Petri

•◇• ᴡʀɪᴛᴇʀ • ᴀʀᴛɪѕᴛ • ɪᴅɪᴏᴛ • ᴍᴜʟᴛɪ-ꜰᴀɴᴅᴏᴍ •◇• ☆• 23 • All Pronouns • Gemini • British • ISTP •☆ 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗

[petrichor-idyllic]

NAVIGATION

All of my writing and works can be found here. I write for several fandoms and mainly write 'x reader' but I also have my own characters.

Dividers by @cafekitsune

TAGS

↳ Tags found in this blog and further navigation.

READER INSERT MASTERLIST

↳ Multi-fandom masterlist for reader insert fanfiction of all genders + link to rules for fanfic requests.

MY ORIGINAL CHARACTERS

↳ Masterlist for my OCs, fan OCs and original universe pieces.

[yujateaandpi]

Was driving with my grandmother and in broken English she says “no eyes… no nose… no face. Don’t trust.” To which I looked around wildly in search of this omen of ill portend.

Cybertruck. It was a cybertruck.

[pukicho]

Book tok is cool because they’ll get on camera and suggest you read the biggest pile of dog shit ever made for no good reason

[garfieldsladybird]

just wanna mention for every fandom.

Start reblogging. Reblog.

Why are you not re-blogging? You think the fandom is dead, that no one’s interacting anymore, no one’s doing anything, no one’s writing, no one’s posting. ‘Everyone was so hyperfixed on that character, Where is the writing?’

People are writing. People aren’t reblogging. People aren’t giving some good feedback to motivate the writers that are putting their hard work, time, effort into making this piece that you were reading.

‘oh, it’s just too much work. You don’t wanna click that button and then click a few tags.’ Then you’re gonna have to suffer and not see a lot of writing from a lot of people because the only way this fucking app works is if you reblog.

I see so many pieces of work with 59 likes and 1 blog, I just saw one that had 690 likes and it had 9 reblogs. Even 1,000 likes and only 59 reblogs too. It’s devastating to see for the community of Tumblr. And I’ve been here for like five years, the way this app works is if you re-blog.

There’s so many people that are writing. There’s so many amazing things that I see and I try my best to reblog every single one that I read. That’s what I love doing because sharing someone’s piece of work is just beautiful because it allows me to show it to more people.

I reblog. And the beauty of it is;

I get notifications that this person liked it and this person liked it, and then that post continues to get more views, more likes and reblogs. All just because one person, reblogged it.

so please, if you are a part of Tumblr and you love reading your favorite writers fics, or love reading about your favorite character, please do your job and reblog it.

And if you don’t like re-blogging because you don’t want to do that on your account, then you can make another account and put all of the things that you read on that account. You can do separate things, like fic recs.

You can figure it the fuck out if you want people to actually be writing for a character you love. The writers are writing, you ain’t helping them share their work.

Reblog. It ain’t hard.

[fagcrisis]

i hate the word spicy can we bring back calling things erotic

[maryoliveoil]

rolling up to Wendy's to get an erotic chicken sandwich

[petrichor-idyllic]

Honey come back, the kids (me) miss you 😭!! Jokes aside, do you think you would ever write for tmr again? I'm rereading some of your works and praying to the day that the request box opens 🙏

My inbox STILL has requests in because I proper fell off, but I definitely should get back on my bullshit. One day I shall return 🫡🫡

(Tell the kids Im sorry, I am losing the war against procrastination)

[petrichor-idyllic]

OMGGG PERTIII, HIIII. I read some of your fic, and I'm OBSSESSED with it. I love your writing, girly. Keep it up! ^_^

Helllooooooo, tysm for your support, I've lowkey fallen off but I still very much appreciate it lmao <3

[petrichor-idyllic]

so i just wanted to stop by and say i am absolutely obsessed with your writing and hope you have an amazing day :)

Aww thank you <333 I also hope you have an amazing day :))

[petrichor-idyllic]

Some memes

Just some fun memes really idk

[petrichor-idyllic]

The Empire of Dāez Vali

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

Whilst necessary for background information and context to the power Kerin possesses, the empire mainly plays in the background and in the story is ran by allies and other people outside of the crew. So whilst important for world-building and understanding the reach the crew have, the story does not spend much time in the empire or a focal point of the story.

Never truly given a proper name, but often referred to as "The Empire of Dāez Vali" is the accumulation of Kerin's efforts. The camps, farm land and freed slaves make up this international spread - far from an actual functioning city or specific place, people working under Kerin and her reach spread through Planatos during it's peak.

BASIC INFORMATION

"Dāez Vali" loosely means "Free Men" in Valyrian. Where the name came from is kind of unknown (probably named by the people within it), but that is largely what the "empire" is referred to as. It has many other names including; "The Pirate's Freehold", "The Guild of Men without Kings", and sometimes even simply, "The Empire of The Sun Killer."

It's debated upon whether this "empire" is an empire at all. With no major cities or grand designs, it mainly consists of safety camps and farmland - but is wide spread. With multiple camps all over Essos and eventually in Westeros, what it lacks in grandeur, it makes up for in spread.

ECONOMICS

Unlike rule under the monarchy or slavers, cities taken over by The Sun Killer function under a sort of communist rule. All needs are met - food, housing and clothing is provided. Work is offered - on farmland, with food, seamstressing or caring for people who cannot work. These jobs are paid so if people want to leave the camps, they can leave with the funds to live elsewhere. The highest paying jobs are jobs on ships - with a network of a complicated fleet for fishing or combat, getting a job on deck is the most rewarding, especially landing a place on Kerin's personal vessel - The Sun Killer. However, regardless of role, everyone is supported and provided for - using the money taken from raids and the insane stolen wealth from dead slavers.

During it's time, the loose empire was known to have an impressive quality of life, despite most locations being simple campsites near farms or overtaken desolate towns.

LAWS

Generally with a better living quality, there is already a lower crime rate with little reason to steal or harm others. Though, crimes are dealt with harshly. Theft (within the community) results in banishment - with no tolerance for stealing from their own since the community is made of poor people or those looking for safety. Murder, rape, abuse or assault are punished by death. Though, there is grey area with assault especially with interpersonal issues that result in fights - fighting is rare but often brushed off with a slap on the wrist.

LOCATIONS

MAJOR CAMPS/LOCATIONS

Major locations in the empire are points of increased activity and important places in the empire that house a lot of people or do important things.

X - The Basilisk Isles: Being the crew's pick for a home (apart from the ship), the Basilisk Isles become base of operations for communications and for The Sun Killer crew to hold meetings with allies or friends. An unconventional choice, but the it's the only place where enemies won't dare cross because it's deep in pirate territory.

The Abandoned cities of the Red Waste; Vaes Tolorro, Vaes Orvik, Vaes Shirosi, and Vaes Qosar - Ghis cities destroyed in the Dorthraki attacks that became abandoned in Red Waste are largely left untouched because of the Waste's uninhabitable environment. However even the ruins of buildings are better than simple camps, resulting the the abandoned territory becoming the main four camps for refugees and people joining the empire. Mainly populated by ex-slaves, despite the desolate environment, it has one of the best quality of living in the known world. (Note: Vaes Tolorro is not named this during the Empire's reign since Daenerys is the one that gave the city it's new name. It's often simply referred to as "The Fourth City" - or not at all. For some reason having a Empire is fine but naming a city is not, according to Kerin.)

Old Ghis - similar to the previous mention, Old Ghis is an abandoned city that comes into Kerin's clutches. However, being closer to Slaver's Bay and dangerous territory, Old Ghis isn't nearly as secure as the allied camps in the Red Waste, turning it into a sort of holding point. A major location that is away from Slaver's Bay, but too close to actually be a permanent place of refuge, so it becomes a temporary place for people until they can be moved to The Red Waste.

Great Moraq - The base of trade and supplies. The plains and hills on the northern side of the island make for prime land for farming and resources. The camp there is occupied by ex-slavers, however it is a workers camp. Members of the empire who live there are paid fairly and provided for, but they are farmers mainly; making it the island's working land. Natives of the island live further in, and tend to be friendly and support the cause as they have a deal for trade.

LOCATIONS CONTAINING ALLIES/INFILTRATED BY THE SUN KILLER

Whilst a rebel force, Kerin has close ties with freedom fighters in Essos which hide and live in cities and populated areas, or simply people from that land support her - or she has an actual alliance with them. Most allies also provide goods, such as food or clothing for the people in the Empire.

Yi Ti - Yi Ti is a more forward thinking place, and generally close to the main area of the Pirate's Freehold, causing Kerin to have a lot of support from them. Jar is also from Yi Ti and having a man from the land on their ship as a major player also helps with any tensions, making their alliance more of an unspoken friendship than an alliance written in ink. Yi Ti is actually where most of the provided clothing comes from, as they are known for their silk trade.

