The Crew of the Alcatani

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

The Crew of the Spanish Privateer Alcatani

From Left to Right:

Name:Enton

Rank: Cabin Boy, Sharpshooter, Seaman

History: A boy of 15 years of age and cabin boy to Pirazzo Miragliano, it was in the Battle of Urnves Cape when the Alcatani was sent, by order of Spain, to protect the fledgling colony of Urnves from the native Islanders, that he demonstrated his skill with a gun. Although they had engaged the armada of rag-tag rafts and canoes that were inbound for the Cape at long range and destroyed most of them, the winds befouled them caught them aback. A lone catamaran, pulled by oars and dead ahead of them began pulling away, and looked as though it would surely make the Cape and attack the defenseless colony. Seizing a rifle from a gun rack, Enton leapt to the bow and drew a bead on the Islander cheiftan sitting in a magnificent chair framed by torches atop the catamaran. With one shot, the cheiftan was dead. Grabbing the only remaining rifle, he fired once more and cut the pole holding one of the torches up. The torch fell to the deck of the catamaran and caught it afire. Within minutes, the Catamaran had burned away completely, and no sign of its crew was found. The Alcatani proceeded to crush the rest of the Islander armada and protect the colony of Urnves.

Name: Rekove "the Mallet"

Rank: Seaman, Cannon Gunner

History: Brother of Druther, Rekove has been a seaman all his life, and usually plies his coopers skills with whatever ship he happens to be serving on. He has an entire lifes experience worth of seamanship behind him, but for the right price he'll just as soon slip poision into the barrels he mends.

Name:Druther "the Hook"

Rank: Seaman

History: Brother of Rekove, Druther has been a seaman all his life, and usually plies his rigging skills with whatever ship he happens to be serving on. He has an entire lifes experience worth of seamanship behind him, but for the right price he'll just as soon cut the rigging he applies.

Name: Arem Viasque

Rank: Second Luitenant, Gunnery Captain

History: Nothing is more dear to Arem then his precious guns. It is said he is the best shot with a cannon in the entirety of the Archipalego. A gunsmiths apprentice as a lad, he came to the Archipalego when his master died and plied his wares as a maker of fine cannon. When the town he was operating in was ransacked by pirates and his equipment destroyed, he joined the crew of the first friendly vessel to appear, which happened to be the Alcatani. Pirazzo quickly recognized his skill with the big guns and promoted him to Gunnery Captain.

Name: Achtia Samos

Rank: First Luitenant

History: At first meeting, Achtia may seem cold, arrogant, and aloof, but those who know him know that this is little more then a mask for the consummate professional seamen that is Achtia Samos. It is he who makes sure the ship remains in tip-top shape at all times. A member of the lower noble Spanish family of Samos, his career in the navy was brought to ruins when one of his siblings disgraced the family name. So great was Achtias skill and knowlage of seamanship that not only did Pirazzo know of him through reputation but, when Achtia was sent to shore as a disgraced officer, he sought him out personally and hired him as first mate. Achtia now seeks to wash away the stain on the Samos family name through great deeds.

Name: Pirazzo Miragliano

Rank: Captain

History: IN PROGRESS

Name: Erik Northwind

Rank: First and Only Petty Officer, Gunnery Captain

History: A sea dog of great infamy, Erik Northwind has been a companion of Pirazzo's for over twenty years. They first met when Erik was nothing but a pressed hand aboard the vessel Baldemaro where Pirazzo was of midshipman standings. Since then, Erik Northwind has made a name for himself as a freelance sea dog. Many captains would pay good gold to have him aboard, if only for his disciplinary skills. He can strike fear into the most pigheaded of men and turn the most cowardly crew into bold warriors.

Perhaps only he can truly appreciate the fact that now his golden day his over, and he's moving on in his years. He sought out Pirazzo and signed on with his crew because he sees the opportunity for a few last grand escapades, and perhaps a chance to go out with a bang.

Name: Skut

Rank: Quartermaster

History: An extremely talented quartermaster, Skut worked for the East India Trading Company until he lost his eye from a boarding action taken against his ship by Pirates off Nysia Sound. Skut lost his eye defending the wheel from them, and it was from his iron will at the wheel that the ship escaped as, even after the loss of his eye and wounded in a dozen places across his body, he continued to steer the ship, eventually tricking the pirates into running aground atop a shoal.

