Ka-Ess

Ka-Ess, in elaborate hat

Ka-Ess, also known as Ka-Ess Lizardkin, Ka-Ess Manlizard, Ka-Ess von Manlizard, Ka-Ess "the Rakish," and various other aliases and epithets, was a lizardfolk merchant and pirate in the Skaugan Main and member of the Council of High Captains. An itinerant bard and notorious roustabout, his "Tales of Ka-Ess" are considered a useful, if unreliable, primary source for Skaugan historians.

Though an established adventurer in his own right, Ka-Ess' most well-known exploits occurred in the company of The Fishwives, a pirate crew that at times included such figures as Ardrick Blackstone, Cheeky Patch, Ilabrar Nightbreeze, and Sathul Tashill, upon their flagship, The Satisfied Fishwife

Early Life

Born in the northern fens of ———————, Ka-Ess enjoyed an early life of relative privilege as a rare and thus desirable male. He was raised in the harem of the Matron Ssa-ptal, groomed for the life of a drone, and was educated in hunting, handicrafts, traditional Lizardfolk unarmed combat, and the historical poems of the Lizardfolk oral tradition. In his fourteenth year, Ssa-ptal died unexpectedly — a crushing blow to young Ka-Ess' prospects. His attempts to negotiate a new Matronage were fruitless, and Ka-Ess fled into exile rather than be devoured by the Matron of a rival line.

Taking to the Sea

Following a nearby stream, Ka-Ess soon found himself faced with the vast ocean. He was so struck by the sight that he at once swore his life to the Sea. He spent several weeks encamped on the shore before he saw a ship in the distance — the Barrel-Chested Lady. Sensing a swell in the crescendo of Fortune, Ka-Ess swam out to the ship and persuaded its captain, Erno Yardspar, to accept him to the crew. But in his haste to begin a life at sea, Ka-Ess was incautious in the affixing of his signature to several documents, and in exchange for his piratical education was forced to serve two years of indentured servitude in Yardspar's employ.

Despite the nature of his employment, Ka-Ess found his tour aboard the Barrel-Chested Lady liberating. Freed from his obligations as a Lizardman breeding male, he exulted in swinging from the rigging, fencing, drinking, brawling, and above all, singing loud and lustily with his fellow sailors. He soon found that his courtly education in the harem had instilled in him a talent for music, and when he lent his sibilant tones to a shanty, the ship sailed as if it were under the protection of the sea itself. Yardspar, though ruthless, was a cunning sailor and tactician, and he instructed Ka-Ess in all of the maritime arts. When his contractual obligation had been fulfilled, Ka-Ess Lizardkin strode down the gangplank a full-fledged sailor and bard.