Arden Northwalk
Duke Adren Northwalk (a.k.a. Troll of the Northwalk Duchy)
To say that Duchess Harlan Northwalk was the best ruler we’ve seen in decades, if not centuries, would be an understatement. Her wisdom, grace, and unwavering dedication brought Northwalk to unprecedented heights of prosperity and unity. The entire Dukedom rallied behind her desperate attempts to produce an heir, praying for the future she so valiantly sought to secure. When she gave her life to bring Arden into this world, our hopes soared, only to be dashed as the boy retreated into the shadows of Northwalk Manor. The desolate sadness that followed was palpable; we lost our guiding star and saw her legacy hidden away, unseen and unknown
Physical Description
Body Features
Arden has a tall and lithe physique, toned and tempered by a lifestyle in the highlands. He stands at a comfortable five foot ten inches tall but his quiet authority tends to exaggerate his stature. His shoulders are broad and he moves with a disciplined posture. Despite his build, he has a wiry strength to him, suggesting the man is no stranger to physical activity.
Facial Features
Duke Arden is a marginally aged man with textured copper skin drawing stories in the lines of his face. Above his brow are strands of his short brown hair, rarely kempt and more often than not unstyled. The strands of deep brown are met at the sides of his face by light stubble never growing into a full face of hair. He's known for his neutral expression and peering brown eyes.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
The Dukedom of Northwalk has historically been the least controversial of the five major dukedoms. Almost as old as the Dukedom of Greyfall, Northwalk held significant political sway under the rule of the former Duchess, Harlan Northwalk. While she was praised as a good ruler, her most prominent accomplishment wasn't her governance, but her ability to conceive an heir in a lineage fraught with childbearing perils. Historically, the Northwalk dynasty has faced numerous difficulties in rearing children, so a single child per generation was celebrated, with the family desperately clinging to every life.
Arden was no exception. Born after five miscarriages, he was fortunately brought into the world. Unfortunately, his birth came at the cost of his mother's life. In the sixteen years following his birth, Arden was raised to be the next Duke, with his Uncle Gabriel acting as the de facto head in the boy's stead. It wasn't until his mid-teens that Arden realized the mistake the Emperor made by not appointing his father as the temporary head. Under Gabriel's leadership, Northwalk had fallen into a state of disrepair.
Beyond the financial strain Gabriel Northwalk placed on the Duchy, his lifestyle subjugated any chance at diplomatic relations. To make matters worse, Emperor Terrian fell into a deep episode of slumbering syndrome, and Bheria lost a major mine to a sneaky deal with the western kingdom, orchestrated by Gabriel during his rule. This further strained the already problematic diplomatic relations.
At sixteen, years before his coming of age, Arden wrote a fifteen-page essay delivered by mail to the Emperor. In the essay, he detailed his skill set, intentions as the next Duke, and an imperial decree to place him on the Northwalk throne. Before long, his request was heeded, and Gabriel lost more than his position as the temporary head; he was removed and disinherited by the Northwalk dynasty entirely by Arden. It was at this time that Arden appointed his advisors and secluded himself in the manor, unwilling to focus on anything but restoring the Dukedom to the image cultivated by his late mother.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Arden Northwalk succesfully reigned in the circumstances of the Nortwalk Dukedom post-disinheritance of Gabriel Northwalk, and former defacto head of the Dukedom. The issues that arrived during his rule, including vagrant over-taxation, loss of valuable labor forces, collapsing of the mining industry, and economic downfall in the second most lucrative dukedom of Bheria. In just five years most of these issues were addressed by Arden, and in the years following he restored Northwalk to it's former glory.
Aside from cleaning up after others, Arden became the first Duke in the Empire to be granted imperial audience at will. This is a privilege only given to Monarchs of the Empire, granted to Arden due to unknown circumstances. Many believe he was given the privilege due to his achievements in restoring an important component of the kingdom — The Northwalk mining industry— and further forwarding relations with the Northern Kingdom of Formir .
