Maxwell Bishop

Maxwell Bishop
Information

Description:

Eyes: Blue Hair: Black with graying around the temples Height: 6'0" Weight: 210 lbs Age: Looks to be in his early to mid 40's. Other distinguishing marks: - A scar along right side of his face, starting at the brow and curving out to stop an inch below the eye. - Three scar marks on his left cheek, appearing as if he had been vicious scratched or slashed with a three bladed (or clawed) weapon. - Numerous scar and old burn marks covering his chest, shoulders and back. These are usually hid at all times since the man rarely removes his shirt in public. Other descriptive notes: -Bishop looks his age, that of a middle aged man who's seen plenty (one can say *too* much) action. His face has a weathered, but handsome look about it, and he suffers from a five o'clock shadow almost constantly after noontime, even if he shaves in the morning, which he does religiously.

Since Bishop has joined the Brotherhood of Janeiro, he's almost always seen in the gray and black uniform of his newfound employer, and because he's been given command of the Cavalry Division, his black riding boots (usually shined, but not always) are adorned with spurs. He also wears white kid-skin riding gloves when out in the field and a wide brimmed black hat with two lances embroidered on the front to signify his Cavalry status with the Brotherhood. His civilian dress is a little more simple; bone-white button down shirt (which is worn under his uniform jacket when on duty), dark brown breeches, black leather vest, and a heavy gray duster when out on the trail.

The one weapon he seems to carry almost exclusively is a katana which is sheathed on his left hip, though the man is known to employ other weapons and tools to help him out of a situation, these are generally kept in the assorted pouches that can be found on his weapon's belt.

The man also wears a simple gold band around his right ring finger, the only piece of jewlery found on him. Inquiring about the ring might bring about a misty gaze and little more unless prodded for more information, then you'd either get a fist in the face or the true story. Matters on how much he's had to drink.

Personality:

Max Bishop can be described as a man who tries to do what he believes as right. Sometimes that requires him to go against the established laws and rules of a particular land, but if his actions soothe his conscience, then he's okay with it. Just so long as he can look himself in the mirror the next day. Though, despite that roguish quality, he *does* try to do his best to be law-abiding; he's not the type to break the established rules when it suits him, only when he believes it to be necessary.

There is a 'knight in shining armour' quality to the man, but Max Bishop hardly fits the archetypical norm. He drinks, curses, smokes (on occassion known to chew tobacco too), and womanizes, though this latter quality in the man has mellowed somewhat (so far!), and he seems content these days to simply settle down. In spite of all those vices, Bishop is always willing and able to lend his hand to those who are in need of help, (usually) no matter who they are. It's not uncommon to hear the man say to a stranger; "I'm Maxwell Bishop, and I'm here to help you."

Along with that kindness, though, comes with it some baggage unfortunately. Bishop is the type of person who always *needs* to be doing something, to be active. If he's allowed to become idle and come under his own devices, Bishop will fall into what's better described as a dark mood. He'll reminice over what was, mourn over what has happened in his life, dwell over his past losses, and will general and simply pout, feeling sorry for himself; usually with the help of ales with whiskey chasers.

Fortunately, as quickly as he falls under that spell of self depreciation, doubt, loathing and pity, he can come out of it just as fast. Usually with the hint of doing something greater and grander than he is, or even something as simple as a *job*.

History:

Maxwell Bishop isn't from Myrken Wood, or from any of the lands on or near it's borders. He hails from a land known at Khir Khira. A place, when asked how far away it is, he'll just describe as 'too damned far' and little else.

When Bishop and his two siblings, Shannon and Frank, were born to Sarah and Maxwell Sr., Khir Khira was embroiled in a bitter war against the Orc Clans of the east, seeking to take over and remove the human populace of the west. Max Sr. was a Captain in the Khir Khiran Cavalry and was known to be away for long periods of time at the front line, leaving Sarah Bishop to raise thier three children alone for most of the time. Max Sr. saw fit to move his family to Khiranabrook, a small town near the border, so he could at least visit them when he was given leave or fallow time.

Though, as fate would have it, Max Sr was home with his family the day that the Orcs came to Khiranabrook. The three children were playing in a field behind thier modest home outside of town when the first wave of Orcish attackers fell upon them. Max Jr, being the eldest, hurried his two younger siblings to the house before they were over run, and their father came out to defend his family.

The last image Bishop has of his father is that of him drawing his sabre and charging out the front door to face the green-skinned invaders, trying to protect his family.

Sarah quickly herded her three children into the cellar, hoping that if they hid, they'll be over-looked by the Orcs. She did her best to quiet the three youngesters down, then left Max Jr in charge before ascending to the stairs to see what had befallen her husband.

Half an hour passed before smoke started to fill the cellar. The Orcs had laid torch to the home after pillaging it. Quickly Max Jr tried to coax his brother and sister out of the cellar, declaring that if they were to survive, they needed to leave. Frank, always being jealous of his older brother, refused to leave and Shannon was simply too terrified to move. So, the young Maxwell declared that he was going out alone and that he'd find help and come back for them.

That was the last time he saw either of his siblings again, for a very long time, at least.

Upstairs, Maxwell found his home ablaze and the wrecked remains of his mother, who had her skull crushed by an Orcish blade. He pulled her body from the house and ran for help, but found that the rest of the town had been similarly attacked.

Exhausted, scared, alone and grieving, the young Maxwell crawled into a stable that had been left standing after the attack and fell asleep. The next morning he found that a regiment of Khir Khiran Cavalry had arrived into town, and that one of the officers was a friend of Max Sr's. The man told the young Bishop that they had found his house a charred and smoking mess, and that there was no sign anyone alive inside it.

