Captain Bartolomae Aguillosa's page

What is known, Bartolomae spent a few years, as a teen, enlisted as a ship’s crewman in the Taldan navy. Not caring for the rigid hierarchy nor taking orders (he was often flogged for disobeying his commander) he fled the service, but was soon captured. Because he had such an extensive history of disobedience and shirking duty, he was sentenced to hang from the ship’s mast for desertion. Fortune, however, was on his side for the rope broke dropping Bartolomae into the sea. This time. he managed to avoid re-capture and fled his pursuers.
Knowing that he could not evade the Taldans forever on his own, Bartolomae joined a crew of privateers working the Inner Sea under license by Andoran to seek out slaver ships, in the Inner Sea, traveling between Cheliax and Garund. For the next decade, he learned seamanship, navigation skills and how to evade capture by the naval forces of the neighboring countries that did not appreciate interference in the slave trade.

Unfortunately, Bartolomae’s captain, an Andoran nobleman named Marcellus Castillon, was a bit over-zealous and occasionally targeted Taldan treasure ships bringing exotic goods from the various Kelesite nations back to Taldor. These acts would often drive the captain and his crew into hiding for a time. Since they were known to hail from Andoran, hiding there would be risky with all the Taldan spies in the harbor cities. So, he took to spending time in Crown’s End far to the south in Sargava. This secluded area was sure to provide the anonymity they required until conditions in the Inner Sea so they could return. And being a pirate birth of sorts, insured that “loose lips” would not “sink his ship.” This worked well for nearly a decade. Unfortunately, luck ran out for ol’ Captain Castillon. As his reputation increased, so did the bounty offered by Cheliax.

Sargava was once a Chelish colony and as such there are still so families with nationalistic views. It was one of these families that provided information to Aspis Consortium agents regarding Castillon’s activities. Using this information, Cheliax and Taldor, acting in concert, and using Aspis Consortium bounty hunters, captured the Captain, and his ship and returned them to the Inner Sea. The captain was forced to watch his ship set aflame and sent to the bottom sea. He was then hanged as a pirate and warning to others who would victimize the shipping lanes of the Inner Sea. As a result of these activities, Bartolomae possesses an extreme hatred of Cheliax and Taldor. He especially hates the Aspis Consortium who he views as traders to the pirate’s code and not to be trusted.

Bartolomae was stranded with the mighty jungles of the Mwangi between him and “real” civilization. But, fortune was to shine upon him yet again. One night at a local establishment, Bartolomae, nearly broke and desperate for a way out of Sargava, entered a game of skull n’ bones with an aged ship captain who had tipped back too many flagons of ale. He managed to convince the pirate to put his ship, the “Verdant Osprey” into the pot, which he won. Rumor has it that Bartolomae cheated, but he’s has never admitted to it, just claiming that “Besmara’s grace shown upon me that night.” He is known to always carry a deck of cards and knucklebones just in case someone was interested in a hearty game of “chance.”

Since then, Bartolomae, now a ship’s Captain, has sailed the Arcadian Ocean and Inner Sea. He claims to have traveled across the Obari Ocean, around Casmaron, and as far east as Tian Xia visiting the imperial court in Menkai. Despite having many exotic treasures in his possession, most dismiss his claims.

When he returned to the Inner Sea, he picked up where his previous captain left off by operating as a privateer for the Andorans. More recently however, due to some questionable ship attacks in the name of the People’s Coucil, they were forced to suspend Bartolomae’s license. This did not dissuade his activities and he became more pirate than privateer focused largely on smuggling black market goods. However, he still dislikes slavery and often risks attacks against larger, well-defended slavers from Cheliax or Garund. He blames Taldor, most of all, for his life’s misfortunes and thoroughly enjoys interfering in their business dealings. Bartolomae has managed to use guile (and forgery) to keep from losing his freedom or anything more important.
A year ago, fortunes changed for Captain Bartolomae. While taking on supplies in Cassomir, Taldan navy officials finally caught up to him. Seeing through his forged licenses, they searched his ship and discovered questionable cargo that did not match with the inventory manifests. The captain was arrested for smuggling and his ship impounded.