Volantis - An area that isn't forgiving or friendly, the allies in Volantis are more Freedom Fighters. Allied spies who lurk in the city to keep Kerin informed, especially after the raid on the city where Wynala joined the ranks.

Qohor - Similar to Volantis, this Free City holds spies and allies that help the Empire and Kerin's cause.

Braavos - Diodan spent many years in Braavos meaning he has many friends there, and it also holds the House of Black and White, the home of the Faceless Men, of which Diodan has mysterious connections to and the Philosopher is a Faceless Man on the crew. Braavos is up there in holding powerful people that side with the crew.

Pentos - Kerin spent a chunk of her youth there with Daemon and Laena, resulting in having old connections and friends to fall back on. And since Kerin has Daemon's support, the men that housed them and supported them during that era also support her during the Empire's reign.

Dragonstone - Daemon and Rhaenyra. Whilst Daemon's correspondence is few and far between - having an upstart daughter that is pissing off most of the world is thrilling to him and he supports her basically out of sheer amusement. Rhaenyra was a vicious and vocal girl in her youth, supporting Kerin's rise to power and beliefs because she sees the girl as a reflection of herself, agreeing with her husband/uncle to ally themselves with her. Having this connection over the heads of their enemies greatly impacts the Empire and makes them seem more protected and powerful than they actually are. Not to mention, Kerin comes from Dragonstone docks herself, meaning the small population of smallfolk also support her - since they are the reason she started the fight.

King's Landing - Infiltrated by spies and allies, including people Daemon pays and deals with on his bastard daughter's behalf. Though, Kerin does not have friends in the Red Keep in the form of royals or lords, there are plenty of servants willing to support and sell secrets for the cause.

Highgarden - Suprisingly, House Tyrell holds Kerin and her conquests in high regard since they are one of the few noble houses that care and want the best for their smallfolk. Whilst they don't communicate and have no actual connection, Highgarden and The Reach contain silent supporters to the cause.

Dorne - With most people from Dorne being decendants of the Rhoynar after fleeing slavery themselves, they support Kerin based on that alone, with their beliefs genuinely matching. Dorne becomes a massive supporter and a much louder one than The Reach, already the black sheep of the Westerosi family, openly supporting the dragon overseas. They even often give supplies and assistance in the form of ships.

The North - The North are rebellious and disconnected from the rest of Westeros anyway, with a lot of the smallfolk and even House Stark speaking in support of the Empire. However, they do very little to actually help and have no deeper connection to the pirates, similar to Highgarden.

The Iron Islands - They sure do love independent nations that piss off the crown, and one that sails and kills and takes what they want? The Iron Islands adore Kerin. And one of their men is The Sun Killer's Pilot. They do nothing about it, but they do support it.

SAFETY CAMPS

Smaller camps can be find scattered throughout the West of Essos, mainly for people holding people before moving them to the Waste - or even where travelling to the Red Waste would be too far or too dangerous, or they simply don't want to go. These camps are sort of like pop up little towns made out of tents and huts, normally in fields of the middle of no where around cities with allies in them or within reasonable (kinda) travelling distance from a farm or a port. With most people that end up at a camp coming from relatively the same area, the safety camps tend to have a closer community and a friendlier atmosphere.

FARMS/FISHING PORTS AND DOCKS SITES

Farms and fishing ports and dock sites are often empty land that Kerin or her allies have turned into usable property where men work. These are obviously for distributing and growing food, however it also helps establish a sort of economy in the empire. Whilst the fishing ports are also labelled as docking sites, these are pirates and most trade ships will dock anywhere on shore.

TRADE ROUTES

The paths and travel routes between all know locations of the empire, whether that be for moving people or product, the complicated trade routes work like a well oiled machine and are normally looked over by some very trusted people.

THE PEOPLE

Diodan is such a major player in the running of the empire. His fingers are in all of the pies and he deals with the majority of happenings, his endless wisdom and magical capabilities extend his influence further than a typical person, making him the main point of conflict for the empire.

However, there are some very important people that keep the moving parts of the complicated machine running - including pirates found on the Basilisk Isles that run and maintain the fleet and Freedom Fighters in Essos that pull strings for happenings on land and trade routes.

THE DOWNFALL

After Kerin's death, the Empire falls apart at the seams. With Issarion vanishing after her passing, the Empire massively loses it's main weapon and source of power and not even Diodan or the remainder of the crew manage to salvage it. People wanting to take over the empire don't have the same influence or drive that Kerin had, especially without the dragon - and most are corrupt and lack the morals and goals that started the empire.

Allies drop their support out of fear of being labelled as traitors and Slavers move in to take back the people freed from their grip. The number of connections, trade routes and resources drop rapidly and with no actual secure locations or bloodlines to carry on the legacy, The Empire of Dāez Vali falls in under 100 years since it started and becomes a victim to the endless drawl of time.

Westerosi history books label the Empire an example of what happens to rebellious and free kingdoms, whilst Essos texts deem them as extremists that tried to destroy the economy and suggest anyone seeking to follow the beliefs as criminals. However, slaves whisper about the great Empire and the brief freedom of their ancestors, and documents and writings found primarily in Dorne call Kerin's idea revolutionary and world-changjng. These works would scatter, the true story of The Sun Killer and The Empire of Dāez Vali would spread through them reaching the eyes of forward thinking individuals - including a young and bright Daenerys Targaryen.

PREVIOUS: The Journey

[petrichor-idyllic]

The Journey

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

Collecting the crew and following her morals, Kerin has travelled all over the world.

Here is the map of her journey:

Dragonstone: Kerin is born and raised there.

King's Landing: after the crown finds out about Issarion, she is kept there until they work out what to do with her.

Pentos: where she stays with Daemon.

Driftmark: Laena's funeral and Aemond loses his eye, triggering Kerin to run away.

Somewhere in Western Essos: Kerin camps around for a bit, mainly near Pentos because she knows the area, before meeting Diodan.

Braavos: She stays with Diodan in Braavos.

Slaver's Bay: Under Dio's influence, she uses her dragon to attack Slaver's Bay - she meets Zhora and they steal the Sun Killer.

The Summer Sea: Panicking in the middle of the Summer Seas, working out the next move. They use Issarion to drag the ship with an anchor.

Basilisk Isles: in an attempt to find land and deal with Zhora, they find other pirates since they technically are pirates now.

Nefer: With Diodan's advice (and unable to fit on Issarion, leaving him in the Basilisk Isles), he tells Kerin to take Zhora to Nefer which is next to the Thousand Islands to meet an old ally - Onaleyana, who is powerful and knows more about the fish people.

The Thousand Islands: A futile attempt to try to return Zhora to her family with Onaleyana (tight squeeze on the dragon.) Onaleyana decides to join them as well.

Basilisk Isles: returning for Diodan and to work things out after quickly gaining a reputation for her dragon and actions - they stay for a while. This is where the raids on other ships start and the idea of giving back to the smallfolk starts. They also gain crew members; Rickon Snow (from the North of Westeros),Colton Of Saltcliffe (from the Iron Islands) and Railey of Skaagos.

Volantis: Another slavers town, they go there with their now more solid plan, but also hear rumours of a girl with water powers living near the Rhoyne. They meet Wynala Bahos here. Diodan also vanishes for most of the time in Volantis, returning with The Philosopher - everyone decides it's best not to ask.

Slaver's Bay: With Wynala and The Philosopher, they return to Slaver's Bay to cause more problems. This is where they also pick up Dusty and Red Rat from Astapor - an unsullied soldier.

Basilisk Isles: They return to the Isles, which they are now quite well known on and have a home there.

Yi Ti: Diodan's enchanted owl, Hesper, returns with a letter from Jar Pyti, a young rebellious man in Yi Ti Diodan met when Jar was just a boy. He wants to join the crew after hearing about their adventures. They go to get him.

The City of the Winged Men: Jar tells them about mysterious mountain people with wax wings, and a young man who often flies out of the mountains who he has met. Kerin doesn't believe him so they go to pay a visit, picking up Noro, leaving the rest of the crew in Yi Ti.

Yi Ti: Back to grab the crew and the ship.

Basilisk Isles: Returning to the Isles with a full crew, they go around for another 6 months or so, raiding and causing chaos and returning coin to the smallfolk.

The Narrow Sea: Kerin finally returns to Westeros, helping the smallfolk there and putting pressure on the crown.

(PSA: This is using GOT season 8 travel logic.)

PREVIOUS: The Dynamics | NEXT: The Empire of Dāez Vali

[petrichor-idyllic]

The Dynamics

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

This might be hard to read, so here are some important notes about the dynamics to be easier to digest:

Everyone is friends or acquaintances mainly, with some of the crew being close friends whilst others just live and respect each other.

Kerin sees Diodan as a father figure the same way Colton and Railey see Rickon as a father figure.