Mental Trauma
Duke Arden Northwalk's life has been shaped by significant mental trauma, beginning with the loss of his mother at birth and the subsequent hardships of his childhood. Growing up under the negligent and often destructive rule of his uncle Gabriel left deep psychological scars. The constant state of turmoil and witnessing the decline of his beloved Dukedom weighed heavily on Arden, instilling a deep sense of responsibility and guilt. These experiences have left him with recurring nightmares and anxiety, particularly related to failure and loss. Although Arden has worked tirelessly to restore Northwalk, the pressure to live up to his mother’s legacy and correct his uncle’s mistakes haunts him. He has not fully resolved these traumas, often burying himself in work to avoid confronting his lingering fears. His actions, driven by a need to protect and restore, are deeply influenced by these unresolved emotional wounds.
Intellectual Characteristics
Arden Northwalk displays a high level of intelligence across several domains; He has an exceptional ability to visualize and organize information, particularly in the context of strategic planning and infrastructure development. He often "sees" solutions and improvements in his mind before implementing them. Arden also excels in problem-solving and numerical reasoning. He approaches issues with a logical mindset, breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and devising efficient solutions.
Morality & Philosophy
Arden’s morality is deeply rooted in a sense of duty and honor. He believes in the inherent good of serving and protecting his people, even at great personal cost. The core definition of "good" for Arden is to uphold the legacy of his ancestors and ensure the prosperity and safety of Northwalk. Conversely, "evil" is represented by negligence, corruption, and betrayal of one’s responsibilities.
Philosophically, Arden is a pragmatist. He views the world through a lens of practical realism, understanding that sometimes harsh decisions must be made for the greater good. His mindset is shaped by the necessity of balance—balancing duty with sympathy, strength with wisdom. Unlike some of his peers, who may be driven by ambition or personal gain, Arden’s view of the world is centered on stewardship and the long-term well-being of his Dukedom.
Taboos
Arden holds several personal taboos that guide his conduct. He abstains from excessive indulgences, such as alcohol, sex, gambling, and extravagant spending, having seen its detrimental effects on his uncle’s rule. He also avoids any form of corruption or bribery, believing that integrity is paramount to effective leadership. Additionally, Arden adheres to a strict personal code of honesty and transparency in his dealings, shunning deceit and manipulation.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Arden is highly skilled in strategic planning and problem-solving. His ability to visualize complex situations and devise effective solutions has been key to restoring Northwalk's prosperity. He also excels in falconry, a hobby that requires patience and precision. Additionally, Arden has a talent for historical research, often spending hours studying ancient texts and maps to glean insights that can benefit his Dukedom. Alternatively, Arden is notably inept at diplomacy and public speaking. His introverted nature and disdain for performative leadership make him uncomfortable in social and political gatherings. He also has little skill in culinary arts, often delegating such tasks to his staff. Gardening is another area where Arden struggles, as he lacks the patience and "green thumb" needed to care for plants.
Likes & Dislikes
Arden enjoys the solitude and challenge of falconry, finding peace and satisfaction in training his birds. He has a deep appreciation for history and ancient artifacts, often immersing himself in studies of the past. Arden also values loyalty and dedication, admiring those who show unwavering commitment to their duties. On the other side of the coin, he dislikes unnecessary social interactions and political intrigue, preferring straightforward and honest dealings. He has a particular aversion to negligence and incompetence, traits he witnessed firsthand during his uncle’s rule. Arden also detests disloyalty and betrayal, holding a deep grudge against those who fail to uphold their responsibilities.
Virtues & Personality perks
Arden Northwalk’s temperance is a defining virtue that shapes his leadership and personal conduct. He exercises moderation and self-control in all aspects of his life, from his strategic planning to his interactions with others. He always remains calm and collected, even under pressure, allowing him to make rational decisions without being swayed by emotional impulses.
Vices & Personality flaws
Despite his ambition and hardworking attitude, Arden struggles with a significant issue: sloth, particularly in his reluctance to pursue personal growth and engage with activities beyond his immediate duties. While he works diligently on matters directly related to the Dukedom, he often neglects self-care and personal development. His life revolves around the administration and restoration of Northwalk, leaving little room for hobbies or pursuits that do not directly benefit his work. This single-minded focus can lead to burnout and a lack of fulfillment in other areas of his life, as he fails to cultivate a well-rounded existence.
