Thomas Anderson "Anders" Vale

**Thomas Anderson "Anders" Vale** is a character for SeptimoRP

A man with a desire for riches and adventure who seeks to redeem himself in some shape or form.

## In Character Contract Information

**Name:** Thomas Anderson Vale

**Age:** 26

**Intended stay:** Permanent

**Skills and Talents:** Lock picking, trap disarming, Master Thief, Experienced Smuggler, Black Market connections, Multilingual

**Medical History:** Severe burn scars on left arm due to being cursed, must wrap and clean it every day to slow spread

**Allergies:** Roses and Cedar wood

**Dietary requirements:** None

**Inventory:** Tobacco pipe and pouch, match tin, spyglass, two modified pistols, collapsible steel sword, and lockpick set

**Captains Notes:** Anders has potential to be a good crew member. He has worked well with crew and seems to form bonds and friendships easily. Anders seems slippery and has some dark connections, I aim to keep an eye on him during his stay here. Due to his connections and skillsets, I have placed him under cargo and inventory. However, Anders will not deal with anything of value for some time. Anders will be shortlisted for medical attention if the need arises.

\*A crude drawing of Anders being shirtless and extremely muscular with stars and sparkles around him is at the bottom of the page

## **Personality**

A child at heart or a man who never grew up, lighthearted and easy going are his defining traits, and yet more clever and sensitive than he lets on. His onery nature has him constantly poking and prodding as well as joking around a little too much.

### **When you first meet them**

An immature, greedy, man child who cares more about his own wealth and entertainment than those around him.

### **To others they like/dislike**

He treats his friends and coworkers as an older brother, annoying yet caring. His enemies are treated cruelly, often due to a personal grudge or a lack of morality.

### **Beliefs**

Anders believes in most superstitions about ghosts and monsters and fears them yet keeps a brave face in such situations, religious beliefs he keeps vague as he has no real answer or care for why the world was made. However, after his previous time as a raider he has sworn to stop the enslavement of any he comes in contact with, good or bad, and hunt down the remaining members of his previous crew as well as kill the lord who had helped stop his vengeance and cursed him.

### **Hobbies**

Gambling, playing cards, cooking, reading romance novels, money scams

### **Likes/Dislikes**

Likes: Royal balls/ parties, weapon tinkering, card games, the colors blue and green, joking around, making nicknames for people, and oatmeal

Dislikes: Slavery, killing, seriousness, raiders, the supernatural, hypersexuality,

### **Vulnerability/Fears**

Growing attached and depending on others, fear of ghosts and the unknown, greedy, fear of fire, vulnerable on his left side

### **Pain threshold**

Slightly higher than normal pain tolerance though his left arm is much more tender, when tortured he will lie about everything until broken or coerced

## **Appearance**

### **Physique**

Anders looked to be in his mid to late twenties. His hair, short and spiked up, and his beard, full and trimmed, were and auburn color that favored more a brown tint. He stands at 6"1", while not muscular he retains an athletic build with little muscle definition and with a generous amount of chest hair. On his left arm is a curse mark that looks like a burn scar that extends from his shoulder to his forearm, it requires daily care in order to slow the spread. Other scars are littered across his body mostly from gunshots and being stabbed.

### **Attire**

He sports a brown leather coat with various pockets on the inside. A large dark green scarf the drapes on his right shoulder with a black wolf pelt resting on top of it and a black leather Paul from on the left shoulder. His right arm has been armored in black steel plate armor and protrudes out to a point at certain areas, his gauntlet pointed like the claws of a beast while his left hand wears a stitched together fingerless glove. His pants and boots are a darker shade of brown than his duster. Under his coat on his right thigh is where his sword is holstered, strapped to it vertically. And on his left thigh is where his two pistols are holstered.

## **Combat**

Anders is a ranged fighter and relies more on his accuracy and aim to dispatch foes. While he is more partial to ranged, he can switch to melee if needed but his skills with the blade are lacking. He favors his right side more because of his cursed arm and keeps the left typically back when fighting unless duel wielding his pistols. Hand to hand is also lacking and fights as if he's in a bar fight.

