Born into a wealthy Númenórean family in Tantûrak (T.A. 1583), Kaluthur (Ta. "Lord [of] Women"[1]) had always been well off.
When he was sixteen years old he was forced by his father to become a deck-hand on a battle-ship. His naval career advanced from there, eventually landing him in the captain's seat when he was twenty-seven. Kaluthur was a mildly successful captain, but he never achieved great fame or honor. In T.A. 1628 he was caught smuggling illegal goods and was stripped of his rank. Instead of facing his charges, Kaluthur stole his ship and escaped Sarûl, heading for the open sea. He and his former crew became pirates, operating chiefly in the Bay of Ormal. After four successful years of piracy, Kaluthur decided to settle down and relax. He sailed south in search of a suitable haven. When he came upon the Rhino Bay in Tûmag, he realized that he was given an irresistible opportunity to continue his illegal actions.
For five years, Kaluthur and his men ravaged the bay and were not intercepted by the navy of Tûmag. One day, Kaluthur's life took an interesting turn: he met up with the powerful Sea-drake Gesathago. While sailing in the bay, Kaluthur's lookout claimed that he saw something huge to the port bow. Seconds later, the ship was given a mighty bash that nearly sunk it. Kaluthur realized that it was a drake and began preparing the harpoons. But before he could finish giving his orders, the beast brought its huge head out of the water directly in front of him. The pirate pulled out his sword just in time to deflect a blast of water shot by the drake. With his magical armor and sword, Kaluthur battled the creature from the edge of his ship. Kaluthur somehow managed to subdue Gesathago and survive the melee. Kaluthur had the injured dragon bound with nets and towed to shallow water. Once near the shore, Kaluthur began talking to the beast, scorning and beating him. After a long discussion, Kaluthur realized how much he admired the dragon and how he could use the creature's power to his own benefit. So, instead of killing him as he had planned, he would make an agreement with him. Kaluthur and Gesathago agreed to make an alliance, with the goal of milking as much wealth as they could from Tûmag. Their plan was given substantiality when Princess Sendla asked Kaluthur to help her seize control of her mother's kingdom.