Characters: Leif Karlson "the Fortunate"

Leif Karlson is a bear of a man, with shaggy but well-kept reddish-brown hair and full beard. Though large, towering at 6'7", he is by no means awkward, moving with the grace of a tiger. His voice is deep and penetrating, but reassuring during negotiations.

As captain of the knorr cargo vessel "Rikelig Hostig" (Bountiful Harvest), he wears his brown shirt and pants, with red and gold lined cloak and furry hat, with dagger and purse at his waist. 

In battle, he wears his chain mail armor, armed with a longsword, hand ax, and occasionally a bow. 

Leif is the eldest of three children in the Karlson clan and born with the luck of the gods. His younger brother Eric and younger sister Helga are also lucky but to a much lesser degree. 

Sailing since he could walk, Leif often traveled with his father Bjorn as a good luck charm. His luck is legendary amongst his family and coworkers, and most are grateful to benefit from his good fortune. Leif has a mild case of wanderlust, fed by his many travels with his father.  

Loyalty is important to Leif, who is loyal to and protective of those he considers family, which include close friends. "A man without friends is a man soon dead." he's been heard to say.

Honor is important to his people, and those who challenge it risk his ire.

Over the years he has worked his way from oarsman and steersman to captain of the "Rikelig Hostig", and desires to purchase a ship of his own one day. He has a keen sense of potential trade goods and opportunities, developed at his father's side.

Leif is a captain with a cooperative and caring hand, warmly interactive with people, helping others without caring about rank or status. His men follow him because they love him and know his loyalty and his good heart. He's not above delegating to show his faith in the skills of others.

When relaxed and secure, he helps others. When he's under pressure, he withdraws, formulating his next steps.

Now as captain, he has much more latitude in the goings on of the trading business. Most things have gone very well. Unfortunately, there are times when his good luck means bad luck for his rivals, and there several who bear grudges for his good fortune and their resulting misfortune. Rivas Nikolai and Mauritius Scopalitano among them.

A few years ago he helped a wizard fleeing one of the port cities, and the wizard thanked him with the favor of TBD. But as with all good deeds, those in pursuit of the wizard were not happy, nor do they forget. Though not paranoid, events regarding wizards cause him some concern.

Leif currently lives in the Karlson house in the Northern District, when he's not on his ship or making his rounds.