Yeshua
Yeshua (YEH-shoo-ah, "One Who Rescues") is the First Mate of the Yarikho: an exploration and trading vessel. After its Captain was ousted from the Malakath coast for pillaging, Yeshua was instrumental in transitioning their crew from raiders to sailors.
History
In the beginning, there was only the Sea.
Yeshua's first moments were aboard a merchant vessel crossing the Asherah Oceean. He was born to a duo of traders who made their coin selling exotic items from Malakath to the ports of Allinia. Save for a few dicey, seasonal storms, Yeshua's upbringing was relatively peaceful. He learned the art of the deal while on land and how to survive the sea while sailing. By the time he entered adulthood, Yeshua was confident in his abilities and insisted on venturing out on his own. While it pained his parents to part ways so early into his mandhood, they knew they had equipped their son with the tools to survive. And, should he fail, he'd always know where to find them.
The family separated on the docks of a village on Malakath's coast. It was here that Yeshua spent time building connections with the local sailors. They were familiar with his parents' reputation, thus it was not difficult to find employ nearby. In short order, he was brought before the Baron of the local village, a fellow by the name of Ger Edveird. By the end of their conversation, Yeshua had warmed the man up to his talents and had become the navigator of the Baron's latest trading ship. For the next several years, Yeshua served the Baron admirably and without incident.
What made the boring days more interesting was the Baron's son, Erik. The two developed a quick friendship over the course of Yeshua's service, stemming from the many trade stories that Yeshua recounted. As the years went on, Erik became obsessed with the notion of sailing the world and making his own fortune, just as Yeshua had done. The Baron was none too keen on this idea, for leadership of the village awaited Erik upon Ger's passing. Yeshua, frankly, didn't have a dog in the debate and was just happy to have a consistent stream of coin and a good friend.
In time, Ger eventually succumbed to old age and the mantle of Baron passed to Erik. For a brief spell, the new Baron seemed resigned to his fate to see to the village's wellbeing. Yet it soon dawned on him that he had the resources to fulfill his lifelong dream. He ordered that the village shift their priority from fishing to constructing strong ships, capable of longer voyages across the sea. As for Yeshua, he named his dear friend First Mate of the village's flotilla. With the promotion came a hefty increase in coin, so Yeshua did not complain - but if he knew what was to come, he might have protested.
For soon, Erik began to raid.
Gone were the days of peacefully trading with the merchants who visited the coastal village. Gone were the days of villagers quietly fishing and living off the land. Erik brought fire to their slice of the Malakath coast. First, he targeted their neighboring village and nearly burnt everything to the ground. Next, he ordered the pillaging of coastal temples and hamlets before returning home. The people of the Baron's village were then given a fat cut of the resulting treasure, which cemented their transformation from fisherman to brigands. Yeshua was swept up in the fervor and managed to be the sole voice of reason in Erik's proximity. He warned that raiding unchecked would only bring retribution to the village, but Erik paid him no mind.
For years, the cycle was set in motion. During the summer months, Erik would launch vicious raids upon the coast of Malakath and upon smaller merchant vessels. He'd memorize trade routes and press some traders into paying fees to have their journeys unobstructed. Then, during the winter months, he would spent his treasure building up his fleet for a deadlier summer. Yet Yeshua's warning eventually came to fruition. Exhausted of the antics of the raider Baron, his victims stood together in a mighty rebuke. At the start of summer, when Erik began his cycle anew, he was met with stalwart opposition.
It was the first time that the Baron had tasted defeat, let alone been wounded in battle. Were it not for Yeshua taking control of the situation, Erik would have been killed outright. When they fled from the raid and returned to the village, their adversaries did not relent. They razed the Baron's flotilla, plundered his coffers, and left the man for dead. The village as Yeshua knew it was no more. What's more, there was no going back to the peaceful was of life. The merchants and villages had a sour taste in their mouth for the Baron's rule and would not so much as trade a single coin.
Thus, Yeshua advised a way out. Take the sole vessel they had left and leave. See the world like Erik had always wanted. Do things right and better this time, instead of by the blade. Fortunately enough, the Baron relented to his friend's advice and together they set sail. To date, the modest crew of the Yarikho travel the oceans of Arethil, seeking out coin, adventure, and great stories to tell.
Yeshua's first moments were aboard a merchant vessel crossing the Asherah Oceean. He was born to a duo of traders who made their coin selling exotic items from Malakath to the ports of Allinia. Save for a few dicey, seasonal storms, Yeshua's upbringing was relatively peaceful. He learned the art of the deal while on land and how to survive the sea while sailing. By the time he entered adulthood, Yeshua was confident in his abilities and insisted on venturing out on his own. While it pained his parents to part ways so early into his mandhood, they knew they had equipped their son with the tools to survive. And, should he fail, he'd always know where to find them.