Railey and Colton have a sibling type relationship.

Colton has a crush on Kerin, but her problems make her largely unable to return them.

Red Rat and Jar both have crushes on Wynala. Wynala has a crush on Colton. Which can make for a tense dynamic at times.

Noro also has a crush on Colton.

Noro and Jar are probably the best friends on the ship.

Railey also has a crush on Wynala, making things double awkward.

Onaleyana takes Wynala under her wing and becomes a mother figure, teaching her about magic.

Onaleyana and Noro don't like each other- for petty reasons. They just think the other is weird.

Zhora has a crush on Red Rat.

Rickon respects Kerin for her views, but dislikes her out of worry for Colton getting hurt from her lack of reciprocation. (He's also an old man and a bit misogynistic about a woman in power.)

Rickon and Onaleyana also don't like each other - but Onaleyana sees Rickon's sexist ways towards Kerin, and despite her and Kerin not being close, she dislikes him for it. And he dislikes her for being another powerful, loud woman.

Colton doesn't like Philly because he doesn't trust him because of how mysterious he is.

Philly isn't really friends with anyone apart from Diodan and is really just kind of there on the ship. Onaleyana is similar, but she is also close with Wynala - and Railey thinks she's really cool.

PREVIOUS: The Deck Animals | NEXT: The Journey

[petrichor-idyllic]

The Deck Animals

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

As long side a Crew of interesting people, The Sun Killer holds a menagerie of interesting animals crawling, flying and playing on the deck.

DUSTY

NAME: Dusty

OWNER: Kerin Barlowe

SPECIES: Jackal

APPEARANCE: A smaller than the average jackal, probably a runt, with a grey and brown pelt and yellow eyes.

BACKSTORY: Dusty is found near the Mereen harbours in Slaver's Bay during Kerin's second attack there, the same time they picked up Red Rat. Dusty was only a young jackal whose mother had been killed by poachers of some kind, crying behind a rock, probably only a few weeks old. Kerin found him during her time on the ground in the flames, helping slaves - in which he was small enough for her to put him in her coat and bring with her.

PERSONALITY: Dusty is an energetic and friendly creature who loves attention and being fussed over. He sees Kerin as his mother and will follow her around and sleep on her bed, but he does also love the other crewmates and is always wanting to play.

JOB: He is mainly a deck animal, killing and eating any vermin that get on board - like rats or mice.

HESPER

NAME: Hesper

OWNER: Diodan

SPECIES: Greater Sooty Owl

APPEARANCE: With a similar appearance to a typical Barn Owl, another masked owl, Hesper appears as a gloomy and almost spooky version of the common bird. He is about 40 cm long and weighs about 600g, with a wingspan of about 45cm. With big black eyes and dusty grey feathers, he is often seen as a bad omen.

BACKSTORY: It's not really known how Diodan found Hesper. Chances are he found him as a young bird and fed him to bond with him. But once in Diodan's possession, Hesper was enchanted to be a messenger bird. His enchantment still leaves him with a personality and not just a vessel - but he finds people that want to contact the Sun Killer in order for them to communicate.

PERSONALITY: He is bouncy and impatient, eager to fulfil his job. Even under an enchantment, it only tells him who and where to go. He is incentivised by treats and gifts to actually do his job. Often meaning he can be huffy and peck at people when someone doesn't write quick enough or ignores him. He is an intelligent bird on his own, able to learn how to get the most attention from the crewmates.

JOB: Communication to and from The Sun Killer ship - making him one of their most important assets.

TION AND DERIA

NAME: Tion and Deria

OWNER: Rickon Snow.

SPECIES: Direwolf

APPEARANCE: Tion is a black direwolf with milky white eyes because he's blind. Deria has a brown pelt with a missing front leg.

BACKSTORY: They're taken in by Rickon as pups after being found in a bear trap. See Rickon's backstory for more detail.

PERSONALITY: Tion is a vicious and almost anxious wolf, being blind has him relying on Deria for a lot of things. They're both getting old now, but are still pretty capable attack animals.

Deria is calmer and less volatile, she can manage on her own but is friendlier and caring, not wanting to leave her brother in most scenarios.

Both are very loyal to Rickon.

JOB: The Direwolves are weapons. Both are trained to work together to kill and are very protective.

SKIPPER, FERRY AND ROLA

NAME: Skipper, Ferry and Rola

OWNER: Onaleyana

APPEARANCE: Skipper is a male brown rat. Ferry is a male cream rat. Rola is a female beige and cream rat.

BACKSTORY: Onaleyana found them in Nefer and practiced magic on them. They ended up with far faster healing abilities and don't seem to age - making them potential immortal rats. So, she kept them.

PERSONALITY: All three are quite playful and eager to learn tricks and get affection, but there isn't much else to them.

JOB: Entertainment? They really serve no purpose.

PREVIOUS: Issarion; The Oak Guardian | NEXT: The Dynamics

[petrichor-idyllic]

Issarion; The Oak Guardian

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

NAME: Issarion's name comes from the word issaros, which means stranger in Valyrian. The Dragonkeepers in Dragonstone suspected a fourth wild dragon without confirmation, giving him the name of a stranger. It's unknown if this name is also in reference to “The Stranger” from The Seven, or just a mere coincidence. The smallfolk, however, the ones that knew of him at least, called him Woodwind.

The Oak Guardian title came later during his time as Kerin became a people's hero and he also became a symbol of heroism.

OWNER: Kerin Barlowe.

SPECIES: Dragon.

APPEARANCE: He is shades of brown and burnt wood tones - from an oak brown to beige, like cutting open a tree trunk; earning his many names in reference to wood or trees. He has deep amber eyes, which often draws similarities to Kerin's own eyes - often causing people to comment on their connection. Whilst his exact age is unknown thanks to his mysterious past and wild upbringing, he is assumed to be in early adulthood. Though, since he was raised without the confines of a Dragonpit, he has grown at a faster rate, making him a similar size to Syrax. He has a similar head shape to Silverwing and Syrax - but with more, longer, slightly twisted horns, giving him the appearance of a crown.

BACKSTORY: Issarion was a dragon of rumour for a long time. A wild dragon on Dragonstone, he learnt to mimic the actions of the other wild dragons, mainly copying the timid Grey Ghost, as he was less likely to defend his territory. During an attack on the docks, as he stole fish, Kerin was a dock hand that panicked and threw the fish at him instead of protecting it. Her Valyrian blood kept her from getting killed, and Issarion started following her around because he learnt she'd give him the fish - which is how they bonded.

PERSONALITY: More intelligent than most dragons, Issarion copies and runs more than attacks. But, he is volatile and protective and obedient to his rider - making him a deadly and dangerous dragon to face as an enemy. He is surprisingly social since he is surrounded by people, and will only attack if he or Kerin is threatened. He is affectionate to his rider, and very loyal.

JOB: He is a fighting animal and war weapon, but also a valuable mode of transport and force to pull the ship when necessary. He is also the symbol of the ship and on the flag, making him important to their message.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Kerin spent a long time flying with Daemon and Caraxes, training Issarion to do tricks and impressive manoeuvres through flying with another dragon. This is also where Issarion learnt to use his speed to tear riders off of the backs of larger dragons he couldn't beat in combat. Essentially kidnapping riders with his talons. It's a trick no other dragon has done - or done since.

Issarion once slipped and fell off the ship and ended up crying and flapping around in the water helplessly. He took out a mast and three men in the process and Kerin was too busy laughing to help anyone.

His dragonfire isn't as hot as other dragons, but he has a long range.

PREVIOUS: The Captain's Eleven | NEXT: The Deck Animals

[petrichor-idyllic]

The Captain's Eleven

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

It's so hard to get a permanent place on the Sun Killer crew, that Kerin's main crew has been dubbed "The Captain's Eleven". Which refers to the eight permanent members of the crew, not including the animals.

DIODAN

NAME: Diodan - his real name is unknown.

AGE: Looks 45, but is implied he is ancient and using magic to remain appearing that age.

ALIAS': The Shadow Prince. Heir of Darkness. God on the Water.

STATUS: First mate of the Sun Killer. Man of myth.

BIRTH PLACE: Unknown, but spent most of his life in Asshai.

APPEARANCE: Diodan is a skinny man, but tall - towering over most people at an intimidating 6'5". He is a ghostly pale with black eyes and long grey hair. He has dark ink tattoos, all in strange symbols of sorcery and witchcraft, most hidden under his black leathers he wears. He lacks jewellery or anything that shows any indication of his wealth or class, but he does have stretched ears.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: There is little to nothing known about Diodan's history before meeting Kerin. He trained in Asshai and lived in Braavos for a long while. He also visited Yi Ti at some point to know Jar and his family.

