Kelton Garthside

**Kelton Saintinas Garthside**, also commonly known as **Kelton the Stoic**, is a Human once apart of the Corsairs of the Wind. He was born in the Blacklake District of Neverwinter, popular for his marksmanship within the Harpers.

In 1487 DR, Kelton was the only remaining survivor of the onslaught caused by Kenneth Morley. He stopped Kenneth before his own life was taken. Ever since, he was returned back to Neverwinter.

## Description

### Appearance

Kelton is forty two years old standing at five feet and nine inches tall, he possessed an average, lean frame with well-defined, muscular arms. His eyes were a deep, dark brown, sometimes appearing almost pitch black in certain lighting conditions. Kelton had a distinctive hairstyle, shaving the majority of his light brown hair and leaving a striking mohawk down the center. The rest of his hair flowed into a ponytail at the back. All ends of his hair were described as spikey and uncontainable. Like most sailors, Kelton had a signature outfit that rarely changed. His attire consisted of a white blouse with a floppy collar, layered beneath a brown tunic. Over his chest, he wore a brown leather bandolier that held his rifle. His lower half was clad in borrowed leather pants, and he completed the look with well-worn boots. Given to him by Brurk, Kelton wore a golden compass pendant, and the single golden hoop earring he adorned.

### Personality

Kelton was described as a man who asks way too few questions and dislikes authority. Through his years of being with Those Who Harp, Kelton had made himself a great soldier and marksman and had shown great loyalty and dedication to whatever his objective is, as he will fight until the end and then keep fighting. However, despite this commitment, Kelton has proven himself to be an individualist, disobeying orders in order to do what he believes is right as well as seeing through whatever he does his own way.

## Biography

### Backstory

#### Early Life

Kelton was born in 1453 DR in the Blakelake District of Neverwinter, with his uncle and aunt. At the age of sixteen, he worked at the House of a Thousand Faces, where he was introduced to the Harpers.

#### Switching Sides

Kelton made the choice to relocate from Neverwinter's Blacklake District to Protector's Enclave, the capital well-known for housing prominent members of the Harpers. From here, he gained access to essential resources such as fresh attire, weaponry, and a place to call home. It was here that Kelton learned the complexity of wielding a firearm, steadily improving his skills over time.

During a mission alongside the Harpers in the Neverwinter Wood, Kelton came across the Arcane Brotherhood. His entire team was subdued to the Brotherhood, with Corser Greenstep, their leader, attempting to coerce his captives into joining the Redwater Guild. Rather than risking his life further, Kelton made the decision to align himself with the guild. Other loyal Harpers were executed on the spot. After being set free and going their separate ways, Kelton was visited by Corser in his personal quarters. Corser provided him with the essential equipment required to sever ties with the Harpers, coercing him to officially join the Redwater Guild. Subsequently, Corser guided Kelton to the capital of Cormanthyr, Myth Drannor, where he was introduced to influential figures, such as Ryland Kadelburg, the leader of the guild. Kelton's life completely transitioned during his tenure with the Redwater Guild. For a time, he resided in Myth Drannor, where he found himself regularly engaged in activities identical to those undertaken by all employees working under Ryland's command: theft, torture, and murder. These actions served a mysterious objective, one that Kelton and many others remained unaware of. Those who questioned the objective were executed. This led to Kelton keeping quiet his entire life. During his silence, he decided to place his devotion towards Shaundakul.

At the age of twenty five, Kelton learned of the sudden change in leadership within the Redwater Guild. Despite his previous characterization as an unsuspecting employee, Kelton's allegiance shifted towards Kenneth Morley. As time passed, Kenneth started speaking to Kelton as criminal activities waned. In that very year, Kenneth invited Kelton to join a criminal organization that consisted of Ithlinne Ravavaris and Brurk Eldersword. This organization would go on and called themselves the "Riders of the Wind" with the intentions of spreading the chaos of Shaundakul.

