Captain Wally Burk

Captain Walter Burkhart (a.k.a. Wally Burk)

Captain Walter Burkhart was the master of the "Jack Hornet" ship. He is often regarded as one of the great heroes of the city of Sternlicht. Few would think that a privateer would be a saint and champion for a city devoted to sciences and scholars. History defines the man as many things. Those who look to the worst see him as a ruthless pirate lord who opposed an empire and caused unnecessary bloodshed. Those who look to the best seem him as the self-made a scholar who saved knowledge for future ages.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Living during the reign of Saliba the Tyrant, Burkhart was born as a bastard and orphaned into his youth. He grew up in the then vassal state of Hyrosa, at the time under the control of the naval power of Triton.
In his youth, he would work until opportunity would bring him the chance to become a clerk for a trading charter. His work would position him to receive news of the decaying state of the mainland. The news would put continued stress on him, especially as news of growing tensions and demands on the city-state of Sternlicht, respected as a center of learning throughout the world. A city the young man had dreamed of as a promised land.
By the age of 17, an opportunity provided itself when a commissioned privateer vessel of Triton would find its way into port. During the ship's business with the trading charter, Burkhart would come into the position to forge a letter of course and reprisal. By the next morning, the ship known as the "Jack" was gone and sailing to the city of Sternlicht. The city would not be as he suspected. The free city-state of Sternlicht was burning as Arcadian Gaurd and Ordo Templerium were marching upon their lands.
Sternlicht was readying its limited defenses although it simply did not have the resources. While many though few things could breach the walls of its capital city others were preparing for the worst. The University of Sternlicht was itself loading every ship that was willing, or that it could afford to purchase the service of, with relics, books, treaties, and more.
Burkhart would volunteer his ship, taking only enough funds to raise a proper crew to man the "Jack". The endeavor would turn out to be fruitless though, five hours after it initially departed. the Imperial fleet forced them to turn back the escaping fleet into the safety of its harbor. the invasion had been planned for some time.
While the fleet of merchants ships was considerable they could never have matched the Imperial Fleet and only safe so long as they say within the range of the harbor guns. The young Burkhart did not accept this though. He would round up like-minded souls and on the next new moon, with the cover of darkness, they ran the blockade. The Naval Cutter's excellent maneuverability and ability to sail windward faster than larger square-rigged ships allowed them to easily run the blockade. That was until Burkhart was in opportunity and this crew snuck aboard a gunboat and captured the crew, stealing the vessel in the process. The vessels would flee to Holtlynd, selling the cargo of the ship and securing the texts and relic in Holtlynd
Walter Burkhart would continue this for several years; running blockades, capturing vessels, and raiding the imperial navy. His work would help the city Sternlicht with supply running and protect a vast amount of knowledge from the onslaught of war. He would find numerous alllies in nations like the Free Meadows of Slyviaflora, Trevin, Hyros, Triton, Solaria, Holtlynd and more.
He would gain his now famous vessel the "Jack Hornet" after his cutter the "Jack" was all but destroyed after getting caught in a trap. Burkhart's fleet would pull through and rout the enemy in time. The Captain refused to abandon the ship's remains and began repair with the remains of a frigate known as "Hornet". When the "Jack" was fixed the names of the two ship were next to one another. While many wanted to pain over "Hornet", Burkhart though preferred it. The ship becoming the "Jack Hornet".

Education

He was a self-taught man, often spending many numerous hours under candlelight reading every book and treaty that he could get his hands upon.

Employment

When Burkhart was 14, he worked as a clerk at an import-export firm, historians believe he may have worked his way up from the lowly position of errand boy to the position of a trusted clerk. His natural intelligence and administrative acumen soon proved its worth as greater responsibility was set upon the child.

Morality & Philosophy

He valued knowledge and the expression of ideas above all else. He valued a sense of honor in all those around them, to assure this even among his crew he would interview every crewmate and no man who served under him committed a serious crime before joining his ships.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Captain

Gender

Male

Eyes

Light blue

Hair

Short, messy, raven black

Height

5'11

Weight

170lb

Quotes & Catchphrases

"so you're going to burn my name from history, then I will burn your failure into your minds." -to the emmisary of Emperor Saliba, after negoations had broken down

Known Languages

Traders Common, Hyrosian, Tethric, Slyvan, Holtaal, Tricurso, Lichto, Solarian, Tevonia