Erl is a recently retired Flaming Fist mercenary.
He has famously won his position as Harbormaster after making duke Abdel Adrian laugh uncontrollably completely by accident (as the Harbormaster is known as having no sense of humor, it is believed he was not aware that his comment was funny when he made it).
As Harbormaster, he is known as stern but fair. Very few things go on in the harbor without him knowing, even if he sometimes turns a blind eye.