Name: Captain Azura
Species: Shark
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5

-headstrong
-loyal
-tactical
-strategist
-level-headed

Captain Azura is captain of a ship known as the Black Rose. An old, but study ship that she inherited from her father.
Azura grew up on the streets, an orphaned sea urchin who wondered the streets as a pickpocket and thief. She only stole what was needed, but often got herself in trouble with the authorities. That all changed when she was picked up by Captain Rose, an young, kind Pirate Captain who had recently docked into the city. He took Azura in under his wing after catching her trying to loot one of his food crates.
Azura worked hard as she grew up, the Black Rose her home for most of her life, and she learned her way of the Rose, and eventually made her way up to being Captain Rose's first mate.

You see, the Pirates of the Black Rose were not normal pirates. While they raided and looted ships, they were those of the wealthy and cruel, but the male focus was that of slave ships. The slave ships were targeted, raided, with much of the grew being slaughtered on sight, and the slaves being freed. The Pirates of the Black Rose used most of what was looted from these slave ships to either get the freed slaves home, or helped them start a new life, and if they so wished it, they may join the crew.

This went on for many years, through her teens. Azura's only love was for the sea, and she dearly respected her father, Captain Rose. He was a kind and gentle man, who cared deeply for every member of his crew.

Everything changed when Azura was in her early twenties. It had been over thirteen years since Captain Rose took her in, and on her twenty-first birthday, Captain Rose gave Azura the pin that she now wears on her hat. Hand-carved and full of a father's love, Azura treasured the pin. That night though, there was a raid on the Black Rose. as they were moored just outside the land of the empire. There was a brave fight, but the empire was not too pleased to find the ones responsible for freeing the slaves moored near their land. Many were injured, others were killed or captured for slavery. Captain Rose was taken hostage to be executed in the empire. Azura was left screaming for her father being held back by soldiers until she was knocked unconscious.

Azura woke on a floor littered with hay, the smell of death, decay, and other ungodly smells surrounded her. The air was moist and sale, the constant dripping left a key of where she may be, deep within a dungeon. There was panic as she recollected what had transpired the night prior, and Azura frantically searched around to find that she was left in rags, all her belongings gone, and no sign of Captain Rose.

She wanted to cry, she did cry, just a few tears, but, she needed to find resolve. Was the Captain still alive? Was there a way out? How was the rest of the crew? Many questions filled Azura's mind as she searched her small cell for anything that may be of use. Nothing. There was nothing. The guards were making their rounds.
Azura called out to one, asking of the Captain, only to find out his execution had been that morning. Slumping to the ground, Azura broke. Her father, the one man who saw her for more than just a thief, was gone.

A sudden shark frenzy in a small dungeon cell is not a pretty sight, and something the guard was not expecting. The guard got a little too close to the cell to see what exactly was going on, and that was the end of him as he was grabbed and literally getting his arm bit off. The taste of blood caused the frenzy to rise, Azura was absolutely insane, not even knowing who she was. The gate to the cell bent, but didn't budge as Azura slammed into it repeatedly, the guard trying desperately to get away. His leg was grabbed and he was pulled closer to the cell, losing the leg in the process, but also giving Azura access to the gate keys. With the gate unlocked, Azura's mind cleared, though the smell of blood was tugging at her senses drawing a very strong hunger and urge to fight. Though looking at the bloody mess of the half eaten guard let a wave of nausea wash over Azura. What had she done? That was something she never wanted to experience again.

Now with an empty stomach and covered in blood and bile, Azura shuffled through the dungeon, her body suddenly weak and sore from the sudden outburst of strength and rage. She was calling out names weakly, the keys clinking silently in her hands. She found a few, but not even close to everyone.

It took a sneaking effort, killing and looting a few guards, but the some crew made it out of the dungeon, and into what might have been a treasure room, mostly full of gear that would belong to prisoners that is mostly likely to be sold in auctions or to vendors later. Azura found her pin.... And the hat and coat of Captain Rose. She took a moment to weep. Her father was gone. Her family was in pieces. The few that were there were told of what happened, and Azura held her father's clothes closely. One of the older members fitted the hat on top of Azura's head with a saddened smile, holding a warm hand out for her pin, which he fastened to the hat. He asked one simple question, a tug in his voice "What say ye Captain?"
He saluted, followed by the few others. "We fight, we take the Black Rose. We continue as father would have wished"

~~~~~~~~~

The tale of the raid of the moor was a bloody tale, days spanned to weeks, into months. Azura's crew grew as she told her tale of what the Black Rose fought for. And the day the docks were stormed, not a man nor woman who was told was at home. The Tale of the Black Rose had spanned far and wide. Families of missing children, of those who's wives or husbands had been taken, of those who's parents were killed in front of their own eyes. The Black Rose lives, and with it a new Captain rises.

~~~~~~~

That was several years ago, and still the Tale of the Black Rose is still heard, as it sails the night seas, raiding ships and helping those in need, the Pirates of the Black Rose still fight, and at it's helm is Captain Azura, taking on what she believes would be her father's will.

~~~~~

Art by pumpkinsugar