PERSONALITY: Diodan is a serious and quiet man. He feels more like a looming deity and watchful creature than a man most of the time. He definitely sees and understands things most people don't, but spending time with him will reveal he is more human than he appears. He genuinely cares for Kerin and the crew, but it's unclear whether he cares about them as people or if he just has this deep-rooted empathy for humanity as a whole, and the need to guide them. He will help where he can, and despite what it seems, he has no ill-will, even if his motives are underlying and unclear. Like most dreamers or seers, a lot of his actions and goals are based on things he has foreseen to happen, but is for a greater good instead of selfish reasons. Despite his age and skills, he is intelligent and slightly lacking in social skills, often adding to his off-putting disposition. He is very resourceful and knowledgeable, knowing multiple languages and medical practices and procedures - making him one of the most crucial people on the Sun Killer, even without his magic. He is very numb to violence, a lot of his magic coming from gruesome procedures such as torture and dismantling people; something he sees as a necessary evil for the greater good.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Like Dusty is Kerin's pet, despite being a working animal, Hesper is Diodan's.

The extent of Diodan's powers is unknown, or how far he went into Asshai. But people have witnessed him perform shadow magic and necromancy, along with seeing things in the flames.

He also helps with Kerin's efforts in helping prostitutes and women in need - providing necessary medical procedures they wouldn't receive otherwise, including abortions.

ZHORA

NAME: Zhora

AGE: Thought to be in her mid-twenties, but language and cultural barriers make the specifics impossible to know.

ALIAS': The fish lady.

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer, animal carer of the Sun Killer.

BIRTHPLACE: The Thousand Islands.

APPEARANCE: Zhora is scary by most Westerosi standards. She has pale green skin, a bald head, webbed appendages, and sharp teeth. The Thousand Islanders are all said to look like her, but she is often the only one people have actually seen.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Zhora's childhood is largely unknown, but it can be assumed it's like most people on the Thousand Islands. Isolated from the rest of the world, scared of the sea and outsiders, the Thousand Islanders make a small, self-sustaining community. One that Zhora was raised in. However, Zhora was more curious than other members of the island, going closer to the water than most dared to. She snuck out one night as there happened to be Slavers in the area, resulting in her being kidnapped. The sleeping island wasn't quick enough to save her.

The Slavers see an opportunity to use her to make easy money. Zhora is sold and bought amongst Slavers for many months, often treating her as a sort of freak show that can be used to make them rich. Eventually, she is taken to the harbours in Slaver's Bay, which happens to be the day that Kerin lays waste to the harbour. Diodan was on the ground, using his magic to free slaves and help them run away from the flames whilst the ships burnt. But Zhora was paralysed in fear, forcing Diodan to try and help her (even if he was also stunned by her appearance.)

They don't understand her language and in a panic, Diodan manages to get her on an empty, unburnt ship, along with a couple of other slaves that he's helping. Resulting in them stealing the Sun Killer.

Diodan knows rumours of the Thousand Islands, and says Zhora speaks a similar language to the almost dead ancient Ghiscari. Kerin attempts to return her to the Thousand Islands on Issarion, but it doesn't work. The Islanders threaten and try to kill them and the dragon because they are outsiders, and Zhora is an outsider too. Since she can't go home, and can't be left on her own since she'd most likely be kidnapped and sold again, she joins the Sun Killer.

PERSONALITY: Zhora is very anxious. The Thousand Islanders are known to be hostile towards anyone who is an outsider, and some part of that fearful attitude has stuck in her. She is also scared of a lot of things to do with the sea, making her first few months on the ship incredibly hard, especially with the communication issues they had. She doesn't understand a lot of things, still struggling with the Common Tongue and strange social rituals of outside people, she prefers to deal with the animals on board. She's very kind, if a bit slow, and is fiercely loved and protected by those on the ship. Everyone loves Zhora - and she loves everyone back. She really tries to learn and improve and is very determined, though her curious nature has slightly been quenched thanks to her believing it's the reason she was taken by slavers - some sort of punishment in her eyes. She misses her home.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

The language spoken on the Thousand Islands isn't spoken anywhere else, making communication hard. But Diodan notices that there are similarities to the ancient language of Ghiscari - taking his time to teach her the similar language before teaching her Valyrian, and then eventually the Common Tongue, which is very broken. Kerin also learns Ghiscari to help communicate with Zhora.

Zhora looks after all the animals, including Issarion - but not the Direwolves. They're Rickon's responsibility. Ironically, she isn't scared of the dragon at all.

ONALEYANA

NAME: Onaleyana

AGE: Unknown, but looks to be in her late 30s.

ALIAS’: Sea Demon, Mother of the Depths, Yana.

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer.

BIRTHPLACE: Nefer, the Secret City

APPEARANCE: She is a striking woman - dark skin, white eyes and long dreadlocks. She wears muted rich fabrics and heavy jewelry. She is about 5’9” and slim.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Believed to be born and raised in the city, not much is known about her apart from she was born into a magic using family and was raised on dark practices and learnt from a young age. Diodan befriended her in his youth when studying in the city.

After picking up Zhora, Kerin and Diodan are a bit lost. Diodan suggests Kerin takes Zhora to Nefer to find Onaleyana since she will know more about the Thousand Islands since Nefer is the closest place to them. And Onaleyana will provide some much needed protection. Onaleyana joins after this.

PERSONALITY: Whilst often spoken about as a sort of counterpart to Diodan, she is anything but. She is confident within herself and her powers, and quiet in a cold way. She is incredibly intelligent and calculating and holds very little remorse for people, joining the crew for her own selfish reasons. Her reasons are an excuse to travel the world and learn, which whilst isn't negative in itself, she hasn't joined for the selfless reasons everyone else has. She actually thinks Kerin's efforts are fruitless and too emotionally driven, however she still helps the crew and uses her power to achieve the goals because she needs them since she lives on the ship. That being said, she does have a particular soft spot for young women trying to make their way in the world, which is why she has some level of respect for Kerin, and a sort of motherly relationship with Wynala.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Kerin actually offered Onaleyana the position of Quartermaster before Rickon, but she refused, not wanting any part in running the ship.

She is a strict teacher to Wynala, but definitely sees the younger witch as a daughter.

Surprisingly, her three rats (Skipper, Ferry and Rola) are the only animals on the ship that aren't working animals. They are literally just pets and absolutely no one is brave enough to go against her. So, the rats stay.

RICKON SNOW

NAME: Rickon Snow

AGE: 51

ALIAS': Bolton Bastard. The Wolf King.

STATUS: Quartermaster of the Sun Killer. Owner of the Direwolves.

BIRTHPLACE: The North of Westeros.

PARENTAGE: Whilst he doesn't talk about it, it's fairly well known that his father was a member of the noble North house of Bolton. He doesn't talk about his mother - she's presumably a whore.

APPEARANCE: He is a rugged older man of average height with wide shoulders and a limp, using a walking stick with a wolf's head. He wears worn clothes and has light brown hair and an overgrown beard that is starting to grey. He has brown eyes and a lot of scars and a permanent furrowed brow.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: As a noble house's bastard, Rickon was housed and fed, but isolated and treated differently to other members of his family. His mother didn't want to raise him on her own, which meant he was given and raised by his father - well, his father's servants and maids. He was looked after mainly by the Bolton's maester at the time, even though he was often busy. Resulting in him spending a lot of time playing in the thick woods as a child. He learnt to shoot a bow through copying his estranged siblings and watching the hunts. He did this well into his twenties.

It was a sad life, really, until he came across a direwolf pup in the woods. Two, to be specific. He found them in a bear trap of sorts - one having its front leg caught in the trap whilst the other seemed to be crying and stumbling around. It was obviously blind, relying on its sibling that was stuck. Once falling into the trap, the mother probably abandoned them both.

In a burst of empathy, Rickon helped the pup out of the trap, with the intention of freeing it and leaving it. But once out - he couldn't bring himself to leave them, knowing what it felt like to be left by your own mother.

He took them to the maester in secret, who was disapproving, but kind enough to help. The one who had been caught in the trap already had an infection, resulting in its leg being amputated by the maester. The maester told Rickon they wouldn't survive on their own. So he started raising them in secret in an abandoned hut in the woods he'd found as a child.

The one missing a leg was a female he called Deria, and the blind male he called Tion. He raised them into his early thirties, when one of his sisters followed him to the hut. Protecting each other and their territories, the wolves attacked his sister, killing her.

Upon finding the scene, Rickon was horrified, but ultimately decided to leave with the wolves instead of facing his family's wrath. He took a ship to Essos, spending time in the Free Cities as a sellsword with wolves, making good money from it. He broke his ankle in a job, and the bone never healed right, giving him a limp and slowing his fighting skills.

He started to work on pirate ships, as pirates would use the wolves as weapons in raids, giving him a share of their winnings. He lived on ships and the Basilisk Isles until meeting Diodan and joining the crew.