He was now an orphan, both parents and siblings dead.

Afterwards, Bishop was taken to the capital of Khir Khira, Khirana, where his only surviving kin lived. Herald Bishop, his great-uncle, and a High Captain in the prestigious Khir Khira Air Armada. A fleet of massive and mighty airships that ruled the skies over the kingdom.

Under his great-uncle's guidance, Bishop learned all there was to know about airships, the Air Armada, and the honour of being an airman. After becoming of age at 16, Bishop enrolled at the Khir Khiran Air Academy to hopefully, one day, become an officer in the Air Armada.

In his first year as a plebe, Bishop gained reknown as a studeous and hardworking cadet, getting the best grades and honours in all his classes. He was also given commendations for winning gold medals and first place ribbons in assorted track and sporting events. During his second year, he met Zorica Rhaynes, another second year cadet who matched him in almost everything he did.

At first it was a rivalry between the two best students in their year, but soon it evolved into a more romantic relationship with the two sneaking out after lights-out to spend more intimate time together. They both graduated at the top of thier class after thier fifth and final year at the Academy, and, as luck would have it, both were assigned to the same airship, the KAS Reliant, after becoming full Ensigns.

Though, war still raged through Khir Khira against the Orc and Goblin clans, and despite Max and Zorica's ship romance (that quickly became legendary aboard ship), there were battles to be fought and losses to be suffered. After serving a year aboard the Reliant, the airship took part in one of the largest air battles in Khir Khiran history. The Battle of Kharania Falls.

The Reliant, being a small destroyer class airship, was ahead of the main line of ships as a skirmisher and screener, when she encountered the main line of Orc battleships. A heated battle erupted between the Reliant and two larger Orcish cruisers, with Bishop on the bridge serving as helmsmen and Zorica below decks.

Unfortunately for the Reliant, the battle was painfully short. One of the Orc cruisers scored a hit with her port battery of magi-cannon (cannons that are powered by powerful and magical Valeris Shards, and fire blasts of pure magical energy), and the hit landed directly where Zorica commanded her own battery of magi-cannon. Another blast came in on the bridge, killing both the Captain and first mate, leaving Bishop the only officer in command.

With the ship on fire and under heavy attack, he ordered a retreat and landed the ship as soon as possible to abandon it. It wasn't until the ship was safely a-ground that he learned, from his friend since his plebe year, Montgomery Dougal, that Zorica had been killed soon after the first shots were fired.

Grieving, but not giving up, Bishop refused leave time, and went back into the fight. His actions at Kharania Falls earned him the Bronze Starburst for Valor, and a promotion to Lieutenant. From there Bishop and his friend Montgomery (or Monty as Bishop called him) went on to serve throughout the war, both earning many more commendations, medals and promotions.

Bishop's first command as a full Captain came after the war was finally ended and he was given the KAS Gambit with Monty as his hand-picked first officer. There the two met Tyreal, a strange elf hailing from the Southern Green Mountains, who served as their second officer aboard ship.

It wasn't long after Bishop got this command when Falyar Tar'en, feeling that the current king, Ghaelan, had become corrupted by dark forces and started the long, bloody war with the Orcs to solidify his power and control, rebelled and plunged Khir Khira into a Civil War.

At first Bishop rejected Falyar's claims that the king had become mad and was guilty of murdering his own people. He sided with the loyalists and fought against Falyar's forces for a short time, scoring a major victory against Rebels at the Battle of North Peak.

Though, Bishop's loyalty to the king was short-lived. When he received orders from the War Council to lay waste to the major western city of Ta'hara, because the people starving there raided a Royal cache of food, Bishop switched allegences, offering his ship, crew and services to Air Commander Tar'en.

Fortunately, the Civil War was short, and Ghaelan was soon ousted from the throne. After a popular vote, Falyar Tar'en was crowned the new king of Khir Khira, and one of his first acts was to promote Bishop to High Captain. This gave Bishop a new command, the KAS Skyhawk, one of the newest, largest and most powerful airships in the Armada, along with a whole squadron of airships to oversee. Bishop took most of his crew and officers with him to this new ship and command (of course including the ever loyal Monty and Tyreal).

After Falyar became king, he opened relations with the Elementian Empire, a realm that shared many qualities and goals as Khir Khira. As the two nations grew closer, as did their peoples.

Again, though, a new threat faced Khir Khira and it's name was Lady Katrina De'Archer. A woman who schemed to overthrow Falyar's rule and place herself upon his throne. Bishop did his part to battle this new threat at the side of his king, but crossed a line when he attempted to gain De'Archer's trust and seemed to entertain selling his loyalties for gold.

Falyar caught wind of this supposed treachery by one of his most loyal officers and confronted Bishop, who attempted to explain what he was trying to do. Unfortunately Falyar refused to believe him and a fist fight erupted between the two, it ending when Bishop handed the king his resignation and walked away from his career.

After leaving the Air Armada, Bishop purchased The Ares, a small scout airship, which he used for privateering and transport jobs. Both Monty and Tyreal resigned their commissions to join their Captain in this venture. It was on a transport job, where Bishop took aboard contraband cargo unknowningly, and found himself being chased by an Air Armada patrol over the South Khirana Sea. To avoid arrest and confiscation of his ship, Bishop discovered the contraband (stolen artwork, jewlery and gold) and had it dumped into the sea below.

The man who commissioned The Ares to transport the illicit cargo, Gehring Kilmoure, a infamous underworld figure, placed a bounty on Bishop's head for dumping the valuable cargo and not repaying the sum a privateer Captain could never hope to see in his life time.

One of the bounty hunters that came after Bishop was his future wife, Meagan Serridan.

<more to come later>