NPC Physical Description: Captain Aldrich is a man in his late forties whose weathered face tells the story of decades spent under sun and storm. Deep lines crease the corners of his steel-gray eyes—lines earned more from squinting at distant horizons than from laughter, though traces of crow’s feet suggest he wasn’t always so serious. His graying beard, once a rich chestnut brown, is kept meticulously trimmed in military fashion, though stress has him unconsciously tugging at it more often these days. His hands, calloused from years of swordwork, now show the softer wear of administrative duties, though his grip remains firm and his posture rigidly upright.
Personality & Mannerisms: Aldrich speaks in clipped, efficient sentences, a habit from his military days that’s been reinforced by years of dealing with bureaucratic nonsense from the town council. When anxious—which is often lately—he has a habit of adjusting his armor straps and checking his sword hilt, even though the blade hasn’t left its sheath in anger for three years. He’s the type of man who counts heads twice, checks locks three times, and always has a backup plan for his backup plan.
Background & Internal Conflict: Twenty-five years ago, Aldrich was a proper soldier in the King’s Guard, stationed at frontier outposts where bandits, raiders, and worse were daily concerns. An injury to his left leg (which still aches before storms) and a desire to settle down brought him to Greendale, where he met his wife Meredith and thought he’d found peace.
For fifteen years, his biggest concerns have been festival crowd control, the occasional drunken brawl, and keeping young guards from falling asleep on duty. His men respect him, but they’ve grown soft—and he knows it. The dusty weapons mock him daily, a reminder that he’s allowed Greendale’s defenses to atrophy in the name of peace and prosperity.
Current State of Mind: The bandit threat has awakened something in Aldrich he thought he’d put to rest—the old soldier’s paranoia, the constant awareness that safety is an illusion. He’s terrified not just of the immediate threat, but of being proven a failure. What if his years of “keeping the peace” have actually left his town defenseless? What if the green recruits under his command break when real violence comes? What if he’s too old, too soft, too removed from real warfare to protect the people who trust him?
Speech Patterns & Key Phrases:
- “In my day…” (usually stops himself, realizing he sounds old)
- Refers to his guards as “boys” even when they’re grown men
- “Damnit” is his preferred curse, muttered under his breath
- Uses military time and formations out of habit
- “We’ll make do with what we have” (his personal motto)
Relationship with the Party: Aldrich sees the assembled group as both his salvation and a painful reminder of his limitations. He desperately wants to trust them, but his military mind rebels against relying on unknowns. He’ll be gruff and demanding, but underneath lies genuine gratitude—and a growing respect for anyone willing to help when they had no obligation to do so.
“Six strangers with more courage than my whole damn watch… Greendale’s come to this.”