Captain Phthalo

**Captain Phthalo** is a blue dragonborn pirate and crewmember aboard *The Spirit of the Sea.* While she is addressed by the crew as "captain," the true captain of the ship is the ship itself: Charybdis, an ancient ocean spirit. Phthalo was asked to join Charybdis' crew after slaying the infamous Captain Vutegryx. She then entered a pact with Charybdis, becoming a warlock and a pirate sworn to protect the freedom of the open seas.

## Biography

Captain Phthalo was born in one of the many coastal towns throughout the Leshen Empire. She was left as an unhatched egg on the steps of an orphanage after her parents discovered cracks and deformities across her shell. When she hatched, Phthalo — who was given the name "Wrapora" — was born with a twisted left leg, making it difficult for her to walk properly.

The orphanage Wrapora was raised in was poorly funded and improperly cared for. As a result, the orphans were often running away and stealing food to keep themselves alive. Wrapora learned to steal food and goods from the sailors that traveled through the city, sometimes even climbing aboard their ships to rummage through their cargo.

One day, Wrapora found herself as an accidental stowaway aboard the infamous *Jacaré* while looking for food. She was caught and brought before the ship's captain — the notorious lizardfolk pirate Vutegryx — who nearly killed her, but instead mistook her for a boy and forced her to join his crew. She spent the next several years as cabin boy aboard the *Jacaré* against her will, knowing that if she were to flee she would either be hunted by Vutegryx or arrested for being a member of his crew.

When Wrapora was a teenager, Captain Vutegryx learned of the legend of *The Spirit of the Sea,* a supposedly haunted ghost ship that commanded the power of the sea. Vutegryx believed that by claiming the ship as his own, he would rule the open oceans and bring all of The Expanse under his command. He and his crew chased after this tale and eventually travelled to a remote island south of Leshen, where they discovered *The Spirit of the Sea* idling in the bay.

Despite having no crew, however, the ship began to move of its own accord. It attacked the *Jacaré* by firing canons and ramming itself into the hull, managing to slaughter most of the crew in the process. But Vutegryx cared little for the fate of his men and instead climbed aboard *The Spirit of the Sea*, eager to make himself its captain.

Wrapora, however, could not let Vutegryx inherit such power. Amid the chaos of the battle, Wrapora stabbed Vutegryx in the back and killed him on the deck of *The Spirit of the Sea.* She then collapsed, exhausted and injured, and fell unconscious.

In her dreams, Wrapora was visited by the avatar of the ship: an ocean spirit named Charybdis. Charybdis explained that they were the soul of the ship, bound to their form by an ancient curse placed on them many ages ago. They believed that the oceans deserved to be free of tyranny and oppression from both mortal men and the gods above. Vutegryx's death had caught Charybdis' attention, and they offered Wrapora a place aboard their crew if she would enter a pact.

At first, Wrapora refused. She did not desire the role of "captain," and had only killed Vutegryx out of desperation, revenge, and a desire to protect others from his cruelty. Charybdis admired this and reassured Wrapora that these were the very reasons they desired her for their crew. Eventually, Wrapora accepted Charybdis' offer and adopted the name Phthalo, referencing an old fantasy story she had read as a child.

Phthalo then went on to sail aboard *The Spirit of the Sea* for many years, adding Siva Sorollath, Kiskartchi, Kojiro, Fish Eye, and Bhajhan to the crew along the way. She gained a fearsome reputation and is wanted in several cities for theft, murder, and kidnapping — many of which are overexaggerated or miscommunicated offenses.

Eventually, Phthalo and the crew met Cirro and Helmeak while visiting the underwater city of Aquarius. They worked together to find the ancient Vatin Temple, where they battled the avatar of the titan Levitheus and survived an encounter with a tempest leviathan. Cirro and Helmeak then joined the crew — along with Cirro's childhood friend Marzipa — and now sail across the seas and oceans of Thera.

## Description

### Appearance

Captain Phthalo is a blue dragonborn with various aquatic features: coral-like horns, webbed claws, and shimmering scales. Thanks to her pact with Charybdis, Phthalo can breathe underwater and swim much faster than most of her species. She also walks with a cane — thanks to a severe limp in her left leg — which can transform into a trident when summoned.

### Personality

Captain Phthalo is loyal to her crew and confident in her beliefs. She acts almost like a mother figure to many of her crewmates — especially Bhajhan — and would risk her life and reputation to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew. Phthalo believes that most authority figures are corrupt or cruel, and sees her lifestyle as the only true path to freedom.