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Jeshal the Ironclaw
Image TBA
Skills
Image TBA
Skills
Total Points Available To Spend |
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16 until further review/discussion Perchance could Jeshal as an oldbie captain and MinoComm have Veteran for Sailor? |
Physical | Mental | Social |
---|---|---|
Swordsbeast (Cutlass) [Proficient] (3) | Sailor [Veteran] (6) | Manipulation [Seasoned] (4) |
| Accounts/Bookkeeping [Trained] (2) | MinoComm experience tbd |
| Fisherbeast [Novice] (1) | |
Total Points in Category: 3 | Total Points in Category: 9 | Total Points in Category: 4 |
General Information
Age: 59
Species: Red Fox
Size: Medium (5'7")
Physical Description
Handsome grey streaks now complement Jeshal’s copper fur, but he still has the same dark bistre eyes. His most distinguishing feature is the metal gauntlet in place of his left paw, which has since been upgraded thanks to his wife’s skills with machinery. Once lean and somewhat ragged, he is a touch more muscular from his time in retirement, labouring with island life, smuggling, and trading. Perhaps almost a paunch to the belly. Almost.
Jesh wears a patched cavalier with dangling trinkets, some of which have changed over time. There is still a peacock feather in it harking back to his captain and ministry days. Beneath the sleeves of his cream shirts and on one side of his ribs are very old burn scars from the wrecking of The Skullbait.
Jesh wears a patched cavalier with dangling trinkets, some of which have changed over time. There is still a peacock feather in it harking back to his captain and ministry days. Beneath the sleeves of his cream shirts and on one side of his ribs are very old burn scars from the wrecking of The Skullbait.
Inventory and Real Estate
I was rich once, ye know. After faking his death and leaving his estate to his wife, who also faked her death, it’s unknown what happened to the riches (and castle) the Ironclaw once owned. He has earnt a modest sum as a smuggler, trader, and oddjobber in Kutoroka and retains a cutlass and some clothing. Somewhere among his stash on the island is a tattered black coat with gold buttons engraved with a picture of the Hide, one of which is in the possession of his daughter. About his wrist he wears a scrap of fabric from one of Tox’s old bandannas.
Personality
Jeshal has mellowed in his age. Island life has suited him well, as has the peace and chaos of a family of his own away from the Imperium. He still revels in tricks and mind games where he can find them, but he mostly reserves that for flirting with Tox; irritating his children; or for his light business. It’s rumoured he has helped out the natives by dressing up as a trickster spirit to scare off nastier beasts than him. He isn’t trustworthy and he rarely makes lasting friends but that may change as his years exchanged some wit for wisdom.
That said, returning to the Imperium is liable to draw out some old habits and dastardly ways. Think Steerpike meets Barbossa meets Blackadder meets Scorpius from FarScape meets Spike (BTVS).
That said, returning to the Imperium is liable to draw out some old habits and dastardly ways. Think Steerpike meets Barbossa meets Blackadder meets Scorpius from FarScape meets Spike (BTVS).
Strengths
Manipulation and sometimes blind luck. His rise to captaincy and even a minister back in the day wasn’t due to skill so much as general competence, beast-hours, and his own ill deeds. Patience is this fox’s friend for it is what won him everything he never expected in life and never occurred to him to want. Physically, he’s not a fun beast to get in a fistfight with considering I accidentally made him visually the Imperium’s Winter Soldier, though he is not big or strong. His brain, however, is the thing to be afraid of. Fortune has it that Jeshal tended to keep his attention on personal vendettas and shadow-works rather than ever truly seeking power. Perhaps that is how he has survived.
Weaknesses
Jeshal’s obsessive behaviour over the years has been a barrier to his and others’ happiness. Until just before he left the Imperium he did not understand a good thing when he had it, and some would argue he’d had it all. Money, power, twisted love. His family is a weakness of his, the soft centre to the callous fiend, as is a deep insecurity waiting to be exploited. He doesn’t believe he deserves anything of what he has found and he fears losing his children. Perhaps that is part of what draws him back to the Imperium from island paradise, a need to keep an eye on them, but also to feel the rush that comes with the perks of power and the sweet poison of corruption.
