Diego MacKierstan

Diego MacKierstan is a player character in the Shattered Union campaign.
He is a hastily promoted Steel Acolyte of the Abbey of Metallurgy sent out on an expedition to advance clerical interests in the Shattered Sea.
Diego MacKierstan died in a seafaring accident on the coast of Fef in the first week of Winter's Reign 20.88
==Description==
Diego is a tall man and is reasonably well-built with the olive skin of a Calamaran. His long, wheat-coloured hair, inherited from his Tyrranean father, is worn combed over on the right side leaving the left side with a close military cut to reveal the tattoo of the Greatsmith's hammer on the left side of his neck coming up to just beneath his left ear. He keeps a neatly trimmed beard around his mouth and chin. On his left bicep he has tattooed four chains representing the ranks which he has attained - A ruddy grey representing Iron for his Apprentice Rank, a blue for Cobalt, a dull metallic yellow for Brass, and a blueish grey for Steel.
== Personality and Beliefs ==
Diego MacKierstan was above all things, a highly passionate man. He loved his faith, his work, his siblings in the faith, and overall had high hopes for people. Diego wanted to believe in everybody, to give them a chance until they proved to him that they were not worth his time. He believed strongly in making the world a better place, and viewed the tenets of the Abbey of Metallurgy as a path to that. 
He strongly connected to the idea of refinement, of working at a creation until it was as close to perfection as it could be made. This drove him to try to improve himself, and saw in places and people the possibility for the same. This was what drove him to take Isla Cobre as his Mission. He saw the potential for a place of freedom, a place that rejected oppression and valued individuals as individuals and not another cog in the machine of imperialism. 
Diego's faith was an important part of his life. He took his commitments seriously, from the day he joined, he saw the world with the lens of an Acolyte of the Abbey. That was not to say that Diego was strictly dogmatic. Rather, the texts and teachings became so naturally ingrained in him that his perspective on them grew and changed with him. This combined with his natural optimism to create a powerful motivation to make the world a better place. 
Beyond his faith, Diego was a little awkward. He could socially interact well enough, and was humble in his opinion of himself, but his time in the Abbey meant that he didn't understand what it was like to not have been in it. He had a great passion for learning about these experiences. This guided him in his time as Caretaker because he not only wanted to make simple improvements but the improvements that people needed, and tried to take the time to understand what those were and why.
Diego was empathetic to the experiences of others and tried to understand as best he could. He was willing to be open about his life experiences, his emotions and his fears about the world. He wanted to share these things, because he knew that was the only way that anybody in life could cope. He was always eager to do the same. In fact, the greatest show of character anyone could have made in his eyes was to be truly vulnerable about who they were. More than any warrior, the people who had the courage to try to connect to others and share their feelings were the bravest and best of all. 
Diego was very concerned with ideas of justice and freedom. He was strictly against slavery and heavy-handed rule. He felt that all people had the right to determine their own destiny and anyone who stood in the way of that either needed to move, or be moved. However, he was also keen to ensure that one person's choices did not invalidate another's. He was in favour of more laws being added to Isla Cobre to guard against the worst excesses of absolute freedom, and desired to implement a police force on Isla Cobre to protect its citizens from violence and danger. 
Finally, Diego had a difficult relationship with violence. He preferred to talk problems out before exchanging blows, and would avoid physical confrontations if possible. Despite his general distaste for it, Diego was ready and willing to fight if pressed. His time on Isla Cobre accustomed him to violence more as the harsh realities of an existential war against the Calamaran Empire called him to fight. While not pleased to fight, he was willing to project willingness and bravado to enhance the morale of his comrades. 
