Corven pulled himself deftly through the ventral access tube, squeezing past cables and conduit as the mercenary frigate hurtled through the void.
Emerging onto the lower engine deck, Corven floated gracefully in zero-g. As always, the throaty rumble of the ion drives resonated through the deck plating, more comforting than any lullaby. Voidborn, they called his kind - perfectly adapted to the harsh emptiness between stars, those afflicted by Abyssal Bane. His crewmates tolerated him as long as he kept the money rolling in. He preferred credits to people anyway. A perfect situation for a washout discharge like Corven.
On days like this, feeling the endless night surround him, Corven found solace in the ship's heartbeat, carrying them all steadily through the abyss. For now this was enough.
Home, profit, and purpose all bound in the thrum of engines. He'd chart his own course one jump at a time.

You want to know more about Corven? I suppose I can oblige. According to my records, Corven is a grumbly old man who- ah, no opinions. My apologies...
But this man leaves his unwashed coffee mugs all over the mess sink. I understand it is called a mess sink but I do not believe Corven understands what this phrase truly means. I do not have hands, Corven! I cannot pick up your mugs!
And his room - aren't old men supposed to have one outfit, not fifty? Who are you trying to impress, Corven? You're not the Captain's type!

Loading Information Module...

Corven has a soft spot for stray animals. He's been known to sneak food to the ship's resident vermin, much to the dismay of the ship's cook.

Corven has a reputation for being a loud sleeper. He snores like a freighter engine, which has led to many a sleepless night for his unfortunate bunkmates.

In his downtime, Corven enjoys collecting vintage holo-disks. He has an impressive collection of classic films and shows from bygone eras, which he guards jealously.

CON

COG

STR

Age:
121

Species:
Visclarian

Pronouns:
He/Him

Eyes: Amber
Hair: None

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220

Krihylent Military

Eonshard Corsair Crew

ATTENTION - WANTED

Currently wanted by the Quarry Control Department of Gathan for theft of C475,000 worth of mining equipment. Considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach.

History

Corven joined the Krihylent Empire's merchant marine forces when he came of age, hoping to see the galaxy. During his naval service, Corven became increasingly disillusioned by the cruelty and brutality inflicted in the name of the Empire. He got court-martialed and dishonorably discharged 30 years ago for refusing to follow unethical orders.
With no prospects left on his authoritarian homeworld, Corven turned to working as an independent space scavenger and salvager. This allowed him to escape the oppressive control of the Krihylent Empire. While cynical about the rigid and malignant society he was born into, Corven retains an innate sense of justice and empathy for the downtrodden victims of the Empire.
Corven dreams of earning enough from his dangerous work to retire comfortably one day and find a way to share knowledge with his people to inspire change back home on Ethnarel.

Education

Having grown up in an impoverished family, Corven only received limited technical schooling on Ethnarel before being conscripted into the Krihylent military at a young age. His actual skills were acquired independently through years of scavenging wreckage and tinkering with machinery and robotics. Corven received no formal higher education, but became adept at salvaging through hands-on experience.

Employment

After being discharged from the military in disgrace, Corven turned to unscrupulous smuggling gangs operating in Krihylent space. He worked as an enforcer and pilot for 5 years, using his grit to survive dangerous assignments. Eventually Corven stole a ship to go solo until he found the Eonshard Corsair. Salvaging and smuggling technology is how he has earned a living ever since.

Physical Condition

A lifetime of combating hazardous environments and dangerous encounters has left Corven physically battered but resilient. His body bears many scars from past missions gone awry. Knee and back injuries occasionally flare up. But Corven has learned to manage the aches and pains to keep himself spaceworthy. His wiry musculature helps withstand high-g maneuvers when evading capture.

Mental Condition

In the short-term, Corven desperately wants financial success from substantial salvage hauls so he can pay off mounting debts and escape high-risk contract jobs that trouble his conscience. His greater long-term dream is gaining enough economic independence and resources to make a genuinely positive impact on the lives of other oppressed Abydans back home.
Corven also wrestles internally with guilt over actions he was forced to commit during his military past, and wider resentment towards the authoritarian Krihylent Empire that rigidly dominates his homeworld.

Do you want more about this topic? Good news!
You can find stories from Eldrispace in the anthology, Macabre and Monstrous!

Fell Plumes

Space truckers Lark and Mech think they've scored the payday of a lifetime when they agree to transport mysterious crates to a remote facility at the edge of the known cosmos.

Salvager's Loop

Veteran salvager Corven decides to make one last scrapping run when he boards a derelict starship deep in uncharted space, but he soon discovers the ghostly void-lost vessel is caught in a nightmare outside of time.