Draven De Paor

Dear (by De Paw and Soheil)

Daid, dad (by Sadaf)

Draven De Paor (born 13th February 584 DI) is a pirate, language hobbyist and accidental revolutionary. They became Captain of the pirate galleon Piran's Pistol in 604 DI, and they continue to hold that title.

## Backstory

Draven was born in Meridiem, a large port town in Southern Liath as well as the capital of the South, to Helena De Paor, a human and devout Sanctified Creed follower, and Ilya Mac'Draven, a vampire. They grew up with only their mother in Dusk, the poorest of the six districts although they lived in their family's estate with their mother who had a rather sizeable amount of riches, enough to put them through tutoring, dance, and fencing classes. Their birth was a hot topic of noble society due to the fact the De Paor line is historically a noble family and the religious leaders before the Creed came to Liath. Their mother hid them for as long as possible, but between rumors of affairs and scandals she was forced to finally state that their father is absent, although she hid the fact he was a vampire.

Their treatment while growing up was far from good, and their mother when not outright physically hurtful and hostile was always cold towards them due to their being a Dhampir, having untreated ADHD, and being nonconforming of their assigned gender and sexuality from an early age. While they can live without blood, after about two weeks they go into a withdrawal. They become feverish and weak until they have some, although it must be from a living human. Growing up they usually fed on small animals such as rats, although sometimes they went out to nearby farms when that wasn't enough. Because of this, for much of their childhood they were somewhat meek until they began seeking human blood at age 13 when they began getting into fights with other children as well as adults.

At age 10, their mother, seemingly at her wits end, called in a Priest of the Creed of Atonement, Juan-Carlos Catechuman, to "exorcise the evil from her son." She believed the fact they were all that they were was because of her own fault and inability to push the De Paor name back up to nobility as well as her belief that she has failed in her faith for bedding with Ilya both before marriage and unknowing of what he was. This went on for months, and it was both emotionally and physically taxing to Draven. They were not allowed to leave their room in the cellar or drink blood. Finally after being marked with a silver brand of the Eye of Infinity on their upper back, just below the base of their neck, they ran away from home to find themself at the door of the Captain of the Watch, Victor de Vouterre. They spent ten days at his estate along with his wife, Violette. Their wound was tended to and while they had hoped that this may be their new home, as Victor treated them almost like a son during this time, they were sent back to their mother once they were mostly healed. The exorcisms stopped after this.

When Draven turned 13 and throughout their teenage years their access to the estate was very much hindered. They were only allowed the cellar and they only went inside the main building when their mother wanted them to clean up, cook, or take classes that would mold them into a respectable young noble. This was when they picked up their interests in cooking and languages, and they often used the excuse of cooking meals for their mother to learn more recipes. They stole many books from her study and taught themself most things as their ADHD made it much harder for them to learn anything traditionally with any tutor; their last tutor quit when they were 14.

It was also during this time when they began to explore the city more, and when they began getting into trouble. They've always had a temper, and it never helped them when people tried to dig into them for what - and who - they were. As their home's doors were shut from them further and further, they began to seek out necessities from other places. Stealing from the market, from people, learning to pick locks and run very, very fast also became necessities. From age 15, they never set foot inside the estate, they only snuck into the cellar for a dry place to sleep. They and their mother had shouting matches on a regular basis through a window or at the door, though Draven learned to keep their distance physically. She still desired for them to pull the family name back into the fold of nobility, and she often had Victor go out looking for them to convince them what was best, what they should do, what they're meant to do. They were arrested at least once a month for petty theft or attacking someone, often defending themself or others. They learned that the best defense is a good offense though, and their arrests turned from biting or kicking someone to pulling a knife, threats, selling drugs, the works. They were often beaten in their cell by Watch officers, who generally beat most people who were arrested anyway.

The flip flopping of being forced into nobility and pushed out to the streets lasted until their mother died when they were 19. They started to work on various fishing boats on the side, and on their 18th birthday Victor hosted them for dinner and tried to convince them to join the Watch and scrape up whatever honor they could still get, pointing out that no one else in their right mind would hire them anywhere else. They were told that if they worked hard, if they were lucky, they one day would be the Captain of the Watch in Victor's place; at age 30, maybe even. They wouldn't have this, and they promised him that they'd become something so twisted from what Victor or their mother wanted that he'll one day wonder what he could've done wrong, that he'll be shrouded in old age and guilt and they'll be on top, they'll be Captain, but on a pirate ship, and they'll do it before 30.

When their mother died they were given a small inheritance, just enough to hire a small crew, but not a ship. And so they stole one, a Navy galleon, succeeding in this with a group of just fifteen others. Draven and their crew waited until a weekend during a summer festival, and they waited until it was dark to sneak on from behind, swimming straight through the bay. With a light guard the galleon, named the Bann Pistol, wasn't ready for any sort of attack. The group took out every guard on board, and somewhat clumsily got it out of the bay and they sailed it to Northern Liath where they hired more people to join the crew. The success and news of the operation spread across both Liath and Banhust, and it quickly landed Draven the role of Captain unofficially until a proper vote months later. They named the ship Piran's Pistol.

