Difference between revisions of "Godric Avery"
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==Godric and Calenda== | ==Godric and Calenda== | ||
| − | The almost overwhelming task of freeing the island Ballard soon got the better of an inexperienced Godric. Over the next few months, Godric and his crew did little to remedy the situation on the occupied island. Instead, they embarked on a | + | The almost overwhelming task of freeing the island Ballard soon got the better of an inexperienced and vain Godric. Over the next few months, Godric and his crew did little to remedy the situation on the occupied island. Instead, they embarked on a pleasure cruise, traveling to exotic locals and frivolously spending what little inheritance money they had left. |
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| + | While sailing near the Shin Malas archipelago, Avery, foolishly flying Ballardian colors, was run down and boarded by a Naltronian corvette. After securing the ship, the Naltronians turned back toward their homeland, intent on bringing the renegade Avery to justice. | ||
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| + | The next three days and nights were hell for Avery and his crew, who were held abroad their own ship and tortured and interrogated. The Naltronians, aware that Avery was the missing crown prince of Ballard, were particularly ruthless with the would-be monarch. In a mockery of the Ballardian flag, the seared three lines resembling waves into Avery's back. | ||
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| + | But the Naltronian sailors --and Avery-- didn't realize the extent of Calenda's powers. One of the few to escape torture, Calenda waited until the Shin Malas coastline fell out of sight. At night, she called a firestorm down on the Naltronian ship, then used a cantrip to free her and several of her companions, including Garrick Reynolds, a swordsman. Together, they retook the ship. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The experience transformed Godric. | ||
Revision as of 01:35, 3 April 2010
The Annexation of Ballard
Godric Avery was born into a life of privilege. The seventh son of Brion and Martha Avery, he is a member of the royal house of the small city-state Ballard. Ballard, a minuscule island-nation, is located at the lucrative junction of two sea-trade routes. As a result, the island and its inhabitants enjoyed a great deal of autonomy and wealth, much of which trickled up to the royal family.
At least until the island nation, which had no standing army, was forcefully annexed by the Naltronian Empire.
When Naltronian ships unexpectedly appeared in the harbor of Ballard's capital city, Edgewater, a 22-year-ld Avery attempted to rally a small resistance force to his side. While Godric collected a token defense force, his father sailed out into the harbor to negotiate with the Naltronians on their flagship. Upon boarding the Naltronian ship however, Brion was taken prisoner. It was the last time Godric would see his father for many years.
The Naltronians landed their troops and quickly captured the royal family with the exception of Godric, who remained hidden in the countryside. Over the next few weeks, the young man watched as the Naltronians, undermining his family's power, brokered trade deals with the island's powerful shipping guilds. With the guilds in their pocket, the Naltronians cemented their hold on the island by establishing a garrison and appointing a governor over the island. Godric's mother and two sisters were publicly humiliated in the Edgewater Harbor Square, and sent to a nearby convent to live out their days.
Godric, enraged but powerless, left on a skiff with a few of his close friends -- young sons and daughters of the city's elite.
Enacting Revenge
Godric, isolated, still believed his father and family were being held as political prisoners on Ballard. To rescue them and free the island from Naltronian control, the ordinarily carefree, irresponsible and overly-idealistic Godric decided to build a fleet. To do so, he and his close cadre of friends used their royal status (and considerable inheritances, smuggled off the island) to purchase an old, decommissioned Naltronian warship. A natural sailor since he was born, Godric decided to captain the ship, which he christened "The Edgewater." Hiring a crew proved easy; the group tracked down other ostracized and newly-nationless Ballardians. Their recruits included a young sorceress, Calenda, who quickly caught the eye of Godric, for more than a few reasons.
Godric and Calenda
The almost overwhelming task of freeing the island Ballard soon got the better of an inexperienced and vain Godric. Over the next few months, Godric and his crew did little to remedy the situation on the occupied island. Instead, they embarked on a pleasure cruise, traveling to exotic locals and frivolously spending what little inheritance money they had left.
While sailing near the Shin Malas archipelago, Avery, foolishly flying Ballardian colors, was run down and boarded by a Naltronian corvette. After securing the ship, the Naltronians turned back toward their homeland, intent on bringing the renegade Avery to justice.
The next three days and nights were hell for Avery and his crew, who were held abroad their own ship and tortured and interrogated. The Naltronians, aware that Avery was the missing crown prince of Ballard, were particularly ruthless with the would-be monarch. In a mockery of the Ballardian flag, the seared three lines resembling waves into Avery's back.
But the Naltronian sailors --and Avery-- didn't realize the extent of Calenda's powers. One of the few to escape torture, Calenda waited until the Shin Malas coastline fell out of sight. At night, she called a firestorm down on the Naltronian ship, then used a cantrip to free her and several of her companions, including Garrick Reynolds, a swordsman. Together, they retook the ship.
The experience transformed Godric.