Born on Frostmoot 1st, 479AOV to Sinjin and Barbara Smithe he was always entranced by fire and explosions due to the firework displays on his New Year’s Birthday. His parents were upper middle class and sent Ian to boarding school early on until his was dismissed for accidentally setting fire to one of the school buildings.
He returned to his parents’ plantation on one of the islands of the Yerasol Archipelago. Since he was mechanically inclined, his father put him to work fixing the myriad of equipment on the plantation. A few years passed this way before his life would change.
The Smithes weren’t concerned too much about a Danoran attack on the island as they were very close to Shale. Unfortunately they were wrong. In 493AOV, when the war between Risur and Danor was hot, a small naval battle occurred right off their island. What appeared as only a naval battle turned into a nightmare as the Danorans started to land on the island. Most of those on the plantation panicked and ran. Some, including Ian’s father formed a militia to repel the invaders. Ian was on the other side of the plantation repairing some heavy machinery when the fighting took place. He was eventually spotted by a small patrol and was shot at. Not having any weapons, he improvised an explosive and lured the team to his location where he blew up the machine shop. He tried to find his parents but the Danorans started shelling the island. As night fell the whole plantation was on fire.
Ian was found a few days later by a Risuri patrol and taken aboard the RHS Fearless. His parents were never found and were assumed dead. The survivors were to be taken back to Flint for debriefing but on the way to port, the Fearless was attacked by two Danoran frigates. The Fearless was struck directly on one of the main guns which destroyed it and left one of the two remaining guns badly damaged. Ian rushed to the gun and managed to repair it while the battle raged on. The Fearless survived the fight in large part to having the two operational guns and Ian was commended by Lt. Calvin Morley.
He eventually made it to Flint and with urging from Morley enlisted in the Risuri Navy as an ensign and was later promoted to engineer. He was almost denied due to his age of 15 but was admitted because of his earlier actions.
Later, Ian was brought on board one of the engineering teams in charge of building the RNS Coaltongue and spent the last few years to date working on the ship’s internals.
Concept Elements
1) Ian is friendly but not outgoing. He is perfectly fine tinkering with machines or firearms all by himself although if dragged out on the town he will admittedly have fun.
2) He hates Danorans and can never forgive them for the death of his family.
3) If he ever had the opportunity, he would try to find out why the Danorans attacked their plantation.
Secrets
1) Ian caught Randall Wyatt kissing another man, also a higher ranking officer) when on shore leave. (see below)
2) Ian’s father was a retired intelligence officer for Risur. That is why the Danorans attacked them.
People Known
Friends
Captain Calvin Morley: Commanding officer of the Fearless. (The previous captain retired after the war)
Lt. Amanda Cole: One of Morley’s officers. Although she is 6 years older than him, Ian has a crush on Amanda.
Harold Blythe: Fellow engineer from the Fearless. Harry is a really good friend. They watched each other’s backs on the Fearless.
Enemies
Randall Wyatt: Self-absorbed young noble given officer’s rank on the Coaltongue even though he has no business there. Randall is afraid of what Ian might say regarding his secret. Ian on the other hand could care less.
Three memories, quirks or mannerisms:
1) The only item he has left from his father is the pistol he carries. He cleans it daily.
2) He truly loves experimenting with firearms and firedust.
3) Most of the time he is fine, but then out of nowhere he will think about his parents and then brood.
