Aldric the Bold

Aldric the Bold, first of his name, is the King of Creoda, the wealthiest nation on the island of Ynys. Although still young, he has ruled for the past eight years, ever since the untimely death of his father, Edmund of Estwald. His reign has been guided by two powerful figures: his mother, Queen Isabella of Cynelond, and Creoda's Court Wizard, Arvandus - one of the two known True Mages on Ynys and a figure of great mystery and power. In his short time on the throne, Aldric has earned the love and admiration of his people, who celebrate both his exploits and his diplomatic triumphs. He openly believes himself to be the subject of Llif's Prophecy, delivered ten years ago in Lifworðig, the capital of Creoda, and he has pursued both diplomatic and martial paths toward becoming the king of all Ynys - an ambition that Arvandus has encouraged with particular zeal.

Early Life

Aldric was born to great fanfare as the first prince of Creoda. The nation had been formed only seven years earlier, when his grandfather, William of Estwald, died and his father, Edmund, inherited the throne of Estwald. Edmund was already King of Cynelond through his marriage to Isabella of Cynelond, and he unified the two kingdoms into the modern-day Creoda.

At his birth, Aldric was celebrated as the first true Creodan royal, born of both royal lines. Several previous pregnancies had ended prematurely, making the birth of a healthy heir a cause for weeks of celebration. In the days following his birth, the great mage Arvandus - long vanished from Ynys - reappeared and attached himself to the court as the prince's tutor. Under Arvandus' guidance, Aldric undertook several adventures in his youth, traveling across Ynys, battling monsters in the Cully Dhorcha, and confronting the Eofor in the forests of Gewisse.

It was during these exploits that he earned the title “the Bold,” and he formed strong friendships across the island - and, inevitably, more than a few enemies. Aldric's childhood, though charmed, came to an abrupt end shortly after his seventeenth birthday, when his father was slain in a hunting accident. At the time, Aldric and Arvandus were in the Arcaibh Islands, attempting to glimpse Aonadharc, the unicorn of Motha. They returned immediately upon hearing the news, and Aldric was crowned by his mother upon his arrival in Lifworðig.

King of Creoda

During their journeys across Ynys, Arvandus had not neglected to prepare Aldric for the crown. He threw himself into the management of the kingdom and quickly proved that he was more than ready for the task. In the early years of his reign, he relied heavily on the advice of his mother and Arvandus, but always with an eye toward his own goals.

His reign has not been without challenges. The nations of Dumnonia and Gewisse, on Creoda's western and northern borders, have both probed Creoda's defenses, and Aldric has spent considerable time in the field, personally leading troops to repel these raids. He has forged alliances with the nations of Mathrafal, Elmet, and Bernicia, and maintains friendly relations with Isla of Cait.

He has not yet married, but is in negotiations with Gwendolyn verch Owain, princess of Mathrafal - contingent on his inclusion in the line of inheritance should her brother Bryn not succeed. Mathrafal, also threatened by Dumnonia and other powers, is likely to accede to this request. Aldric has additionally made overtures to his other allies to revive the idea of a High King of Ynys, modeled somewhat on the Ard-Rí of Oileán Fiáin and on the legendary figures King Cailtram and Llywelyn the Dragonslayer, but these proposals have so far received a lukewarm response.

He understands that successfully leading an alliance against the aggressive nations threatening Ynys and bringing greater peace to the island would significantly strengthen his case as a unifying leader. Toward this end, he has been attempting to unite Creoda, Mathrafal, Elmet, Bernicia, and Cait in a joint effort. Coordinating these several proud and powerful nations is no easy task, and he must overcome both personal and historical grievances in the process - but with the advice of Arvandus and the friendships he formed during his early adventures, there is reason to believe he might succeed.