History
(Longish, see TL;DR at the bottom)
In his kit years, Jeshal was an average luckless whelp brought up amongst the devils of the sea, never knowing a member of family to call his own but for whatever crew would bear to have his scrawny hide aboard to mop the decks and sweep the peelings off the galley floor. As he grew, he learned the arts of emotional backstabbing and manipulation, mainly from watching the soap operas of his crewmates. Not allowing himself to get too high in the ranks, he ensured his personal safety and became as much a part of the ships as their own anchors. In between these times, he would mingle amongst fisher folk and take advantage of the kindness of richer strangers on colonial islands. This he found more easily than most with his soft tones and not unpleasant face. From them he learned etiquette, reading, and writing. When he had got what he wanted he would leave, often with something of value.
Not long past his nineteenth season, Jeshal was back on the seas. The ship he resided on, The Skullbait, foolishly engaged in a pointless combat with another vessel and was destroyed. Amidst the fire caused by the enemy ship's ballistae, he was the sole survivor, though for many months he had wished otherwise. His left paw lodged immovably beneath a fallen timber, Jeshal gnawed through wood and flesh to free himself. Hardly recalling how he escaped the wreck, all he remembered was the face of one foebeast he had seen rushing about the deck of the other ship. Before the battle was fully underway, he had noticed her... and ever since, his addled mind held her image in a feverish dance.
Immediately after the event he washed ashore and met an old witch with a talent for extraordinary metalcraft. So delicate and ingenious was her work that she created for him a gauntlet that fitted snug around his ugly paw with a combination lock to protect it.
Over the next few years he grew fiercer and yet more obsessed, dedicating his time to serving aboard any vessel that would take him in, and all the while taking every opportunity he could to describe the vixen that haunted his thoughts. At last he came to serve aboard the very ship belonging to the vixen he had pursued — The Golden Hide — and continued his ambiguous plans.
As of Primary 26, Yr. 1729, Jeshal had managed to wangle his way into becoming the ship's Bosun mostly through general attendance on deck and looking useful.
With the promotion of his target to Admiral of the Imperium fleet, Jeshal found himself at a bit of a setback. Whilst the vixen, Tanya (then Ryalor), remained aboard the Golden Hide as her flagship, the change in position resulted in a new captain (Fafnir Harlgren) and one who wouldn't take so much lip. As such, the Ironclaw's plans did not go quite so smoothly.
Jeshal continued his wretched plotting, aiming to blackmail every beast he could into snatching more and more information about Admiral Ryalor. With Fafnir's command causing such disturbance among the crew, it became easier for him to integrate himself as part of the general morale of the ship. During his time aboard, he was appointed to kit-sit Armina Rogue's alternate identity Narima Rouge to keep her out of trouble. He intended to exploit her close relation to Tanya as much as possible.
As of Merry 27, Yr. 1729, first mate Anithias Freedom became captain following Harlgren's mysterious resignation. This news came as somewhat of a discomfort to Jeshal, due to Freedom's close ties with Admiral Ryalor. Although he had not given Anithias a reason to doubt him, the chances of getting close to Tanya had become concerningly thin. His schemes were likely to need deeper wiles than ever before.
On Thermidor 8, Yr. 1729, much to his surprise, Jeshal was promoted to first mate of the Hide. At first, he was less than enthused, feeling a great sense of distrust of Anithias and knowing that a lot of the crew would increase bitter feelings towards the Ironclaw. Eventually Jeshal came to terms with the position, recognising how much closer he became to Tanya in rank. Slowly the seeds of power, something that he had never cared for, began to corrupt his mind.
Humidor 2, 1729. Jeshal was promoted briefly to Acting Captain during Anithias Freedom's leave, giving the Ironclaw a full two weeks to have the responsibility of the whole crew. It proved to be just as difficult as he imagined.
Jeshal's road darkened further the night before an encounter with a slaver ship. Having reached his 25th season, the Ironclaw began to consider his stagnant progress in getting closer to Tanya. The result was a lack of sleep and achieving a state of drunkenness so severe he had to be helped to bed by a 'kindly' soul. He mistook the samaritan for the Admiral and in a frenzy of mixed emotion, killed her. Jeshal became restless, succumbing to the corruption of the powerful and murderous.
Notempre 24, 1729 - Rumours hovered under a surface of uncertainty around Captain Freedom's position. Once again the golden todd had to attend to matters elsewhere, leaving Jeshal in charge. Perhaps the whispers he began to undermine Anithias's authority were taking their toll.
Dismembre 1729 - After Captain Freedom was dismissed in disgrace due to terrible misfortune of debt, the Ironclaw was promoted in his stead to captain of the Golden Hide.
