Le pont surélevé de l'Ocean Horizon a augmenté d'environ dix mètres plus haut que les nacelles bâbord et tribord, comprenant les coques jumelles de l'unique Sky Ship. Alcides Demophon, aussi connu sous le nom de Baron Noir, aimait vraiment travailler et vivre à bord de ce beau vaisseau volant. Il était beau de voir donner une impression inquiétante sur ceux qui chercheraient à lui faire du mal. En tant que navigateur, Al Demophon, anciennement d'un minuscule appartement au 197e étage de la tour de l'Ouest ou des Spires brisés, a été en mesure de suivre des cours de cartes à la direction du capitaine et de gérer les commandes de vol pour le merveilleux navire. La vie d'Al sur les Spires brisés était il y a longtemps, et il n'a jamais pensé à la maison plus, ou au moins au cours des sept ou huit dernières années. Il était à bord de l'Ocean Horizon.
Fletcher Payne est plus que le capitaine de l'Ocean Horizon, mais l'un des meilleurs amis d'Al. Lui et le capitaine d'armes du navire ont vu beaucoup d'action à bord de ce navire de guerre unique, mais jamais autant d'action qu'ils l'ont vu au cours des deux dernières semaines. Aujourd'hui, c'était loin d'être une exception. Il s'agit peut-être de la dixième ou de la quinzième rencontre avec des pirates hostiles au cours des deux dernières semaines. Alcides avait perdu le compte du nombre d'attaques que l'équipage de l'Horizon avait lancées. Ils se lassèrent, mais ne s'évertuaient pas sous la pression des combats constants. Al a considéré son désir rempli de luxure pour un coup de rhum à plusieurs occasions récentes, mais ne pouvait pas se rappeler où une bouteille complète pouvait être situé. C'était sur sa liste de choses à acheter une fois qu'ils ont accosté à la tour sud, la ville de Shoel. Cependant, ils auraient besoin de survivre à la rencontre actuelle avec la Miséricorde de Vivian pour réclamer ce prix. Il a démissionné de cet objectif pour être l'une de ses nombreuses récompenses qu'il recevrait pour avoir gagné cette bataille avec un équipage aussi effronté.
Al a entendu l'histoire de M. Poole plusieurs fois. Le Bosun du vaisseau a été tué par un pirate impitoyable nommé Green Goran. Puis le demi-homme, demi-machine créature s'est levé d'entre les morts en livrant un visage plein de cristaux dans M. Goran, démissionnant de cette pitoyable marine d'une vie de piraterie. En raison de sa mort prématurée et de sa résurrection, qui lui a donné l'occasion de se venger personnellement de son meurtrier, M. Poole a désormais été appelé Poole l'Intusible. C'était un nom qui s'est bloqué, générant le respect de chaque quart de l'Ocean Horizon. Personne n'aurait jamais déconné avec le Bosun d'Horizon. De plus, combien de personnes ont la chance de tuer leur propre tueur après leur mort?
Avant que les fracas ne commencent, le navire a été mis sur un parcours de trois cinq (135°) à une altitude de vingt cinq cents mètres (8200 pi.). Le Baron Noir s'attendait à arriver à Shoel après-demain. Lui et le reste s'attendaient ardemment à participer au Festival de Lumière, quelque chose dont ils avaient été privés aussi longtemps que n'importe qui à bord de l'Horizon pouvait se souvenir. Il a vérifié les commandes de vol et s'est dirigé pour s'assurer qu'elles demeurent inchangées. Satisfaits, ils étaient exacts Al a décidé qu'il était temps de rejoindre ses frères et sœurs.
L'équipage de Vivian's Mercy était plus nombreux que ceux de l'Horizon. C'était assez évident. Le capitaine a informé tous ceux qu'ils auraient besoin de creuser au fond d'eux-mêmes pour se battre dur afin de gagner leur chance de participer au Festival cette année. Al savait que les célébrants de Showel utilisaient diverses formes de pyrotechnie dans leur rêverie, mais les équipages des deux vaisseaux du ciel enfermés au combat produisaient leurs propres feux d'artifice.
"Débarrassez-vous de mon pont!" Alcides a crié sur une paire de pirates inconnus alors qu'il a jeté son violeur dans la poitrine d'un homme. Puis il a enfoncé sa botte droite dans l'abdomen d'un second homme, le renversant à plusieurs rythmes. "Ce n'est pas un endroit pour les salauds comme toi!" Il a crié sur le membre d'équipage de Vivian. Il a récupéré un pistolet à cryslock de son étui en déchargeant l'arme à bout portant dans le visage de l'homme. Al a vu la destruction de son explosion, "oh, ça doit faire mal." Il s'est permis des agressions verbales contre ses adversaires. Ce n'était que juste depuis que l'Horizon accueillait cet engagement.