PERSONALITY: He is your stereotypical grumpy old man. Rickon is untrusting, blunt, moody and selfish. His heart has grown cold, feeling the aftermath of being shut out from his family growing up - though joining the crew does start to help change that. He's actually quite funny, being surprisingly quick-witted, and almost soft once that gruff Northern wall starts to melt away. Though, he doesn't care about hurting anyone's feelings and will always put himself and his wolves first.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

He is very protective over Colton and Railey, and even holds a bit of a grudge against Kerin because he doesn't want Colton to get hurt by her.

He nearly got kicked off the crew once because he said something misogynistic. Colton had a long talk with him about it after.

Diodan picked him as Quartermaster for his age and experience despite Rickon and Kerin not getting along all the time. He is still respected for his skills regardless of their occasionally strained relationship.

COLTON OF SALTCLIFFE

NAME: Colton

AGE: 24

ALIAS': Master of Sellswords.

STATUS: Pilot of the Sun Killer. In charge of the ship's sellswords.

BIRTHPLACE: The Iron Islands.

APPEARANCE: About 5'11 with the typical pasty Iron Island complexion, Colton is an attractive man. Sharp features and a bumped nose, he comes across as your typical man who is attractive, and knows it. He has shaggy black shoulder length hair and grey eyes. He also has a couple of tattoos, probably influenced by Diodan and Kerin. He's not necessarily a large man, but he is lean from years of fighting.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: There actually isn't much known about Colton's past. He was raised on the Iron Islands as most are - to fight and be brutal and hold their aggressive and independent views. His mother got sick when he was in his early teens and he started seeking work as a sellsword. He wasn't taken seriously thanks to his age, but still continued, determined to get paid and help his mother. Travelling further and further away for work.

His mother passed away in his late teens and he went a bit off the rails, running away completely and becoming a sellsword all over the world. He met Railey early on, on one of the first ships he joined. Him, Railey and Rickon were hired by the same man for a job and ended up becoming close, with Rickon taking them under his wing. Rickon took them to the Basilisk Isles to work for pirates - where they meet Diodan and Kerin by extension.

PERSONALITY: He is charismatic and funny. A real extrovert with a silver tongue. Mixed with his good looks, he can be a flirt - but very rarely follows through and can even be flustered when his advances are returned. Though, he is loyal and his heart is in the right place. A lot of his actions are a facade and he doesn't talk about what he's been through - but on his own, he is quiet and lost in thought, some part of him is very sad.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Colton has a crush on Kerin, but he does respect her boundaries and has accepted they probably won't ever be a couple. Some part of him still naively wants her, but he is a good enough friend and person to never push that.

He very much sees Railey as a younger sister figure and they have a sibling dynamic.

He was the one that started calling the Philosopher "Philly" and he's very proud of himself for that.

Nearly lost his position many times for hiring sellswords and letting them run wild. He often had Kerin questioning her choices of giving him a position of power.

He loves messing with the animals and riling them up - but he's not quite brave enough to do that with Issarion.

With experience on ships and fighting from being raised Ironborn, he is a very important figure in finding sellswords and in teaching them how to man the ship.

Like most smallfolk, Colton doesn't have a surname and instead is known for where he was born; Saltcliffe. Which is one of the least powerful islands in the Iron Islands.

RAILEY OF SKAAGOS

NAME: Railey

AGE: 21

ALIAS’: The Cannibal of the Sea

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer

BIRTHPLACE: Skaagos

APPEARANCE: With bright orange hair, emerald eyes and freckles - Railey is pretty. But she's accompanied with face paint, scars and often marked with blood. Her clothes are worn and often stolen scraps. She's of average height, but pretty lean and strong from a high protein, meat based diet.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Not much is known about Railey, apart from her being born in Skaagos, which is an isolated island in Westeros which is rumoured to partake in acts of cannibalism. Being near the Iron Islands, she met Colton on a ship early on in Colton's lone adventures, joining him and eventually Rickon.

PERSONALITY: She is surprisingly out-going. Full of life and charismatic, she's probably the most extroverted of the crew. However, she is violent and unpredictable, more than willing to fight with teeth and nails and fists - she is manipulative and possessive. Being on the good side of Railey means having a loyal ride-or-die, being on the bad side of her means some level of emotional torment or torture.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Colton is like a brother to her, and Rickon like a father, creating their own little funny family dynamic.

She is often commented on during her travels for being a female sellsword, and people often say she's lucky to have met Colton and Rickon, or she wouldn't have survived- much to her dismay.

She often thinks about whether Zora would taste like a fish or a person.

It's relatively unknown if she did partake in the eating of people… but everyone knows. Just no one says anything.

She has feelings for Wynala, also captured by her beauty like the rest of the crew. She is unlabeled, but actually incredibly open about her attraction towards women since absolutely no one on the crew gives a shit.

WYNALA BAHOS

NAME: Wynala Bahos

AGE: 17

ALIAS': The Water Witch. Wynie.

STATUS: Boatswain of the Sun Killer. Tide master.

BIRTHPLACE: Volantis.

APPEARANCE: She's a short 5'3" with a skinny build from malnourishment as a slave. With dark skin and a head of long dark curls and pale blue eyes, Wynala is a very pretty young girl with a lot of admirers. Though she has a wave tattooed on her arm, a mark of slavery in Volantis that becomes a reference to her powers.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Wynala was born a slave in Volantis and has the sad backstory of most slaves. Her mother and father were both slaves, being born into a slave life. However, somewhere in her bloodline, she has ancient blood from the Rhoynar - who had water magic. Thought to be non-existent rather than wiped out, her magic powers spread through rumours and she became more of a show people came to see.

Up until Kerin and her crew arrived, she was blessed with a better life than most slaves - but still wanted to leave. When Kerin was mistaken for a slave thanks to her tattoos, the pair met. And Kerin had heard of her legend, helping her escape and join the crew.

PERSONALITY: Relatively quiet and reserved, she's polite and eager to learn. Gaining more confidence with the crew, she enjoys life at sea. She's anxious around men, but is learning not everyone is going to use her for her powers or hurt her. She's surprisingly witty and outspoken when comfortable around people and, given the opportunity, holds a lot of power over the ship and is a good leader. She's obedient when learning more about magic from Diodan and is actually quite giddy and excitable when she's comfortable.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Wynala is scared of the Direwolves and Issarion - but she absolutely adores Hesper and Dusty. If Dusty isn't with Kerin, he's probably with Wynala. The fear of Direwolves makes having one of them guarding the women's quarters occasionally funny when Tion wanders too close to her by mistake.

Her and Zhora are actually very close friends, often gossiping together.

Wynala is known for splashing people with her powers when she's annoyed.

Having a surname as a smallfolk is unusual; having a surname, or any recognised name as a slave is unheard of. But with her powers, the Slaver that owned her gave her a "proper" name in some twisted way of holding her above other slaves.

Wynala ended up as the Boatswain because of her unquestionable knowledge of water and controlling the ship. She often works alongside Colton as the Pilot, which is how she develops a crush on him.

Her position as Boatswain came from Kerin wanting to give another woman a place of power and giving Wynala a chance to prove herself despite her lack of experience - which is unheard of for a position like the Boatswain.

Onaleyana teaches her more control and helps her understand her ancient magic.

THE PHILOSOPHER

NAME: The Philosopher. Real name is unknown.

AGE: Unknown.

ALIAS': Philly (much to his dismay.)

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer.

BIRTHPLACE: Unknown.

APPEARANCE: He is of average height and build, with nothing distinct about him. His face is always changing, his real face unknown.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Unknown - but somehow Diodan knows him and has convinced (or blackmailed) him to join the crew.

PERSONALITY: He's very distant and mysterious - only really speaking to Diodan and Kerin as a push. No one knows what he used to be like before he became a follower of the Many Faced God.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Nearly got kicked off the ship several times for yapping about the Many Faced God and breaking the no Gods rule.

He probably doesn't actually follow the strict rules of the Many Faced God anymore or the teachings of the Faceless Men. Since he kills people without being given a name and often does as he pleases, despite still believing in the God and using the skills he’s learnt.

RED RAT

NAME: Red Rat - his name before becoming a slave is unknown.

AGE: 19

ALIAS': None. Occasionally gets called Red.

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer. Ex-unsullied slave.

BIRTHPLACE: Astapor

APPEARANCE: With tanned skin and a shaved head, Red looks like most Unsullied soldiers, since they're all forced to look and act the same. He is about 6 feet tall and well built from training his entire life, and can often be found wearing his armour still as a sort of safety blanket. He has dark eyes that always seem sad in a way - definitely a sort of permanent puppy eyes.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Like most Unsullied, he was born a slave and raised as a soldier in Astapor. He survived the training and went on to be one of Astapor's army. That all went a bit wrong.

