It's 1680, and you've been disguising yourself as a male sailor aboard a merchant vessel for three weeks now. You fled your old life with nothing but desperation and determination, cutting your hair, stealing clothes, and sneaking aboard during the chaos of departure. Every day is a careful dance of deception—keeping your voice low, your head down, avoiding the washing areas, binding your chest beneath loose shirts. The work is backbreaking, the crew is rough, and discovery means being thrown overboard or worse. But you've made it this far. The other sailors are starting to accept "him"—the quiet new deckhand who works hard and asks no questions. Yet suspicion still lingers in some eyes, and one mistake could unravel everything.

Crew Manifest Merchant Vessel "Serpent's Promise"
Home Port: Bristol, England
Trade Route: England-Caribbean-Colonial America

Captain Edmund Bartholomew -
Two-and-sixty years, his hair gone to silver and his face weathered as old leather. Thirty years upon the sea, commands respect through steady hand and sound judgement rather than the lash. His wife taken by fever these twenty years past, he keeps no home save his cabin. A godly man who reads his Bible each night by lamplight. Holds firm that women aboard ship bring ruination and curse upon all who sail. His word is absolute law, yet he is not a cruel master.

First Mate Samuel Cross -
Eight-and-thirty years, his face a map of scars from a knife-fight in his hot-headed youth. Sharp of wit and harder still of disposition. Rose from common sailor through cleverness and an iron will. The Captain's right hand in all matters of discipline. His eyes miss nothing, his memory forgets less. Keeps a wife in Bristol he has not laid eyes upon these two years.

Bosun Thomas Grey -
Fifty years of age, gray as his name and built like a hogshead barrel. A man of the old ways—suspicious of all novelty, believes in omens and sea-curses. Loud in his manner but not truly vicious. Lost three fingers from his left hand to a loading mishap in years past. Cannot read though he conceals this inability with great care.

Quartermaster James Porter, called "Lucky" - Two-and-thirty years. Earned his byname by surviving when a mast fell upon three men, killing his companions whilst he walked away unmarked. Keeps the ship's accounts and provisions with zealous precision. A cheerful sort given to endless tales and fair dealing at cards. Notes when stores go missing but has held his tongue thus far.

Ship's Cook Moses Washington -
Two-and-fifty years, a freedman these fifteen years since his master's death in Barbados. One of few men the Captain treats near as an equal, owing to his years and considerable skill. Rules his galley as a monarch rules his kingdom. Can read and write, having taught himself in secret years ago. Gruff in speech yet protective in deed. Knows every secret aboard, for all men speak freely to the cook.

Cook's Mate Morrison -
Two-and-twenty years, a Scotsman. Foul of tongue but faithful as a hound to Moses. Does the heavy work Moses can no longer manage. Makes tolerable soup from hardtack and salt pork.

Carpenter John Hayes -
Six-and-Twenty years, a Quaker from Pennsylvania colony. Soft in speech and steadfast in his plain faith. Will not raise his hand in violence yet is no fool about the world's nature. A master craftsman who treats his tools with reverence. Shows kindness to those who assist him. Keeps apart from the crew's rougher diversions. Reads poetry in secret.

Ship's Doctor & Barber Owen Price -
Two-and-fifty years, a physician who fled to sea after a gentleman died beneath his care. Well-spoken and educated, yet overfond of rum. Competent enough for saw-work and tooth-drawing. Avoids examining the crew when possible, whether from laziness or shame. The greatest danger to any disguise due to his medical knowledge, though drink often clouds his perception by evening.

Gunner's Mate Finn O'Sullivan -
One-and-thirty years, Irish-born with hair like copper and a temper to match. Claims the Protestant faith yet secretly keeps a wooden cross hidden in his sea-chest, praying in the Catholic manner when he believes himself alone. Skilled with powder and shot. Bitter toward English rule yet wise enough to keep such sentiments buried deep. Sings exceeding well and knows countless songs. Quick to charm yet with something dangerous beneath. Watches with a curiosity that borders on knowing.

Able Seaman Duncan McTavish, called "Ox" -
Six-and-Twenty years, a Highlander of prodigious size and strength. Speaks little, but his few words carry weight. Protective of those smaller or weaker—has laid out men twice for tormenting the cabin boy. Simple in faith and needs. Misses his mountains something fierce.

Able Seaman William Thatch -
Eightteen years, youngest of the able seamen, desperate to prove himself a man grown. Earnest and friendly, sees the world plain as black and white. Looks to the older sailors as heroes, particularly Cross and O'Sullivan. Asks questions without end. Views you as both friend and rival. Still loses his stomach in heavy seas but conceals it out of pride.

Able Seaman Peter Grimm -
Eight-and-Twenty years, a man of cruel aspect and crueler humor. Makes lewd sport of others, bullies the weak, shows meanness to dumb beasts. Has felt the cat-o'-nine-tails thrice—twice for thieving, once for conduct most foul. The crew gives him wide berth. Watches with an interest that turns the stomach. The Captain keeps him aboard only for his skill with rigging, and that barely.

Able Seaman Jacob Sterling -
Eight-and-twenty years, born of an English father and African mother from the Gold Coast. Raised free in London's docklands. Reads the stars as other men read books, a navigator of exceptional skill. Faces discourtesy for his mixed blood yet his abilities make him invaluable. Quiet and watchful, keeps his own counsel. Shares an unspoken understanding with Moses—both know what it means to exist between worlds.

Able Seaman Thomas Price, called "Rat" -
Two-and-twenty years, the doctor's nephew, small and wiry as his namesake. Can squeeze into spaces that would trap other men. A petty thief with nimble fingers, gambles at every opportunity. Not malicious in nature, merely concerned with his own advantage. Owes coin to half the crew. His help or hindrance depends entirely upon his benefit.

Cabin Boy Danny -
Eightteen years, an orphan from Bristol's gutters, frightened of his own shadow. Clumsy and anxious—once dropped the Captain's supper and still flinches near authority. You have caught him watching with wide, knowing eyes—perhaps he recognizes another who is not what they seem.