== History ==
Diego MacKierstan was the son of a Calamaran smuggler and a Whytehold Knight. Once rivals, then lovers divided by the lines of law and order, Diego's father Steraco finally left his criminal ways behind to marry the love of his life, Svenya MacKierstan. They settled in Salzebourge, and had three children: Diethard, Diego, and Vanessa. Diego was a chatty child and was lost for purpose. He was always fascinated with one of his mother's possessions - An enchanted Metallurgist sword which fired the blade like a crossbow bolt and returned it to the hilt with magic. When his mother retired from chasing crime and became the more administratively-focused commander of the town guard, she resolved to return it to the Abbey of Metallurgy as by tradition, a Metallurgist's gift should never go unused. Diego was sad to see it go, so they made an agreement - They would return it to the Abbey, and Diego would get to see the place that made the wondrous weapon.
When they visited to return the blade, Diego was amazed. The Metallurgists saw a child enthralled by the majesty of the Greatsmith, so they showed him some of their Acolytes' work. From that moment, he knew what he wanted to do. He helped out his father's business, running goods aboard his ship the Spirit of the Wind alongside his brother Diethard for several years. He learned a little of the old smuggler's ways, but mostly about how to sail, and his dream of Metallurgy was set aside. The idyllic family cargo business did not run long. Svenya noticed odd things about her husband, and eventually realised that he hadn't given up his old ways entirely. Infuriated that her husband was still a criminal, using her as cover for him while he smuggled in the name of helping their family. As the old flames of rivalry once again lit up, the halcyon family days were gone. Diego then was a young adult, and seeing his old life coming apart, left home, betrayed by his father's dishonesty. 
Diego presented himself to the Abbey, and he was welcomed as a respected knight's child. He trained and trained, becoming fascinated with magic and mechanics until he created his magnum opus to date - Vigilant. Based on Clockwork technology, the metal bear cub became his constant companion in times of trouble, and it naturally drew other Acolytes to him. He inherited some of his father's old charisma, and dashing adventurous mentality, and Diego soon yearned to put his abilities to the test. The Abbey had filled the hole his broken home life had left in him. His dedication to the Greatsmith's tenets of craftsmanship and building things to last channelled his feelings of abandonment and betrayal into something good. 
Then, as the Erdannian Empire descended into Civil War, it seemed time for a new Tyrranean power to reach out to the Shattered Sea. Diego's knowledge of the Shattered Sea and sailing from his father combined with his talent and charisma to make him an ideal candidate for the Abbey of Metallurgy's new outreach program. People from Izir, Hirokir, Shavhan, and even artefacts of the mysterious Shrouded Continent all crossed paths in the Sea. It was time for the Abbey to finally learn more, now that the Erdannians had other things to worry about. Diego was knighted, made a Steel Acolyte, and swore to bring the Greatsmith's light to the Shattered Sea. He set his sights on Isla Cobre, and with the Greatsmith's blessing, hoped to make the Shattered Union whole.
His arrival immediately sparked controversy with Lang-Fe Omudan, Captain of the Typhoon's Eye. This relationship would never be repaired. Despite the initial antagonism with an established Council member, Diego successfully convinced the Council to appoint him as Caretaker. He spent some time at the Old Lighthouse speaking to Alsander, and also connected with Marcello. He would never make progress with any plans he intended to make with them. However, during his arrival, he met Captain Carlos Caro-Grillo, with whom he quickly bonded over a drink after embarrassing himself at The Sunken Anchor tavern. This relationship defined most of his time on Isla Cobre. 
Diego's first operation with the Council was a diplomatic mission to Na'Souri, where he traded jibes with representatives of the Nochegardian Trade Union and drove the party to a peaceful solution to the raids the island was suffering at the hands of a Renegade Fleet splinter faction. He clashed with Captain Ed Jameson as a result. While not ideal, his reputation was not unduly damaged by this. After this mission he continued connecting with other Captains including Fenric Strand (though suspicious of the Erdannian's motives) and Amicus, and also deepened his relationship with Carlos. At a party hosted by Captain Kaida during this time aboard her ship the Dragon's Eye, he became rapidly aware of Captain Vari of Fef holding a grudge. He spent most of that party in frustrated social isolation, and felt incredibly awkward. Even drinking games did not help. He suspected that his rival, Lang-Fe, had created a small cult of personality around her, as she seemed rather popular at that party. This only compounded his irritation. 
