The first set of pages describes the life and career of the pirate Broderick Grimshaw, captain of the Howling Storm.
Captain Broderick Grimshaw is known to history for two inseparable things. The first is being the most sucessful pirate in Mistral's history, and the second is for the daring theft of an extremely valuable artifact known as the Sorcerer's Crown. He was born roughly two-hundred years ago in a village outside, but under the authority of, the kingdom of Mistral. At a young age he defected from the Mistal army and joined, then later led, a bandit clan known as the Iron Wolves. From this humble start Grimshaw began to build, attracting outcasts and criminals of all stripes to serve under his banner. His group, interestingly, was just as notable for its fairness as its ferocity -- Faunus were just as welcome as humans so long as they could prove themselves, nor do sources suggest any discrimination between men and women in combat, leadership, or other important roles, and not only were those who followed him paid for their services but also compensated for injuries they sustained and given a voice in the group's operations... modern and forward thinking, yes, but also a finger in the eye of Mistral's rigid monarchy of the time. This, no doubt, was part of the appeal of joining and why Grimshaw was so seldom challenged for his leadership role. Those who followed didn't just like him... they believed in him.
As the clan grew they eventually came into possession of a small number of airships, the type which were often modified sea vessels or made in the likeness thereof. Once outfitted with the armaments of the day, these fliers became the start of a powerful and much feared pirate fleet -- one ship in particular was adopted as Grimshaw's personal vessel and the default flagship: the Howling Storm. The ship's Beowolf-faced cannons were thunder from on high and the mere sight of it sowed chaos and panic in its wake. So successful was the ship's history, and so long was Grimshaw's tenure as her captain, that the ship's Floatstone was said to have strongly imprinted on his Aura such that only one other could fly it: Grimshaw's son, Kerwin.
As the years passed and the Iron Wolves' power and fame expanded Grimshaw set his sights on one legendary raid, something that would increase his influence and secure his personal legacy: the Sorcerer's Crown. Knowing that anyone who could claim the relic would be feared across all the continents, and knowing further that the Dust gems which comprised it would each sell for a fortune, Grimshaw hatched a bold plan to subvert the palace defenses and seize the treasure. However, the plan wasn't without detractors -- some of Grimshaw's oldest friends are recorded as having cautioned that seizing the crown could start what amounted to a war with Mistral, and that furthermore the crown itself was cursed to bring only madness and death. Grimshaw's silver tongue, however, silenced the worst of the criticism and the plan went forward. Using a heavy rainstorm to conceal their approach, the Iron Wolves flew over the kingdom's walls and successfully raided the Emperor's palace.
During their escape, Grimshaw was captured -- some say betrayed. He was held prisoner in Mistral for the next seven years, during which he learned that his flagship had caught flame and gone down in Grimm-infested waters two weeks after his capture, during a vain attempt to breach the kingdom's eastern coastal defenses. The Sorcerer's Crown was never recovered, and the Iron Wolves would go on to fracture into numerous smaller bandit and pirate factions. Grimshaw was eventually allowed to live out the remainder of his days under house arrest, having advised the kingdom on how to successfully put down many of his old comrades. Some scholars say he even married and took up work as a carpenter, though no children are to be found in official Mistral records. Kerwin, Grimshaw's one confirmed descendant, is thought to have gone down with the Howling Storm in its fiery demise.
Even two hundred years after his time, treasure hunters will occasionally search for caches of treasure hidden by Grimshaw and his Wolves during their heyday. Such is the man's legend. A few will even scour the eastern coast of Anima in hopes of finding the Howling Storm's wreckage or the prize of all prizes, the Sorcerer's Crown. None have yet succeeded.