### **Weapons**

**Gloria**

Gloria is a 6-barrel revolving pistol that fires 1 shot before rotating to the next barrel, a total of 6 times. It requires the hammer to be cocked in order to turn the barrels. It uses custom .45 cartridges that Anders has made either by himself or through a black-market gunsmith. Each cartridge is hand loaded one at a time until full before being ready to fire.

**Avery 2**

Avery 2, named as a joke, is a flintlock pistol modified to have a lever at the bottom that cocks the gun. It can fire 5 shots, 1 shot for each time it’s cocked. Unlike its flintlock cousins, Avery 2 also uses custom .45 cartridges but are designed to deal more damage to flesh and light armors. However, anything heavier or thicker will inflict damage next to nothing. Each cartridge is hand loaded one at a time until full before being ready to fire.

**Collapsible Steel Sword**

This sword, when flicked at a certain angle, will release itself and extend to approximately 2 feet. Made out of steel with silver inlays and rubies in the guard, it is designed to be concealed and hidden out of sight. The guard has pointed ends that double as blades. It has a small lever at the pommel that retracts the blade into its concealed position.

### **Skills and Talents**

**(Sleight of hand)** Good at maneuvering things fast and usually without notice, only works with small items, however.

**(Lockpicking)** Can pick most modern locks but anything older is beyond his skill

**(Trap disarming)** Able to disarm basic traps, anything too complex is beyond his skill

**(Multilingual)** Knows Islandk, Norsk, Albanian, and Regazyan.

### **Knowledge/Education**

Street smarts and life experience is his main draught of knowledge, while he has some book smarts he relies more on his instinct and intuition. Is also fluent in four different dialects due do his time spent with merchants and when he was a slaver.

## **Septimo Information**

### **Job/Position**

***(First mate/Head of trade and stock)*** Anders joked that he would be perfect for more responsibility but feels differently entirely. While he appreciates the trust given to him it is rather annoying to have to now deal with others' problems instead of letting them figure it out. Less of his time will be done doing what he likes is how he is thinking about it. Either way he intends to do his job well.

### **Sleeping area**

His bunk has velvet blankets and silk sheets on it, one large pillow and three smaller ones lay on it as well. Above his bed are two wanted posters, one for a "Bard" that has been used as a throwing knife target and another framed wanted poster for a "Blackheart" that has a younger looking Anders on it. Other memorabilia such as a copy of his contract as well as a broken pistol with the name "Avery 1" are also framed there. His trunk contains more mementos and a second set of a velvet blanket and silk sheets.

### **Inventory**

**(On person)**

- Tobacco pipe and pouch

- Match tin

- Spyglass

- Three weapons (Two modified pistols and a collapsible steel sword)

- Lockpick and trap disarming kit

**(In trunk)**

- Mementos of past adventures and travels

- Extra bedding

## **Biography**

### **Background**

Anders grew up on a small island near Regalis as a street urchin with his best friend Bard. They survived together on whatever scraps they could find and relied only on each other. When they finally found a ship willing to take them away, they immediately left home and never looked back. Many years later they had acquired their own ship and crew and started off as transportation services until one day Bard declared that their passengers were now prisoners. From then on, they had become raiders and slavers, kidnapping and selling those who were unlucky enough to get in their way. Anders had earned the title of Blackheart for his cruel and near sadistic treatment of his captives and even his own crew to which these raiders were dubbed Blackheart's raiders. However, as time went on Anders became less and less satisfied with what he had become and finally broke when Bard had sold two young boys that were taken from the streets to a despicable individual named, Lord Varnell. Anders had slaughtered nearly every last one of his crew to which was added to "The Blackheart's" list of ill deeds. However, Bard had mortally wounded Anders and Varnell burned his arm using a curse that seared Anders's arm and made it so it would never heal. After that day Anders made a vow to hunt them down and disrupt any enslavement operations he comes across. As time went on his desire to do so had died down, and his wish for peace and redemption became much more appealing. That was when he met Vivian after flooding the college library in Vittoria and later again when he was almost forced into a marriage between two princesses. He has sailed with the Septimo ever since.

### **Hometown**

The island, known as Derelict Warf, houses a small fishing village that gets moderate sea traffic usually for resupply or to rest.

### **First Appearance**

Found by Captain Vivian while running from his two brides to be, he cut a deal with her for safe passage away. Having nowhere else to go and no desire to stay in one place he had offered his services to her if she could beat him in a game of cards, a game which he had rigged. Since that day she has been the only one to beat him not only once but three times.