Personality Quirks
Arden has a habit of absentmindedly tapping his fingers when deep in thought, a behavior that can be both endearing and slightly distracting to those around him. He also has a peculiar ritual of sharpening his quills before beginning any writing, believing that it helps him focus. Arden tends to speak in a low, measured tone, often pausing mid-sentence to choose his words carefully. He avoids making left turns while riding through Northwalk, a habit picked up from an old superstition about bad luck.
Social
Reign
Gabriel Northwalk effectively ruined the Dukedom; whenever a problem arose, he addressed it symptomatically. With no intention of burdening himself with finding the root cause of the many issues in the Dukedom, he solved one problem at a time, isolating each issue as an independent variable instead of treating the primary cause of all variables in effect.
In the sixteen years that he ruled, Gabriel managed to turn a prosperous Dukedom into a struggling territory due to his lack of knowledge and patience. The effects of his actions and inaction rippled across the Kingdom, so when Arden was finally granted the head seat, the issues all fell into his lap.
Arden's rule officially began in 1635 AAE when Gabriel Northwalk was disinherited and lost his status as temporary lord. However, his impact was not publicly recognized until nearly five years later in 1640 AAE, when the people of the Dukedom finally noticed the improvements in their livelihood. Pinned to the notice board of every major town and settlement was a document detailing every major change made by the Dukedom in the recent half-decade. These included reforms targeting financial, infrastructural, and administrative neglect, restoration of Northwalk's unique cultural heritage, refinement of its written history, and donations to ailing commoners across the Duchy. Arden worked meticulously to ensure his every breath contributed to counteracting the plague-like effects of his uncle's rule. In just ten years since he took up the mantle, Northwalk had grown into its former glory, once again standing as a symbol of prosperity and leadership.
However, it wasn't long before people began to question who was leading the territory. Gabriel's disinheritance had been the talk of noble circles around the Dukedom and neighboring regions, but it was never publicly stated who had done so and saved the people from his carelessness. Soon the name Arden began to fall from the lips of the grateful people. But rumors spread about the absence of the Duke from the public eye, leading people to theorize about his reasons for seclusion in the Northwalk Manor. The most prominent of these rumors suggested that his reclusive nature was due to a horrible appearance, which kept him hidden from view.
Social Aptitude
Arden Northwalk is a man of careful responses and measured confidence. He holds a compelling presence underscored by his strong sense of self-assurance and ambition. Far from egotistical, Arden is quite introverted which stands to reason with his avoidance of the public eye. The man holds a high-level etiquette, adhering to the expectations of decorum in all interactions. In this way, Arden is still keyed into a sense of diplomacy though he hasn't been seen outside his manor since his childhood.
Mannerisms
When interacting with others, Arden exhibits a composed and deliberate demeanor. He listens intently, making direct eye contact when someone has his full attention. His gestures are minimal but purposeful, and he often places his hands behind his back or clasps them in front of him when speaking. Arden’s speech is measured and thoughtful, with a tendency to pause before responding, broadcasting a careful consideration of his words. Arden also rarely smiles, shying away from fake expressions and always having a genuine demeanor.
Hobbies & Pets
Arden has a deep fondness for falconry, a hobby that he pursues with quiet passion. He keeps a few falcons, the most notable being a peregrine named Sable, which he personally trained. This hobby is a well-known but rarely witnessed aspect of his life, as he prefers to practice it in the privacy of the Northwalk Manor grounds. Arden's relationship with his falcons is one of mutual respect and companionship, finding solace in their company amidst his solitary existence. Besides falconry, Arden enjoys studying ancient texts and maps, a hobby that feeds his strategic mind and love for history. These activities are mostly kept private, shared only with his closest advisors and confidants.
Speech
Arden's voice is deep and resonant. His accent is that of a well-educated noble, with clear enunciation and a deliberate pace. He speaks in a dialect that reflects the ancient traditions of Northwalk, often using strange archaic phrases unique to the region. Arden rarely uses catchphrases but is known for his succinct and impactful statements. His compliments are sincere and often understated, while his insults, though rare, are delivered with a sense of intentional precision. Greetings and farewells from Arden are formal, typically accompanied by a slight nod or bow.
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