Parents
Born and raised in Sunnyton of Kenwood Island, Robert Shanks and Tabitha “Tabby” Longwood, were not fond of one another in high school. Robert was a jock while Tabby was a math geek. It wasn’t until the later years that their paths crossed.
While working on a fishing vessel on the docks of Sunnyton, Robert met the ship’s owner, Arthur Longwood, Tabitha’s father. Tabby was with him, learning more about the family business with her brother, Kurt. It was then that Arthur struck up the courage to speak to her.
The conversation was brief but effective. The two formed a romantic bond and married two years later.
Early Life
Within four months of marriage, Tabitha learned she was pregnant with a boy. She named him Fredrickson, Fred for short. He was a large baby, weighing nearly Eleven pounds. As he got older, he seemed to dwarf many other school kids.
When Fred was 5 years old, he met his best friend. While playing in a sandbox, Fred noticed a smaller boy being picked on by other boys. Fred walked over, and being larger than the others, scared them away immediately. Fred introduced himself to the boy, who was named Marty Evans.
The Downward Spiral
For nearly six years, Fred and Marty explored the woods, and caves, and played at each other’s homes. But something was missed by Fred and his friend. One morning, Fred awoke to find his mother was gone. She had left in the middle of the night, after a heated argument that kept Fred awake most of the morning.
Robert did not handle it well, as he had recently been laid off and refused to work. He sought refuge in alcohol. He became secluded and often demanded Fred pick up his drinks and ordered his son around. He seemed much less tolerant of Fred’s presence and even was known to become physical.
Fred’s only security was at his friend’s house, where he could forget about his home life for just a bit during the day. He made several attempts to reach out to his mother. He sent letters to his grandparents and even tried calling. But every attempt was met with a dead end for years.
The Creator’s Temple
At 16, Fred made his way to Marty’s house after returning late from a cave expedition of theirs. But he discovered the house empty and distraught. It wasn’t until Marty returned home at that moment to inform him of a discovery he made, and a sword he now carried.
Deciding to accompany him on his journey, Fred leapt at the chance to finally escape his father, and travel far and wide on an adventure like he had dreamed his whole life. They traveld far across Borning, meeting new friends and finally coming face to face with the Goddess of creation herself, Zin.
A Bold Decision
After their journey to the Creator’s Temple was over, Fred made the choice to stay aboard his uncle Kurt’s ship and become part of the crew. He had no desire to return to a life with his father and wanted to follow his own path with his mother’s family.
Aboard the ship, Fred quickly excelled and moved up in ranks. Starting as a deckhand, Fred worked up to being a skipper alongside his uncle. In only two years, Fred was the captain of his very own ship.
He made sure to keep in touch with his friends, sending letters when he could. He wrote to Marty frequently and only wrote to his other friends Kayln Monroe and Harper Godwin when something of interest came up.
Aboard his ships, he met fascinating creatures and people and traveled to all parts of Koringa. He captained a supply ship that traveled across the Shady Sea, transporting small trade goods. It had only two crew members and was not a large ship. But it was his, and he enjoyed every day on the sea.
A Friend in Need
While making a delivery in Vicdale, Fred miraculously encountered his lifelong friend, Marty, as he was disembarking another boat with someone who looked to be a doctor of some kind. Learning that Marty was once again on a quest with his sword, Fred jumped at the opportunity to help once again,
Making some calls to reschedule his next deliveries, he also contacted his other friends, and made his way to get them, with Marty now aboard his ship.