### **Reputation**

**(As The Blackheart)**

As a younger man he was known as the Blackheart for his cutthroat greed and disregard for anyone, including his own crew. While many don't recognize him anymore, he still is hunted to this day. Many of the older sailors and shady individuals would likely recognize him, or those who would compare his face to his wanted posters. Currently he is sitting at a bounty of $900,000 under the alias of The Blackheart.

**(As Anders)**

Known for the rumors surrounding his name and his business dealings with the merchant guilds, he has quite the reputation in those circles for his eye for profit. He is also known for his unstoppable determination to stop any and all trade of slaves one and for all, having caused quite the stir amongst the darker parts of the world. No one however knows what he looks like, to which many imposters seem to sprout out of nowhere. Slavers have been hunting him for years because of this, and many sell imposters for the hope of cashing in on this hatred for the real Anders.

### **Rumors**

#### **(Anders's Rumors)**

**Good**

- He was in line to become king consort by being forced to marry two rival twin princesses ***(True)***

- Supposedly owns part of an alcohol distillery in Nordheim after beating a giant at cards ***(True)***

- Has survived an encounter with sirens and supposedly is immune to their call ***(False)***

- Has survived Oceanian wastelands and has seen what lies deep within. ***(False)***

**Bad**

- Flooded the library of the college and caused the damage and loss of priceless artifacts and tomes in Vittoria ***(True)***

- Hunted down slavers and raiders alike in the cruelest ways possible ***(True)***

- Caused a revolution somewhere in Libertus ***(False)***

- Has a secret vault where he has hoarded his fortunes, continuing to fill it more and more ***(False)***

#### **(Blackheart's Rumors)**

**Good**

- Held a public execution for a corrupt noble who had thought to cheat and betray him, and then broke into his home to allow any and all his possessions ***(True)***

- Became a terror on the seas for other raiders and slavers, and still strikes fear in their hearts ***(True)***

- Has survived an encounter with sirens and supposedly is immune to their call ***(False)***

- Has survived Oceanian wastelands and has seen what lies deep within. ***(False)***

**Bad**

- Was the sole reason for the deaths of nearly all of his crew dubbed "The Black Massacre"***(True)***

- Once killed the captain of a ship by shooting him in a raging storm while hanging from the bow of his own ship ***(True)***

- He is biding his time and seeks to return as The Blackheart ***(False)***

- Searched for the family that abandoned him and brutally murdered them and their extended families ***(False)***

## **Relations**

### **Siblings**

**Duke James Wesley Valenor** While it is unknown whether they are truly related or not, it is rather odd that the two look almost near identical to each other. As Anders grew up without a family and has no recollection of any of his lineage, it could be possible they are related due to their shared appearance. In fact, the last name Vale came from Valenor, as Bard was the first to suggest their similarities. It was because of this that Anders was almost forced into a marriage between Marie Antionette and Annette Sinclair.

### **Love Interest(s)**

**Avery** Possibly the strongest interest at this time, the two share a lot of moments together and it has been noticed around by many others.

**Vivian** While Anders sees her more as his Captain and a close friend, they have had several moments where one would think a spark had been ignited.

**Bella** Anders has taken a shine to Bella as more and more they seem to get closer as friends, whether this blossoms into something else is unknown.

**Kilana** While it is most likely the least likely route he would take, there is no denying the possibility of it coming to fruition.

### **Past Lovers**

**Marie Antionette** and **Annette Sinclair** Twin sisters whose mother and father split into two rival families, fell in love with Anders because he was mistaken for the wealthy **Duke James Wesley Valenor** after an attempt at stealing a family heirloom. While he had never made any moves or passes on them, they still nonetheless believe he is their knight in shining armor.

### **Friends**

**(Inside of Ship)**

**Bard Morgrym** Anders had originally sworn vengeance against him for the cruel deeds the two had done during their time together as raiders. But after extensive time with him again, Anders has seemed to fit back into his role as Bard's best friend again. And although he feels peace about being able to fight by his friend's side again, he cannot help but be wary of what may occur should he let his guard down. In fact it is this thought that keeps Anders awake at night among other things. Bard had never gotten a nickname as Anders only ever knew him as "Bard".