Things began to look up for Diego after assisting a party consisting of himself, Carlos, Fenric, Mae'Jinn and Marigold located the Treasury buried in the cliffs. He swiftly followed this by sailing to Kerkeshgo to join a raid against the armoury. Here he fought alongside Vari, Captain Zheng and Captain Unit 713. As they stormed the building, Diego made a tactical decision to spearhead the attack with his knights while leaving 713 and his crew to cover their advance. While 713 was displeased, he was not able to express his irritation at that time or later. Diego made some effort to repair their relationship after the attack, an effort entirely frustrated by 713 committing a treasonous act. Diego joined the voices who voted to banish 713 for its crimes. 
Diego later mustered the Captains to fund Rook's forge in the hope of allowing the Union to be more self-sufficient in military terms. Unfortunately, he would never get to see the finished result. He attended a party hosted by Kassi Fang where he was able to repair his relationship with Vari, the two clearing the air and resolving to deal with the renegade Metallurgist that maimed Vari. At this party, the budding attraction between himself and Carlos began to truly blossom. 
Diego sailed to Maracaygo with Mae'Jinn, Lang-Fe and Captain Adrenita where he met some of his Metallurgist colleagues. Their leader, a fellow Steel Acolyte looked down on Diego and threatened to report him for not doing his job properly. After taking the verbal beatdown, Diego left, much disturbed. This feeling of disquiet contributed to his subsequent outburst of fury aboard the Elucidator when he challenged Lang-Fe to a duel for being obstinate and obnoxious while he was trying to make a speech to shore up the morale of the sailors. This was not helped by her poor handling of the negotiation with the leader of the Renegade Fleet which nearly caused the destruction of the Elucidator and death of the Captains and crew aboard. He never forgave her arrogance in that moment. 
After returning to port, alive but not happy, he was overjoyed to learn that Carlos wanted to join the Abbey of Metallurgy. He proudly brought Carlos into the fold in an initiation ritual where the new acolyte completed the final runes on Diego's enchanted hammer - Sunder. This he was to put in good use in the attack against the Navicist Church in Isla Cartayna as part of the revolution. Diego slew the head priest after negotiating for non-combatants to leave, and defended Zheng from two Conquistadors before being brought down and his arm broken. He was swiftly rescued by Zheng and Carlos. Due to the grievous injuries suffered by himself and Zheng, they were unable to proceed to the undercroft to rescue the slaves that were kept down there, nor slay the demon that he suspected they were feeding.
The next week, Diego was pleased to carry Captain Solhilda Vorkhildr aboard the Mother of Invention, with Fenric Strand and Vari aboard the New Horizon. Their destination was Fef, where they intended to speak to the islanders as part of the Union's program to connect to all the Kanemoku communities. Despite putting together a robust plan, Diego's broken arm caused his concentration on his spell to fail. Rather than levitiating himself to the cliffside as intended, he fell into the sea and struck his head against the rocks. Dazed, freezing, and barely able to swim, Diego MacKierstan drowned. His body was recovered by the efforts of Solhilda and Vari, who almost themselves perished in the attempt to rescue him. Diego's body was returned to the Abbey of Metallurgy aboard the Mother of Invention to be buried with honours among the Abbey's deceased.
== Relationships ==
==== Carlos Caro-Grillo ====
Diego met Carlos on his first night in Isla Cobre after humiliating himself in The Sunken Anchor. Feeling embarrassed and a little subdued after the resounding failure of an introduction, he was all too eager to immerse himself in another conversation. He and Carlos quickly swapped stories about their lives beforehand, and Diego felt a kindred spirit in the dragonkin Captain. Diego was a long way from home, and political lines risked separating Carlos from his forever. Two lost souls found each other. Diego was quick to empathise, and reached out not only metaphorically, but literally. From that night, Diego felt that he had found someone who he could be comfortable around. 
