Marcus Gutfreund
Grand Admiral Marcus Gutfreund
Marcus Gutfreund is the current eldest child and heir of House Gutfreund, and when he was growing up, he was constantly fascinated by the ships going in and out of the harbor of Suwannee. Although his father attempted to curb Marcus' enthusiasm for adventure on the high seas, his efforts were for naught, and at the mere age of ten, Marcus went out to sea, as a cabin boy in one of the navy's ships. In this position he was given an education in all things nautical, and to the surprise of many turned out to be a dead shot with any ranged weapon, quickly outmatching the marines in performance with a crossbow. Marcus became famous at the age of fifteen when he shot and killed a Bahami corsair captain at nearly one thousand feet distance, forcing the surprised ship's surrender.
As soon as Marcus came of age, he departed the navy for several years, taking up positions anonymously upon merchant vessels, and even finding employment in the Jakonian Empire. As a skilled sharpshooter, he gained a reputation for service, and eventually took up with a party of adventurers. He gained further fame with an excursion into the Eternal Glades, routing out a nest of vicious sea creatures that threatened nearby communities. Unfortunately, the fame he received as an adventurer led to the family's political rivals finally being able to locate him, and an attempted assassination led to the deaths of the party he had joined, and him left for dead on a barren Jakonian road.
Through miracle itself, Marcus resurfaced at home in Suwannee, aged 21, and ready to return to a more stable lifestyle. After spending a year recovering at the family's estate, he formally enlisted in the Royal Navy. His reputation preceded him, and thanks to the support of his father, he received a captain's commission at the incredibly young age of twenty-three, being given command of a small frigate. He lived up to his status, and given his small command, he achieved remarkable feats, cementing his renown as a sharpshooter. He defeated numerous corsairs and privateers, and even led a handful of land based excursions along the barbaric coasts of the western Circle Sea. At the age of 32, his skill and tactical brilliance was recognized at last, and he was appointed the new Grand Admiral of Columba, skipping the rank of Admiral entirely.
As Grand Admiral, he continues to take an active role in the management of the navy, frequently joining vessels on patrols, and refusing to stay anchored behind a desk. On the occasion when he does visit Leesburg or another political gathering, he is one of the firmest advocates for the independence of the navy and further financing. He has argued that while the Bahamis have proven a grave threat, ultimately, the Empire will be the final threat to Columba's freedom and that every measure must be taken to protect it from invasion by the sea.
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Grand Admiral of the Royal Columban Navy
Date of Birth
Dustfall 1, 1004
Year of Birth
1004 AF
37 Years old
Family
Children
Current Residence
Gender
male
Aligned Organization
Comments