**Vivian** When they first met, he had just flooded the college library and was being chased by guards and scholars alike. The next time they would see each other is when he had escaped his wedding between Marie and Annette and bartered passage onto the Septimo. He wasn't sure what to make of her at first and felt she was just another steppingstone on his path of vengeance. But soon came to realize working for her could lead to a potential freedom from his past he has longed for. In order to ensure his stay, he played a rigged game of cards with her three times and lost each one, proving to himself that he was right in his thinking. Recent events have given him insight to both Vivian and River's goal of reaching Paradise, and a boon asked of him by Vivian that may prove to be what truly tests his ideas of redemption. Unlike the others the closest to a nickname she has is Captain.

**River** Seeing him as a younger sibling even though he is much higher in the ship's hierarchy and considers him one of the closest to a second Anders he's met. But recently he has learned of River's past coupled with his history with Bard, a growing distaste has started to grow for the co-captain it seems. Still, he trusts River to live up to his position and offers guidance or advice when asked. He's given him the name Specs due to his glasses.

**Avery** Feels she understands him more than most yet feels he can't truly let her in closer, started a friendly rivalry between them to keep each other at arm's length. Recently his emotions have gotten the better of him and it seems a relationship has sprouted from this garden bed, but will it last is what remains on Anders's mind to say the least. He calls her Avery not only out of respect for their rivalry but also because he named his gun after her as a joke.

**Cameron** Seeing her as a protégé of sorts, he has felt the need to take her under his wing in a more observing kind of way. Allowing her to make her own choices without his intervention. Learning to trust her more with his past, he feels more comfortable around her and hopes to have given her an idea of the man he wishes to be now. He was saddened to see her leave so He refers to her as Red, simply to annoy her and as a term of endearment.

**Laura** Another he feels compelled to watch over, and because Vivian ordered him to do so. He bonded with her over their confusion and caution over the Maori in this world. Unlike Cameron, he has a more hands on approach with Laura as she will work directly under him. He calls her Sarah as that was the name told to him by Vivian and figured it was a better nickname than what he could come up with.

**Ains** Ains is the polar opposite of Anders, which is what has drawn him to the magical marvel. Finding the magic he is capable of to be intriguing and much more helpful than most he has come across. Overall, he has much more respect for him than one might think. The two shared a bond of making illusions and the like until Ains had left the ship. Anders hopes to one day meet with his friend again, and that he will eventually stay permanently on. He refers to him as Ainsy as he feels his casual nature will rub off on him.

**Topaz** Whether by fate or luck, Anders and Topaz had become rather good or tolerated friends. They had a similar style when it came to the rules and felt it to take it upon themselves to bend them just enough. Viewing him as a trusted accomplice, and a confidant with darker secrets, the two have started secretly gambling within the ship away from the captain(s) watchful eyes. While he understands Topaz's frustrations on the ship, he does hope that one day he can come to peace with them and continue his stay on the Septimo indefinitely. Anders gave him the nickname Mako, as he is both a merman and has the appetite of a shark.

**Vur** Vur seemed to be a rather peculiar person to Anders at first, but as time passed grew fond of him as a younger sibling. Taking him under his wing, much like with Cameron, he hopes he can help him with whatever dark cloud seems to hang over him. He is unaware of Vur's true nature and can only guess as to why he senses those dark feelings inside him, nonetheless he still intends to teach him everything he can in the hopes of leading him down a better path. He gave him the name Green Blood, due to his color of choice usually being green as well as it being a combination of green horn and new blood.

**Kilana** When they first met, Anders had made his impression on her as an angry fool who wished to kill her rescuer, Bard. Over time they both conceded their bitterness to each other and made it so they started new. For now, they are simply testing the waters to see how it goes, but in the back of his head he feels he can't fully trust her yet at least not while Bard still lives. He has not come up with a nickname for her yet, but that is in part due to their previous tension.

**Bella** At first Anders didn't think too much on Bella, possibly due to her blindness or melancholy attitude. But over time he has grown to respect and care for her, even going out of his way to lead her around when needed or even just to speak. It's strange but he almost feels as if she can see right through him sometimes. He has given her the nickname Sunshine, previously Rain Clouds, due to her Necromancy abilities and blunt attitude.

