Captain Maximus "Max" Orion Hawkes
Knight-Captain Maximus Orion Hawkes (a.k.a. Max)
Born in 1822 AF, during the harshest years of The Burn, Captain Maxwell “Max” Orion Hawkes’ life was shaped by adversity. His mother, an Arcadian refugee, lost her first husband during the early days of The Burn. Seeking refuge in the Eldwell Empire, she met a kind and compassionate man named Alfred Hawkes, who took in both mother and son as his own. Alfred later married Ioulia, Max’s mother, and together they formed a family that would see the young Max through the difficult years that followed.
The Burn had a profound effect on Max, who grew up during the aftermath, known as the Age of Silence. These were years of struggle, but also of unity, as people from all walks of life—low-class workers, middle-class professionals, and the wealthy elite—came together to build Edison. Max, being a refugee himself, felt a deep obligation to help others. By the time he was 17, Max split his time between working on the flood defenses of Gravenfall and attending school, with occasional breaks for a game of Pipecross. However, his true passion lay in the vast, uncharted waters of the Altian Ocean. This passion was spurred on by his mother's stories of his father's homeland of Arcadia, a land now lost beyond the treacherous Ichor Ocean.
In 1840 AF, at the age of 18, Max joined the Naval College. After 4 years in the college, he graduated, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander due to his hard work and spotless record. Using his credits he bought his first commission as the Executive Officer under the legendary Captain Thaddeus Leonard Bridges aboard the Skybrig Stargazer. To build the home he never had, with the remaining of his saved credits he bought a small piece of land at the edge of Highcliff, overlooking Edison Island.
During his first five years in service (1844-1849 AF, Max distinguished himself in over 30 engagements against the Leidenstein Navy. His altruism and skill earned him the Purple Heart for Bravery and the Distinguished Valor in Service of the Empress. However, it was during the Battle of the Three Volcanoes in 1850 that Max’s life would change forever. In a brutal engagement, he lost his left eye and, tragically, his beloved Captain Bridges within minutes of each other. Despite the heavy damage to the Stargazer, Max led the remaining airfleet to victory and safely returned to the shipyards of Etherdrift Island.
For his valor, Max was awarded the captaincy of the Stargazer and the White Feather of the Skyforce, an honor that elevated him to the rank of Knight of the Royal Order, officially making him a noble and a captain. Over the next 20 years, Captain Hawkes commanded the Stargazer with distinction, earning the respect of his peers and the admiration of his superiors. Despite numerous recommendations for promotion, Max humbly declined, choosing to serve where he felt he was needed the most.
In 1864, Empress Sophronia II recognized Max’s exceptional service by awarding him the Electrum Venerable Cross of The Radiant Shield. With his 20 years of continuous service complete, Max was honorably discharged. The Empress offered him an Admiral’s pension, which he graciously declined, stating, “There are people who need this more than I do.” Instead, he requested the Empress’s permission to commission a ship to cross the Ichor Sea and explore the unknown lands beyond in the name of the Empire.
Moved by his request, Sophronia, after consulting with the Admiralty, made Max a countreoffer: full ownership of the Stargazer, the cost of wages for his standard crew, an Imperial Seal appointing him as an Ambassador of the Empire, and a complete refurbishment of the Stargazer at the Etherdrift Naval Shipyards. For the first time in his life, Max accepted the Empress’s generous offer.
Since then, Captain Hawkes has attempted two crossings of the Ichor Sea, each time venturing deeper into uncharted territories and reporting his discoveries back to the Admiralty. Although he has yet to successfully cross the sea, his efforts have expanded the Empire’s knowledge of the mysterious lands beyond. As of 1869 AF, the Stargazer is undergoing a new refit, equipped with a newly developed ship-wide Electrum Shield by Tesla Aeronautics. In the meantime, Max and his crew are ferrying diplomatic envoys between Edison and the Thierry Free States and serving as an escort for the under-construction Imperial Dreadnaught Aeolus, commissioned as part of the newly formed Radiant Shield’s naval force.
Despite his many accomplishments, Max remains a man of simple pleasures. He enjoys drawing and swimming in his free time, often finding solace in these solitary activities. Due to his adopted father's initial pressure, fencing, is one of the most social activities that he enjoys, Max can often be found in the, Erodotus Ecole d'Escrime in Stormwatch While he is loved and respected by his crew, Max tends to keep away from large crowds unless social engagements demand his presence. His preference for quietude makes his home in Highcliff ( Gravenfall Island a perfect retreat, where he can study maps, analyze weather patterns, and engage in thoughtful discussions with other captains and whalers who frequent the Ichor Sea.
Captain Hawkes has also been convinced to share his knowledge and experience by teaching a few hours each semester at The Radiant Shield Academy, primarily on air-naval tactics. However, his lectures often evolve into discussions about the qualities of a good leader and the importance of respecting the opinions of specialists, regardless of their status or rank. His unique perspective and wisdom have made him a beloved figure among the academy’s cadets, who eagerly anticipate his classes.
What a life
Well it's not even close to done yet - he is 47 years old ... Alsians live for abour 120 years ... :D Early bloomer I guess :D
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