After the first attack on the docks by Kerin, Unsullied soldiers were stationed at the slow rebuilding of the scorched harbours. Which is where Red Rat was when Kerin happened to attack the docks for a second time.

Unsullied are slaves, so Kerin didn't want to hurt any of them - but Red Rat got knocked out by one of Wynala's waves. And with Kerin refusing to kill him and not wanting to leave him to die in the fighting, they took him on board. So, they essentially kidnapped him.

Eventually, he accepted the ship as a more homely and welcoming place with people who cared about him, but it did take a while for him to accept it.

PERSONALITY: Red is very quiet but loyal. There is some simmering rage under the surface that spending time with the crew is growing - an injustice they're trying to fight that he is now a part of. He longs for a family, and whilst not the typical traditional setup, the crew is a family of sorts. He becomes more outspoken and individual, forming his own thoughts and opinions, even learning to become softer and not relying on violence. He is protective, and willing to die for his cause, even if he has a far more simple way of thinking thanks to his upbringing.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

He is very much inspired by Wynala and Zhora and their stories of escaping slavery with Kerin and making something of themselves.

He is also very good friends with Zhora, but mildly intimidated by Wynala's beauty and admires her from afar.

JAR PYTI

NAME: Jar Pyti

AGE: 16

ALIAS': Kid genius. The Inventor.

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer. Carpenter of the Sun Killer.

BIRTHPLACE: Yi Ti

APPEARANCE: He's a scrappy looking boy with warm skin and dark fluffy hair. He has thin brown eyes and a shorter build at about 5'6". He's relatively slim since he isn't a fighter. He normally wears the loose clothing associated with the Sun Killer, but he also wears goggles and large leather gloves, often used for blacksmithing - and if they're not on his hands they're on his belt.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Jar's backstory is actually incredibly boring. He lived with a loving family in Yi Ti - the large and beautiful city making advancements in technology. He received an education and safety, but he was bored by it. His parents often mentioned a man that stayed in Yi Ti for a while as a maester of sorts - but with strange and arcane practices. But he was nice and respectful and spent a lot of time with Jar's father learning about Yi Ti because Jar's father could speak the Common Tongue, even teaching the man Yitish. This man was Diodan, who had stayed in Yi Ti when Jar was only a baby.

As Jar's boredom grew, he heard tales of the Sun Killer and Diodan's description matching the one his parents had described. He wanted to reach out or do something - and when the enchanted owl appeared, he figured it out pretty quick. Once in contact with the Sun Killer, Diodan said that a man from Yi Ti would be a good addition to the ship - so they went to get him. And he left his old life behind.

PERSONALITY: Jar is actually very witty and sarcastic, often his comments flying over people's heads. He talks fast and speaks about things other people don't understand, like it's common knowledge. But he is friendly and relatively out-going, even if a bit difficult to keep up with. He longs for adventure and a life worth living, often taking risks and making hasty decisions without thinking, even though he is intelligent. He doesn't want to be defined by being the "smart one", and wants a reputation like Colton's - of being charismatic but skilled. Which can lead to him getting himself in situations he can't handle. Though, in topics he's good at, his quick actions and thinking can be valuable and necessary, making him an important member of the crew.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

He very much looks up to Colton as an older brother figure, but as much as he likes him, there is some sort of bitter envy that Colton is so cool and liked.

He also looks up to Diodan, who is this incredibly smart but also powerful man - inspired by his ability to be both.

He made the apparatus that attaches Issarion's saddle to the ship for him to pull it.

Naming conventions in Yi Ti are different from Westeros, meaning that Jar is actually his family name, and Pyti is his personal name. The only person who really calls him Pyti on occasion is Diodan.

NORO VYNIAS

NAME: Noro Vynias

AGE: 23

ALIAS’: The Flying Man, The Winged Man, Boy in the Sky

STATUS: Crew member of the Sun Killer

BIRTHPLACE: City of the Winged Men

APPEARANCE: He is handsome and strong from having to use his flying machine, though he definitely looks like he skipped leg day, making him quite top heavy. He is pale from a cold climate and blond with hazel eyes. He is about 6’1.

DESIGN:

BACKSTORY: Like most in the City, he was raised to worship birds and the sky and their bird god, being given his flying machine and wings and improving them. However, he often ventured further out than most, flying near Yi Ti as the farthest he went out.

His machine broke nearby and Jar happened to stumble across him - helping him rebuild his wings and be on his way. Jar told everyone about this and no one believed him until he told Kerin when he met her. And the Captain was nosey enough to get on Issarion with Jar and head into the mountains. They ended up finding Noro in the sky, and Noro was startled by the dragon, but after recognising Jar - he was honoured to fly with Issarion. After landing, Jar excitedly told Noro what was happening - and Noro basically begged to come with them. A life of adventure and flying? How could he resist?

PERSONALITY: He is friendly and honest - a genuine person. Maybe he has a few strange habits from living so far out and he likes birds way too much, but he is actually quite harmless. He isn't the brightest when it comes to literally anything that isn't flying or his machine, but he is always willing to help and get involved with whatever task Kerin throws at the crew.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

The only person he doesn't like is Onaleyana - because she scares him. But he isn't actually that close to anyone on the crew, but he is nice to everyone and everyone is nice to him.

Him and Jar often stay up late thinking of new ways to make his wings better.

When Kerin is free, she flies on Issarion with him, also letting him test his new medications to his wings because she can catch him and offer some sort of stability in the air.

Noro has also fallen for Colton's pretty boy charisma, but unlike Railey, is a lot more shameful and uncertain about his attraction to the same sex. Whilst not being close to Railey, he deeply admires her confidence in her sexuality and boldness in expressing it.

PREVIOUS: Captain Kerin Barlowe | NEXT: Issarion; The Oak Guardian

[petrichor-idyllic]

Captain Kerin Barlowe

TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR CHILD NEGLECT, RAPE AND MURDER

Captain Barlowe and the Crew of The Sun Killer

NAME: Kerin Barlowe, formerly Waters.

AGE: 23

ALIAS': Queen of the Horizon. Captain of the Sun Killer. Change Bringer. Captain Barlowe. Kingslayer.

STATUS: Targaryen bastard. Captain of the Sun Killer.

BIRTH PLACE: Dragonstone.

PATENTAGE: Daemon Targaryen claims to be her father, but it's unknown if he actually is or if her Valyrian blood is generations old and he simply claimed she was his child to stir up further drama. Her mother was a whore on Dragonstone called Tacy.

APPEARANCE:

-GENERAL: Inheriting a strange mix of genes, she has an odd form of partial heterochromia giving her a mix of yellow/amber and lilac eyes. The purple colouring obviously comes from her Valyrian heritage, and the yellow comes from her mother’s own unique eyes - though the mixing of the colours probably comes from Daemon’s side of the family, as his mother had two different coloured eyes. She has brown hair with Targaryen white pieces - also in her eyelashes and eyebrows, showing traits of her blood. She's pale with freckles and a bumped nose with a slim build from years of malnourishment.

- Ages of birth - 12: a young, scrawny dock rat dressed in peasant clothes. Malnourished and skinny, short scruffy hair, chipped nails and bruised.

-Ages 12 - 16: Under Daemon's care, she is better fed and wears toned down noble dresses. Looks like a stereotypically royal bastard and isn't seen much.

-Ages 16 - 17: After leaving to the Free Cities, she struggles to find clothes and steals what she can, mainly wearing ill-fitting clothes as she slowly builds up her current pirate style and reputation.

- Ages 17 - 21: long hair, often in braided styles. She wears a lot of brown leathers and more practical masculine clothing. She wears a lot of stolen silver jewellery and has ear piercings full of heavy silver pieces. She gets a lot of cryptic and arcane tattoos thanks to her time and influence with Diodan - most protective symbols and scriptures. During battle and raids, she wears dark smeared eye makeup, almost like war paint, as do the rest of her crew. She's about 5'5 and slim, but has more muscle and body mass from years of fighting and crime and sailing a ship.

- Ages 21 - present: Shorter hair around her shoulders with rat tail braids. She gains an eyebrow piercing and her war paint makeup gets darker and bigger.

DESIGN:

(17 - 21 era.)

(21+ era)

BACKSTORY: Kerin was born in a brothel on Dragonstone. Her mother was young and not a good mother, but she tried her best. The first part of her life was being raised by a group of whores and doing jobs on the docks of Dragonstone to try and make some coin to help get by. She was a dock rat, through and through.

She happened across Issarion at the age of 11. It was dark as she helped move fish from boats when the dragon attacked the docks, with most men running with the fish and escaping the dragon, whilst Kerin panicked and tripped. Thinking the dragon would kill her, she threw the fish at him in tears. Issarion didn't attack. He seemed curious about her, though he took the fish before flying away. Over several months, the dragon started to show up on the docks whilst Kerin was there. He learnt quickly she would give him fish and he followed her around, though slowly he became more interested in her than the fish. Similar to Seasmoke with Adam - he wouldn't leave her alone, even going as far to sleep on top of the brothel where she was living (which was bad for business).