**Malachi** At the moment Anders had only seen Malachi a handful of times, never really speaking with him for more than a couple moments. Besides that, he knows of his merchant profession and has sent many an invoice to him about what he needs and if Anders can provide something to sell. All in all, the relationship is still progressing, but no bad blood has yet to develop if at all. After their mission together in retrieving the seaweed they needed Anders began seeing him as an equal when it came to having guts. Disheartened to see his new friend go, he hopes they may reunite and swap more stories of their adventures.

He refers to Malachi as Violet sometimes, due to his hair but often times will treat him with a much more dignified respect than others.

**Chester** Another who he has fully yet to meet, only knowing of his ties to Bella, they're interactions have been all but zero for the time being. But much like Malachi he has heard of him and has nothing but good things to say when he is brought up in conversation. He last heard of Chester being attacked and possibly contracting something as well as leaving the ship. Although he knew him very little, he still had to give Chester props for what he went through and hopes to finally make a better acquaintance out of him. No nickname for Chester has been made yet as Anders would like to get to know him better before doing so.

**Sabat** With the help of Kilana, the two rescued the shipwrecked knight and had sent him to the infirmary to recover. Another who is simply just known to Anders, but with nothing to go on he has no strong opinions. For the time being he refers to Sabat as Sir knight, as a poke at his heavy armor and way he carries himself.

**Luna** Luna has gotten on Anders's soft side. When first meeting Bard in his sickly state, without any hesitation, came to Anders's side to help him up. As well as assisting him recover is just one of the other feats she has done for him. While they haven't talked much otherwise, he still considers her a steadfast ally and worthy of his respect all the same. He refers to her as Smalls, simply due to her lack of height.

**Wes** Another who Anders knows of but has had little to know interaction with. As second mate, they are typically in charge if the captains and Anders are not available. Still, it is rather odd the two have yet to carry on a full conversation, Anders seems to think it is more of a time difference between them. It's a possibility that they simply work different times. Either way he hopes to sit down and speak with his fellow officer one day soon. There is no nickname for Wes yet, once Anders gets a feel for them then maybe it will happen.

**Mikitchyi** From what he has gathered, they work in engineering and have yet to fully introduce one another. While he is not rushing to go meet them, he does hope they can at least see each other once before never seeing each other again. As they have not met, he has not given them a nickname.

**(Outside of ship)**

**Pierre Quinn** Creator of his weapons and ammo. Also, his contact within the Black Market of Regalis. The two share a history of blood and iron, as they started out as enemies before becoming steadfast allies. Originally kidnapped by the Blackheart, Pierre was released after being deemed useless when trying to sell him. This stoked the flames of hatred and desire in Pierre that forged him into the weaponsmith he is today. Learning from many a teacher and master, he had begun crafting intricate weaponry for those who are willing to part with their most treasured item. One fateful day after an encounter with Anders, he had thought to kill the ex-slaver before realizing how much he had changed. Hearing the events that transpired from his own mouth had flipped Pierre's priorities upside down. When he no longer felt the desire to kill him, he dropped the entire desire all together. From then on, after crafting Anders his new weapons and procuring him a new identity as Anders, he set out to become a renowned weaponsmith across the world.

### **Enemies**

**Lord Sebastián Vorkhal** The one who placed the curse on Anders, having sworn vengeance upon him for said curse. While he knows very little about him, save for his part in Anders's redemption, he still seeks to end him for the sake of the curse mark still on his arm.

**Antionette and Sinclair families** After running out on the brides to be and leaving the families in turmoil, both heads came together to hunt down and bring back Anders to ensure he marries the two girls indefinitely.

**Notable others**

**Avulstein Falkbeard** Business partner and co-owner of Caldera Distillery which produces White golden tower ale. He had lost a card game against Anders and in turn made him his partner. While he has no distain for him, he also isn't that fond of him either. As he handles the actual business side of things, Anders manages the export and import of their product. Once the ship docks, Anders sends a manifest to Avulstein of where they are going next and what he needs to restock.

## Character Inspiration(s)

**Varric Tethras** (Dragon Age)

**Kenshin Himura** (Ruroni Kenshin)

**Raven** (Tales of Vesperia)

**Han Solo** (Star Wars)