# #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Lucian Surtova - **Race/Species:** Half-Elf - **Class/Profession:** Pirate Lord/Leader of the Lords of the Black Sails - **Alignment/Morality:** Chaotic Neutral - **Age:** Late 40s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** Lucian combines elven grace with a weathered ruggedness born of decades on the river. Standing taller than most humans at 6'2", his lithe but muscular frame moves with predatory elegance. His mixed heritage is evident in his slightly pointed ears and sharp features, though years of sun and wind have carved deep lines around his striking blue-green eyes. His hair—once jet black, now streaked with gray—is worn in a complex arrangement of braids and loose locks adorned with small trophies from notable conquests. A prominent scar runs from his left temple to jawline, legacy of a close encounter with Brevoy's navy. He dresses in a flamboyant captain's coat of midnight blue adorned with silver embroidery, beneath which he wears practical leather armor. Multiple weapons are always visible on his person, and several more remain concealed. A black silk eyepatch occasionally covers his right eye, though observant individuals might notice he switches which eye is covered depending on the circumstance—a deliberate affectation rather than a necessity. #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Lucian embodies the romantic ideal of a pirate lord—charismatic, unpredictable, and living by his own code. He can shift from charming raconteur to merciless predator in an instant, keeping both allies and enemies perpetually off-balance. His half-elven heritage has given him an outsider's perspective on both human and elven society, leaving him with little respect for conventional authority but a deep loyalty to those who earn his trust. Though undeniably ruthless, he avoids unnecessary cruelty, preferring to cultivate a reputation for "honorable piracy" where those who surrender without resistance are treated fairly. He possesses a theatrical flair for the dramatic that sometimes borders on the ridiculous, but this carefully cultivated persona conceals a cunning strategist who has outmaneuvered authorities for decades. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Master Navigator** – Intimate knowledge of every bend, current, and hidden passage along the Sellen River - **Charismatic Leader** – Inspires fierce loyalty among his diverse crew of outcasts and adventurers - **Strategic Brilliance** – Exceptional at planning ambushes and escapes using the river's natural features - **Swordmaster** – Combines elven finesse with brutal pragmatism in combat - **Political Acumen** – Understands the complex web of River Kingdom politics and exploits divisions - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Theatrical Vanity** – Sometimes endangers operations for the sake of dramatic flourish - **Vendetta-Driven** – Personal grudges can override strategic judgment - **Trust Issues** – Paranoid about betrayal due to his family history - **Aging Concerns** – Increasingly aware that his reflexes are beginning to slow with age - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - Speaks with a melodious cadence that suggests elven heritage but incorporates colorful river pirate slang - Gestures expansively when making proclamations or telling stories - Habitually plays with a silver coin, rolling it across his knuckles during conversations - Refers to himself in the third person when making formal declarations - Switches his eyepatch between eyes when changing "roles" from negotiator to intimidator #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born the illegitimate child of a minor Surtova noble and an elven diplomat, Lucian grew up in the uncomfortable margins of Brevoy's aristocracy—acknowledged but never accepted. His father's legitimate children ensured he would never inherit position or wealth, while his mixed heritage made him an outsider in both human and elven circles. When his father arranged an advantageous marriage to a minor merchant family, the young Lucian chose escape instead, stowing away on a river barge bound for the River Kingdoms. Finding freedom and acceptance among the diverse outcasts working the river trade, he quickly demonstrated natural talent for navigation and leadership. His first act of piracy was born of necessity when the captain of his vessel attempted to sell crew members to cover gambling debts. The mutiny Lucian led resulted in his first command, and he never looked back. Over two decades, he built the Lords of the Black Sails from a single vessel to a confederation of pirate crews operating throughout the region's waterways. Today, he balances traditional piracy with political maneuvering, offering protection to certain merchant vessels while preying on others, and occasionally serving as a deniable asset for River Kingdom rulers who need rivals disrupted. Though officially a wanted criminal with substantial bounties on his head, he moves openly in certain port towns where his bribes or protection ensure local authorities look the other way. - **Current Motivations:** - Maintaining the Lords' dominance over river piracy against newer competitors - Seeking vengeance against the [[Merchants' Consortium]] for recent crackdowns - Pursuing a personal vendetta against [[Marina Voren]] who has targeted his operations - Establishing a permanent "pirate haven" where his crews can operate openly - Secretly investigating rumors of his father's death and possible inheritance claims - **Connections & Relationships:** - **[[Marina Voren]]**: His sworn enemy from the [[Merchants' Consortium]] with whom he has a complex rivalry - **Captain "Blackwater" Jen**: His second-in-command and rumored lover - **Duke [[Marius Surtova 1]]**: Legitimate half-brother who officially condemns him while occasionally using his services - **Various river town officials** who have been bribed or blackmailed into cooperation - **Scattered half-siblings** throughout Brevoy's nobility, some of whom secretly maintain contact - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **[[Lords of the Black Sails]]**: The pirate confederation he built and leads - **River Freedom Fighters**: A more idealistic group that occasionally allies with him against authoritarian efforts - **House Surtova (Complicated)**: His blood connection gives him intelligence on family matters - **Certain River Kingdom rulers** who use his services for deniable operations - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **The Black Tide**: His personal vessel, a modified river galley known for its speed - **Riverwind**: An elven-crafted rapier inherited from his mother - **The Lord's Seal**: A signet ring used to mark official communications from the Lords - **Captain's Spyglass**: An enchanted tool that allows him to see through minor illusions - **The Black Chart**: A magical map showing real-time locations of major vessels on the river #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The outsider who creates his own place in the world - Freedom versus security in the River Kingdoms - The thin line between criminal and freedom fighter - Legacy and legitimacy as complicated concepts - **Player/GM Notes:** - Can serve as either antagonist or unexpected ally depending on circumstances - Offers potential quests related to recovering stolen goods or infiltrating the Consortium - Always has an escape plan and rarely fights to the death - Could be a source of information about river travel or Brevoy politics - Despite his criminal activities, maintains a certain theatrical honor code