From Heroes of the Great Tree
| Pilot
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| First Episode | 1.1: Black Monday
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| Concept | Former dilettante turned pilot
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| Theme Song | {{{Theme}}}
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| Profile
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| Full Name | Vincent Ergo Locke
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| Legal Status | No offical criminal record
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| Known Aliases | none
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| Age | 29
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| Birthplace | Osiris
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| Favored Weapon | Dueling sword/pistol
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Background
Vincent Ergo Locke, was born an Alliance citizen, on the world of Osiris, to two executives of the Blue Sun Corporation. However he spent most of his early years living on his parent’s small estate on Bellerophon. Spoiled and bored, he together with a number of other rich children, caused no end of trouble. Finally, soon after his ninth birthday, he and his closest friends stole a shuttle and took it for a joy ride. Discovering that he had some natural talent in controlling the ship, they led authorities on a merry case for two hours before crashing into a small Buddhist temple. Enraged and embarrassed, his parents sent him to St. Lawrence’s Boarding School for Boys back on Osiris.
St. Lawrence, had a reputation for striating out young rich hoodlums, and Headmaster Seth Jacobs seemed to make Vincent his personal project. For the next two years Vincent spent more time in detention than in class, as Jacobs swore that he would “learn his place and purpose.” The headmaster might even have succeeded if Vincent had not been save, quite unintentionally, by his parents. It seemed that his father was brokering some deal with the government of Persephone; one with could take several years. So, much to Vincent’s relief, this father decided to temporarily move the entire family to Persephone.
Welcomed with open arms by the aristocracy, Vincent felt that he had at last found his place. It was among the gentry that he first learned the art of dueling by pistol and sword, as well as the in and outs of high society. Also, he grew to enjoy the dangerous thrill of “slumming” in the nearby city and spaceport. The spaceport also gave him the chance to indulge his love of flying.
Suddenly, almost five years later, his father announced that they would be leaving Persephone. In a whirlwind of activity, the family made their preparations and left that very same day. Strangely, they did not return to Osiris, instead taking a two year tour of the “Verse, staying on many planets but none for long. The “tour” ended suddenly when Vincent’s parents both died in a shuttle accident while they were staying on Ezra. Returning the Osiris, Vincent received both condolences from Blue Sun, and a sizable inheritance.
Shortly before the War of Unification, Vincent decided to return to Persephone. However, other that a few close friends, his reception was frosty. He soon discovered that most of the well-bred gentry would never consider him one of them.
When the war began, the restless Vincent was fascinated by the Independents, who were willing to sacrifice their lives in order to retain their freedom. Having no wish to become a soldier, Vincent decided to help in other ways. Buying a large luxury yacht, the Jade Eagle, he had it retrofitted for smuggling, intent on bringing supplies to the beleaguered Independents. Though the huge Alliance built yacht deflected the suspicions of the Alliance forces, they instead often found themselves under fire by the very people they were trying to help. After only six months, Jade Eagle was shot down by nervous Independent ships over Athens. Abandoned by all of his crew, it took almost another six months to return to Persephone.
Over the rest of the course of the war, Vincent continued to run dangerous smuggling missions, losing several ships in the process. Worried about being defenseless, Vincent’s next ship, Heaven’s Saber, was a heavily armed large transport. Of course those very armaments are why the ship was confiscated, and Vincent placed under “house arrest” for the rest of the war. If not for friends in the Alliance government, he would have been imprisoned or executed.
After the war, Vincent missed the excitement and danger. Vincent purchased a smaller yacht, the May Belle, and began taking heist and smuggling jobs, the more “interesting” the better. Unfortunately may of these jobs turned out to be fool’s errands, ending in disaster, angering both those he was working for and against. Frequently, the only thing that saved him and his crew were hefty bribes and/or the occasional favor called in. The May Belle was actually stolen by disgruntled crew members, and only the intervention of the mechanic Delphina, saved him from taking a long, unprotected walk in the black.
Left to fend for themselves on Newhall, Vincent and Delphina managed to purchase the medium transport Wu Long. After one particularly bad fiasco over Verbena, Wu Long, was crippled, and the crew forced to abandon her. His next ship, a firefly class transport Daybreak, was taken from him as “compensation” by an angry Paquin black marketeer named Fred Lou.
For the first time Vincent realized that he had spent the majority of his once considerable wealth. Running low on funds, yet unperturbed, Vincent bought the small transport
Skydancer. Things seem to improve a bit, and with Delphina’s help, managed to procure a number of profitable jobs. Vicent’s penchant for spending, had not been curtailed, and after a nasty encounter with pirates left
Skydancer little more than a hunk on parts, their prospects for a new ship is small in more way than one. The Jack Burton turned out to be exactly that, small and bought from a man named Roy Ming, who had come by the ship in what may have been a less than legal means. Still, with little cash, and no one taking his credit, Vincent decided to make due. With their first work, a smuggling job, comming up Vicent hired some extra muscel, and set off into the black, confidant that this time would be diffrent.
Physical Appearance
Vincent stands out in a crowd, with a handsome face, flamboyant demenor, and tailored clothing. His trusty pistol and hand made dueling sword are always found on or near his person. The end result is that he looks as if he stepped off of a movie set (or is trying to look that way).
Psychological Profile
Growing up a bored upper class child, he tends to treat everything as a game, one which he is sure he will come out as the winner in the end. He thrives on danger and excitement, and will often choose “the hard way” just for the thrill of it. This has led him to his poor financial situation, and his terrible reputation as captain. However though it all he remains calm and good natured with little remorse for the past, and less thought of the future.
Character Sheet
ATTRIBUTES
Agility d12
Strength d6
Vitality d8
Alertness d8
Intelligence d6
Willpower d8
ASSETS
Allure (Minor): +2 step bonus to Skill checks when appearance is a factor.
Born Behind the Wheel (Air/Space) (Minor): +2 step bonus to ship's Agility whenever at the wheel of an air or space vehicles.
Friends in High Places (Minor)
Lightning Reflexes (Major): +2 step bonus to Agility when rolling Initiative.
Talented (Pilot/Transports) (Minor): +2 step bonus to piloting skill when flying transports.
COMPLICATIONS
Dead Broke (Minor)
Easy Mark (Major): -4 step penalty to Attributes when trying to determine falsehood from a truth.
Ego Signature (Minor)
Memorable (Minor): Others gain a +2 step Alertness bonus when attempting to spot or recognize you.
Overconfident (Minor)
SKILLS
- Athletics d4
- Covert d2
- Guns d6
- Influnce d6
- Knowledge d6
- Melee Weapons d6
- Perception d4
- Performance d4
- Pilot d6
- Transports d12
- Astrogation d10
- Planetary Vechicles d6