Sometime within 1730, Jeshal took the position of Captain of the Guard, despite his ominous ties with the crime syndicate MAUL. He used this power to his advantage and finally realised his dream - to capture Tanya Ryalor. Using her kits as bait, he lured her to his as yet secret castle and intended to take his revenge. The attempt turned sour. Both with broken limbs, the fight stopped and, whether it was purely due to the appearance of Tanya's kits or something to do with the faded light of battle in Jeshal's eyes was to be discovered.
Jeshal and Tanya kept his betrayal a secret, if only in the official capacity. That something had occurred between them was obvious. No longer with a purpose, the Ironclaw became dangerous and confused, unable to get her out of his mind.
Late 1730, Jeshal was arrested for treason by the Minister of War (the very same Admiral). In conclusion his 'punishment' was to be promoted to the title of Minister of Commerce, largely due to his accidental gift with finances. As such he took over commission of the Kreehold Mercenaries and parted ways with the MAUL organisation as well as the title of Captain of the Guard. He still, however, retained the Peacemaker sword until his later departure from the Imperium.
During his time as MinoComm Jeshal became the secret overseer of a cake smuggling ring, helping to fund underground bakeries during a time when cake had been temporarily outlawed by the addled Emperor.
Bugs 15, Yr 1731, Jeshal and Tanya got extremely drunk and accidentally got married. They resolved never to speak of this again, as with every other major happening between them. Over time, however, their evolving relationship developed into something surprisingly trusting and with feeling.
There came a time when the instability of the Imperium, ministry conflicts and assassination threats, and the uncertainty of the future became too much to risk staying. Jeshal made a pact with Tanya to fake their deaths and flee the city, explosions setting off in their respective ministries. Away from the VI, they made a new life together on the distant island of Kutoroka, he, Tanya, and her two kits. Jeshal used his sailing skills to assist smugglers and learnt to fish. He befriended the natives of the island and other local islands, with whom he and his family traded. In time, his and Tox’s partnership bloomed into one of further parenthood, and they had two kits of their own, Kinza and Lorcan.
Their kits grew and wanted to seek their fortunes, back in the place they had left behind. Word had reached them that the Imperium had found a new era of relative stability. Curiosity, the need for mischief, and a father’s protectiveness would eventually drive the older fox back to the Imperium, even if only for a time.
Not long past his nineteenth season, Jeshal was back on the seas. The ship he resided on, The Skullbait, foolishly engaged in a pointless combat with another vessel and was destroyed. Amidst the fire caused by the enemy ship's ballistae, he was the sole survivor, though for many months he had wished otherwise. His left paw lodged immovably beneath a fallen timber, Jeshal gnawed through wood and flesh to free himself. Hardly recalling how he escaped the wreck, all he remembered was the face of one foebeast he had seen rushing about the deck of the other ship. Before the battle was fully underway, he had noticed her... and ever since, his addled mind held her image in a feverish dance.
Immediately after the event he washed ashore and met an old witch with a talent for extraordinary metalcraft. So delicate and ingenious was her work that she created for him a gauntlet that fitted snug around his ugly paw with a combination lock to protect it.
Over the next few years he grew fiercer and yet more obsessed, dedicating his time to serving aboard any vessel that would take him in, and all the while taking every opportunity he could to describe the vixen that haunted his thoughts. At last he came to serve aboard the very ship belonging to the vixen he had pursued — The Golden Hide — and continued his ambiguous plans.
As of Primary 26, Yr. 1729, Jeshal had managed to wangle his way into becoming the ship's Bosun mostly through general attendance on deck and looking useful.
With the promotion of his target to Admiral of the Imperium fleet, Jeshal found himself at a bit of a setback. Whilst the vixen, Tanya (then Ryalor), remained aboard the Golden Hide as her flagship, the change in position resulted in a new captain (Fafnir Harlgren) and one who wouldn't take so much lip. As such, the Ironclaw's plans did not go quite so smoothly.
Jeshal continued his wretched plotting, aiming to blackmail every beast he could into snatching more and more information about Admiral Ryalor. With Fafnir's command causing such disturbance among the crew, it became easier for him to integrate himself as part of the general morale of the ship. During his time aboard, he was appointed to kit-sit Armina Rogue's alternate identity Narima Rouge to keep her out of trouble. He intended to exploit her close relation to Tanya as much as possible.
