Kren Creststripper

Kren Creststripper, formerly Kren Mason, was born in Land’s End to a peasant woman and a miner. He quickly joined his father in the mines of Land’s End and would have gone on to a life of anonymity had it not been for Roan’s Rebellion breaking out in 1133. He joined the Valourian army and was sent north to Silkspire to protect the town. Silkspire was indeed targeted by forces from Camaro, one of the larger Garrison States. During their attack on the town, Kren snuck behind enemy lines and stole the colors of one of the larger Camaroan brigades, leading the troops into a trap that was set for them by the Valourian forces. When the conflict ended, he was knighted alongside hundreds of others who stood out for their meritorious actions and was given the surname “Creststripper,” referencing his actions.

While he had a new name and newfound societal respect, Creststripper was not cut out for a courtly life as a knight. He was simply too crude and vulgar and uncouth; in addition, he had been an alcoholic since before joining the military and the fighting acerbated it. His drunkenness eventually took him north to Lakehaven, where he joined the criminal underground as a pit fighter, a pursuit that he was highly successful at. After establishing himself, he was eventually introduced to the fights taking place at the Ship Graveyard. He quickly established himself as the best fighter of that elite group, becoming the champion and making many people a lot of money in the process.

In 1150, he was defeated by Aurora Belmont and Angus McFife, who came to the gladiatorial fights in order to gain the trust of Mina Hedges. Rather than kill him, as is generally custom, they spared his life, and as they left, he swore revenge. During the combat, his hand was broken and crushed by Angus’ hammer to the point that it could be properly healed or repaired, so he had an underworld surgeon amputate it and replace it with a blade.

Kren intended on rebuilding his image by working odd jobs for local gangs, but after a few weeks his plans took a drastic turn when he received word that Aurora and Angus were back in Lakewood. After watching them leave on a ship, The Cutlass, captained by Winston Prak, he hired some local thugs and chartered a ship of his own. Kren and his underlings followed and eventually intercepted The Cutlass and boarded it, but the crew defended the ship. Kren made a beeline to Aurora and Angus after finding them in the melee, but was killed by Aurora after a thunderous whip blow caved in his chest cavity and blew him overboard.