Draven's (and the Pistol's) infamy only grew as they learned the ropes of the ship, of being a pirate and a Captain. They were known for impossible and downright stupid stunts and operations that somehow always worked, between their skills and dumb strong belief that they could never lose now. They raided merchant, Navy, political, and slaver vessels. They terrorized pubs and the docks, and were a very large thorn in the Navy's side. They were in the news so much that they were given the nickname "the Sanguine Fiend," a title which they resent; though it didn't stop them from draining the blood of people and leaving them in their barstools.

In 620, while raiding a merchant vessel they met a woman named Sadaf Al-Khayri who was trapped there by slavers, and as they would later find out, a much larger situation. They gave her and the other women on board safe passage to Meridiem, where they pointed them all to the Gathering for further help and lodgings. They kept in contact with Sadaf, and they began pirating together very soon after. Their pirate reign continued until they were led into a trap by Commodore Soheil Go-Lightly-Under-The-Burning-Bridge just weeks after meeting Sadaf, and their entire crew was arrested under the charges of piracy, grand theft, murder, and they were further questioned about the slave trade. They were all facing execution when Sadaf vouched for the entire crew, stating that they had saved her and many others from slavery, and she convinced the Commodore to make a deal. If they helped cull the slave trade problem in Meridiem, and agreed to be closely watched by an officer of the Commodore's choice, they would not be charged or executed. Draven took this deal, and met Dalliance Mkali under his persona of Alejandro, who was the Navy officer put in duty to keep an eye on them. They became friends until Soheil's trial and they learned of Alejandro's real identity and role in the trial.

Because of Soheil's trial, they were also able to slip back into the normal schedule of pirating and raiding. They later became the rival of Soheil simply because of close proximity, and grew closer to Sadaf, seeing her as a daughter. In May of 621 they began an ambiguous relationship with Soheil, although they both broke up in late August when it became apparent the relationship only made them both more miserable.

Draven was murdered on September 30th of 621 at a masquerade hosted by Eloise Dufort in the Dawn district. Seven days later they were resurrected by an unknown cause after having visions in death of being drowned in a black sea, a prismatic fish swimming around their head. Soheil used his healing abilities to keep them alive, coursing golden light through their veins in desperation when they woke up again next to him.

## Personality

Draven is often described as brash and prideful, even uncaring. Their presence is generally loud despite them being prone to social anxiety that causes them to desperately want to avoid people. While actually being brash and prideful, they also care deeply for people, especially their friends and they would go to great lengths to keep them safe even if they had to resort to self injury. Draven is a very emotional person and they have issues with controlling them. Because of this they often get into arguments and physical fights due to their anger, passion, and pride. They have a violent streak and their friends usually have to hold them back from said fights.

They have a very gentle side, and deep down they're very family oriented. They're good with children and animals and they enjoy goofing off. Their biggest interests are language, playing piano, and being active in any way possible. Later on despite extreme hesitancy, they become interested fully in politics and they become invested in the success of the revolution Soheil starts against the Navy and by extension the local government and the Creed. One of their favorite things to do is to go sailing alongside Sadaf and her crew, and Soheil also by their side as their quartermaster.

Draven struggles with PTSD, social anxiety, alcoholism and other forms of self harm.

## Relationships

### Soheil Go-Lightly

Draven and Soheil's relationship is historically very turbulent, starting as rivalry due to their different careers, actions, and sensibilities. It turned into a hesitant friendship when Soheil agreed to put his office in the Grotto, and in May 621 they got into a shaky relationship before breaking up that August. After Draven came back their friendship morphed into doctor and patient, until they began to bond again and became friends, then best friends. They continue to be known for their arguments and disagreements, but contrary to the past they usually end up much better. Draven looks up to Soheil's passion for the people, even if they don't understand some of the nuances and arguments. They think, maybe ironically, that his pride and passion go to his head too much.

They got back into a romantic relationship somewhere in 624 in a much more healthy and communicative light.

### Sadaf Al-Khayri

Sadaf was Draven's first real friend after the three on the Pistol, and the first person they ever saw as family aside from their grandmother. They started off as semi-awkward friends only on Draven's part (at least in their mind) after the Pistol's crew saved her from arranged marriage, and they bonded quickly due to similar childhood experiences and neurodivergency. She is their adopted daughter and Draven feels protective of her, and like Soheil and Sadaf, they are also fiercely loyal to each other. Draven's tendency to snap at people often causes them guilt with Sadaf the most, and they are very aware of their role as being, along with Soheil, the parent that's *actually* good to her. Sadaf is also the only one that can stop them from drinking on the spot without swiping the drink away physically (or telepathically).

### Dalliance Mkali

Dalliance started as a friendly acquaintance under his Alejandro persona. While the Pistol was under watch by the Navy (mostly Soheil), Dalliance was the one on the ship keeping literal watch. They often played chess together and Draven never won due to Dalliance's cheating. After Soheil's trial and their learning of who Alejandro and Dalliance were, that friendliness dropped immediately into hate. They don't hide their annoyance at him or the concept of him when he's mentioned. They feel that whoever he is or was to Soheil, that he's too forgiving to him and that they need to be vindictive in Soheil's place, almost as a way to protect him. Draven also has a tendency to feel jealous of Dalliance, mostly when their romantic feelings for Soheil reemerge. In general though, they are able to see Dalliance as helpful and they recognize that sometimes the group needs him.

