Vako Stjornmau
Vako Stjornmau
A well traveled Karken,Vako has sailed the whole of the known world and become a well renowned navigator. Often seen wearing a duster to mask their inhuman form they spend much of their time on board ships where their lifetime of experience navigating under the stars is always appreciated.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Sharing a similar build to a regular Crab Vako has long legs and a fairly squat torso, when standing at their full height they can look almost any human in the eye, although most humans cant maintain eyecontact with a Karken.
Body Features
A red and beige carapace atop spindly but solid legs.
Identifying Characteristics
Vako only has two notable traits that differentiate Vako from other Karken are easy to mask. The first is Vako's Duster which they are rarely seen without as it holds special import to Vako. The less common identifiable trait of Vako is their startling star form, seeming to peer through Vako into the great abyss of the astral see. Many are intimidated or outright terrified at this sight as it makes one feel insignificant against such a grand cosmos.
Physical quirks
Vako's eyes are often darting around their head, keeping tabs on everything around them. Only resting during rest or times of great focus.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Vako fled their home what feels like a lifetime ago after they were pressed into a position they thought would mean an end to their wonder. This would lead Vako to become one of the few Karken to be seen outside of their reclusive societies. Their driftings would eventually lead them aboard a merchant ship devoid of purpose were they found great interest in the ships wayfinder who could guide the ship as the earth guides a river. This interest would lead Vako to begin learning how to chart a path under the stars that Vako had only dreamed to ever see. Years would pass and Vako would surpass the wayfinder but this would not mean they would part ways. Vako would learn to love this man and that love would burn hot until the untimely death of Vakos only family.
Gender Identity
Vako is non-binary as the concepts of gender dont mean much to Vako.
Sexuality
Vako struggles to differentiate male from female as all humanoids are so different from one another there is no point in differentiating each other further. This leads to Vako swinging both ways, if a tad less sexually inclined than most humanoids.
Education
Vako was trained as a scholar in their home but only at an apprentices level, Vakos real education consists mostly of the sea and stars. Being a navigator of great renown across the great islands due to their unbroken years at sea.
Employment
Vako found employment in many positions in a ships crew but in the later years of their sailing they would find themselves delignated as the sole navigator for many a ship.
Failures & Embarrassments
Vako failed to live up to the expectations of their people and failed to protect those they needed to.
Mental Trauma
Vako watched a man they'd grown with be cut down during a raid because they were too brave and Vako was too slow.
Morality & Philosophy
Vako sees souls as holy ground as once a person dies they spend a year in quiet contemplation inhabiting the soul of a greater beast. Once they finish their contemplation and meet the end of their life they are judged, if they are judged to have more to learn they are reincarnated to spend another lifetime among the peoples of the world, if they are deemed worthy they are carried to another plane where they will join the greater conscience of those that came before and those who will come after thus gaining enlightenment.
Taboos
Vako find tampering with a soul more sacrilegious than even other people as it interferes with the reincarnation cycle. Beyond that Vako has a tendency to be more protective of those they deem too young to take on the troubles of the world. A notable taboo Vako will never understand is the reverence for the dead as once person dies their body becomes nothing but flesh that is ready to be used.
Social
Contacts & Relations
A far traveled sailor leads to many connections among the ports of the worlds, aswell as tenuous connections to some significant figures in Karkenhold.
Alignment
Neutral Good
Species
Age
relative to a karken lifespan they're about 24
Date of Birth
8th September, 77 PTI
Birthplace
Karkenhold
Children
Gender
Non-binary
Eyes
Black as pitch
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Various Shades of Red
Height
6ft
Weight
194lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"50 gold... for a bird..."
"Be not afraid"
"Do you want a bite?"
New Alliances
Begin writing your story here...
A Vision Seen, A Frantic Flight
To my esteemed friends, I wish I could have remained in your company for it has brought a comfort to my life that I haven't felt since the loss of my dearest all those years ago. I would have wanted to remain in the company of such a strange and wondrous crew, for if the winds had blown differently, you would have become as close to me as my own clutch once was. The stars told of a path where we became brothers and sisters fighting for what we thought was good and true in the face of an ever growing darkness. If I had taken that path we would have been consumed by that darkness, and all we hold dear would be lost to a storm of death and destruction. I have seen these dark powers amassing, readying for a war to end all wars. I believe something is coming to power in the astral sea, and when it does, it will bring a calamity the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Great Impact. I don't know if I can stop this force, or even change the course of all that will come, but I know I must try. As I sail towards a storm I know I cannot best, I will carry the memories of our journey to guide my path.
Victor and RÖB, I know you may not understand why I left you, and I am sorry for that. The world is still bright and full of wonder to you despite the sorry currents of your life. Please do not resent me, for I leave you to preserve this world you hold so dear. I can only hope my departure is not more than you can handle.
Tav, I do not know you nearly as well as I had hoped, in another life we could become friends, but the winds have taken me from that path. Even still, your kindness in the face of a world so cruel to you is truly inspiring. I do not understand all the traditions of you shorebound, but I hope the world is not too unkind to you.
Garrick, your friendship to me helped me see that there is still good in this world. For even though we come from places so foreign that we can never hope to understand one another, you sought to support me through waters rough and still. However, there is a darkness in you that seeks to consume all that you are. Never let the powers you flaunt so carelessly be used on those who are undeserving of such a punishment.
This motley crew we have assembled means more than I can express in this letter, so I hope to preserve what makes this world worth fighting for. As much as I wish we could do this together, do not follow me, as the consequences of such an action could spell the end for the world as we know it.
May we meet again, in this life or another,
Vako Stjornmau
