Aethelred
Aethelred Shellspine
Aethelred, known to other Aliruna as Glowfescue, is a Dolomedes warrior and nobleman, an illegitimate son of Heimrich Shellspine and the High Priestess Sabren . He is known for his ability to defy fate.
Dolomedes Priestesses are supposed to be infecund. In order to not implicate Heimrich, who would be killed were his role discovered, Sabren drowned herself when the birth neared closer. However, the Hooded Mothers were able to deliver Aethelred alive after pulling her out of the bog. The priests were outraged, and tried to sacrifice Aethelred to Khelekeras at the next full moon, but legend says that the infant Aethelred climbed out of the bog and delivered a challenge to the onlookers - that if any Dolomedes of noble birth were to raise him as their own, he would become a great warrior. The matriarch of the Ghostcrane Clan, amused by this, had him raised by one of her best warbands. He was ordained into the
He is an accomplished Heavy Metal magician who works with the Guilds of Copper Arsenic, and is credited with upgrading the warfare abilities of the Dolomedes through his research and application.
Aethelred would come into power after Herleva's death and his father Heimrich's forced abdication. He briefly married Sarhild, a distant cousin, when he was the sovereign in Blaec Gheal, but their marriage was annulled later for political reasons.
Aethelred had a fairweather friendship with Old Nick, who referred to him as a "sworn brother". When Aethelred dies, Old Nick has him submerged in Lake Deorcan and merges his body with the blue fescue grass which grows at its banks. As a side effect, this attracts the crows to Aethelred, with whom he shares a symbiotic relationship with after they helped him survive Forest Rot.
He is given the subversive nickname "Aethelred the Lawful", which mocks his constant defiance of both social and natural laws. However, this is taken at face value in Hazelwych by the Odonata, who believe it means he is fair and just in arbitration. This works to Aethelred's advantage, so he doesn't question it.
Comments