### Dana Lastname

Dana is the Pistol's First Mate, and she's dealt with Draven's shit for two decades. Draven sees her as a colleague first and a friend second, and she sees them the same way. They are loyal to each other and to the Pistol, and Dana knows the ins and outs of the ship, the crew, and Draven more than anyone, even if she doesn't know *why* Draven does some things. They often share duties and they generally never question each other, unless one of them does something very, very bad. Dana usually opts to clean up the mess instead. She's also their tattoo artist.

### Kitty

Kitty is the Boatswain of the Pistol, and she's laid back and generally unbothered. She likes to quip and joke, and she's the resident eavesdropper of the crew. She and Draven have a more lighthearted relationship, and they generally never have disagreements. She's the best at her work and generally the reason she's found lounging around is because she did her work before everyone else. She enjoys teasing Draven, which very often gets on their nerves.

### Tor

Tor is the Pistol's Lookout, and he's usually seen up in the crow's nest with a sniper rifle next to him. He and Draven have a quiet relationship, as neither of them are people to talk to others unless they feel they need to - Tor much more than Draven. He's often the first to judge Draven's actions as captain, and he's tuned into most goings on in the ship. Their friendship mostly consists of giving each other looks, either from the main deck up to the Mainmast as he looks down after Draven has done something particularly stupid, or as they walk past each other, a slight nod. If Tor catches them alone, he'll call them out directly, or at least warn them. He and Natalia are often found playing cards together.

## Appearance

Draven is a 6'3" Dhampir with a large, firm build. They're physically intimidating, towering over generally everyone as they have a habit to wear long heels on top of their base height. They have curly jaw length black hair they usually neglect to brush, a lined face, and two sharp fangs. They're white, and their eyes are red. After their death, they come back missing their left eye and their right leg a few inches below the knee. They have a tattoo sleeve on their left arm that's mostly doodles and notes from their crew, a tattoo that used to be on their right leg that said "Piran's Pistol" now shortened to "Piran's" after the amputation, a dagger, and a shark on the same leg, both now gone. On their right hand below the thumb there's a stick-and-poke tiny dagger. On their lower back and wrapping around their right side, they have an octopus tattoo. They're very scarred, the largest ones over their chest, left side, left eye, and the bottom of their leg. They have scars on their left wrist mostly now covered up. They have a silver brand just below the nape of their neck on their upper back depicting the Eye of Infinity, the symbol of the Creed of Atonement. It's a few inches wide.

They generally wear a button up blouse, buttoned down as much as possible and tight leather pants. Their belt carries a dagger on the back, a coin pouch, and a sheath for their sword. They carry a pistol holster on their left shoulder. They have a liking of big boots, high heels, and red silk. They also wear a dark red coat when it's colder. Due to their work they generally come home sweaty and dirty, but they usually only put off a shower and a change of clothes for ten minutes, unless on the Pistol, then they just deal with it.

## Abilities

* But Have You Heard Of Me: When you meet someone who'd know about pirates, make a Command fortune roll to see how much of an impression your reputation makes. What have they heard?
* Inkbound: You died once, but now you live again. You have two points of trauma. Choose two trauma conditions that reflect the influence of the god that chose you. You have 12 stress boxes instead of 9. Why did they pick you?
* The Next Threat: You gain increased effect when gathering information on immediate threats to you and your crew. Crew members gain +1d when using your information to avoid danger. How do they use this info?
* Not Without a Fight: When you mark a trauma, you may retaliate against any and all enemies within range. Say how you bring ruin to your foes before they take you down. You may mark a trauma prematurely to use this ability. What drives this vengeance?
* Manifest Malice: Your very presence is an ice-cold threat. When a teammate Sways someone in your presence you can assist without paying stress. How do you help?
* Berserk: When you unleash physical violence, it’s especially frightening. When you Sway a frightened target, you get +1d. What do you say?
* Right Bastard: You get +1d when you exploit a target’s vulnerability or weakness. When you blatantly violate the rules of engagement – killing an enemy during negotiations or surrender, cheating in a duel, holding a civilian hostage, etc. – you get increased effect. How do you feel?
* Master and Commander: When you lead your cohorts in combat, they continue to fight when they would otherwise break (they’re not taken out when they suffer level 3 harm). They gain potency and 1 armor. Why are they loyal to you?

## Cultural Touchstones

Formatting later

- Irish culture/paganism

-Mitchell from Being Human

-Captain Flint

-there's more i can't remember

## Gallery

Draven without their prosthetic legSoheil and Draven -before Leg Update-Draven by my friend Mxthe whole crew -before Leg Update-the whole crew (2!) -before Leg Update-Is a rivalry really a rivalry if it's not a little gay? -before Leg Update-Oh god, oh fuckDraven and Soheil