#### Hreinngar Pirates

Arzug Royston and Borjal Hanubeg joined the Riders of the Wind and proposed the idea of doing piracy directly against the Zhentarim. They renamed themselves to the Corsairs of the Wind and began to protect travelers at sea from the Zhentarim, also stealing from Zhentarim criminals.

In 1487 DR, Ithlinne was burnt alive by Samaya Gallarys, leading Kenneth to inherit the leadership of the Corsairs of the Wind. After Kenneth also inherited the Sword of Shadows, he suddenly used the sword to wield against the Corsairs of the Wind. It took the intervention of Kelton to forcibly separate Kenneth from the sword. Kelton has since left Hreinngar, returning to Neverwinter and rejoining the Harpers.

## Relationships

### Kenneth Morley

When Kelton initially crossed paths with Kenneth, he harbored doubts about Kenneth's leadership. As time passed, Kelton gradually realized that Kenneth was using his position at the helm of the Redwater Guild for good, striving to provide a livelihood for each individual member. This understanding led to Kelton's increasing acceptance of Kenneth. Their camaraderie grew as they spent more time together, often bonding over shared drinks. One day, Kenneth invited Kelton to the Riders of the Wind, where their journey would only just start as pirates.

In 1487 DR, when Kenneth turned against everybody in the Corsairs of the Wind, Kelton, despite his reluctance, stopped Kenneth from killing him, but swifrtly departed from Hreinngar afterward. To this day, some believe that Kelton has not forgiven Kenneth for what he caused.

### Brurk Eldersword

Kelton's friendship with Brurk held a closer connection than his friendship with Kenneth. Both Kelton and Brurk were very reserved, with Kelton being the quieter of the two. They frequently shared moments of bonding through reading, exchanging gifts, and engaging in small talk during their time on board. Rumors circulated suggesting the two were together.

### Shaundakul

While in the Redwater Guild, Kelton embraced Shaundaukl, forced to maintain a silence about the thievery, torment, and killings he was coerced into committing. He concealed his religious devotion, believing it could absolve him of his misdeeds.

### Harpers

At the age of sixteen, Kelton was first introduced to the Harpers during his employment at the House of a Thousand Faces. Given that the tavern served as the Harpers' headquarters, Kelton took the chance to become part of the organization. However, when Kelton was compelled by Corser Greenstep to sever ties with the Harpers and join the Redwater Guild, he had no alternative if he wanted to safeguard his life, unlike most of his loyal co-workers.

A full decade after abandoning his responsibilities within the Redwater Guild and parting ways with the disbanded Corsairs of the Wind, Kelton made a return to the Harpers in Neverwinter. Kelton was allowed to take his original position, even getting a promotion to a Brightcandle.

### Redwater Guild

Kelton harbored a deep aversion for his role and responsibilities within the Redwater Guild, where he was forced into engaging in acts of theft, torture, and even murder. Seeking solace in religion, he tried to find a path to self-forgiveness. Ultimately, Kelton struggled to forgive himself of the guilt he carried. Kelton was relieved when Ryland Kadelburg was killed, putting his trust in Kenneth.

### Corsairs of the Wind

Kelton’s relationship with the Corsairs of the Wind initially was distant and disjointed. As time passed, he grew acquainted with the crew members, eventually forming a familial bond with them. Despite being characterized as the most reserved member of the crew, Kelton notably established a strong friendship with Brurk.

## Character Information

### Proficiencies and Abilities

Kelton is a fighter gunslinger known for his main talent in marksmanship, with a particular specialty in baring guns. His unique skills have adapted over time to where he's gained amazing situational awareness. In addition to his skills, Kelton is an excellent mentor; under his tutelage, he taught Brurk how to use a rifle. On top of that, he was a great engineer.

### Notable Items

#### Current Items

* Automatic Rifle (Crafted by Kelton)
* Smokepowder Pistol (Crafted by Kelton)
* Dagger of Venom

## Quotations

### Spoken by Kelton

> **━ Kelton, fighting Kenneth**"You are as rotten as ever, Morley."