Appearance

Physical Description

Ser Aldric boasts a strong and disciplined physical condition, forged through years of mastering mounted combat and leading cavalry charges across Lavonia’s rugged wilds, his robust frame reflecting a blend of power and endurance honed by the demands of his lance and longsword. His broad-shouldered, muscular build, tempered by calloused hands from gripping reins and weapons, stands as a testament to his rise from humble origins, though a slight limp from an old charge hints at the toll of his campaigns against bandits. His fair, weathered skin bears the faint scar across his forehead from a lance strike, a mark of his battlefield leadership, while his knightly posture, maintained despite the wear of 42 years, exudes a commanding presence, sustained by his reverence for Unconquered Sol and the unyielding spirit of House Thornvale.

Apparel & Accessories

Ser Aldric’s apparel and accessories reflect his seasoned cavalier identity, forged through battles with bandits and goblins, featuring reinforced chain mail adorned with red and gold accents that echo Lavonia’s royal hues, offering sturdy protection during mounted charges. His sturdy riding boots, scuffed from rugged terrain, complement a cloak bearing the rearing stallion emblem of House Thornvale, a symbol of his hard-earned nobility, while a practical belt secures his gear with the wear of countless skirmishes. His arsenal includes a lance for devastating charges, a longsword, and a shield emblazoned with the Thornvale crest, all meticulously maintained alongside a bronze medallion with the family crest hanging around his neck as a badge of honor; a worn backpack carries his waterskin, 3 days’ rations, and bedroll.
 
GENERAL EQUIPMENT

• Fighter Pack: Bandages (5), Oil, cooking pot, 1 week rations, 3 large sacks, tinderbox, torches (6), waterskin, whetstone (Weight 22.8 lb)


• Bag Option 2: Oilskin Satchel, Baldric, Weapon Belt, Large Pouch, Belt Pouch(2) (Capacity: 24 lb / Weight: 3.4 lb)

Specialized Equipment

• Cloak of the Champion is a magical cloak granted to House Thornvale's champion crafted of the finest silks and dyes that offers continual magical protection in the form of a +1 to the Armor Class of the wearer. This bonus is also applied to the wearer's saving throw die rolls.

Mentality

Personal history

Ser Aldric’s journey began on Emberfall 10, 2445, in a modest hamlet on Lavonia’s northern outskirts, where he was born to a struggling farmer’s family amid the rugged wilds. The youngest of three sons, Aldric grew up tending fields, his steel-gray eyes often gazing toward the horizon where mounted patrols clashed with bandits. His early years were marked by hardship—frostbitten Deepsnows and meager harvests—until his natural affinity for horseback riding emerged at age 12, taming a wild colt with a patience that belied his youth. By 2460, at 15, his skill caught the eye of Sir Edwin of Thornwyck, a knight of House Thornvale, during a patrol near the hamlet, sparking a life-altering opportunity that pulled him from the plow to the saddle.
 
His transformation accelerated when Sir Edwin took him under his wing, enrolling him in a rigorous five-year training program from 2460 to 2465 at the Dawnridge Stables, where aqueduct-fed troughs sustained the warhorses. Aldric immersed himself in mounted combat, mastering the lance and longsword under the tutelage of seasoned warriors, his broad-shouldered frame hardening with each charge. Early patrols against goblin raiders in the wilds tested his mettle, earning him a faint scar across his forehead from a deflected lance strike during an ambush. His leadership blossomed during a skirmish, where he rallied a faltering unit to repel bandits, catching the attention of Lady Mirabel of Thornwyck, who granted him a bronze medallion as a token of favor, marking his ascent from commoner to squire.
 
By 2480, at 35, Aldric’s reputation as a skilled cavalier led him to train a cavalry unit for House Thornvale, his tactical acumen honed by years of bandit encounters along Lavonia’s roads. His defining moment came in 2485, at 40, when he saved Lord Cedric of Thornwyck from a goblin ambush, his chestnut steed Ember—gifted after his 2475 triumph at the Crimson Colosseum—charging with unyielding resolve. This act earned him knighthood, though it left him with a slight limp from a lance wound. Despite garnering subtle smiles from the lady of the court, whose political marriage to a rival house in 2482 fueled quiet tension, Aldric remains devoted to protecting Lavonia’s borders, his Lawful Neutral ethos driving him to lead charges against goblinoids and bandits, his bond with Ember a steadfast anchor amidst noble intrigue.

Education

Aldric’s education began in a modest hamlet near Lavonia’s outskirts, where his humble origins as a farmer’s son offered little formal schooling until, at 15 in 2460, his natural talent with horseback riding caught the attention of a Thornvale knight, ushering him into a rigorous five-year training program from 2460 to 2465 under the house’s seasoned warriors. This period immersed him in the art of mounted combat, tactical maneuvers, and the disciplined use of lance and sword, shaping his strong physique for cavalry leadership, while his encounters with bandits and goblins during early patrols honed his battlefield instincts. Beyond this formal training, Aldric’s self-taught mastery of leadership emerged through years of commanding troops against bandit ambushes and small goblin skirmishes on the road.

Employment

Ser Aldric’s employment with House Thornvale began as a humble farmer’s son near Lavonia’s outskirts, where his natural prowess with horseback riding at age 15 caught the eye of a knight, propelling him into the house’s cavalry training, a journey that saw him rise from commoner to knight through sheer determination, some tiltied favor, and skill. His leadership shone, earning him a reputation that led to training a unit in 2480 and saving a noble in 2485, steadily climbing the ranks to become a respected cavalier commander. Despite garnering favor from the lady of the court, whose subtle smiles have persisted even after her political marriage to a rival house, Aldric remains steadfast in his task, focusing on protecting Lavonia’s borders, though it fuels quiet tension amid his noble duties as he much rather be with his men than at any party or ballroom.

Morality & Philosophy

Ser Aldric’s moral compass is grounded in a Lawful Neutral ethos, where duty, order, and loyalty to Lavonia and House Thornvale form the bedrock of his existence, guiding his leadership with a pragmatic approach that prioritizes the kingdom’s defense over personal sentiment. He reveres Unconquered Sol as a source of strength, offering prayers before charges to seek divine favor, yet his faith remains a practical tool rather than a dogmatic creed, allowing him to navigate the complexities of noble alliances and battlefield decisions with a steady hand. While his dedication to protecting those below his station drives his valorous charges, his focus on strategic order can render him detached from the plights of commoners or the political nuances of rival houses, a balance he maintains through disciplined training.

Known Languages

• COMMON (for this setting, called ELNORN) - The common language of the land, predominantly spoken by humans.

Personality

Motivation

• Driven by hard work and loyalty to protect Lavonia from goblinoids and bandits

Social

Birthplace

Lavonia

Social Aptitude

Aldric's social aptitude is defined by a commanding presence honed through his rise from humble origins to cavalier leadership. He inspires his troops with a steadfast resolve, rallying Lavonian cavalry during battle drills and heated combat with tactical insights from years of experience. He maintains a distant demeanor with commoners in the Working Quarters, a reflection of his noble conditioning that sometimes overlooks their struggles. This balance of noble grace and military focus, tempered by his pragmatic leadership, allows him to navigate alliances effectively.

Hobbies & Pets

Ser Aldric’s favorite riding horse, a majestic chestnut steed named Ember, was gifted to him in 2475 following a triumphant display of martial prowess at the Crimson Colosseum where his skillful lance work and resolve earned him the admiration of a Lavonia nobles and the steed as a prize. Ember had aided in countless charges against enemies. Bonded through years of shared battles, this loyal companion, stabled at Dawnridge Stables, responds to Aldric’s every command with a spirited neigh.