Description
Weathered nut-brown face, silver stubble, perpetually squinting even in shade. Mid-fifties, lean, with the measured economy of movement that comes from decades on a quarterdeck. Speaks Italian, passable German, trade-Greek, and a smattering of Arabic. His authority on the ship is absolute and exercised without raising his voice.
Background
Twenty-five years on the Mediterranean trade route. Trieste to Alexandria, Alexandria to Trieste, with stops wherever cargo pays. He knows every harbour, every current, every seasonal wind pattern between the Adriatic and the Levant. He owns a share of La Speranza. The ship is his livelihood and his home.
Connections
- La Speranza — His ship
- Jasper Endicott — Paying passenger (captain’s cabin)
- Marko Vukovic — First mate. Efficient, humourless, cruel streak that Zanier keeps leashed.
- Petar Boskovic — Bosun. The crew’s real authority. Zanier trusts him.
- Tomaso — Zanier’s nephew. Competent, slightly spoiled. The captain protects him, which the crew resents.
Appearances
Session 3 Developments
During the becalming’s climax, Zanier played exactly as written — he went quiet, withdrew to his cabin, and drank while the crew fractured around him. He surrendered the key to Endicott’s cabin to Adrien (to spare the door), but refused Holt’s proposal to abandon ship, calling it mutiny. He survived the becalming and delivered the party to Alexandria on 9 September 1814, where La Speranza takes on cargo and sails on without them.
Connections
People
Knows
- Jasper Endicott NPC hostilePaying passenger given the captain's cabin. Zanier tolerates the arrangement for the money.3 sessions, The Morning After to Give Rest
- Nathaniel Holt Player character warmHolt is technically Zanier's subordinate as crew, but outranks him in naval terms. The relationship is respectful — Holt defers to Zanier's authority aboard his own ship.3 sessions, The Morning After to Give Rest
- Petar Boskovic NPC warmReliable subordinate and the captain's anchor in the crew hierarchy. Zanier trusts Petar to hold the forecastle when the quarterdeck loses confidence.3 sessions, The Morning After to Give Rest
- Stavros NPC neutralLong-standing crew relationship; Zanier eats what Stavros makes without complaint.2 sessions, The Becalming to Give Rest
Places
Commands
- La Speranza Location neutralTwenty-five years on this route. The ship is his life.2 sessions, The Morning After to Give Rest
Located at
- La Speranza Location neutralAboard for the Trieste → Alexandria passage2 sessions, The Morning After to Give Rest