What do you mean theres no gin?!

[Clarkie]

What do you mean theres no gin?!
The life and times of Erasmus Fontayne, master of the Bacchus

The earliest years of freelancer Captain Erasmus Paget Fontayne are somewhat shrouded in mystery, not least because the old booze-hound never talks about it. What is known is that he was likely born on New London in around 755 A.S. to a reasonably wealthy family.

His father, Bromwell Fontayne had made a great success out of his small private shipping & security firm Fontayne & Co, with their services being highly prized by the well-heeled and discreet traveler. His stepmother, a Kusari born woman named Izanami, cared for and doted upon young Erasmus as if he were her own.

In his late teens, after being expelled from Monmouth private school (allegedly for drunkenness) he took up a position in his fathers company as a transport pilot, conveying discerning guests in secure luxury out to far-flung liners, business conferences, and from time to time, some shady meetings where their clients preferred to avoid the gaze of the law. Fontayne & Co were founded on the principle of no questions asked and often took payment in gold or diamonds. Not exactly legal to be sure, but then you dont get rich without bending the rules from time to time.

Over the passing years Erasmus became something of a favourite among the regular clients, his instinct for sniffing out trouble before it began and his ready wit became famous among high-society, as did his now legendary appetite for fine wines, exotic spirits and good food. However, rich as he became, the Fontaynes were still considered new money by the standards of some of New Londons more established and snobbish nobility and were shunned because of it.

Upon his fathers retirement, Erasmus took over control of the firm at age 40 and ran it for a full fifteen years before finally deciding to sell the firm to a family friend and see a bit more of the galaxy. The sale of Fontayne & Co added considerably to the fortune he had already amassed, and the sad death of his father shortly afterwards boosted his personal wealth to a frankly obscene level.

The years following that tragic event are marked as a particularly interesting period in Erasmus life. In that time he traveled extensively, visiting the far reaches of the Zoner outposts in the Omegas, the fathomless depths and unknown terrors of the Omicrons and also the great icy expanses of the Taus. Every new destination brought Erasmus into contact with the varied peoples of Sirius, their customs and also their problems too; Fontayne considers himself above piracy and common thuggery, though that hasnt stopped him shooting his way out of a tight spot when called for.

Later he ventured deep into Kusari on a very personal pilgrimage to immerse himself in the native culture of his stepmother, and in doing so formed many a firm friendship among the elite in Kusarian society.

(As an aside, it is said that there is a particular bar near New Tokyo central spaceport that has a cocktail named Fontaynes Folly, the drink having been renamed in his honour after a night of heavy consumption and carousing with business associates and some local geisha girls, led to Erasmus finding himself next morning sprawled naked over the prow of his ship with a headache that just wouldnt shift and no clue how he ended up there.)

His extensive travels and his own mixed background mean that Erasmus considers himself a true child of Sirius, not bound by any notion of patriotism or loyalty to either side in the escalating and idiotic conflict between Bretonia & Kusari.

Fontayne, now at the ripe old age of 62 (or so he tells people) spends most of his time in space, rarely setting down in one place for longer than necessary. Being semi-retired, he rarely embarks on the wild adventures of earlier years, although if an opportunity presents itself for some japery, a dash of danger, with plenty of drinking time set aside, Erasmus has been known to throw caution to the wind and throw his lot in with whichever cause he feels deserves his help and patronage.


(Fontayne aged 62, gin and tonic just out of shot)


It was this remaining lust for adventure that caused Fontayne to obtain his latest vessel. Being a long-time fan of Kusari design philosophy, and using his extensive business contacts within the Keiretsu to smooth over the deal, he purchased an older Explorer class vessel from Yukawa shipyard. There the ship stayed however, as Fontayne commissioned some custom modifications. The introduction of extensive automation and a complete refit of the internal structure have produced a vessel that is not only well-defended and flyable by a minimal crew, but is also luxurious to the point of vulgarity.

During the refit process, Erasmus contracted the finest artisans in Kusari to design and construct the interior cabins using fine silks, exquisite woods and beautiful gold-chased fittings and fixtures. This level of opulence and the installation of a very well stocked bar mean that Fontayne feels right at home wherever his travels take him.


(The Bacchus in flight)


(The opulent flightdeck of the Bacchus)

With no small measure of self-deprecating humour, Fontayne named his vessel the Bacchus, after the Roman god of drunkenness and revelry. The ship serves as a residence, office, part-time warship and full-time gin-palace for Fontayne and whoever he happens to be entertaining.