While his actions were brought to the attention of the lords of the East India Trading Company, and he was given a conciderable reward, the loss of his eye led to his dischargement from the employment of the EITC. When he wound up with all his money spent as a seamen for hire in Port Navodole, he was snapped up by Pirazzo Miragliano.

Name: Hewor Shyden

Rank: Seaman, Cannon Gunner

History: Not much is known of Hewor Shyden. He is extremely secretive about his past, and gives the distinct impression that he's on the run from something. The oddest thing about this is that, in day-to-day life aboard ship, Hewor acts like a man afraid of nothing, performing the most daring and dangerous of tasks with undaunted courage. He has no real friends aboard and his prescence is a bit unsettling. Pirazzo believes that something greater may yet come of him, and seems to be the only person aboard without any qualms about Hewor.

Name: Belaper Odani

Rank: Surgeon

History: Despite his young age, Belaper was at one time one of the most talented surgeons in Port Cochraine. Was, that is, until, for unknown reasons, he fell from grace and fled the Port aboard a fishing sloop. It is known that he has peddled his skills about the Archipalego for the past three years until ending up in Port Novadole, at which point he signed on with the crew of the Alcatani. He is noted for retaining a top hat as a symbol of his former standing, as well as his swordsmanship with a most unusual weapon - a Katana. As with Hewor, it is unknown what lurks in his past, but it is likely that his ghosts may yet come to haunt him.

Name: Tok Draisban

Rank: Cannon Gunner, Seaman

History: An upbeat and energetic seaman, it seems as though no situation is too grim for Tok. At times, his optomisim can grate on the other members of the crew, but all aboard know that if you want a steady hand and a clear mind backing you up, Tok is the man to call. He was selected personally by Pirazzo for his optomistic nature and clear head in battle. Unlike the rest of the crew, Tok never touches spirits, and seems to live for the experience. He can often be found hanging off the foremast, the spray whipping about him.

Name: Uskir Iteld

Rank: Seamen, Cannon Gunner, Harpoonist

History: A Scottsman retired from the Whaling trade, Uskir is perhaps best known for his skills as a cook. He believes in a full belly and a bottle of rum at his side. Usually he can be found below decks cooking meals and taking care of the powder magazine. Rowdy and rambunctious, the rest of the crew often has to put up with the notes of his many songs drifting up from below. In battle, his whaling experience comes to the fore, as he is fast, steady, and fights with unparralelled fury. He is most respected for single handedly saving the ship when the ship fell victim to an enemy boarding action. Just as the deck seemed lost, he charged up from below, holding a great keg of powder over his head with a lit fuse burning into it. Hurling it over the heads of his assailiants, it landed on the deck of the Pirate ship and exploded, tearing the side out of the vessel and the beating heart from the courage of their attackers. Leading a bonzai charge into the midste of their assailaints, the enemy was broken and the ship saved.

Since there seemed to be some interest in the crew of my WIP Ship, the Alcatani, I thought I would make a thread dedicated to them.

Since the Alcatani has such a small crew and is my first and only Pirate ship (i've owned the hull for almost exactly 7 years), I thought I would try to give its crew some serious character. I went through and specifically selected the head, torso, legs, and gear for each pirate to give them their own feel, look, and tell their own little story. My plan was was that as my fleet expands, i'd replace them with proper Conquistador-helmeted Spaniards and spread the figs from the origional crew (those that dont get killed...) through the various ships and follow their "careers".

As such, I have given each minifig his own background. This is the only crew I plan on doing this with, since this ship is very special :)

EDIT: Gimme a day or two and i'll have pictures up of each individual fig...

[Aaron Morse]

Good lookin crew there Admiral! Love the background stoeies..when do you expect to have story for the Captain done?

[WesternOutlaw]

Nice characterization. Will we see their ship, the Alcatani?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Indeed you will, but for now, its still WIP. Im working on finishing sorting out my giant tub of unsorted LEGOs. When thats done, i'll have my full collection at my disposal and I can finish the Alcatani :)

[WesternOutlaw]

Indeed you will, but for now, its still WIP. Im working on finishing sorting out my giant tub of unsorted LEGOs. When thats done, i'll have my full collection at my disposal and I can finish the Alcatani :)

Looking forward to seeing it.

