SERGEANT TULL IRONBELT
Islanders of Shimmering IslesHarbor Guard Sergeant
"I don't make the rules, I just decide which ones get enforced. And that depends on who's paying.""
Identity
- Residence
- Port Aquamarine Watch House
- Civilization
- Islanders of Shimmering Isles
Appearance
• Physical: Heavyset and muscular with the build of a former dockworker. His face is ruddy and broken-nosed, his black hair cropped short for his helmet. Small, calculating eyes survey his domain. • Clothing: Wears the leather armor and blue tabard of the Harbor Guard, both well-maintained. A heavy belt supports his truncheon, manacles, and a small pouch of bribe money. • Distinguishing Marks: A gold tooth (his one vanity); a tattoo of a watchful eye on his forearm; scarred knuckles
Relationships
- Family - Married with three children; his wife runs a boarding house
- Allies - His squad (mostly loyal), several smuggling captains, Pip the dock rat (his best informant)
- Rivals - The honest Captain of the Guard, rival sergeants who want his territory, the Dockside Gang
Personality
- Traits: Corrupt but not cruel, pragmatic about his graft, genuinely protective of "his" docks, surprisingly honorable about certain things
- Mannerisms: Spits frequently; cracks his knuckles when thinking; keeps one hand on his truncheon
- Voice: Gruff and loud, with a habit of repeating himself for emphasis
Backstory
Tull grew up in the same slums he now polices, rising through the guard ranks through a combination of competence and carefully managed corruption. He takes bribes from smugglers but draws the line at slavers; he beats confessions from thieves but protects street children. His moral code is his own, but he sticks to it.
Daily Life
Tull's days are spent patrolling the docks with his squad, collecting "fees" from various operations, breaking up fights, and keeping the peace through a combination of intimidation and selective enforcement. Evenings find him at the Watch House, writing reports and managing his network of informants.
Secret
Tull's oldest son is addicted to dreamroot, an expensive drug. He's been taking increasingly large bribes to pay for treatment, and recently agreed to look the other way on a major shipment in exchange for a cure that may not exist.
Story Hooks
- 1 Tull needs discrete help investigating a new drug operation that's targeting dock children—including his son
- 2 He's been ordered to arrest a popular community leader on false charges and is looking for a way to refuse without losing his position
Narrative Value
Tull provides access to the docks, information about criminal activities, and quests involving law enforcement and corruption; can be an ally or obstacle depending on player choices. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════