Marko The Angler

## Overview

A sea-faring traveller in search of fortune. The greater the treasure, the greater the glory he may earn for his home, and thus redeem his family for their past confrontations with the law. He was never loyal to anyone but his own goals, family and closest friends, allowing him to wander between the great houses of Airoh in search of the best opportunities.

## Name and Nickname

His nickname was earned for his skills with fishing, but when he learned to use a pair of hooked whips in combat it was carved into stone.

## Characteristics

### Traits

* I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.

* The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable – or where such things could be hidden.

### Ideals

* **Freedom.** Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them.
* **Redemption.** There's a spark of good in everyone.
* **Honour.** I don't steal from others in the trade.

### Bonds

* My ill-gotten gains go to support my family.
* Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back.

### Flaws

* When I see something valuable, I can't think about anything but how to steal it.
* I turn tail and run when things look bad.

## History

### Birth

Born in the north on the island of Skur’s Point to a poor but hard-working family of fishermen.

### Childhood

He was the eldest of many siblings, and their mother died of sickness when he was still young. Thus he was expected to be the one to inherit the family business - along with the second oldest, his sister Embla. He was practically raised on boats by his father, Hedvald. Shown how to handle life on water ever since he could remember.

### Adolescence

Once Marko was old enough to keep secrets, his father introduced him to less savoury characters. Pirates and swashbuckling sea-wolves who’d take fate into their own hands by stealing. Marko took to this lifestyle easily, as he was at a rebellious age, and there was a certain comradery among fellow ne’er-do-wells that he never found on Skur’s Point. He was beaten up within an inch of life one time when he helped release captured slaves from the cargo hold. He’d nod along to the captain’s sermon about how everything has a price, but silently Marko vowed that the one thing he’d never sell would be his or someone else’s life and freedom.

### Adult

Tragedy struck one night, as the law caught up with them. Marko alone managed to swim away and avoid being pinned for the crimes that had been going on. His father however was taken away and imprisoned by the enforcers of Airoh. He doesn’t hold it against the empire – an old saying in the north is that when you gamble you need to accept the consequences. But in the community back home, it would stain his family with dishonour. Marko has taken on the responsibility to help his siblings live proudly again – mainly staying in contact with Embla to know how things are going.

### Present

Marko now travels the seas and lands in search of treasure, hoping to bring glory back to his family. To accomplish this he has to find trophies to hang proudly in their home as status symbols, and plenty of coins to ensure they're not stuck in a life of poverty again. Perhaps he'll even buy his father’s freedom if he can find the right hands to bribe.

## Weapon

Hooked whips. A lifetime of tying ropes, nets and fishing has made him more familiar with ropes than any other weapon.