Alaric Audet

Appearance

Alaric is tall and powerfully built, standing around 6.4 feet, with the frame of a man who has spent his life outdoors. His skin is weathered and tanned, and his brown hair and beard have started to gray. He has sharp blue eyes and dresses in practical leather and cloth suited to hunting and travel.

Personality

Alaric is principled and self-reliant, and he holds honor and independence above almost everything else. He is confident enough that the opinions of people he does not respect simply do not weigh on him. Rather than dwell on disagreements, he acts. He believes anyone can achieve a great deal through hard work, and he lives by that belief. His calm, steady manner makes others want to follow him, though he never goes looking for approval.

Background

Early life

Alaric was born and raised in Earlwood Village. His father taught him to hunt and survive, and he grew up with a close knowledge of the surrounding forests and the wildlife in them.

The Goblin Crisis

Fifty years ago, when goblins threatened Earlwood, Alaric took it on himself to defend his home. He gathered a band of mages, fishermen, and hunters and led them on an expedition that ended with the death of the Goblin King. The victory made his name as a leader and protector.

Founding the Guild Hall

The villagers built the Guild Hall in recognition of what he had done. It gave Alaric and his fellow adventurers a place to organize and prepare for whatever came next, and it became a refuge and a symbol of hope for Earlwood.

Relationships

Alaric is close with Manga , the minotaur blacksmith, and Saqi , the dwarven tavern keeper. He and Manga share similar views on life and virtue, and Alaric often seeks his counsel. His bond with Saqi comes from both being longtime Earlwood locals, and he visits her tavern often with his adventurers. He has also taken on the young elf adventurer Eldorian Thalendil as a student.

His main rival is Edgar Earlwood , the village mayor, whose resentment grew out of Alaric's refusal to bow to his authority and the mayor's poor showing during the goblin crisis.

Alaric had a wife in his youth who died of illness. He does not speak of her, but he keeps her photo in his room and thinks of her often.

Skills and abilities

Alaric is an expert hunter and tracker, skilled enough that his work keeps the village fed and his missions on course. He fights well with a bow, sword, and spear, and he backs that up with elemental magic, which makes him dangerous in almost any kind of fight. He is also a capable leader who plans clearly before a battle and earns trust by example rather than by giving orders.

Role in the story

Alaric is a main quest giver in Earlwood Village, and players will deal with him often through the region's main quest line. He also acts as a mentor to younger adventurers, offering training and advice to those looking to improve.