Over the next year, Issarion became a constant in her life she gradually got used to - but it took her another year to even consider being brave enough to ride him. Her mother off-handedly mentioned that her father is probably of Targaryen blood, but never confirmed or denied who, since she often had to be very intoxicated to see clients.

The Crown keeps tabs on all wild dragons, so Issarion's sudden very obvious presence near the smallfolk was raising concerns anyway - but he wasn't hurting anyone. His presence around the smallfolk also confirmed his existence as the fourth wild dragon, which the crown was originally skeptical about even existing.

Once Kerin was flying Issarion, people knew about it. Word got to the Red Keep - and the small council knew they couldn't let this random bastard girl go around with a dragon unattended and finally stepped in. With Issarion taking a rider, they had to take action. It was a scandal and Kerin was largely treated like a criminal. The Crown has always had a say in who gets dragons and eggs - so she was treated like she had stolen something. But it didn't take a genius to see that Kerin was an anxious young girl who didn't know or understand the laws around dragons - and Issarion was anxious and volatile without her presence.

So, she spent some time in the shadows of the Red Keep.

Word reached Daemon, who made things easier when he claimed he was her father, even though he'd been residing in Pentos for years, he returned to King's Landing to claim Kerin. He would've been in Dragonstone around the time she was conceived, but Kerin largely suspects Daemon claimed her to further irritate elitist puritanical critics in the court.

She spends the next few years in Pentos with Daemon and Laena, and Daemon teaches her High Valyrian and fighting - mainly so his bastard daughter could be as skilled as other children in the family. Mainly to further piss off, specifically, Alicent across the Narrow Sea.

Some point during Kerin's time in Pentos, she receives word of her mother's rape and murder. Suspected to be by knights of the crown, but nothing was done about it. This further radicalises her.

After Laena's death, Kerin spends time in Driftmark, where she has to actually see her "cousins". The rift between Alicent and Rhaenyra's children already grows, but Daemon insists on her being allowed at the funeral since Laena had largely been a mother figure to her and she was relatively close to Baela and Rhaena. This is probably one of the few genuine times Daemon did something for her and not personal gain.

Her relationship with Jace set off tense - the young boy was self-conscious over his own secret bastard status, believing his dragon was all that set him apart. Kerin was living proof that wasn't true. Luke was actually much kinder - learning about death and the horrors for the first time, he comforted her and the girls despite his young age.

Though still out of place, Kerin spent a surprising amount of time with Helaena, listening to her ramble nonsense about bugs whilst Aemond and Aegon watched. Her brief conversation with a drunk Aegon was actually filled with a strange mix of sexual harassment and insults she didn't even catch onto at the time - which was swiftly cut short by Alicent of all people. The Queen's motives behind saving Kerin from this conversation are still lost on her.

Her time with Aemond, however, was different. He was a quiet, almost awkward, lonely boy at the time. He stood alone as did she, and he awkwardly started a conversation apologising for Aegon's behaviour. The conversation was stiff and unnatural, but they ended up standing together for most of the funeral due to not having anyone else, really. She tried really hard to be kind to everyone, but this is something that stuck with Aemond. No one else ever really tried with him, even if she was like this with everyone. It would make him bitter in a way, seeing it with disgust that a bastard pitied him, even if she was genuine.

When Aemond bonded with Vhagar, they'd gone their separate ways. But, she did witness the aftermath. She was with Baela and Rhaena when they saw Vhagar in the sky, and followed them and Rhaenyra's boys for the confrontation. She was panicking and anxious the entire fight, attempting to stop the violence on both sides. The seething comments Aemond made against bastards would taint the image she had of the quiet and anxious boy she'd spoken to mere hours earlier.

When Luke took Aemond's eye, it was a sickening feeling. She was the only person to drop to him - covering his face to try and stop the bleeding when the commander intervened. Her sting from his comments was overshadowed by the genuine want to help she has. She was sobbing and covered in his blood.

The feud afterwards left her torn, with Viserys drilling her whilst she stood and sobbed, completely panicked and lost. She didn't know who to side with and didn't even believe anyone was in the right.

Something about this day is what made her into who she became. In the time between Laena's funeral and Daemon's marriage to Rhaenyra - Kerin vanished. She took Issarion and fled.

This is also around the time she starts calling herself Barlowe instead of Waters, ditching the Crownlands' bastard name.

She spent months in the Free Cities and around Western Essos, hiding from people and camping under Issarion's wings. Using her thief skills from her time in the brothel, she stole clothes and food and slowly learnt to use Issarion to her advantage. He wasn't a big dragon by any means - but a dragon is still a dragon.

That's until she met Diodan. He didn't seem scared of Issarion when he stumbled across her in the rain. The older gentleman spoke with a strange accent and never gave her a surname. She never learnt one. He offers her a place to stay - which she rejects thinking he's a predator. But, he kept popping up - feeding her, clothing her, giving her things to get by. He showed her shadow magic and the unholy things that exist in the world that Westeros doesn't worry about. He told her he sees things - power in her future.

She thought he was weird. Until some men tried to hurt her - and Diodan appeared, dealing with the men trying to take her and her dragon with ease. She started staying with him after that - and he started to radicalise her further. Her deep sadness for what her family is like - how horrid the royalty is and yet they see her beneath them slowly turned into anger. Anger that they wouldn't have cared for her without Issarion - that they only lifted a finger because she became a threat. That they let people suffer.

Diodan said lots of people suffer.

But she can do something about it.

She was 17 when she first attacked Slaver's Bay. Issarion burnt ships. She doesn't go near the actual cities because she can't get access and they're well guarded, but she attacks the harbours and the ships bringing slaves in.

She met Zhora that day - a girl taken by slavers from the Thousand Islands. She was terrified of everything and she was a bit odd looking. She didn't speak any of the common tongue and Kerin refused to leave her. Fitting her and Diodan on Issarion was a push. So, in a panic - they stole a ship. Tying Issarion to it with a spare rope and somehow pulling it away into the Summer Seas.

She doesn't know the name of that ship - but eventually, it was renamed the Sun Killer.

She quickly becomes famous for attacking Slaver's Bay and places in the area - freeing people and returning them to their homes and families, and if they have nowhere to return? They join her crew.

The societal injustice amplified further - raiding rich ships and giving most of the stolen goods to the smallfolk. The years that follow result in her becoming a legend to the smallfolk and a massive headache for the rich.

She travels all over the world, collecting crew members and gaining a name for a strange but powerful crew of people.

PERSONALITY: In her younger years, Kerin was very anxious and quiet, terrified of men from living in a brothel. She anxiously just nods and obeys her way through life, not really fighting anything that happens - including being dragged to Essos by Daemon who claims to be her father. Daemon kinda wants her to be a problem child, and any confidence she gains from his lessons has a mixed effect. She becomes a perfectionist, and whilst skilled - it just makes her more anxious. This anxiety is what makes her run away after witnessing the events of Laena's funeral. She can't face this family.

Though, with Diodan replacing Daemon as a father figure - a father figure that actually cares for her, she becomes genuinely more confident, and the melting anxiety makes way for the rage and injustice that fuels her. She still holds some level of kindness to the underdog, becoming a very fair but feared person. Her perfectionist ways stick around, making her treat her crew like family - but she is firm in her rules and beliefs and won't stand for anyone changing that.

She actually becomes almost funny. Being around people she likes makes her feel more like a person who can jest and be more open. She is, however, firm. Her confidence and Daemon's lessons have made her into a smart person - she thinks things through and knows how to lead. Being exposed to a lot as a girl has made her slightly numb to violence. However, the pressure of this life she's chosen can cause occasional breakdowns, which is often triggered by the overwhelming guilt from her choices - something she attempts to hide as best as she can.

She is still scared of most men from her trauma - remaining chaste thanks to touch repulsion and not societal expectations and pressures about women.

Kerin is also probably some form of neurodivergent. Her extreme sense of justice and “black and white” view of the world makes her appear more cutthroat and harsh than she intends to. She also is intelligent in strange ways and meticulous in her procedures and records. She is often hyper-sensitive and aware of other people's tones and facial expressions, but often lacks self-awareness about how blunt or rude she is acting. Even struggling with volume control when she is upset or angry, and despite being a captain, can be easily overwhelmed by situations or reactions she isn't prepared for.

This also means that whilst she appears very independent, Kerin has some level of codependency - especially with Issarion, but also with Diodan. Having them near or with her makes her feel more secure, especially in new situations or with new people.

