"Kill a single man, they call you a murderer. Kill a hundred thousand, they call you a hero."
-from a conversation with Virth Blackhand
Overview
"It's better to be a live coward than a dead hero. But it's even better to be a live hero."
-from a conversation with Virth Blackhand
Virth Blackhand was in overall command of the Black Company pirate band, and served as the captain of their flagship, the mammoth Grim Reaper.
Description
Virth was a tall and slender human in his mid-30's, with short black hair and a close-cropped black beard. Though he smiled most of the time, his expression was more menacing than friendly, and it rarely reached his cold, pale grey eyes.
Personality
"Violence is a tool to be used with discretion. Do you get more milk by flogging the cow?"
-from a conversation with Virth Blackhand
Virth was an excellent ship's captain and a masterful tactician in ship-to-ship combat and during boarding actions. Virith preferred to rely on good intelligence over overwhelming force to defeat his opponents; however, he ensured his ships and his crews were armed to the teeth before going into battle.
Possessions
Virth possessed several suits of magical armor, including a suit of enchanted chainmail. He also owned various weapons, though he usually carried his favorite enchanted longsword as well as a crossbow of speed.
Relationships
Family
Virth had a sister named Leanne Blackhand who served as the primary helmsman on the Grim Reaper.
Crew
As the leader of the Black Company, Virith was in command of a flotilla of half a dozen ships manned by an unknown number of pirates. As the captain of the Grim Reaper, Virith was assisted by five officers, including the primary helmsman, Leanne Blackhand, and his first-mate and captain of the marines, Grilak. The rest of the crew was made up of 22 sailors who operated the rigging, 13 marines who undertook boarding actions, and 40 heavy weapon specialists.
Enemies
From time to time, the Black Company faced punitive military expeditions from Oerth and other worlds, as well as attacks from various adventuring companies, including the Sentinels and the Steelhands.