Une paire de combattants de Sylph a couru devant le pont en arc au-dessus du sommet et strié à l'arrière à environ cinq mètres au-dessus du pont. C'était suffisant pour faire du canard. Quand il a retrouvé son sang-froid, il a attrapé M. Poole dans une bagarre avec un bâtard ivre de Vivian's Mercy. Il n'a pas fallu longtemps pour que le sept pieds Bosun mette fin à son misérable existence, avec un peu d'aide du capitaine du navire, Payne.
"Fletcher G! Ravi de vous voir, mon vieux! Je suis si contente que vous ayez pu vous joindre à la joie de cet après-midi. C'est une belle journée, en effet. Le soleil est lumineux et une brise fraîche souffle du sud-ouest. Nous avons un magnifique éventail d'invités qui circulent à bord du navire et je promets de vous acheter un verre de tout ce que vous pouvez désirer dès que nous faisons port à Shoel," Al Demophon a parlé au capitaine Payne pendant le combat. Il a écouté M. Poole et le capitaine Payne se disputer pour savoir qui était responsable de cette attaque à bord de leur maison. Le Baron Noir s'est senti obligé d'ajouter ses deux cents, "M. Poole, c'est de ta faute! Maintenant, allez à l'affaire d'envoyer ces rats scorbuts dans une fosse sans fond."
Name: Alcides Demophon
Alias: The Black Baron or simply, "Al" as a nickname.
Age: 28
Height: 70" (177.8cm)
Weight: 176 Lbs (80 Kg)
Hair Color: dark brown
Eye Color: blue
Crew Position: Navigator
Physical Appearance: Alcides Demophon, is 5' 10" tall weighing 176 Lbs on his lean slender frame. His brown hair shapes his oval shaped face with his baby blue eyes being his best feature; drawing attention to him where he goes. His occasional smile is his best feature, but this bit is saved for the ladies, because that is his primary goal in life.
Attire: "The Black Baron" prefers to dress in black which lends itself to his sobriquet. His knee-high patent leather riding boots and heavy leather drover's coat with black fur lined wide collar are signature articles for the Black Baron. He may wear either a buttoned shirt with a high, straight collar or a heavy black turtleneck sweater under the leather drover's coat. Occasionally, he wears a black leather aviator's cap with vintage goggles, sun, wind and dust propped up on top of his head.
Personality: Alcides, The Black Baron is confident, to the point of being cocky (cheeky). He also holds himself in high esteem, acting in somewhat of an aristocratic or entitled manner. The Baron may occasionally drift into sarcasm, if the situation suits him. He enjoys producing a gentle facade that makes him appear an aristocrat, but alas, he is more scum than you can imagine. His roots lie in the gutter. Wealth acquired aboard the Ocean Horizon has afforded him the ability to maintain an appearance. Alcides is driven by lust for women and greed. Conquering as many lasses as possible is one of this man's priorities. He is not prone to over drinking, but will imbibe on occasion. Alcides is a risk taker, enjoying the thrill of a game of chance. Gambling and women are his primary vices. Making money is his primary desire and motivation. Spinning a finely crafted confidence game is one of his favorite pastimes.
Weapons & Equipment:
- As a gentleman, Alcides prefers and carries a swept hilt rapier constructed of fine quality white steel. He has trained in its use, naturally priding himself in this ability.
- The Baron carries a pair of ivory handled cryslock pistols designed for close-range accuracy in holsters at his hips. These weapons utilize specially refined Light Crystals as ammo. The mechanisms within the guns are designed to release the light energy stored within the crystals in such a way that the hardened crystal shells are propelled out of the barrel like musket shots.
Shard Ability:
Carnomancy - Part of the Baron's persona is his embodiment of complete awareness and control over his body and its functions. As a result, Alcides feels a heightened sense of energy, which translates into increased speed, an abundance of strength and an increased constitution allowing him to withstand a great battery of punishment.
Brief History:
Alcides originated in the Broken Spires to the west. Home was a tiny flat on the 197th level. Themicles, his father spent most of his life on the docks; a longshoreman of sorts; loading and unloading ships for merchants. He was paid well, but spent most of his money in the local drinking establishment. The money was spent on alcohol, women and gambling. When not working, Themicles was sleeping. As a result, Alcides came and went as he pleased. He was educated on the spire as most of the children were. They had a formal educational institution they attended, but it was more for socializing than learning anything useful. He did pay attention on occasion, but it was not his priority. Alcides earned a reputation for slick talking or what others call "Spire Speech".
Following in his father's footsteps, Alcides worked the docks and signed onto a C-Class merchant ship as a deck hand when he was 15. He quickly learned how the engine worked and was assigned as a mechanic in the engine room. The one aspect of this experience he hated was always being filthy. He bathed as often as he could finding it difficult to get the grease off his fingers. He vowed to get out of the engine room as soon as he could.
At age 18, he found employment on a Victory class freighter. Instead of working in the engine room, he befriended the navigator and found himself as the man's apprentice. The ship's navigator taught him his profession and Alcides learned quickly knowing his alternative was the dark, filthy, hot, sweaty cave known as the engine room. It did not take Alcides long to understand the art of navigation, even learning how to navigate by the stars. His Navigator, who he referred to as Duke Grandy or just Grandy took him under his wing and taught him all he knew about the job.