Indeed, Carlos ultimately became the only person on Isla Cobre beyond his Metallurgist colleagues that he felt he could fully trust. He admired Carlos' bravery in leaving the Calamaran Empire and his family behind. Even though he was never sure whether Carlos realised it, Diego could see the man that the dragonkin was going to grow into - Someone fierce, just, and passionate. He respected Carlos' skills at arms, but most of all that Carlos still remained gentle and earnest despite the friction him and other members of the Council. He never thought of Carlos as invincible, but he saw a man that could endure, and still be willing to be vulnerable and open. 
When Carlos considered joining the Abbey of Metallurgy, he was overjoyed. He looked forward to walking in the warmth of the Greatsmith's forge together. When Carlos became an Acolyte, the feeling that welled up inside him made Diego realise that he had truly fallen in love. 
==== Vari of Fef ====
Diego and Vari had a more complicated relationship. Diego was frustrated with Vari because of their total rejection of him. Nonetheless, he was interested in their instinctive grasp of Metallurgic magic. Entirely unknown to Vari, Diego saw them as something of a magical rival, stoking his inner competitiveness and he strove to perfect his own arcane talents. He also, peculiarly, had a paternalistic desire to see Vari improve and nurture their talents. 
When they finally were able to discuss Vari's history with the Abbey, the frustration quickly subsided and was replaced with both sympathy and righteous anger. The notion that a fellow Metallurgist had so crassly branded another person's face with metal, scarring them for life, was entirely abhorrent to Diego. Vari needed justice, and Diego needed answers for how a Metallurgist could join forces with such a malignant force on the world. They began to develop an odd friendship as Diego began to find Vari's slightly off-beat personality more endearing than irritating as the other began to open up. This friendship ultimately had little time to develop. 
==== Lang-Fe Omudan ====
Lang-Fe Omudan was always a thorn in his side. Both of them were confident in their principles, and their principles clashed. Where Diego valued order and structure, Lang-Fe rejected both. She was seriously opposed to most of his ideas, which generated so shortage of frustration. He found her rude, overbearing, and callous. His frustration built to the point where he challenged her to a duel which they never had, as his arm was broken and he died before it healed. Diego MacKierstan went to his deathbed never having settled his grudge with Lang-Fe, completely unaware of the fact that she didn't care. 
==== Fenric Strand ====
Diego's feelings towards Fenric were initially negative, due to the history of conflict between Erradan and Whytehold. He suspected Fenric's motives. Indeed, when they found the treasury together, Diego was not keen to allow Fenric sole access to the Treasury out of suspicion that it would be misused. Over time he began to tolerate, and slowly, even began to like Fenric as he learned that they shared an equal desire to make and perfect. He thought Fenric would have made a good addition to his order ultimately, but suspected that he would have very little hope of actually converting the trader. 
==== Amicus ====
Initially DIego was curious about Amicus and quite liked the little Clockwork. Unfortunately as the true nature of its abilities was revealed, he soon became afraid and suspicious due to the Tyrranean cultural fear of Necromancy. While he did not ever believe that Amicus had ill intentions, he was very concerned that in the Clockwork's ignorance of the seriousness of its abilities it would do more harm. He wanted to have the core removed so that it could live its life without presenting a serious magical risk. Once done, he fully intended to welcome Amicus into the Abbey of Metallurgy alongside Carlos as a convert. 
==== Unit 713 ====
To Diego, Unit 713 was a lost soul who needed guidance. He wanted to be able to give that to 713 so that it became part of the community. Being from a highly militarised culture he had a natural understanding of the plight of an old soldier who didn't quite know where they fit. He hoped to be able to work with the Clockwork to help it find more meaning. Sadly, its treacherous attempt to rid the Council of Lang-Fe was a step too far. Despite his general distaste for the woman, he could not tolerate the kind of betrayal which 713 attempted. Diego argued that 713 should be spared, and afterwards considered all goodwill he held spent. 