As of Merry 27, Yr. 1729, first mate Anithias Freedom became captain following Harlgren's mysterious resignation. This news came as somewhat of a discomfort to Jeshal, due to Freedom's close ties with Admiral Ryalor. Although he had not given Anithias a reason to doubt him, the chances of getting close to Tanya had become concerningly thin. His schemes were likely to need deeper wiles than ever before.
On Thermidor 8, Yr. 1729, much to his surprise, Jeshal was promoted to first mate of the Hide. At first, he was less than enthused, feeling a great sense of distrust of Anithias and knowing that a lot of the crew would increase bitter feelings towards the Ironclaw. Eventually Jeshal came to terms with the position, recognising how much closer he became to Tanya in rank. Slowly the seeds of power, something that he had never cared for, began to corrupt his mind.
Humidor 2, 1729. Jeshal was promoted briefly to Acting Captain during Anithias Freedom's leave, giving the Ironclaw a full two weeks to have the responsibility of the whole crew. It proved to be just as difficult as he imagined.
Jeshal's road darkened further the night before an encounter with a slaver ship. Having reached his 25th season, the Ironclaw began to consider his stagnant progress in getting closer to Tanya. The result was a lack of sleep and achieving a state of drunkenness so severe he had to be helped to bed by a 'kindly' soul. He mistook the samaritan for the Admiral and in a frenzy of mixed emotion, killed her. Jeshal became restless, succumbing to the corruption of the powerful and murderous.
Notempre 24, 1729 - Rumours hovered under a surface of uncertainty around Captain Freedom's position. Once again the golden todd had to attend to matters elsewhere, leaving Jeshal in charge. Perhaps the whispers he began to undermine Anithias's authority were taking their toll.
Dismembre 1729 - After Captain Freedom was dismissed in disgrace due to terrible misfortune of debt, the Ironclaw was promoted in his stead to captain of the Golden Hide.
Sometime within 1730, Jeshal took the position of Captain of the Guard, despite his ominous ties with the crime syndicate MAUL. He used this power to his advantage and finally realised his dream - to capture Tanya Ryalor. Using her kits as bait, he lured her to his as yet secret castle and intended to take his revenge. The attempt turned sour. Both with broken limbs, the fight stopped and, whether it was purely due to the appearance of Tanya's kits or something to do with the faded light of battle in Jeshal's eyes was to be discovered.
Jeshal and Tanya kept his betrayal a secret, if only in the official capacity. That something had occurred between them was obvious. No longer with a purpose, the Ironclaw became dangerous and confused, unable to get her out of his mind.
Late 1730, Jeshal was arrested for treason by the Minister of War (the very same Admiral). In conclusion his 'punishment' was to be promoted to the title of Minister of Commerce, largely due to his accidental gift with finances. As such he took over commission of the Kreehold Mercenaries and parted ways with the MAUL organisation as well as the title of Captain of the Guard. He still, however, retained the Peacemaker sword until his later departure from the Imperium.
During his time as MinoComm Jeshal became the secret overseer of a cake smuggling ring, helping to fund underground bakeries during a time when cake had been temporarily outlawed by the addled Emperor.
Bugs 15, Yr 1731, Jeshal and Tanya got extremely drunk and accidentally got married. They resolved never to speak of this again, as with every other major happening between them. Over time, however, their evolving relationship developed into something surprisingly trusting and with feeling.
There came a time when the instability of the Imperium, ministry conflicts and assassination threats, and the uncertainty of the future became too much to risk staying. Jeshal made a pact with Tanya to fake their deaths and flee the city, explosions setting off in their respective ministries. Away from the VI, they made a new life together on the distant island of Kutoroka, he, Tanya, and her two kits. Jeshal used his sailing skills to assist smugglers and learnt to fish. He befriended the natives of the island and other local islands, with whom he and his family traded. In time, his and Tox’s partnership bloomed into one of further parenthood, and they had two kits of their own, Kinza and Lorcan.
Their kits grew and wanted to seek their fortunes, back in the place they had left behind. Word had reached them that the Imperium had found a new era of relative stability. Curiosity, the need for mischief, and a father’s protectiveness would eventually drive the older fox back to the Imperium, even if only for a time.
TL;DR
Creepo fox who got a lot of what he didn't deserve and some he did
Married to Tanya Keltoi, father of Kinza and Lorcan Rainclaw
Was Captain of the Golden Hide end of 1729 to some point in 1731
Briefly Captain of the Guard in 1730
Was Minister of Commerce 1730-1731
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