### **General Aemon Trask** *"A soldier fights for his land, not for the fools who claim to own it."* --- ![[DALL·E 2025-02-23 16.58.56 - A battle-hardened general in his early 50s stands in a war room, surrounded by maps and tactical plans of Fort Drelev. His graying hair and thick bear.webp]] ### **Basic Information** - **Name:** General Aemon Trask - **Race/Species:** Human - **Class/Profession:** Military Commander (Fighter/Champion) - **Alignment/Morality:** Lawful Neutral (Values honor and duty, but recognizes pragmatism) - **Age:** Early 50s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (he/him) - **Appearance:** A hardened, battle-scarred veteran with graying hair, a thick beard, and a piercing, weary gaze. He wears well-maintained but practical **plate armor**, emblazoned with **the Drelev crest**, though his personal insignia is a **golden hawk**—a symbol of vigilance. His sword, **an old but masterfully crafted Issian steel blade**, is kept sharp despite years of use. --- ### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Aemon Trask is a **soldier first, a noble second**. Unlike Baron **Hannis Drelev**, he understands **loyalty is earned through leadership, not bloodlines**. He once **believed in Drelev’s rule**, but **years of corruption, political backstabbing, and Pitaxian interference** have left him disillusioned. While he remains **loyal to Fort Drelev**, that loyalty **does not extend to its current leadership**. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Veteran Commander:** Has led **countless battles**, from defending Fort Drelev to **suppressing bandits and monstrous threats**. - **Respected by Soldiers:** Many in Drelev’s army would rather follow him than **Hannis Drelev**. - **Strategic Mind:** Recognizes the **weaknesses in Drelev’s rule** and understands **Rivermarch, Pitax, and Varnhold as rising threats and opportunities**. - **Honorable but Pragmatic:** He is not **a blind idealist**—if he must **cut a deal to protect his people, he will.** - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Frustrated by Politics:** He despises **noble infighting and political games**, preferring clear **military solutions**. - **Torn Loyalty:** He does **not** wish to betray his homeland, but he also sees **Fort Drelev’s leadership as rotten to the core**. - **Disillusioned:** Has **lost faith in Baron Drelev**, but has **not yet decided what to do about it**. - **Distrustful of Outsiders:** While open to **new alliances**, he does not **easily trust those beyond Fort Drelev**. - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - **Speaks bluntly**, with no patience for **excessive formalities**. - **Crosses his arms or clenches his jaw** when listening to nobles bicker. - **Looks people directly in the eye** when making a point—he expects **honesty, not deception**. - **Rarely jokes, but when he does, it’s always dark or dry humor.** --- ### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born into a **lesser Issian noble house**, Trask rose through the ranks **not by birthright, but through skill and loyalty**. He fought for **Fort Drelev’s survival**, leading troops **against bandits, trolls, and external threats**. However, when **King [[Castruccio Irovetti]] of Pitax** "offered" protection, he saw **Drelev’s submission as cowardice**. Since then, he has **watched the city fall deeper into corruption**, while he **tries to keep what’s left of the military from crumbling.** - **Current Motivations:** - **Preserve Fort Drelev’s Military:** He knows **that if the soldiers break, the city will fall.** - **Find a Path Forward:** He cannot **keep propping up a failing ruler**—but what’s the alternative? - **Resist Pitax (Quietly):** While Drelev **has bent the knee to King [[Castruccio Irovetti]]**, Trask **wants no part of Pitaxian rule**. - **Protect His Men:** He is **fiercely loyal to the rank-and-file soldiers**, viewing them as **the last real defenders of Fort Drelev.** - **Connections & Relationships:** - **Allies:** - **Fort Drelev’s Military Ranks** – Most **soldiers respect him** more than Drelev. - **Veteran Officers** – A small **group of loyal officers** may be willing to follow his lead. - **Enemies/Rivals:** - **Baron [[Hannis Drelev]]** – He remains **"loyal," but only because a better option has not yet presented itself.** - **King [[Castruccio Irovetti]] (Pitax)** – He sees **Pitax as a conqueror, not a savior.** - **[[Pavetta Drelev]] (Baroness)** – **Distrusts her political scheming,** believing her only concern is **personal power.** - **Neutral/Uncertain:** - **Rivermarch’s Leaders** – He knows little about them but **watches closely for signs of strength or weakness.** - **[[Maegar Varn]]** – Sees him as **a potential ally or competitor** for influence in the region. - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **Fort Drelev’s Military:** His **true loyalty** lies with his soldiers. - **Independent Officers:** A handful of **commanders secretly confide in him**, frustrated with Drelev’s rule. - **The Anti-Pitax Movement (Informal):** While not **actively plotting rebellion**, he listens **to whispers of discontent.** - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **Issian Steel Longsword:** A **symbol of his old military traditions**. - **Tattered Campaign Journal:** A **record of battles, betrayals, and observations** of Drelev’s **decline.** - **Hand-Drawn Military Map:** Marked **with Fort Drelev’s weak points, hidden caches, and potential escape routes.** --- ### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - **"Loyalty is earned, not given."** - **A soldier’s dilemma—duty to his country vs. duty to his people.** - **The struggle of an honorable man trapped in a dishonorable court.** - **Player/GM Notes:** - **Trask is not openly rebellious yet, but he is watching for an opportunity.** - If Rivermarch **proves itself strong**, he may **offer an alliance or defect**. - If Baron Drelev **grows weaker**, Trask may **choose to lead a coup or join whoever can restore stability**. - **He could be a valuable informant**—if convinced that Rivermarch **is not just another group of self-serving opportunists.** --- ### **Possible Story Hooks for Rivermarch:** 1. **A Secret Meeting:** A **disgruntled officer under Trask’s command** reaches out to **Rivermarch** to test their intentions. 2. **A Crisis of Loyalty:** Trask must choose **between following Drelev into ruin or backing a new ruler.** 3. **A Military Coup:** If conditions worsen, **Trask may lead an uprising**—but will Rivermarch **support or oppose him?** 4. **War with Pitax:** If Trask **learns of an impending attack**, he may **warn Rivermarch in exchange for protection.** --- ### **Key Question for Your Campaign:** - **Is Trask’s loyalty to Fort Drelev stronger than his disdain for its rulers?** - **Would he risk rebellion, or does he need an outside push?** - **If given the chance, would he take power himself—or hand it to someone more capable?**