Captain Bluebeard convenes a meeting of the crew to discuss their path forward now that they’ve been discovered. The conversation splits open old wounds between the captain and Deathmask and Darien finds himself caught in the middle.
Dramatis Personae
Darien - A farm boy who grew up with big dreams fed by his aunt who raised him on a mixture of history and fairy tale. He’s currently on a quest to rescue Marialla, a woman he met earlier in the story, who has been kidnapped by the moon’s government for unknown reasons. Along the way he became captured by space pirates. Now he must find a way off the pirate ship so he can continue his quest.
Captain Bluebeard - The leader of the band of pirates that serves aboard the starship Kraken. He’s an enigmatic figure who keeps to traditions that have long fallen out of favor. For unknown reasons, he has taken a liking to Darien and is personally training the boy in the art of sword fighting. He grew up the son of a wealthy powerful family on a distant world, but lost everything when his wife, Arlinda, betrayed him and conquered his planet. He rebuilt himself into a pirate, the only man he believed could get his revenge on Arlinda.
Deathmask - Signified by a distinctive tattoo of swirling black lines that cover his face, he serves as a member of Bluebeard’s crew. He follows an ancient religion that predates the Empire and the Palace of Mirrors. Following an experience during which Darien saw a strange vision in his tattoo, Deathmask has taken an especial dislike of him.
Gent - The Kraken’s engineer. At first glance a vain figure only concerned with appearances, he’s known to wear fine capes and flashy clothing. He’s young, just a few years older than Darien, but basically grew up on the Kraken. Although he suggests Darien be hanged in their first meeting, he has since befriended the boy and is currently training him on the engineering of the Kraken. He stepped into Darien’s duel with Fantasia and saved his life.
Dragon-Eye - A pirate with a scarred face, a mirrored eye, and an unsettling ability to show others visions that may or may not be true. His past is unknown to all, but he seems absolutely obsessed with Night and has on multiple occasions argued with Bluebeard about the sword.
Twilight - Bluebeard’s second officer and chief enforcer. He’s a massive man who stands a head taller than any other member of the pirate crew.
Skeleton - A tall pirate with a gaunt face. The helmsman of the Kraken.