire. The rarity of lions made him something of a mascot for the Chimera alliance, and he still enjoys interplanetary popularity. Far from the regal symbol he once was, Balabar has grown fat and lethargic since his master's disappearence, but we all still love him anyway.
Balabar is always ready to take up arms with the Party, using his size and brawn to soak up hits and deal damage with his claws. He also brings his designer bag along to battle, to carry his allies' artifacts when they need some extra room, or a few snacks when they don't. He also lends the Party a boost in charisma when he travels with them on shore. While Balabar enjoys the company of all his crewmates, he is especially close with his cabin-mate Itthis, who has been trying to train the portly Lion back into shape and unlock his memories by feeding him his favorite foods.

The Lion's Pride

Balabar first entered the pages of history as the companion of Nasser Graham. It is believed that Nasser grew up with Balabar in his Xahir tribe on the rim. When Jorund Brighthoof first found Nasser in the icy seas of Jotun, Balabar was swimming right alongside him. As Nasser gathered his forces to oppose the Koan Empire, the spheres came to call his group the Pride. By all accounts, Balabar got along well with the motley crew of companions. Although it took a long time for Jorund Brighthood to warm up to him, who often referred to the Lion by the derisive nickname "kitty cat."
Balabar and his unlikely companions managed to defeat The Undying Empress by sneaking into the Imperial City, earning him fame and adoration across the spheres.

A Bulging Profile

Balabar became the face of the newly-formed Chimera alliance, perhaps because people saw poetry in a Lion defeating the empire that hunted them to extinction, or perhaps because of Nasser Graham's disdain for being captured in marble or paintings, making Balabar the go-to icon in imagery representing the new regime. In his honor, the alliance's new capitol was named Lion City. The Mong Bal also gave Nassser Graham a gift of two giant jade Lion statues, which now watch over the central hub of the city in the district known as Pride Plaza. Balabar was also the subject of the Chimera Alliance's first new holiday, Balabar's Birthday Bash.
The Lion moved in with Nasser and his new wife, Queen Eleanor Arkades in the Homyn royal palace. Here, Balabar lived in the lap of luxury. Nasser even appointed him an official caretaker, Duncan Habrok. Although, granting this position was also done in part to mollify Duncan's clan, who suffered at great expense to martial Geit forces against the Koan Armada, only for Nasser to swoop in and finish of the Empress himself. Nevertheless, Balabar and Duncan got along famously, with the soft-spoken and portly Geit taking his duties with utmost seriousness, making sure Balabar wanted for nothing--often severely overfeeding him.
Eventually Balabar's family grew when Nasser had children of his own. Balabar got on well with Prince Lucas and Princess Halle, often protecting the latter on her many unsanctioned excursions outside the castle in search of adventure.
However, Balabar's halcyon days in the royal palace came to an end one day, when Nasser suddenly disappeared. Crestfallen and lethargic, Balabar found himself with little to live for beyond indulging in the creature comforts of palace life. He grew fat on the many meals that Duncan fed him, and eventually lost the ability to perform his signature roar.

Setting Sail Again

Balabar was shaken out of his rut when the Party became Corsairs and set off to find Nasser Graham and the Orphan Sphere. After watching the new crew descend into bickering trying to decide where their search would begin, Jorund decided they needed a figure to unite them as a certain kitty cat once had done for the Pride. He dragged them into Balabar's quarters and demanded the Lion join their crew.
Duncan Habrok, taking his appointment quite seriously and having grown deeply fond of Balabar, protested the move. However, Jorund Brighthoof forced the issue by intimidating the meek Geit and threatening to send warships to his home. With that, Balabar found himself amidst new companions on the horizon of a new adventure.

Adventuring with the Corsairs

Balabar found himself quickly growing attached to his new crew. Itthis in particular found a particular fascination with the Lion. Being something of an endangered species himself, Itthis appreciated Balabar's uniqueness and let him sleep in his cabin. Itthis has tried to train Balabar and get him back in shape, but with little successs so far.
He often assists the party on shore when they are in need of a stout companion to shrug off hits from enemies. Occasionally, his ancient nature has proved useful. When the party set out to explore an ancient laboratory on Nimbus and encountered a Grave Keeper, ancient beings who search ruins for artifacts to bring back to The Grave, Balabar was able to use some unspoken connection with the creature to convince it to allow the Party through.
Balabar also participated in several key battles on Jotun, such as helping the Party take down a fire giant and boarding the Falco Rex during the Battle of the North Sea. On Sera, Balabar got an invitation to Flavian's party to help the party investigate Flavian's connection to the Blue Frogs.

A Belly Full of Memories

After the Battle of the North Sea, Itthis took up a gardening hobby with the help of Wukong's friend Gustav Klimt. Among the starter kit Gustav sent was a pack of Stout Pumpkin seeds, which he mentioned in an off-hand comment was one of Balabar's favorites. After harvesting some pumpkins, Itthis let his pal have a snack. The meal awakened within Balabar a brief memory of eating said pumpkins outside Arkades Castle during his adventures with the Pride, which Itthis viewed by entering Balabar's dreams.
It seemed Balabar's connection to food could awaken memories inside him, allowing him to share those memories with his friends. Itthis managed to awaken another memory by feeding Balabar Ghillie Weed, through which he witnessed Nasser Graham's first meeting with Sir Reglas.
Whether more memories lie in wait to be unlocked and just what effect they will have on Balabar remain a mystery.