The family separated on the docks of a village on Malakath's coast. It was here that Yeshua spent time building connections with the local sailors. They were familiar with his parents' reputation, thus it was not difficult to find employ nearby. In short order, he was brought before the Baron of the local village, a fellow by the name of Ger Edveird. By the end of their conversation, Yeshua had warmed the man up to his talents and had become the navigator of the Baron's latest trading ship. For the next several years, Yeshua served the Baron admirably and without incident.
What made the boring days more interesting was the Baron's son, Erik. The two developed a quick friendship over the course of Yeshua's service, stemming from the many trade stories that Yeshua recounted. As the years went on, Erik became obsessed with the notion of sailing the world and making his own fortune, just as Yeshua had done. The Baron was none too keen on this idea, for leadership of the village awaited Erik upon Ger's passing. Yeshua, frankly, didn't have a dog in the debate and was just happy to have a consistent stream of coin and a good friend.
In time, Ger eventually succumbed to old age and the mantle of Baron passed to Erik. For a brief spell, the new Baron seemed resigned to his fate to see to the village's wellbeing. Yet it soon dawned on him that he had the resources to fulfill his lifelong dream. He ordered that the village shift their priority from fishing to constructing strong ships, capable of longer voyages across the sea. As for Yeshua, he named his dear friend First Mate of the village's flotilla. With the promotion came a hefty increase in coin, so Yeshua did not complain - but if he knew what was to come, he might have protested.
For soon, Erik began to raid.
Gone were the days of peacefully trading with the merchants who visited the coastal village. Gone were the days of villagers quietly fishing and living off the land. Erik brought fire to their slice of the Malakath coast. First, he targeted their neighboring village and nearly burnt everything to the ground. Next, he ordered the pillaging of coastal temples and hamlets before returning home. The people of the Baron's village were then given a fat cut of the resulting treasure, which cemented their transformation from fisherman to brigands. Yeshua was swept up in the fervor and managed to be the sole voice of reason in Erik's proximity. He warned that raiding unchecked would only bring retribution to the village, but Erik paid him no mind.
For years, the cycle was set in motion. During the summer months, Erik would launch vicious raids upon the coast of Malakath and upon smaller merchant vessels. He'd memorize trade routes and press some traders into paying fees to have their journeys unobstructed. Then, during the winter months, he would spent his treasure building up his fleet for a deadlier summer. Yet Yeshua's warning eventually came to fruition. Exhausted of the antics of the raider Baron, his victims stood together in a mighty rebuke. At the start of summer, when Erik began his cycle anew, he was met with stalwart opposition.
It was the first time that the Baron had tasted defeat, let alone been wounded in battle. Were it not for Yeshua taking control of the situation, Erik would have been killed outright. When they fled from the raid and returned to the village, their adversaries did not relent. They razed the Baron's flotilla, plundered his coffers, and left the man for dead. The village as Yeshua knew it was no more. What's more, there was no going back to the peaceful was of life. The merchants and villages had a sour taste in their mouth for the Baron's rule and would not so much as trade a single coin.
Thus, Yeshua advised a way out. Take the sole vessel they had left and leave. See the world like Erik had always wanted. Do things right and better this time, instead of by the blade. Fortunately enough, the Baron relented to his friend's advice and together they set sail. To date, the modest crew of the Yarikho travel the oceans of Arethil, seeking out coin, adventure, and great stories to tell.
Appearance
At a glance, Yeshua is nearly indistinguishable from the average Human. He is tall and of a muscular build, cultivated from a lifetime on the ocean. His hair is a mess of brown curls and his eyes are hazel. His skin tone fluctuates from tan to peace depending upon the season. In terms of attire, he generally sports light, breathable garments that are ideal for sailing.
Skills and Abilities
Having spent his entire life on the ocean, Yeshua is adept at navigation via the stars and common trade routes. His is also more than confident when it comes to negotiation and general speechcraft. Additionally, though he prefers to avoid violence, the raiding history of his Captain also educated him in the art of the sword. He is proficient in defending himself in a dedicated duel and assisting in boarding enemy vessels.
Personality
Yeshua is a reflection of the seas he adores. For the most part, he is a calm and relaxed individual who rarely experiences genuine stress. This is due to his habit of taking even the worst of events in stride. Yeshua is also very sure of his abilities, particularly sailing and haggling. In these, it could be said that he is a touch hubristic of his skill and could learn from being knocked down a peg. Yeshua also has a strong distaste for violence, especially after assisting in the raids of his Captain. If it is not necessary to take a life, he prefers not to.
And like the sea, Yeshua has a nasty temper when provoked. Only Captain Erik has seen this side of him; with the result of which being a drastic change in the man's warlike behaviors.
And like the sea, Yeshua has a nasty temper when provoked. Only Captain Erik has seen this side of him; with the result of which being a drastic change in the man's warlike behaviors.
