Sir Richard Tri
Sir Richard Tri Bt IC KCS (7 December 1890 - 3 August 1952) was a distant relation of the Marquess of Tri, the direct descendent of the famous victor of Unsterbank Shoal. The Tris, like the Clayburghs of Westergate are a traditional seafaring family in Iansisle, with no fewer than three members (including Sir Richard) having held the post of First Sea Lord at one point in time.
Tri grew up in the age of sail. He learned to navigate by the stars, to move by the wind, and to discipline by the cat o’nine tails. His first chance for glory came during the Third Effitian Invasion, where he commanded the large frigate HIMS Nestor on a hunt for an old Effitian fourth-rate that had been harassing Iansislean merchants off Cape Deliverance. Tri out sailed the Effitians, shot them to pieces, and captured the ship (which would later serve as HIMS Embassy, one of the first Royal Iansislean Navy vessels to be converted to steam power) in a boarding action. Friends would note that the story later mutated from the official Admiralty report until the Nestor, half her hands sick and the entire port broadside out of action, struggled gamely on against a brand-new Effitian first-rate until Sir Richard, in desperation, boarded the other ship and slew her captain in single combat.
Whatever the facts, the action vaulted Tri to much higher prominence. By the time he achieved flag rank, Iansisle’s transition from sail and wood to steam and iron was starting. He rose quickly and became First Sea Lord shortly before the coronation of High King James III, to whom he would become a trusted advisor.
Before the coronation, Tri commanded HIMS Behemoth personally on her mission to deliver Iansisle’s delegation to the Developing Nations Summit in Golden Agate. Embarrassingly, the Behemoth’s new steam boiler exploded and the ship had to be towed to harbor by a Larkinian task force under the supervision of then-captain Jeff Williams. Despite the strained circumstances, Tri and Williams became quick friends.
Sir Richard was invited, along with Williams, to King James’ coronation, where they, assisted by Icarus of Daezeman and several others, spoiled the plot of the Jarlsberg ambassador-cum-spy. Williams was knighted for his participation in the capture and interrogation.
After the Battle of Salvador, Tri and Williams became two large proponents for the modernization of the RIN. Tri’s leadership helped turned the backwards force into a world-class navy.
Tri also participated in many of the famous Larkinian’s subsequent adventures. However, he fell under the power of Royal Mining and Manufacturing during the Corporate Yoke because they were holding his beloved daughter Anna Tri hostage. Tri also had an estranged son, Sir Robert Tri, who died in an aerocraft accident over Port Laughlin. However, Tri later rebelled against their authority and attempted to rescue the High King before the corporates could take him north to Thortraia.
During the attempt, Tri was challenged to a duel by William Ashtonbury. Although Tri was revered as a master swordsman, the much younger and more nimble Ashtonbury disarmed him, before - in a shocking display of hubris - allowing the Admiral to regain his blade. Less than a minute later, Ashtonbury goaded Tri into an unwise attack and ran him through.
