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P H Y S I C A L I T Y
Appearance
Hair: Long and blonde, usually tied back but often blown free.
Facial Hair: None
Eyes: Blue
Build: Stocky and muscular, evidence of a life at sea.
Skin Tone: Tanned
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 13st
Voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Igooxb4D1c
Handed: Right handed, though capable of wielding a sword in one and a pistol in the other.
Body Markings: None
Scar Tissue: Numerous scars across his body, including marks on his back from a flogging.
Unique Body Features: None
Name
Nathaniel Sellars
Nickname
Black Nate
Title
Captain of the Acheron
Factual Age
39
Gender
Male
M E N T A L I T Y
Personality
Nathaniel appears to all to be the indomitable and stonewall commander he wishes to seem. Around his ship he insists on a strict adherence to discipline, a habit left behind from his days in the Royal Navy, but also his way of ensuring effective control. Though haughty in command, Nate is always understanding to the needs of his men, ensuring they are kept happy as possible whilst driving them hard to success. However, he is often brutal when he is challenged. Brooking no questions of his authority, he is good to the crew as long as they accept it.
Behind the stonewall appearance he uses most of the time, Nate is very open with people he knows well. He would never go so far as to appear weak, but he enjoys company as much as the next man, and often shares words with his crew. He is also very passionate about music, playing the violin in his spare time.
A seaman through and through, the sea is Nathaniel’s home. He knows her ways like the back of his hand, and his dedication to his ship is unmovable. Despite being a privateer he strives to keep her an efficient and well-run vessel. In battle he is fearless, standing on the quaterdeck amongst the flames of guns and the crashing of wood. He often leads boarding parties, roaring onto captured ships with a roar and a cutlass in his hand.
One subject Nate never talks about is his past. Hatred burns in his heart for the Royal Navy, and all those associated with it. Whenever he captures a navy ship, he gives no mercy to the crews, often stringing the bodies of the officers from the yardarms of the captured ship as a warning to those who find it.
Motivation
He is entirely motivated by his desire for blood and riches.
Likes
Music - An avid follower of new musical styles, Nathaniel tries to hear as much as he can when ashore. When he isn't he plays his violin in his cabin, improvising his own pieces as well as playing well known ones.
The smell of gunsmoke - Reminding him of the rush of battle, the scent of guns and smoke brings a surge of adrenaline to Nathaniel that he relishes.
Humiliating the Royal Navy - Always keen to beat those who he feels betrayed him, seeing an RN ship founder or flee always makes him smile.
His ship running smoothly - Nothing pleases a captain more than the efficient sailing of his ship, and Nathaniel is no different. He sees it as evidence of his effective command when his crew perform a maneuver perfectly, or fire and reload their guns in a matter of minutes.
Dislikes
Disobedience - Nathaniel views any disobedience as a challenge to his authority and cracks down on it, often brutally. He hates doing it, but views it as necessary.
Losing - No one likes losing, but Nate flies into an uncontrollable rage when he does. Quite a few times he has taken the matter into his own hands and reversed the result.
Heat - Preferring the cool breezes and strong winds of the sea, Nathaniel hates the heat, which is why he doesn't go to the Mediterranean often.
B A C K G R O U N D
Marital Status
Single as far as anyone knows. He refuses to talk about it.
Relatives
He might have a father and a brother left alive in England. Any others he does not know about.
Bio/History
Nathaniel was born in a small town in England, but quickly outgrew it. In search of action and adventure he ran away to join the Royal Navy when he was twelve, signing on to a ship's crew and leaving his home far behind. He spent his early years on the ship as a foremast jack, heaving ropes and holystoning the decks the same as any seaman. However, his intelligence and ability quickly stood him apart from the rest and he was put forward as a midshipman. Wounded in many engagements, Nathaniel was only flogged once by a captain he had for refusing to stop fighting a French officer he had cornered in a boarding action. The captain disappeared soon after on a stormy night, and rumours circulated that Nathaniel was responsible, though no evidence was ever found.
Acing his midshipman's exams, Nathaniel was promoted and given his own small ship. Through numerous conflicts and prizes he rose to the rank of post-captain, and was given a frigate, the Acheron. It was at this time he fell out with those who ran the navy. It was reported that Nathaniel had been snapping up neutral merchant ships, slaughtering the crews and selling the contents for his own personal gain, and that of his crew. An admiral attempted to arrest him but was strapped across the mouth of a cannon and blown apart. From that day forward Nathaniel was outlawed as a pirate. Sailing the Atlantic he preyed upon merchants and shipping from the Americas, destroying any Royal Navy ships sent to stop him. But following a recent engagement his ship was badly damaged and much of the crew killed. He needed to put into land somewhere and recruit a new crew, refit and repair. Maybe now his old navy habits and clothes would suit him well.
escargot ;)