Post by zackmon on Aug 16, 2013 3:13:45 GMT
Backstory:
Early Childhood
Milford was born on a coastal village on the north east end of England. From a young age, he was drawn to the sea. He was known for wandering into the shallows and staring into the distance by the age of three. His parents, Eleanor and Hugh, actively discouraged this behavior in fear for his safety.
Adolescence
Milford continued his fascination with the sea and dreamed of sailing out to far away lands. The sea represented ultimate freedom. Unsatisfied with continuing the family trend of farming, Milford made a deal with his father. Instead of helping him tend to the crops, Milford spent his days fishing and collecting goods, such as seashells, to sell and give to his father. Secretly, he scraped a little off the top for himself, saving it all in hopes of using it to help him attain his ultimate goal of life at sea. He bought books on sailing and hid them from his parents. He once saved a local boy from drowning. His name was Benedict Stranton and they became good friends.
Adulthood
Milford realized he would never be able to afford a boat big enough to sail across the ocean and that the journey to the closest port to become a sailor was too far away to reach on his limited funds. Nonetheless, feeling his strong connection to the sea, he built a small boat to bring in bigger hauls of fish and other goods. Proving to be an excellent fisherman and sailor, he was making a very livable income. He still meet Benedict daily at the tavern nightly. He was particularly fond of one of the tavern wenches, Abigail Wellsworth.
Turning Point
One September afternoon, Milford was further out than he had ever been, and the fishing had never been better. Pulling in healthy, fat fish by the dozen per net, he reveled in his good luck. The shrinking coastline escaped his notice, distracted by the freedom of being so far out to sea he so desired and the enormity of his catch.
The storm came out of nowhere. Milford was tossed about in the boat as a fish flops on a dock. Much of his catch was thrust overboard as the waves crashed against his tiny vessel. Finally, at midnight, the storm subsided. As quickly as they had appeared, the clouds dissipated and revealed a sky of radiant stars. Battered, bruised, and exhausted, Milford fell asleep.
He was awoken by the sounds of gruff men and dwarves yelling. A viking longboat was approaching. Milford knew his fate. The sea, which gave him his greatest freedom, had become his prison; the viking raiders took him as a slave. He was traded from ship to ship, eventually ending up in the Mediterranean Sea. He was under the ownership of Captain Alfons Haas, a ruthless Dutch privateer.
The sea once again returned his freedom. On another September night, it was clear and deathly still on the Mediterranean. Alfons ordered his slaves to row. There came a knocking on the boat from underneath. It got louder and louder until a deafening crack rocked the boat. Black tentacles burst from the dark water and flailed from all sides of the boat. One reached across the port side and picked up Milford. He flailed as the tentacle tightened and plunged him into the depths.
The next thing Milford remembered was waking up on the Italian coastline with nothing but the clothes on his back and a gold amulet with the trident of Poseidon adorning the front. He found that he could command the flow of water and had an innate ability to shape magic. He believes Poseidon has chosen him, but for reasons unknown. He uses his new-found arcane talent to perform odd jobs, eventually finding himself in Venice where he buys a gondola and becomes known for using magic to propel it for an uncannily smooth ride. Somehow (GM's discretion, but probably after transporting someone associated with Matteo Anafesto) he is summoned to Matteo Anafesto's estate. He takes the invitation, suspecting that his destiny from Poseidon awaits.
Character Sheet
www.dropbox.com/s/z9s7c10oewf1wla/Milford.pdf
It won't work with dropbox viewer, download it and open with Adobe.
Appearance: As character sheet. Wears a white short sleeved shirt with a blue vest. Loose grey pants. Avg build. Very tan. Clean shaven.
Mannerisms: a little rough around the edges due to his pirate-slave past. Realist. Does not like being restrained and values freedom, especially by way of sailing.
Early Childhood
Milford was born on a coastal village on the north east end of England. From a young age, he was drawn to the sea. He was known for wandering into the shallows and staring into the distance by the age of three. His parents, Eleanor and Hugh, actively discouraged this behavior in fear for his safety.
Adolescence
Milford continued his fascination with the sea and dreamed of sailing out to far away lands. The sea represented ultimate freedom. Unsatisfied with continuing the family trend of farming, Milford made a deal with his father. Instead of helping him tend to the crops, Milford spent his days fishing and collecting goods, such as seashells, to sell and give to his father. Secretly, he scraped a little off the top for himself, saving it all in hopes of using it to help him attain his ultimate goal of life at sea. He bought books on sailing and hid them from his parents. He once saved a local boy from drowning. His name was Benedict Stranton and they became good friends.
Adulthood
Milford realized he would never be able to afford a boat big enough to sail across the ocean and that the journey to the closest port to become a sailor was too far away to reach on his limited funds. Nonetheless, feeling his strong connection to the sea, he built a small boat to bring in bigger hauls of fish and other goods. Proving to be an excellent fisherman and sailor, he was making a very livable income. He still meet Benedict daily at the tavern nightly. He was particularly fond of one of the tavern wenches, Abigail Wellsworth.
Turning Point
One September afternoon, Milford was further out than he had ever been, and the fishing had never been better. Pulling in healthy, fat fish by the dozen per net, he reveled in his good luck. The shrinking coastline escaped his notice, distracted by the freedom of being so far out to sea he so desired and the enormity of his catch.
The storm came out of nowhere. Milford was tossed about in the boat as a fish flops on a dock. Much of his catch was thrust overboard as the waves crashed against his tiny vessel. Finally, at midnight, the storm subsided. As quickly as they had appeared, the clouds dissipated and revealed a sky of radiant stars. Battered, bruised, and exhausted, Milford fell asleep.
He was awoken by the sounds of gruff men and dwarves yelling. A viking longboat was approaching. Milford knew his fate. The sea, which gave him his greatest freedom, had become his prison; the viking raiders took him as a slave. He was traded from ship to ship, eventually ending up in the Mediterranean Sea. He was under the ownership of Captain Alfons Haas, a ruthless Dutch privateer.
The sea once again returned his freedom. On another September night, it was clear and deathly still on the Mediterranean. Alfons ordered his slaves to row. There came a knocking on the boat from underneath. It got louder and louder until a deafening crack rocked the boat. Black tentacles burst from the dark water and flailed from all sides of the boat. One reached across the port side and picked up Milford. He flailed as the tentacle tightened and plunged him into the depths.
The next thing Milford remembered was waking up on the Italian coastline with nothing but the clothes on his back and a gold amulet with the trident of Poseidon adorning the front. He found that he could command the flow of water and had an innate ability to shape magic. He believes Poseidon has chosen him, but for reasons unknown. He uses his new-found arcane talent to perform odd jobs, eventually finding himself in Venice where he buys a gondola and becomes known for using magic to propel it for an uncannily smooth ride. Somehow (GM's discretion, but probably after transporting someone associated with Matteo Anafesto) he is summoned to Matteo Anafesto's estate. He takes the invitation, suspecting that his destiny from Poseidon awaits.
Character Sheet
www.dropbox.com/s/z9s7c10oewf1wla/Milford.pdf
It won't work with dropbox viewer, download it and open with Adobe.
Appearance: As character sheet. Wears a white short sleeved shirt with a blue vest. Loose grey pants. Avg build. Very tan. Clean shaven.
Mannerisms: a little rough around the edges due to his pirate-slave past. Realist. Does not like being restrained and values freedom, especially by way of sailing.