Alcides enjoyed his time as apprentice Navigator, but knew he wanted something bigger. Ole Grandy wasn't going anywhere, so he knew he would have to look for employment elsewhere some day. For now, he enjoyed his time aboard the "Vengeful Maiden". He got into fighting, boxing and other antiquated forms of unarmed combat. He boxed in his free time, he sparred with ship mates. Ole Grandy taught him how to fence as a gentleman and the young man became adept at its use. His insistence on dressing in black enabled him the sobriquet of "The Black Baron" mixed with his self-entitled aristocratic behavior.
Within four years, Alcides fell in with an old chum, he'd met sometime in his past, Fletch Payne. They may have crewed together either on the C-Class or the Maiden. Fletch assisted Alcides on a few of his cons, taking cash, jewelry and whatever other valuables they could take from a mark. It was fun, terrifying, exciting and risky. These qualities of life Alcides enjoyed the most. Alcides was always feeding the beast, as he occasionally put it. Feeding the beast was his expression for doing whatever it was he (or anyone) enjoyed doing; something that was an exciting thrill, an adrenaline pumping adventure.
When Fletch Payne took command of the Ocean Horizon, Alcides quickly took advantage of the situation and made his way aboard, first as helmsman, and later as Ship's Navigator replacing Herod Elmo, an elderly gentleman with a bad heart. Alcides learned the workings of this ship. Life had gotten so much better for the former dock rat, proficient in Spire Speach*.
Relationships:
Will fill in as characters are posted.
Captain Fletcher Payne - Alcides views Fletch as one of his oldest friends. They both see eye to eye on their desires towards women sharing bedroom tales from time to time. Both men are of equal size and martial skill, giving chance to spar or duel with one another as a means of training in the finer ways of the sword an in hand to hand combat. The Black Baron has the highest respect for the King of Storms, impressed at his ability to control the weather.
Steward Petros Avakian - Al views the Steward Avakian as a quiet insular young man who prefers to be left alone. Al gives the young man a wide birth, offering him a polite, cordial greeting when he sees him. He has not had a lot of intercourse with the man and can't state an opinion of him one way or another, just that he does a fine job as ship's steward.
Bosun Aloysius Poole - Bosun Poole is a curiosity to Al to be respected. He has an appreciation for the creature's strength and his capacity to know just about anything. His neutral behavior has taken Al quite some time to get his head around. Al is a very flamboyant personality, living life to its fullest. With this machine serving as Bosun aboard the Ocean Horizon Al struggles to determine the beast or machine's place in this community he calls a crew.
Master-at-Arms Carlos Cunningham - Al considers Carlos Cunningham a close friend. They have served aboard the Ocean Horizon for several years now and have created a bond as friendship. He also appreciates the clothing Carlos dresses in. They dress in similar manner; he feels a kinship with his younger brother from another mother. The pair share a common knowledge in engines, although both prefer not to talk about such drivel. All believes it is beneath him.
Crewman FERGUS GALLAGHER - Al views Mr. Gallagher as a father figure. He respects the much larger man's experience and wisdom, calling on the weathered deckhand for advice or counsel on various issues. Mr. Gallagher is usually to wise to fall for Alcides' parlor tricks or to sit at his card table. He enjoys listening to the manner of his speech. It reminds him of Spire Speech.
Squadron Leader Silver Kingsly - Al is unsure about Mr. Kingsly. He is a new member of the crew, but knows how to fly the Sylph. This is a quality Alcides admires about Mr. Kingsly, secretly possessing a slight amount of envy. Mr. Kinglsy is someone Alcides wishes to get into one of his games of chance.
Medical Officer Maria Siddiqui - Due to her position as Ship's Medical Officer, Al insulates himself from Maria. The analogy of a Predator and Prey is best in describing their personalities. Al knows all too well that the Naive doctor would be easy prey to his charms and deceit. But because there could possibly be a time one day that he needs to trust her knowledge of healthcare, he maintains a sense of discipline around her, refusing to allow his lustful airs to get the better of him. It is often best that he stay away from the attractive young woman.
Medical Officer Yara Catalina Loras - When Yara first came aboard the Ocean Horizno roughly three years ago, Alcides was unaware of the connection between her and Fletcher. It did make for some very tense times when Al played out his normal behavior attempting to hit on the young girl. She parried each of his moves and Al became frustrated. Eventually, Carlos explained the situation to him that Yara had a very close connection to the Captain, they were bonded siblings. Consider her the Captain's Sister, if you may, was what he heard and from that day on, Al has left her alone. He does not try to play her or get her to do anything some might call immoral. Instead, he protects the young medical officer, another person who could possibly save his life some day. He treats her with respect because she is both a medical officer and the Captain's sister. Today, Al views Yara as a friend.
Chief Engineer Grant Meagan -