He knew that it was only a matter of time before they connected him to a number of attacks on Taldan and Cheliax ships. A clear case of piracy would lead to another trip to the gallows. But yet again, it appears Besmara was looking out for the ol’ sea-dog. Word made it to one of Bartolomae’s female acquaintances. The prison guard was no match for her seductive advances (and a good bit of ale) and while he was passed out from their encounter, she stole his keys and, through the open cell window, gave them to the captain. Free of his captivity, Bartolomae fled the city without delay. Unfortunately, the “Verdant Osprey” was under too heavy a guard to risk a daring seaward get away, so he was forced to flee as a stowaway headed to Absalom.

Bartolomae hoped to one day free his beloved ship from her captivity, but in the meantime he was forced to find a new form of employment. It was during his time in Absalom that he met Gueril Karela. A member of the sczarni crime organization, Gueril indicated that he may be able to assist the Captain in reacquiring his “unlawfully” detained ship. Bartolomae joined the Pathfinder Society, with whom Gueril worked, with the intention of using their extensive contacts to his benefit.

After nearly a year of service to the society, Bartolomae was finally rewarded as Karela managed to arrange for the release of the Verdant Osprey. An agent of the sczarni working in Cassomir learned that the harbormaster had garnered quite a debt at a local gambling house. In return for a forgiveness of his debt, release of the Verdant Osprey was arranged. The ship was declared legally forfeit and auctioned. Karela arranged to win the auction and bought the ship in the name of the Pathfinder Society, making it a legal sale and severing any connection to the pirate Aguillosa. It was then returned to Bartolomae with the caveat that he never again attack vessels in the Inner Sea with the intent of plundering their cargo. Bartolomae’s activites had, without his knowing, occasionally interfered with Sczarni operations. The Captain, happy to have his ship returned, readily agreed. Besides, his smuggling activities had become much more lucrative and didn’t involve chaotic ship warfare that put him and his ship at risk.

Once again, the Captain sails the inner seas, but this time, in the employ of the Pathfinder Society. He is much more careful these days to avoid aggravating local authorities, but his pension for questionable activities often get him into trouble. For now, the society has not felt it necessary to expel him largely due to his association with Gueril Karela.

At times, Bartolomae has been called Captain “Lucky” or “Besmara’s Chosen” by his crew. But one name aggravates the captain more than any other, “Black Bart.” It was used by the Taldan navy on his wanted posters and he has been known to drop crewmen on a deserted island in the south Arcadian Ocean for using that name even in jest. There is also speculation that his father may have gone by the surname Bart and the Captain wants nothing to do with his family history.
Bartolomae has extensive contacts in nearly every port city along the Inner Sea that keep him up to date regarding slave activities and more importantly the investigations of any of his adversaries. His membership in the Absalom thieves’ guild provides even more opportunities, not to mention a place to hide whenever someone is looking to right some wrong he may have perpetrated against them. His acquisition of a small merchant shop in Absalom and caravan company has expanded not only his network of informants, but more importantly, his wealth. The Merchantium Arcadium trading company has brought an air of legitimacy to his operation though rumors still persist that not all of the goods are destined for open markets. Despite any questions of the legality of your cargo, Bartolomae seems open to anything, short of slavery. He despises that enterprise and not only refuses to participate in it, might just interfere with said activities. He has also recently acquired addition ships while on missions for the Pathfinder Society. These have expanded his network as well as increased his reputation both within the Society and throughout the Inner Sea.

Description
Male…5’-10”…180 lbs…black hair…blue/gray eyes…
He can portray an air of aristocracy one minute and a smarmy used carriage salesman the next. Fancying himself an adventurer, Bartolomae learned early on that he was not a gifted warrior, however, what he lacked in brute strength, he more than made up for with gile and trickery, and a little magic. He leaves the heavy damage dealing to his companions usually allying himself with big brutes. They tend to be a little dim and easy for him to influence.
During his many travels, Bartolomae acquired a black-powder pistol. It is an unusual weapon and one that he has only recently come to understand. While it lacks the ability to be a consistent weapon of battle, the loud noise is often enough to scare away a would-be pick pocket or break up an unwanted bar fight.