Thurid Skarlagan (SKAR-luh-gun)
Captain Thurid Greta Skarlagan
Captain Thurid Skarlagan is a human female ship captain, known to frequent the ports and settlements all up and down the eastern and southern coasts of Melas. She is the captain of The Crimson Forever, a 200-ton frigate used for shipping of various goods. She is the only captain known to employ an all-female crew.
Captain Skarlagan is also a well-known pirate, who uses a magical ability aboard her ship to transform it into the Night Fire, commanded by a mysterious, dark figure called Stoneheart. This transformation that causes all color to drain from the ship and crew rendering them all monochromatic, along with other concealments. The Night Fire has terrorized shipping up and down the coast and offshore islands for many years, but to date no one has connected it or the enigmatic Captain Stoneheart to Captain Skarlagan and her ship.
Skarlagan's flamboyant nature has earned her a reputation as a rake and extravagant gambler among those that frequent her haunts. She is known to make special appearances in the casinos of Nightlesbyy Glade, the spas of Kovsholm and other centers of high society and commerce in eastern Melas.
Captain Skarlagan is also a well-known pirate, who uses a magical ability aboard her ship to transform it into the Night Fire, commanded by a mysterious, dark figure called Stoneheart. This transformation that causes all color to drain from the ship and crew rendering them all monochromatic, along with other concealments. The Night Fire has terrorized shipping up and down the coast and offshore islands for many years, but to date no one has connected it or the enigmatic Captain Stoneheart to Captain Skarlagan and her ship.
Skarlagan's flamboyant nature has earned her a reputation as a rake and extravagant gambler among those that frequent her haunts. She is known to make special appearances in the casinos of Nightlesbyy Glade, the spas of Kovsholm and other centers of high society and commerce in eastern Melas.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Fit and hearty.
Body Features
Tall, lean and muscular. Well-built with a powerful attractive appeal.
Physical quirks
Has a habit of winking when ending a conversation.
Apparel & Accessories
She owns a reddish-brown captain's tricorner hat that she wears on festive occasions, along with a brown topcoat with red piping and black leggings.
Specialized Equipment
Necklace of Illusion allows her to project the large-scale image of the Night Fire and its crew on top of herself and the Crimson Anchor, allowing it to attack and plunder unwary vessels without fear of identification.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Thurid Skarlagan was born in Biera to a bookkeeper father and a seamstress mother. Having five older siblings left her feeling left out of many of the normal child activities, so while growing up she tended to spend time alone. Her coarse red hair and pleasant face caused many in the marketplace to befriend her, while she happily helped herself to the occasional orange, banana or ripe Auric.
Often accompanying her on these trips out and about were her two best friends, Livva and Yrsa. Ever curious, the three of them learned much about trading and commerce from the vendors in the market as well as how goods were transported, stored and distributed. A particular friendship with a bookseller and his son helped her master reading and taught her about the world outside Biera.
The bookseller was also a purchaser of rare and magical items, one of which was a ruby pendant that seemed to be allow the wearer to project illusions. The now teenage Thurid conspired with the son to steal the pendant, but double-crossed the boy and got away with her friends.
The three put the illusory pendant to use by disguising themselves as dock workers, carrying off shipments from incoming cargo vessels that they deemed to be unworthy of possessing them. They were soon able to afford a comfortable dwelling in the city while they used the pendent to support their lifestyle.
When Thurid, Livva and Ylsa were in their early 20's, a particular heist went wrong when the target was a wizard who saw through their disguise. They were able to hide out disguised as sailors on a frigate that was leaving harbor, and left Bieric forever. The captain of the frigate, the White Wave, was a rogue female Tabaxi named Eentan whom they eventually befriended and became trusted members of the crew.
After a year of crewing the White Wave, a giant squid swept into the ship and killed Captain Eentan along with half the crew and Thurid's friend, Ylsa. She was able to take command and, with Livva's assistance, drove off the squid and guided the ship to safety. Most of the crew left the ship, leaving only the female sailors. After recruiting more like individuals, Captain Thurid Greta Skarlagan rechristened the frigate The Crimson Dream and took over its trade runs.
After experimenting with the power of the pendant for many years, and becoming frustrated by near-miss pirate attacks, Skarlagan realized she could use its illusory abilities to disguise the entire ship, crew and herself. She conjured up the name of a ship from one of her favorite stories as a child, the Night Fire and gave its captain a name based on that of her lost friend Ylsa Hearthstone. Thus the legend of Captain Stoneheart and the Night Fire was born.
Today, Captain Skarlagan, First Mate Livva Runeson and The Crimson Dream make regular trade runs along the eastern and southern ports of Melas, as well as throughout the offshore island communities. Skarlagan frequents the many ports and taverns along the way, making a name for herself as a flamboyant, if inherently kind and likeable rake of a ship captain. But on dark, moonlit nights when the fog rolls in off the ocean, the spectre of the Night Fire looms at those who would risk sailing the waters alone, with none but the good Captain Stoneheart to accompany them.
Now, if Skarlagan could only figure out the identity of the mysterious stranger who keeps following her......
Often accompanying her on these trips out and about were her two best friends, Livva and Yrsa. Ever curious, the three of them learned much about trading and commerce from the vendors in the market as well as how goods were transported, stored and distributed. A particular friendship with a bookseller and his son helped her master reading and taught her about the world outside Biera.
