Lerissa Vanguard

A tiefling in a place not to fond of the infernal-born. Lerissa and twin brother, Harkness, grew up understanding the hardships of the world by observing the head on. From a young age it was clear that they would have to work harder or be smarter to live in a world that was so hostile to them just for their exsistence. This culminated in the untimely death of their parents after a tiefling massacre in their town. Soon after they attempted to stow away on a ship and encountered the terror of pirates, a life they would soon become acclimated.
In her life, she has faced other pirates and has fought bravely with her crewmates. But now thrust into the role of captain after her father and captain, Marcel Vanguard, was killed by an infamous pirate hunter she seemingly can't handle the true heat of leadership. How will she overcome the pressures, especially after her idol and mentor was cut down so easily, will her fate be the same as her adoptive father? Is history set to repeat itself so quickly?

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born in a small town in Symarr to two tiefling parents, she grew up around adversity and being denied the same rights and access to facilities as the humans and elves in the town. They displayed prejudice and hatred towards the tiefling family, it festering in Lerissa and leading to her eventual hatred and biases towards humans and elves. She always thought it was a bad place - hated the atmosphere and the suffocating feelings, just wanting to be free from it all. After the death of a human child, a tiefling was suspected, the townspeople went on a mass purge of the tieflings in the surrounding area. Her and her brother Harkness were hidden and forced under a bed as they watched helplessly and tried to be silent as their parents were brutally murdered by citizens. After all of the commotion, the pair ran away from the town in the night and headed towards a different, more costal village. She never spoke of this again with anyone, not wanting to seem weak and reveal her traumas for fear that it would be used against her.
Having to lie low due to the mass population despising tieflings, her and her brother resorted to stealing and living on the streets, rather than going to an orphanage. The girl grew used to sneaking and being silent, having a high dexterity and flexibility to stay hidden and away from unwanted trouble. She'd steal food and books for her brother to continue to learn, though they struggled to read them, and she would craft little makeshift weapons to protect her and her brother.
After a particular run in with some dangerous people, including part of hers and Harkness' horns being snapped off, they stowed away on a ship at the age of 8, hoping to avoid the elves and human gangs that were trying to capture and harm them. Unfortunately, they were discovered and in a last attempt at bravery, she outstretched her arm, a makeshift wooden sword more akin to a children's toy in her hand, and declared for them to move away or she'd kill them.
The previous captain dragged them out onto the deck, threatening to murder them and throw them overboard, a half-elven man by the name of Marcel Vanguard stepped forward to defend the tielfing children, his arm shielding their small bodies and threatening to kill whoever stood in his way. Of course, almost all the crew objected and ended up slaughtered across the deck, only Del remaining and helping Marcel with comforting and looking after the children. Something sparked in Lerissa that day - maybe hope or love or glee, but she knew she and her brother were finally safe.
As the years went by, crew members came and went, Lerissa growing more and more like Captain Vanguard, and her brother growing more and more addicted to the idea of the arcane, feeling it calling to him. To assist him, she continued their routines of stealing books and arcane supplies to satisfy his needs, all the while Harkness explaining the details and information to her as she trained and performed her duties around the ship to assist her father and Del, though she was rather disheartened from Del's constant criticisms and quips of how her work was inadequate and poorly done.
One time, however, they weren't so lucky. Memories once again flooded back as they were forced away from the ship, her last sight being one of her father being overpowered by the infamous pirate hunter "Scurvy", his coat weighing heavily over her shoulders as she was pulled away screaming for him. Later on, after the news broke of his demise, she was declared the new captain and demanded for a scatter of the crew and their forces. One day they'd thank her, she told herself, that lying low was the best thing she could've told them to do. And that’s what she would do, continuing her routine of stealing, but with no brother to give the books to, and of waking up in heavy breaths and tears dripping down her face at not one, but three of her parental figures dying.

Social

Contacts & Relations

• Marcel Vanguard - Dad
• Harkness Vanguard - Brother
• Sablelae - Crewmate
• Marina - Best friend / Crewmate
• No No - Crewmate
• Colt - Crewmate
• Del - Crewmate
• Kiko - Crewmate

The newly-declared captain of the Copper Spoons pirates, though now without a crew.

View Character Profile

Alignment

Chaotic Neutral

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Captain of the Copper Spoons

Age

23

Birthplace

Symarr

Parents (Adopting)

Marcell Vanguard

Delila Applegrove

Gender

Female

Eyes

White

Hair

Purple-black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Purple

Height

5"6

Weight

117

Belief/Deity

Siren, Empress of Water

Known Languages

Common, Infernal, Thieves' Cant