[Scouty]

Nice crew. Let's hope they don't go mutinous on your captain :-P . Also, can't wait to see your WIP done soon!!

[Mister Phes]

Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn...

My first thought is... How'd you think up all those names and back stories? Did you invent this as you were writing the the first post or is this something you've planned for some time?

[Bonaparte]

An interesting crew and some nice stories Lord Admiral!

I was just about to ask the same question as Mr. Phes did: Did you invent this as you were writing this post or did develop these stories while building/playing?

[Captain Roger]

i like them...all of them are cool except to the guy with katana(belaper Odani) and Druther "the Hook" is Great i love it

[Mister Phes]

What's wrong with Belaper Odani's Katana? Is it because a Katana is a rather exotic weapon for a Spaniard to possess?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

He's not even a spaniard - He's an english doctor :P Its just that I would imagine that mastering a Katana would be a rather rare thing for an englishman to accomplish during the 1700's.

Oh, and to answer your question, I used this extremely nifty name generator for all the names except Pirazzo, Skut, the first name of Tok, and Erik Northwind: http://www.rinkworks.com/namegen/

Name History

Pirazzo Miragliano, as well as the name Alcatani, are all references to Dogs of War (Mercenary) units/characters out of the Warhammer Fantasy universe.

Pirazzos Lost legion

Marksmen of Miragliano

The Fellowship of Alcatani

Skut is a homage to the one-eyed airplane pilot out of the Adventures of Tintin books, The Red Sea Sharks (can be seen in middle) and Flight 714. He is often referred to as "Old Pirate" by Captain Haddock.

Tok is in dedication of a friend. His BZP name is ToK.

Erik Northwind is the messanger name of a long time friend of mine and fellow BZP member Elzaban (some of you might be familiar with the name).

The rest of the names were variations on what I found in that name generator.

The stories for some of the characters I had been puzzling around with beforehand but were put in stone when I wrote this, but most of them I made up as I wrote, trying to make a diverse crew that would compliment each other.

Your Ob't'nt S'rv'nt,

- Helden

[Mister Phes]

He's not even a spaniard - He's an english doctor :P Its just that I would imagine that mastering a Katana would be a rather rare thing for an englishman to accomplish during the 1700's.

Then how did he accomplish it is? What's the story behind him mastering this skill? :-/

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Unrevealed :) As with several other characters on board, I plan on delving into their past at some later date.

[Mister Phes]

Alrighty then!

When are you gonna put the individual character's mugshots up?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Probably tommorow when I finish working on and take a mugshot of another... particular character ;)

[Mister Phes]

Which character might that be?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Oh, you'll see... Savvy? ;)

- Helden

"Ninety-Nine Souls"

[WesternOutlaw]

As I look at these once more, they look like they're ready to mutiny. I think they need a ship soon.

[Mister Phes]

They have a ship... I've seen a picture of it in another thread... It just not complete yet...

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

http://eurobricks.hosting.ipsyn.com/eurofo...?showtopic=7466

Work in progress :)

[Mister Phes]

Yes, that's what I was referring to!

[exo attack]

My favourite is Capt'n Pizzaro. They'll need a very big ship. *y*

[Captain Roger]

i like them...all of them are cool except to the guy with katana(belaper Odani) and Druther "the Hook" is Great i love it

well...in my opinion...is strange seeing an occidental guy with japanese katana...and that hat doesn't work in a pirate

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Good point about the hat...

... the only thing is is that I dont have very much Pirate gear - Most of my minifig gear is Castle/Adventurers related. So, if I wanted to arm them all with cutlasses and/or muskets/pistols, I wouldnt be able to :P Furthermore, those are the only two sock caps I own.

Though, it sort of fits in an obtuse way... He isnt really a true pirate, after all.

[Mile85]

good crew overall! I personally don't like those SW figure-torsos..those new eyepatched heads are great and also that western figure head. I would try to remove some colours from your crew, now they are looking a bit miscellaneous group. But you have to do the ship first to know for sure what kind of crew fits in there..