MORTIMER "MORT" BARNACLE
Islanders of Shimmering IslesRetired Pirate / Tavern Owner
"I was a devil on the sea, but I'm an angel behind the bar. The drinks are cheaper, and nobody dies. Usually.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Sunken Chest Tavern, Port Aquamarine
- Civilization
- Islanders of Shimmering Isles
Appearance
• Physical: Weathered and scarred with the look of someone who's seen too much. His skin is dark bronze and deeply lined, his white hair worn long and tied back. His eyes are cloudy but still sharp. • Clothing: Wears the remnants of his piratical finery—an embroidered vest, a gold earring, a scarf of faded silk. Everything is worn but clean. • Distinguishing Marks: A hook where his left hand should be; a collection of scars from countless battles; a tattoo of a skull on his chest
Relationships
- Family - His wife manages the kitchen; his children want nothing to do with him
- Allies - Former crew members who remain loyal, sailors who value his establishment, certain officials he bribes
- Rivals - Former enemies who haven't forgotten, competitors who covet his location, the law he once defied
Personality
- Traits: Gruff but good-hearted, full of stories (some true), occasionally melancholic about his past, surprisingly protective of his patrons
- Mannerisms: Drums his hook on the bar; spits into a brass cuspidor; becomes animated when telling tales
- Voice: Raspy and loud, with the cadence of someone used to shouting over storms
Backstory
Mort spent forty years as a pirate, rising from deckhand to captain of his own vessel. He retired with his ill-gotten gains and opened a tavern, creating a haven for sailors of all stripes. His past makes him a valuable source of information and a dangerous enemy.
Daily Life
Mort's days are spent in his tavern—opening early for the breakfast crowd, managing his staff, listening to sailors' tales, mediating disputes. Evenings bring the serious drinking and storytelling, with Mort holding court at the bar.
Secret
Mort has hidden his greatest treasure somewhere in the Shimmering Isles—a fortune in gems and gold that could destabilize the economy if revealed. He's never told anyone the location.
Story Hooks
- 1 Mort needs help dealing with former crew members who want their share of his hidden treasure
- 2 Someone has learned about his past and is threatening to expose him unless he pays
Narrative Value
Mort provides access to the underworld, information about piracy and maritime crime, and quests involving hidden treasures and past sins; serves as a source of colorful history. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════