==== Ed Jameson ====
Diego regretted getting irritated with Ed on Na'Souri. He liked the man, despite the darkness that seemed to dwell in him. He saw someone loyal and dutiful, and would have enjoyed getting to know Ed better. He hoped to repair their relationship by reporting his encounter with the leader of the Renegade Fleet, as from their voyage to the volcano island he knew that Ed held a grudge. 
==== Inigio Goranelos ====
Diego had a healthy respect for Inigio once he got over his instinctive suspicions about the former Calamaran. While he fully accepted Carlos, the more reserved and formal Inigio seemed unlikely to be a friend. Over time, he realised that his doubts were unfounded and instead found in Inigio a worthy colleague. 
==== Kassian Fang ====
Diego had a generally poor opinion of Kassi. He found him shallow, weak-willed and annoying to speak to. He was certain that Kassi could do better, and was disappointed that he never saw the young pirate actually try. 
==== Roger Corcade ====
Diego's feelings on Roger started off with suspicion due to his general distaste for Necromancy. Once he began to understand Roger better, he began to like the man inside the bones. He never quite managed to stop find Roger vaguely off-putting however. 
==== Tzu-Don Zheng ====
Diego simply respected Zheng as a warrior and statesman. He thought the Shavhani Prince was an ideal colleague and diplomat and was happy to be in his company, though they never truly connected.
==== Solhilda Vorkhildr ====
Diego appreciated Solhilda's tenacity and ferocity. He was naturally well-disposed towards her due to the political ties between Whytehold and Svoldia. Out of his colleagues on the Council, he always regretted never managing to find a time to sit down and enjoy her company properly. 
==== Marigold ====
Despite the peculiarity of the cambion, Diego faintly liked Marigold. Despite their erratic behaviour, he ultimately found Marigold more reasonable than others on the Council. Strangely, he trusted Marigold to watch his back more than most, perhaps because of their occasional dealings. 
==== Mae'Jinn ====
Diego liked Mae'Jinn. He thought she was principled, logical and generally reasonable. 
==== Adrenita Casselotta ====
Diego liked Adrenita when they interacted. He appreciated her sympathetic ear in Maracaygo. 
== Abilities and Skills ==
Diego was a talented practitioner of the Metallurgic arts favoured by the Abbey of Metallurgy. He was magically talented, achieving both power and precision in his magic, representative of the passion and depth of his belief in the Greatsmith. Diego's unerring faith in the Greatsmith allowed him to connect to the God's power, enabling him to heal his own grievous wounds over a short time by channelling the divine power. 
Despite being physically bulky, he was not the greatest warrior. He was however, a superb craftsman able to infuse his creations with powerful enchantments. He was a skilled orator, able to appeal with charm and logic and could generally get a good read on the people he met. He was quite capable of judging their motives and interpreting their actions to find the core of the person. Finally, Diego was a talented sailor, having grown up spending a lot of time on his father's ships. 
== Trivia ==
* The original concept for Diego MacKierstan was a more conniving and cynical character looking to maliciously spread a cult across the Shattered Sea. While coming up with motivations and backstory this changed to a much more genuine and idealistic man. 
* Diego's character sheet was forced to face some mid-game revisions due to changes in the crafting system. This resulted in the additional expenditure of 2CP which prevented him from taking Elemental Armour. 
* Diego's death by repeated Natural 1's at the cliffs of Fef was horrifyingly poor luck. 
* A draft character sheet for Lord Ferrum, the zombified Darth Vader-esque undead form of Diego has been drafted for fun, never to be used. 
* Diego's father Steraco was considered as a replacement character, though this concept was not used.