Responsible for keeping Captain Shae’s sea dogs ready for action, the legendary Hawk suffers neither foolishness nor sloth. Hawk is one of the deadliest sword wielders to walk a deck on the western seaboard, and some claim she has killed more men than rip lung. Her nimble acrobatics and blinding speed make her attacks nearly impossible to withstand; indeed, she navigates battle like a bird of prey, gracefully dancing across the deck to land strike after piercing strike.
Hawk is considerably less comfortable in social situations, where her taciturn and abrasive manner often leads to heated arguments. She has a peculiar but strong bond with Captain Phinneus Shae, who seems to tolerate her moods and is the only one on the ship willing to argue back. The pair of them demonstrate a more harmonious accord in battle; their perfectly coordinated movements require no communication beyond a gesture or shouted word.
One cannot overstate Hawk’s standing among the crew of the Talion, and these sailors will go to great lengths for even the slightest nod of her approval. Though all admire Captain Shae, they look to Hawk first and last, going silent at her passing and hanging on her every word. It is not an exaggeration to say that Captain Shae commands only because Hawk stands at his side. The fact that so many men have died taking bullets meant to end her life only enhances her reputation, and she willingly spends lives to buy her survival. Only a chosen few have gotten close enough to consider her a friend, and even these cannot claim to know her mind.
Hawk’s past, including her given name, is a mystery. An unspoken darkness from her youth adds fire and fury to her eyes, and she claims never to have felt the slightest qualms about killing to defend her ship or seize spoils. Even as a sailor aboard Mercarian League vessels she carried an ominous reputation as an untamable, dangerous woman too valuable and skilled not to employ.
Hawk has a tense and enigmatic relationship with Shae. The reluctance of sailors to speak of this matter on a ship notorious for rumormongers and gutter-mouths testifies both to Hawk’s reputation as a killer and the unique esteem in which she and the captain are held. The crew know only that Shae trusts Hawk above all others on the Talion. She does as she wishes at all times and has the power to make executive decisions in Shae’s absence. In fact, Hawk often serves as acting captain at sea to free the warcaster for other matters. Whenever danger threatens Shae in battle, Hawk is instantly there to fight alongside him—and perhaps that tells anyone all they need know of their true relationship.