The bookseller was also a purchaser of rare and magical items, one of which was a ruby pendant that seemed to be allow the wearer to project illusions. The now teenage Thurid conspired with the son to steal the pendant, but double-crossed the boy and got away with her friends.
The three put the illusory pendant to use by disguising themselves as dock workers, carrying off shipments from incoming cargo vessels that they deemed to be unworthy of possessing them. They were soon able to afford a comfortable dwelling in the city while they used the pendent to support their lifestyle.
When Thurid, Livva and Ylsa were in their early 20's, a particular heist went wrong when the target was a wizard who saw through their disguise. They were able to hide out disguised as sailors on a frigate that was leaving harbor, and left Bieric forever. The captain of the frigate, the White Wave, was a rogue female Tabaxi named Eentan whom they eventually befriended and became trusted members of the crew.
After a year of crewing the White Wave, a giant squid swept into the ship and killed Captain Eentan along with half the crew and Thurid's friend, Ylsa. She was able to take command and, with Livva's assistance, drove off the squid and guided the ship to safety. Most of the crew left the ship, leaving only the female sailors. After recruiting more like individuals, Captain Thurid Greta Skarlagan rechristened the frigate The Crimson Dream and took over its trade runs.
After experimenting with the power of the pendant for many years, and becoming frustrated by near-miss pirate attacks, Skarlagan realized she could use its illusory abilities to disguise the entire ship, crew and herself. She conjured up the name of a ship from one of her favorite stories as a child, the Night Fire and gave its captain a name based on that of her lost friend Ylsa Hearthstone. Thus the legend of Captain Stoneheart and the Night Fire was born.
Today, Captain Skarlagan, First Mate Livva Runeson and The Crimson Dream make regular trade runs along the eastern and southern ports of Melas, as well as throughout the offshore island communities. Skarlagan frequents the many ports and taverns along the way, making a name for herself as a flamboyant, if inherently kind and likeable rake of a ship captain. But on dark, moonlit nights when the fog rolls in off the ocean, the spectre of the Night Fire looms at those who would risk sailing the waters alone, with none but the good Captain Stoneheart to accompany them.
Now, if Skarlagan could only figure out the identity of the mysterious stranger who keeps following her......
Gender Identity
Female
Sexuality
Skarlagan has little interest in romantic liaisons with anyone, as she considers them a distraction. But there was this one boy, once...
She is aware of her personal beauty and magnetism, and uses it to her advantage.
She is aware of her personal beauty and magnetism, and uses it to her advantage.
Education
No formal education, but learned a great deal about business and trade in the marketplaces and ports of Biera.
Employment
Crew member of the White Wave until the death of her captain in a giant squid attack. Took over the captaincy, renamed the vessel The Crimson Dream and has led her and its crew ever since.
Failures & Embarrassments
Her failure to save the lives of her friend, Ylsa and her captain, Eenten, have haunted her to this day. She blames herself for their loss.
Mental Trauma
The giant squid attack caused her to fall into the ocean at one point, until Livva was able to rescue her. The squid knocked her around a few times in the water, causing her to nearly drown. She has blocked much of the detail from her memory.
Taboos
She will never accept slaves for shipment, and any she finds as a result of her piracy she immediately releases.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
She is motivated by greed, but also the desire to enjoy herself and her life. She does care about the well-being of others she deems worthy, especially the downtrodden and oppressed. She may not rob from the rich and give to the poor, but she has been known to toss a copper or silver to a beggar now and then.
Likes & Dislikes
She hates slavery in all its forms and considers its practicers and supporters as despicable, but is pragmatic enough to understand its entrenchment in society and her inability to affect its existence.
Virtues & Personality perks
She is fiercely loyal to her first mate and crew, and expects the same in return. She will not trade in slaves or dangerous merchandise - any plundered during a pirate raid are promptly and properly disposed of.
Vices & Personality flaws
A well-cooked steak, green beans sauteed in aurim sauce and a flask of Champig Bae are her favorite meal.
Personality Quirks
- Winks when finishing a conversation. When she doesn't wink, it's a tell whatever she's been honest in her conversation or not.
Social
Contacts & Relations
- Her closest relationship is with her first mate and best friend, Livva. The two share a relationship going back to childhood and fondly remember their lost friend, Ylsa. At one point long ago, their relationship took a romantic turn but neither were satisfied with the result so the incident was left behind and forgotten (at least by Thurid).
Wealth & Financial state
She and her crew make a very comfortable living off of their legitimate trade profit, as well as their pirate booty. Most of their wealth is contained in a hidden cave at a secluded cove, while another chunk of personal profit resides in a bank in Biera.
Alignment
LN
Current Location
Currently Boarded Vehicle
Age
35
Birthplace
Biera
Children
Pronouns
She/her/hers
Gender
Female
Eyes
Green
Hair
Long, curly red
Height
6'2"
Weight
150lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"I'll never forget you, my little squidgen."
Last words to friend, Ylsa, before her burial at sea
"Dear Captain, your ship is safe."
Promise to lost Captain of the White Wave
"Heave to, my friends, or you'll be drinkin' seawater."
Captain Stoneheart's famous greeting to his victims
Owned Vehicles
Character Prototype
Visually - the Captain Redhead in the new Pirates of the Caribbean ride update.
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