ADDITIONAL FACTS:

Kerin's sexuality is something she often thinks about. She is actually attracted to men, but the thought of being close to a man is what disturbs her. It would take a long time for her to consider being intimate with a man through a lot of trust and the knowledge they wouldn't be like the men she saw in the brothel. However, she isn't attracted to women - she doesn't mind physical contact with them nearly as much. Which creates a very confusing relationship with sex and her identity in that regard.

One of the few times she actually willingly touched someone of the opposite sex was when Aemond lost his eye and she acted without even thinking about it. She just saw a child that had been injured.

She gradually gets better with her touch aversion, being able to hug the male members of her permanent crew. Mainly thanks to Diodan, who acts like a father figure that isn't a complete freak. And, surprisingly, Colton - who becomes a genuine friend.

Kerin even considers potentially having feelings for Colton, but her anxiety and problems put her off any sort of actual relationship.

Diodan is skilled in medicine and surgery with a mix of biological knowledge and arcane practices, and after years of begging, he agreed to remove Kerin's womb. So Kerin has no womb.

A lot of her piercings and tattoos subconsciously come from defying societal beauty standards of the time to make herself less attractive.

Her interactions with the royal family during her stay in King's Landing after bonding with Issarion were very few and far between, and Alicent never allowed her around her children - keeping her shut away. She only really saw them in passing. Though, she did hold a few brief conversations with Helaena. Making Laena's funeral the first time she met half of her family.

She did actually have more interactions with Jace and Luke. Luke was very young and always nice to her, but Jace wasn't nearly as friendly because of his own insecurities. Her distance from them is mainly from physical distance thanks to living in Pentos.

Laena was a good stepmother to Kerin. She knew what Daemon was and how he acted with whores and was one of the few people that didn't blame the girl for her bastard status. This also made Kerin quite close to Baela and Rhaena, and she considered them her actual sisters for a long time.

Her relationship with Daemon is complicated. She isn't his favourite daughter; that belongs to Baela, who is both legitimate, rebellious and a dragon rider. But she is often treated better than Rhaena because Kerin has a dragon, despite being a bastard. Though Daemon did hold some genuine affection for her, she doesn't even consider him her father. He's a reasonably suspicious ally at best to her. Her being a bastard meant Daemon could raise her however he wanted, teaching her and training her like he would want to with his children. After meeting Diodan and his enchanted owl, she does have very rare correspondence with Daemon.

Daemon once only spoke to her in Valyrian for six months to force her to be fluent in the language. She can also get by in Ghiscari thanks to Diodan and attempting to communicate with Zhora.

Kerin never achieved the Breaker of Chains status Daenerys would reach centuries later because she wasn't able to actually free many people from the cities themselves. She only managed to save people from the harbours that were trafficking slaves. But she would give inspiration to Daenerys in the future.

Kerin would also give inspiration to Brienne of Tarth and Arya Stark, both to do with a female fighter and the latter also in relation to travelling.

Kerin also slowly starts to use the money she's stolen to buy and set up women's and children's homes for victims of slavery and trafficking and abuse.

Kerin is a sort of antithesis to Aemond. Both come from childhoods of isolation and disconnect to varying degrees. Whilst Kerin's upbringing is far more traumatic and harder to survive, and Aemond, despite the bullying he endured, did live a life of luxury - their dragons make an important point. Kerin was never supposed to have a dragon; she just ended up with Issarion without having to do much simply because the wild dragon took a shine to her. Targaryen bastards aren't entitled to a dragon and most don't get one, but she did. However, Aemond was meant to have a dragon and didn't have one, even though the bastard girl did. And when he did get a dragon, it ended up being a traumatic experience and something he actively had to seek out.

Whilst Kerin's isolation and experiences made her want to be better and help people, Aemond did the opposite and became hateful and further isolated. Even as children, Aemond was growing more hateful - and had Kerin and him swapped places on the day he claimed Vhagar, he probably wouldn't have come to her aid, already marking a difference between them.

Their interactions are very few and far between, but Aemond is an important character for her despite their distance, even triggering her realisations about the Targaryen family that made her leave.

Kerin rarely visits Volantis after the first time she went because she's often mistaken for a slave thanks to her tattoos.

Diodan makes her meditate a lot to help prevent her sickness of the mind and guilt.

Kerin sees Issarion as a brother and soulmate more than she does any person.

Dusty is a working animal, but he belongs to Kerin despite being a communal pet. He is Kerin's baby.

Barlowe is a name Kerin picked for herself after ditching the bastard name "Waters". Where it comes from is unknown and relatively boring, probably just being heard in passing and her liking it. Like most smallfolk, she didn't even have a surname before being discovered as a Targaryen bastard.

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[petrichor-idyllic]

Roles and Rules

Captain Barlowe and The Crew of The Sun Killer

POSITIONS

Whilst not a typical crew, there are roles that need to be filled to maintain and run a ship. Here are those roles, what they mean, and who they belong to:

Captain: Kerin Barlowe - The leading voice and figure of the ship. The ultimate authority and makes the final decisions.

First mate: Diodan - The second in command.The number two man on the ship. He's responsible for enforcing the ship’s articles and administering punishment when necessary. The trustee of the ship and her crew. He directly represents the crew to the captain. It's his responsibility to serve as a counterbalance to the captain in decisions that might be hazardous to the ship or the crew. A wise captain made no decisions that the first mate didn’t support. He's also responsible for counting the booty and splitting the shares.

Quartermaster: Rickon Snow - Typically, a ship has a First Mate or a Quartermaster, as the title is often used interchangeably depending on the ship. (First mate tends to be for privateer vessels.) However on The Sun Killer, this role is a sort of third in command and jobs are deligated to this role before going higher up.

Boatswain: Wynala Bahos - In charge of the provisions for the ship. Maintains the stores of food, water, rum, gunpowder, shot, sails, rope, wood, and tar required to keep the ship and crew fit for action, along with the anchor. The boatswain also directs the loading of cargo into the hold to maintain the proper ballast to ensure level sailing. In charge of keeping the watches on the ship and maintaining discipline among the deck crew. The boatswain is charged with maintaining the ship’s seaworthy status. The Boatswain reports to the First Mate or Quartermaster.

Pilot: Colton of Saltcliffe - Serving as the ship’s navigator and generally the best all around sailor aboard the ship. Responsible for plotting the ship’s course and maintaining that course. The pilot maintains all of the ship’s charts and maps as well as the tools of navigation. He's charged with keeping a daily log of every event relating to the sailing of the ship. He records the depth, the currents, the wind patterns, the ship’s location, the locations of reefs and sandbars, and the state of the rigging. He reports directly to the captain.

Carpenter: Jar Pyti - A skilled wood worker, often with some shipwright experience, who does all of the woodworking required by the crew. He's primarily responsible for repairing damage to the wooden portions of the ship and for plugging leaks that got too bad. The Carpenter was is responsible for the construction of barrels and crates, as needed, to store cargo, as well as maintaining the tools of his trade. He takes orders from and reports to the Boatswain.

RULES:

Kerin runs a tight ship (literally), resulting in a lot of rules on her ship:

There are no Gods on the Sun Killer. This sounds more intimidating than it actually is. It basically means that many people with different religious beliefs are on the ship, so it's better not to talk about it at all than risk conflict among the crew. However, this later becomes part of what makes the crew more intimidating since hearing the phrase in passing makes the Sun Killer sound like an unholy place.

Don't bite the hand that feeds. No rapists or people who have shown unnecessary violence to a woman or child. Most pirates are criminals and have indulged in horrific behaviours - violent crimes and theft are almost necessary for the job. However, Kerin won't accept any sort of violence or assault towards women and any member of the crew she finds out has committed those acts is swiftly dealt with. She is a female pirate captain - men who don't respect women won't respect her. She also has some sense of morals and a deep disgust for that behaviour for obvious reasons.

All bleed red. Members are treated equally. Race, gender and sexuality are irrelevant on the Sun Killer. People are there to do a job and those things don't affect how well they work on a ship. This also includes the dragon and literal animals that work on the ship. Everyone has a role to play.

Gold isn't worth a life. On the rare occasion the crew are bested or have low chances of coming out unscathed, they are instructed to run. Running is better than dying.

No rocking the boat. What her men do off the ship isn't any of Kerin's business - but her traumas and repulsion of sex and intimacy make the Sun Killer a sex free zone. She doesn't want to see that.

Let the Gods decide. In Westerosi land, if any of the crew is arrested, calling for a trial by combat gives them better chances of an innocent verdict. With a lot of crimes and rumours, and general dislike from most nobles and people in power, achieving freedom through a typical trial is very slim. If the member arrested is willing to fight, then they can - or someone else from the crew can fight as their champion. Colton, Red Rat, and Philly tend to be the go-to champions - but if they can't fight, Kerin will always fight instead.

Dead men don't get up again. Something Kerin was actually taught by Daemon - the crew rarely take hostages or let enemies live. This is because the risk of letting them go and having to face them in the future is typically not worth the reward.

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