
Jacob Madison was born in the coastal fiefdom of Seacea, where the winds whispered tales of adventure and the sea sang a haunting lullaby. From a young age, Jacob was captivated by the power and majesty of the ocean, watching the ships sail into the horizon from the cliffs near his home. His father, a fisherman, instilled in him a deep respect for the sea and its mysteries, while his mother, a seamstress, wove tales of daring pirates and legendary explorers into the fabric of his childhood.
Eager to escape the confines of his coastal village, Jacob joined the Seacean Navy at the age of sixteen. He quickly proved himself, showing a remarkable aptitude for navigation and a unique ability to rally his peers. His charm and leadership skills earned him much respect from his fellow sailors. He ascended rapidly through the ranks, displaying a keen tactical mind and an empathetic approach to leadership that endeared him to his crew.
However, Jacob’s ascent was not without its challenges. He found himself at odds with more traditional officers who adhered to strict discipline and harsh punishments. Jacob believed that morale was the foundation of success, emphasizing teamwork and camaraderie instead of fear. While popular with his crew, this approach led to tension with superiors who viewed him as overly lenient.
Jacob strolled across the command deck. Saws and hammers sounded from all corners as he watched a ship’s carpenter, followed by a trio of airmen, come up from below. The group went down the gangplank to join another crew working on repairing the hull. Others came and went, some on-duty and some off. Jacob had organized the men into shifts that rotated between work, sleep, and play. Many skipped the designated sleep hours so they’d have more time in the city, which Jacob was perfectly fine with. So long as they fulfilled their obligation to get the Griffin back in the air as soon as possible, how they spent the rest of their time was none of his concern. With all they’d been through, they deserved the time to loosen up.
- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE
His troubles culminated during a crucial mission where rumors and accusations of insubordination swirled. He faced a court martial that resulted in a dishonorable discharge, a shameful stain on his record that he tells no one about lest they think less of him.
Intertwined with this professional scandal was a personal tragedy. During this tumultuous period, Jacob learned that his younger brother had been lost at sea under mysterious circumstances. The weight of guilt and loss drove him further into despair, prompting him to seek solace away from the military life he once championed.
Finding himself adrift, Jacob took to the merchant fleet, navigating the perilous waters of the Barrens Ocean. Here, he learned to adapt, honing his skills in unconventional ways while earning a reputation as an astute strategist. Yet, the specter of his past haunted him, and he often wondered if he truly belonged in command.
When he was offered the position of First Mate aboard the airship Griffin, he saw it as a new beginning. Under Captain Blyden Kreg, a stern yet respected leader, he hoped to forge a path forward, balancing empathy with discipline. However, their relationship remains strained, as Jacob’s tendency to empathize with the crew’s struggles clashes with Kreg’s strict adherence to order. He continues to grapple with the implications of leadership, torn between his desire to support his crew and the fear of being seen as weak.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Jacob first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).
