Kharlo Chondricht was a gregarious and boisterous
The Selachii native to the
Drembari Isles. Like many of his kin, Kharlo made a modest living selling his services to various ship captains as they navigated the Drembari Isles. It was serving aboard the
Eelsnap with his friend Irk, a cleric of
Kogos, the Storm that began Kharlo's great adventure and to fulfill an important destiny.
A brawler at heart, Kharlo was known for his ferocious loyalty to his friends and inability to keep a secret. Always ready with a laugh as easily as a whack from his ancestral finial, Kharlo would make a mark on the Isles that none would soon forget.
Family
His quest to make a name for himself was strongly motivated by being the youngest in his spawnshiver. Fifth in line behind his siblings, his spawn number was seen as lucky in Selachii society. Kharlo believed himself to indeed be lucky, grateful for his family’s kindness and the love they freely show. Still, he harbored doubts about whether he could live up to expectations, especially in the shadow of his famously accomplished siblings.
His eldest brother Garakh captains
The Seven Rows, a tower galley that travels around to each of the largest settlements in the Drembari Isles. The massive ship houses a crew of foreign merchants who run small shops on its many decks. Merchants pay a high price for a lease in The Rows, and Garakh and his Blacktooths enjoy a rich lifestyle as a result.
Bravvz, the second eldest, is a traveling doctor that makes rounds about the Isles. Wherever he lands, he offers his services to the locals in exchange for lodging, food, and whatever money they can spare. A truly kind soul, the coming of Bravvz the Healer is celebrated by all Bari.
Sekha, the third spawn, commands a more menacing reputation about the Isles. A zealous follower of Kogos, Sekha adheres to the teachings of the Old Hunt, a sect of traditionalists who believe the Selachii have strayed too far from their more violent origins. Sekha lives a pirate’s life about the Isles, firmly believing all cargo a ship has is hers, should she care to claim it. The red sails of the
Razorfin are feared by all Bari tradespeople.
Tenkhi, the second youngest, died tragically at a young age. Tenkhi was born a Stormtooth, blessed with Kogos’ gifts early in her life. Kharlo saw this transformation take place firsthand, supporting and encouraging Tenkhi as she explored her powers. Okharx and Lekha, their matriach and patriarch of the Chondricht shiver, cautioned Tenkhi to be patient and take things slowly. Eventually, an offer presented itself for Tenkhi to strike out on her own, and Kharlo encouraged her to follow the pull of the Great Current. Tenkhi left the next day and would remain gone for years.
Eventually, Kharlo and his parents would search for her around the Isles, but to no avail. It wasn't until years later that the Great Current brought an old friend of Tenkhi's, a leonin from Skint, with a message: Tenkhi had died in battle against an Alerki warship that was in pursuit of a ship of Skint refugees. Tenkhi led the frigate into Kogos' Gauntlet, churning a great whirlpool in her wake. As the refugee ship made their escape, Tenkhi flew to battle against the frigate on a furious storm of wind and lightning, exploding with an overabundance of Kogos' power and smashing the ship asunder. No one survived the battle, but Tenkhi’s sacrifice enabled the refugees to find safety among the Bari. Though saddened, the Chondricht shiver celebrated her sacrifice, but Kharlo could never quite move on.
After that, the Great Current pulled Kharlo from his shiver and onto a new hunt. His relationship with his parents had become strained after Tenkhi’s death. Kharlo felt guilty about his role in encouraging her to pursue her Stormtooth nature and believed his family to feel the same. He left home in the hopes of finding redemption, or at least, some kind of peace.
The VastBlaster
Kharlo's adventures led him to join the
VastBlaster. This ship would prove vital to the survival of the Isles and perhaps even Gavros itself. Across their adventures, Kharlo would eventually embrace his destiny as a Stormtooth like his sister and finally come to understand his role in the Great Current.
Together, the Blasters beat back the ancient menace of Vo'ku'a, ultimately ending with Kharlo sacrificing himself to break the cycle of the creature's return and ensure safety for the Isles and the world. This act would serve all of the Stormtooths lost to the ether of sacrifice, as Kharlo would end up creating The Aftership, a wandering ship of rest and respite for all Stormtooths whose time on Gavros was done. Eventually, his spirit would become Kharlo the Catalyst, the God of Necessity, and serve to help those struggling with the necessities of their lives to find the grim resolve and reassurance of rest they need to do what must be done.
