Kreet Viquik
Master (carpenter)
Kreet is the Vess'ka carpenter, backup gunner and second shift navigator aboard the sailing ship (caravel) called "The Doubtful" (see Dreeva Vaeless for additional information). He is not a native to Gothenya, but rather an inter-planar traveler who was picked up and imprisoned by Neogi slavers many years ago. The story of his eventual escape is documented under the article about Altious Khaza Eeris.
As the relatively peaceful vess'ka are often mistaken for Thri-Kreen, many assume that they are a violent, dangerous folk. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially when it comes to Kreet. Up until the moment he was captured by the Neogi, he traveled the outer planes as a "planar ranger," tracking the malicious githyanki that constantly preyed upon his tribe. Both in an attempt to put an end to their raids, as well as to simply understand them and their agenda.
Though not native to the planes, many vess'ka seek out the mysteries of the planar cosmos in order to become closer to the innate divinity they embody, as it pertains to the many hives of tiny, terrestrial insects that "worship" them.
Kreet lost his family to the githyanki, and only had his kivram (colony/tribe) members to depend on him. This is largely why he was chosen for the suicidal task of seeking them out. As he spent a great deal of time tracking githyanki on the astral plane, Kreet did not age at the same rate as his kivram. The astral plane suspends chronological time and aging for those traversing it. As such, his exact age is unknown, even to himself. He is biologically 35 years old, but in actuality he is much older.
After his escape from the neogi, he decided to stick with Altious and his band of interstellar minotaurs. He's not proud of it (in fact, it's a source of deep shame) but during the particularly lean years, when his new "family" was doing everything just to get by, Kreet sold his own fluids, producing the drug known as Psychopomp.
The process physically weakened him to a degree which he never fully recovered.
Kreet never expected to find another family to replace his lost kivram, and his initial years with the crew of The Doubtful were spent in relative isolation. It took some time, and the bond forged in battle, to allow him to accept the crew as more than just work associates. Today, he would die to protect them, and actually considers them a kivram of his own making.
He found his natural affinity for woodwork and carpentry almost by accident, as no others aboard the ship had the necessary skill set. The Doubtful was once damaged severely in a storm, and Kreet took it upon himself to both study and take up the required repairs. He sees in carpentry a spiritual connection to the world. Something he greatly needed after spending so many years unmoored from a terrestrial life. Ironically, now that he's on Gothenya, he's out at sea, but even that is something way more "tactile" than his previous existence.
Kreet also serves as the ship's bard or minstrel of sorts, as the music of his folk (literally their form of communication) carries a complex melody that is considered quite beautiful to outsiders.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Kreet is in generally good physical health, however he still suffers from being periodically drained of much of his pituitary fluid (the prime ingredient in Psychopomp). This now often manifests in a shortness of respiration, and an occasional need for additional rest beyond that of the rest of his crew mates.
Body Features
The vess'ka come in several varieties, some more mantis like and others more akin to millipedes. Kreet has the features of the mantis-styled members of his race. The kin of this body type are called Eretas.
Facial Features
Kreet has the general facial structure of an oversized mantis (somewhat crossed with a grasshopper), common to the Eretas Vess'ka.
Identifying Characteristics
Kreet has a long scar that runs laterally across his face, intersecting with his left eye. This was the result of a wicked githyanki blade. Amazingly he was not blinded in that eye from the attack.
Apparel & Accessories
Kreet enjoys the fashion of the high seas, specifically that of those considered to be pirates. He wraps the top of his head in brightly colored scarves, and wears loose tunics (often striped or colorful in their own right).
Specialized Equipment
Kreet relies on his species natural carapace armor, but his weapon of choice is the rapier. He typically wields two of them.
Mental characteristics
Employment
Kreet serves many roles upon The Doubtful, but the one that brings him the most pride is that of master carpenter.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
To always bring honor and aid to his chosen kivram (or family).
Personality Quirks
As vess'ka commonly commune with insect hives of various sorts, Kreet can often be found "talking to himself." Sometimes he'll be in contact with a hive, while other times he just likes to hear the sound of his own musical voice.
Comments