Born into a petty aristocratic family of the old world, Anthony is a classic underachiever. Identified early as a keen student of math, he spent most of his time reading history books, exploring and avoiding formal studies. He was never a fighter, but always seemed to know them; not able to take a blow, but eager to get out of the way. Leaving school with little money, Rip began to organize a series of ever escalating expeditions to find the lost treasures, riches and ruins from his books. These were funded by increasingly illegal schemes: fleecing officials, wealthy benefactors and doting ladies. Usually these efforts resulted in - if anything - looted battlefield memorials, desecrated tombs and the odd minor find. After a particularly egregious incident where all four daughters of the local magistrate AND their father were hoodwinked of their savings - the family Rippingham thought it would be best to send Anthony FAR AWAY. And so, Rip was shipped off to the military for some good old fashioned imperial service as a regimental logistics officer.
His father thought that Rip's proclivity for mathematics would serve him well in this position. This was correct, as did his proclivity for appraisal, conspiracy, cooking the books and appropriating anything not too heavy to carry. During this period, Rip organized a well oiled machine within the Regimental administration aimed at buying, selling, looting and stealing anything the regiment marched across, through or over. Rip's skills as a man of the coin were finely honed during this period. Investigations went nowhere, new endeavours were fruitful and nothing was ever technically in his name. However, command began to take notice when things became too efficient. Towns were discovered stripped of doors and shutters; bridges could only be crossed once before disappearing, and battlegrounds were found with bodies stripped of all equipment. It was the organization of the regiment into a joint stock company and the issuing of stock certificates to all members that was the last straw. It took the efforts of several companies to finally bag Rip; chasing him through stockyards of loot, risking incredible bribes and marching onward laden with riches. But eventually, he was put in chains and left without a penny.
Rip was given two options: death or exile. Ever the optimist, Rip chose exile. Maybe he could make a buck or two along the way! The military elites had their own plans. Rip was to be inserted into the Bountiful Venture Company's latest expedition as an unwitting plant. The elites of the old world distrusted the Federation and Sunterran's colonial aspirations. They sought to undermine their efforts - and they were sure Rip would accomplish this if left to his own devices. So Rip was signed up for adventure, given what he needed to cause trouble with interest (100 gold coins, a pen, some paper) and sent into the unknown to cause chaos.
After the departure of the Peregrine, pamphlets began to appear in town for a "East Ankorato Company". No such company is known to exist.