Sir Derren Cormaek, Knight Commander
Physical Appearance
Sir Derren Cormaek, 42, is a weathered experienced knight commander with a medium complexion, medium length brown hair, and a neatly clipped beard. His look is usually a small, wry smile that crinkles the corners of his sage green eyes, which have seen a lot.
Background
Derren grew up on the treacherous streets of Buccaneer’s Den after his mother was murdered while resisting a robbery. He eventually joined a budding mercenary outfit for regular meals and friendship, doing anything to survive. Despite his lack of formal instruction, he discovered a talent for strategy and bladework. His band’s daring night rqids became so lethal that crown forces caught them and offered them amnesty in exchange for military service after 8 years. Derren, shaped by his ambiguous allegiances in the past, found significance in adhering to a meaningful code of behavior by joining The Order of The Silver Serpent. His genius in organizing intricate skirmishes led to his speedy promotion after ten years of service, along with a transfer to The Silver Serpent’s newly founded sub-chapter, The Green Company.
Personality Traits
Derren maintains a puckish, equable temperament as a result of facing many tests of principle versus pragmatism throughout his difficult existence. His speech contains elements of old criminal cant that clash with correct military diction. Derren prefers to engage in compromise solutions that meet the spirit of the virtues while accounting for human faults, but he also enjoys mischief when bored.
Behaviors & Relationships
Derren is charming yet reserved, preferring the company of fellow scoundrels converted via service yet relating well with most. He fosters friendship by subtly pricking the more domineering aristocrats’ egoism with witty jabs while maintaining formal etiquette. On the other hand, his criminal history makes him wary of entitled people.
Motivations & Goals
Tired of unrooted uncertainty, Derren seeks stability by sustaining the order’s righteous objective. Derren emphasizes honoring lives all too commonly sacrificed by arrogant nobles to gain short-term strategic victories over meaningful long-term successes. He also believes that good aims often necessitate contentious tactics.
Complexity
Derren subconsciously empathizes with adversaries driven to extremes by despair, knowing he nearly avoided a similar plunge. He treads a fine line between addressing the core causes of criminality and supporting former allies’ illegal activity. He is prone to drinking when having to deal with bringing people once his allies to heel.
Secrets
Derren uncovered his mother’s murder as a result of her involvement in fencing black market relics to afford living in the city during his final trip, rehabilitating besieged compatriots before joining the order. The knowledge that her own actions caused her fate still haunts him, making him hyperaware of how morality frays under pressure.