Plenty of pirates ply the waters of the Xhorhasian coast, but none quite have the secrets, ambition, and arcane inclinations of the Leaden Vein, captained by Valdis Lenoir. Regarding the crew and ship as a body, drawn not only by the distant horizon, but also by the inclinations of the Voice, the captain's mysterious patron.
Like most Revelry ships on Exandrian waters, the Leaden Vein doesn’t take kindly to traitors and deserters, so if you count yourself a former member of that crew, you’ll want to watch your back while traveling on the Menagerie Coast. Thugs might hassle you and your allies in order to even their own scores with the Revelry--or other organizations hunting down Lenoir and his followers.
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new.
What were your duties on board—boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? What were the natures of your relationships with the captain and crew? Did you leave the ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: Weaver's Tools
- Languages: [language]Shadow Cant[/language]
- Equipment: A dagger (dagger), 50 feet of silk rope, a fishing tackle, a set of weaver's tools, a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
No matter where you go, people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a civilized settlement, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop, since most people will not report your activity to the authorities.
Suggested Characteristics
Sailors can be a rough lot, but the responsibilities of life on a ship make them generally reliable as well. Life aboard a ship shapes their outlook and forms their most important attachments.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what. |
| 2 | I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done. |
| 3 | I enjoy sailing into new ports and making new friends over a flagon of ale. |
| 4 | I stretch the truth for the sake of a good story. |
| 5 | To me, a tavern brawl is a nice way to get to know a new city. |
| 6 | I never pass up a friendly wager. |
| 7 | My language is as foul as an otyugh nest. |
| 8 | I like a job well done, especially if I can convince someone else to do it. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Respect. The thing that keeps a ship together is mutual respect between captain and crew. (Good) |
| 2 | Fairness. We all do the work, so we all share in the rewards. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Freedom. The sea is freedom—the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Mastery. I’m a predator, and the other ships on the sea are my prey. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m committed to my crewmates, not to ideals. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Aspiration. Someday I’ll own my own ship and chart my own destiny. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m loyal to my captain first, everything else second. |
| 2 | The ship is most important—crewmates and captains come and go. |
| 3 | I’ll always remember my first ship. |
| 4 | In a harbor town, I have a paramour whose eyes nearly stole me from the sea. |
| 5 | I was cheated out of my fair share of the profits, and I want to get my due. |
| 6 | Ruthless pirates murdered my captain and crewmates, plundered our ship, and left me to die. Vengeance will be mine. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I follow orders, even if I think they’re wrong. |
| 2 | I’ll say anything to avoid having to do extra work. |
| 3 | Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation. |
| 4 | Once I start drinking, it’s hard for me to stop. |
| 5 | I can’t help but pocket loose coins and other trinkets I come across. |
| 6 | My pride will probably lead to my destruction. |
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