Graham Aldridge

[Graham Aldridge]

“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”
― Sun Tzu

Face Claim: Adam Driver
Player: Cassiopeia

CHARACTER NAME: Graham Aldridge
AGE: 36
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Aralore
APPEARANCE: Graham takes after his father in appearance as well as demeanor; both men have dark hair and eyes, relatively fair skin, and large statures (6'2). Graham is muscular due to his work in the army, although because of his height his appearance is still fairly balanced and he doesn't always convey that type of strength or intimidation. It very much depends on his movements and demeanor at the time. His typical demeanor is reserved and attentive, with perfect posture even when tired, muddy, or injured. 

MARITAL STATUS: Unwed
FAMILY TIES: Mother: Jenna Aldridge  || Father: Jason Aldridge || Siblings: 2 younger brothers, ages TBA, one younger sister
POSITION/OCCUPATION: Cavalry Captain
TITLE/RANK: Nobleman
GRAMARYE GIFT: none

PERSONALITY: Graham is a perfectionist, like his father before him. He likes everything just so and gets quite agitated when things are not as he likes/expects. He is quiet and direct when speaking, and even when he is angry he doesn't raise his voice. The change in his tone and his eyes are enough to convey his feelings, however. He prefers to avoid combat in anger, instead he uses it as a tool: for self-improvement, for war, and for protection. He enjoys sparring but hates the reality of war. "You can be excellent at a thing, and still hate it with every fiber of your being. That's how a good man feels about war." (His own words.)

Graham is more opinionated than he realizes, although he doesn't judge by appearances. Where he does judge, however, is people's actions: without knowing their internal thoughts and reasoning, he can jump to conclusions. He has a tendency to assume that his morals are the correct ones as he

“Appear as you may wish to be”
― Niccolò Machiavelli

LIKES: organization, horses, the feeling in his muscles after training, the queen, his home
DISLIKES: being ignored, laziness, war
HABITS: constantly messing with his hair but refuses to cut it any shorter
SELF IMAGE: Very conscious of how he appears to those under his command, he is very careful with his posture, his demeanor, and his words.
REPUTATION: Stern but fair. Those who prefer to shirk work are not welcome under his command and he has been known to have them transferred to other captains if they refuse to keep up with his expectations.

HISTORY:
Graham is the son of a noble family that has always been involved with the military of Aralore. When the country fell apart, he was just coming into his own, and he urged his parents to support the rightful rulers. They did, but they weren't able to prevent Aralore's fall. 

During the interim, the family moved to Teronna and participated in the military there. There, Graham continued his training and proved to have an aptitude for working with horses--in part because he treated them with the same respect he did any other soldier. 

When Aralore regained its queen, the Aldridge family quickly returned to her side. Graham has been in Aralore's cavalry ever since, and risen through the ranks to become a captain.