Legate Aelius

Legate Aelius, known once as City Chief Aldrik, was a leonin of low birth during his early life. He spent most of his time as a cobbler’s apprentice, fixing the shoes of non-beastfolk in the bustling port city of Lorain. Aldrik spent much of his life watching the adventurers come and go, listening to their bizarre reasons for the strange damages their shoes had accrued. These tales of knights and giants and hydras captured his heart, and once he’d saved enough money, he set out through the jungle on his own adventure. During his travels, he would come under the tutelage of a paladin of the Pyrelord, an old human man named Dul. Dul was appropriately named, without much charisma or presence to wow his patrons. Aldrik, however, naturally took to debate and negotiation, and with his charms and Dul’s skills, the two made quite a lot of money. Eventually, Dul allowed Aldrik to undergo the trials of the Pyrelord at Sunhold, which is where he became one of Vizara’s newest paladins. He adventured for some time, traveling the Order and meeting many important people. He met the Pontifex Ukko in the Storm Palace, and stayed the night in Ancalen during one of its plane shifts, spending a week in the feywild before returning back home. His travels ended when the Cindrian Plague began, and humanity was violently ripped from its golden age. As the world went up in flames, he watched his homeland dissolve into civil war for resources and power all while the humans around them burned alive. Many called to the gods in that time, crying for action, crying for help. Aldrik came to believe, in that moment, that the gods had already answered these cries- by training their followers and giving them magic. He had the power to heal the wounded, to smite evil and drive it back into hiding, and he would use it to unify his homeland.   One by one, the cities of Lorain agreed to join under his banner. He was not a warlord, nor a conquering hero; he became a City Chieftain, swearing to bring the beastfolk clans together under one united name, through diplomacy. He was charming and put every trick he had learned while adventuring to the test, explaining his vision for the future and convincing others his cause was righteous. He cited the Creighton Pantheon- though those particular gods did not have a preexisting alliance, the pantheon was still created in order to bring peace to the people of Thelekar, and unity where there was none before. He abandoned the name of Aldrik, the name of an ancient warrior king, and instead became Aelius, a character from a storybook he read as a child. Under his guidance, the beastial woodlands united under the name of Holy Lorain, with the Legate Aelius and the Reborn Doctrine to lead them.   In his old age, Aelius remained his charismatic self and still held on to the title of Legate. His people were happy, his army was strong, and he had become a trusted member of the King's Council in Voletaria. While the king was still away for his Proving, Legate Aelius was chosen to reign as King-Regent in his stead thanks to his incredible knack for statecraft and natural leadership qualities. For ten years, he held the reins of the entire Order of Aristea in his hand, and gave it up without issue when the young king eventually returned. When he began to feel old age weaken his mind, he ensured the proper succession, passing the title of Legate on to his protege Marcellus Noster, who has continued Aelius’s peaceful reign. The elder legate held the respect of many kings and politicians in Arith right up until the day of his death. When he felt the time had come, he summoned those whom he had grown mutual respect with, such as Kora of the Broken Sword, Champion Welby Tealeaf, and Bishop Inlé of the Starlight Cathedral. He crossed the bridge of fate with a smile on his face, knowing he had left his kingdom in the strongest position he could.