Vardanes "Prince of the sea"
Vardanes is perhaps the most famous pirate currently alive and active. At least in Khandar, Ryva, and The "Free Cities". He is regularly featured in songs, poems and tall tales. He is the antagonist in many of these, but the protagonist in others.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Vardanes is son of The Shahanshah. In his youth he participated in the various rivalries and intrigues which tend to determine the order of succession among the many children of the reigning shahanshah. He was appointed "Admiral of the Bay Fleet" at the age of 18, and appears to have instantly taken to the life of a seafarer. While the "Fleet of the Bay" was a fairly symbolic force, meant for coast guard duties more than warfare, the young man distinguished himself by defeating several pirate gangs and chasing them to their lairs. Unfortunately, competence in a Khandari Prince tends to draw unwanted attention. A group of his siblings at court managed to have him accused of corruption. He was alleged to have kept money confiscated from the pirates for his own use. He was tried in absentia and found guilty. He was recalled to the capital to face judgement.
When the messenger reached Vardanes and demanded he surrender himself to imperial justice the young man pretended to agree. He claimed to wish to say farewell to his men, and was indulged in this. He used the opportunity to rally his now loyal crew around himself. Many of the sailors were former pirates the young prince had pardoned and impressed into his small fleet. Now he told them that since he had been unjustly accused of a crime, he had no choice but to become a true criminal in order that the Sha's will be done. He bade his men join him in living a free life upon the seas. This they agreed to. The messenger and his soldiers were allowed to go free, although their purses were lightened and their more expensive clothes and weapons were all taken. Then the fleet sailed out, and would not return to Khandar for many years.
The Shahnanshah sent out a fleet to pursue the rogue prince, but these failed to do much. The Khandari fleet was not equipped for the task, and did not dare to venture far afield.
Vardanes carried out many famous acts after this point. He hired himself out as a sellsail to the Myzian Empire. They bade him raid ships trading with the Republic. Few privateers dared to carry out such a task making Vardanes instantly famous in the Free Cities and Ryva. In the Republic he became a household name as he was regularly featured in the broadsheets. He eluded the elven squadrons with grace and skill for more than a year. Finally he was cornered by the South Sea Squadron off the coast of Trumm. He used the onset of night to seek shelter in the port of Keld, but was there detained by the soldiers of king Argus Stronghammer, whom did not want trouble with the Republic.
This could have been the end of Vardanes. Yet once more his flexible loyalties served him well. With the aid of Argus, whom must have taken a liking to the young and adventurous privateer, he negotiated a deal with the elves. He would now become their creature and raid Myzian shipping. This agreed Vardanes' ships were once more let loose upon the seas. Now unrestrained by the constantly hunting elven squadrons Vardanes became a true terror. He did not restrict himself to the Myzians, but preyed upon all but the ships of the elves. It was during this time that he captured the Azuelae ship "Nessim" which would become the flagship of his small pirate fleet.
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