Crassus Hlaalu

Crassus "Crab Man" Hlaalu

• Name: Crassus Hlaalu
• Race: Half-Elf
• Age: 37
• Homeland: Helvettia
• Profession: Sailor

Origins

Crassus Hlaalu was the unwanted get of a night of passion between an elven sailor and a human whore in the port town of... From an early age he began working harbourside jobs to get by, eventually earning a place aboard the Helvettian merchant vessel, The Exploit, captained by a man named Andromicus.

During his time on the Exploit, he discovered a talent for manipulating the wind and waves to the ship's benefit. By using these abilities, he swiftly earned his way up to the position of Navigator and Weather Wizard of the Exploit, aiding her to greater fortune by avoiding inclement conditions and creating more favourable ones of their own. Determined to earn his fortunes in order to own his own ship some day, Crassus set ashore from the Exploit at the port of Myste-Hass, following his dream and tales of adventure and unclaimed plunder on the new continent.

Arrival in Myste-Hass

In the very short time since his arrival in Myste-Hass, Crassus found himself swept along to the meeting of adventurers at the Tower of Dariss where discussion was had as to feasible methods to recapture the city from the forces that currently laid claim to it. He proposed an amphibious assault on the Southern Docks to distract enemy forces away from the other areas of the city. This idea formed the backbone of what later became known as Operation Pincer. Following the successful completion of the operation, he felt at least one small step closer to his goal. His name had become known amongst the adventurers of Myste-Hass, and the commandeered Dead Man's Raft lies beached and at anchor at the mouth of the estuary. While another also hopes to claim the vessel, he is hopeful that he can acquire a crew and claim her for himself. As the Helvettians say, "Facta Non Verba" - Deeds, not words.

The Dead Man's Raft

Having recruited a crew from the sailors of Myste-Hass, and with the aid of a few acquaintances, Crassus was able to retrieve Dead Man's Raft and make her his own. With a ship once more at harbour, Crassus set forth to go on the odd adventure to gain renown and coin to further his ambitions as a new captain, returning favours to those who had helped him along the way and forging bonds to turn acquaintances in to friends. Having first tangled with the aldaani on the return journey from Operation Pincer, he followed word of these watery creatures attacking ships in the docks of Myste-Hass to the Lighthouse where it became clear that they were pieces in the schemes of a greater aquatic being called Verru.

Following the trail of this creature, Verru, Crassus set out with a few trusted individuals to investigate. The island they found themselves on was the chosen altar of Verru to summon the demon, Gilas. There is always a bigger fish. While unable to stop the summoning, they managed to defeat Verru and just about escape the island, as it sank beneath the waves, to see another day and tell of the fresh horror now lurking in the deep.

The West Myste-Hass Trading Company

Following a brush with death at the hands of Gilas, but at least somewhat in credit Crassus decided to establishthe West Myste-Hass Trading Company. This enterprise's purpose was to engage in trade, encourage greater sustainable food and resource security in Myste-Hass, provide a greater degree of naval security following the Sack of Myste-Hass, and to foster greater exploration of the continent's maritime environment. Particularly now that there are greater powers at large that will likely turn their eye towards Myste-Hass in due course.

Crassus hit a run of good fortune, winning a small fishing company in a gamble. While this was one step towards his ambitions, it did unfortunately come with some debts to a loanshark against the company's name, as well as a rather upset former proprietor who hired some local thugs to have his revenge.