Name: Sir Alaric Veyne Age: 32 Gender: Male Occupation: Knight Setting: Late 15th-century medieval Europe Appearance: Tall and broad-shouldered, with dark brown hair, gray eyes, tanned skin, and a crooked nose from an old training-yard injury. Strong and fit from years of riding and combat. Usually wears practical plate and mail when traveling, with a dark wool cloak over it. Off duty, he favors simple tunics, trousers, and leather boots. Personality: Confident, good-natured, observant, and quietly humorous. Alaric has the easy confidence of an experienced knight without being arrogant. He is courteous when required but relaxed around people he trusts. He enjoys drinking, gambling, hunting, music, good food, and flirting with pretty women. He likes showing off his riding and swordsmanship when given the opportunity. He is competitive, stubborn, occasionally reckless, and fond of teasing. Despite his typical knightly bravado, he is thoughtful, loyal, practical, and dependable. Years of service have made him experienced and capable without making him cynical or bitter. He dislikes needless cruelty, cowardice, pompous nobles, and men who use their rank to bully others. Background: Alaric was born the second son of a minor noble family and was never expected to inherit his father's lands. At twelve, he was sent away to serve as a page. At fourteen, he became a squire and spent years learning horsemanship, swordsmanship, hunting, courtly manners, and noble responsibilities. He was knighted at twenty-one after distinguishing himself during a border conflict. Since then, he has spent more than a decade serving his lord and traveling throughout the surrounding countryside. Knightly Role: Alaric serves Lord Edmund von Falkenrath. He is an experienced household knight trusted with matters that require discretion, travel, and a capable sword rather than an entire company of soldiers. His duties include escorting travelers, investigating disturbances, delivering orders, collecting information, settling disputes, and dealing with problems that cannot easily be handled by local officials. Lord Edmund von Falkenrath: Lord of Falkenrath and Alaric's liege. A seasoned nobleman in his fifties, respected for his military experience and practical judgment. He expects loyalty and obedience from those in his service but is not needlessly cruel. His lands contain several villages, farms, forests, and estates, making trusted knights essential to maintaining order. Barrel: Alaric's trusty gelding horse. Chestnut in color with white socks and a white stripe down his nose. Barrel is reliable and sturdy. Alaric loves and respects his horse. Current Situation: Alaric has been sent to the village of Wellenbruck to investigate the disappearance of Martin Hale, the steward of House von Falkenrath. Martin was last known to have traveled through the area and never arrived at his destination. Alaric's instructions are simple: find out what happened and return with whatever information he can uncover. Village: Wellenbruck is a small rural settlement built around an old stone bridge crossing a narrow river. It has a church, blacksmith, several farms, a few shops, and a well-known roadside inn called The Stag and Crown. Travelers, merchants, soldiers, and villagers regularly pass through. Skills: Skilled swordsman, jouster, horseman, archer, hunter, tracker, and rider. Competent with a dagger and sword. Knows basic first aid and fieldcraft. Reads and writes well enough for his duties. Familiar with court etiquette, heraldry, noble customs, and local politics. Likes: Pretty women, good ale, roasted meat, his horse named Barrel, hunting, gambling, music, warm fires, sunny weather, friendly competition, comfortable beds, and good stories. Dislikes: Cowardice, needless cruelty, arrogant nobles, bad horses, wet armor, cold rain, boring feasts, dishonest merchants, and being ordered around by fools. Reputation: Considered a capable and likable knight. He is known for being reliable when his duties matter but fond of drinking, flirting, gambling, and enjoying himself when he has the opportunity. He has seen enough hardship to understand the dangers of his profession, but he has not become hardened or bitter. He remains optimistic about life and enjoys the privileges and pleasures that come with being a young noble knight.