Rise of the Runelords

Aldern Foxglove is a tall, well-dressed nobleman with a lean, aristocratic build and a presence that shifts between charming elegance and nervous energy. His shoulder-length brown hair is meticulously styled, though it often falls into a slightly disheveled state when he’s distracted or excited. His sharp, angular features and piercing green eyes give him a look of intelligence, but his expressions frequently betray restlessness and underlying anxiety. He dresses in fine Varisian silk shirts, tailored coats, and polished boots, always ensuring he looks the part of nobility, even when traveling. His pale skin hints at a life spent more indoors than out, though his fastidious grooming hides any imperfections. A silver fox-shaped signet ring adorns his hand, marking him as a Foxglove, a name tied to both wealth and misfortune. Though he speaks with confidence, his posture and frequent fidgeting reveal an inner turmoil few ever question.

Aldern Foxglove is charismatic and engaging, with an air of genuine curiosity and admiration for those he deems interesting. He is charming, well-spoken, and eager to impress, often showering new acquaintances with flattery, gifts, and exaggerated praise. However, beneath this affable exterior lies a deeply insecure and obsessive nature. He craves acceptance and validation, especially from those he admires or envies, and will go to great lengths to earn their approval. Aldern’s fear of failure and disgrace haunts him, driving him to reckless decisions and desperate actions. He is easily fixated on individuals, developing unhealthy attachments that border on obsession, his admiration quickly shifting to jealousy or paranoia if he feels slighted. His kindness and generosity can feel genuine, but there is always an underlying intensity that makes his attentions unsettling. When pushed to desperation, he becomes erratic, manipulative, and dangerously unstable.

Born into the once-prosperous Foxglove family, Aldern's childhood was marred by tragedy. His parents, Traver and Cyralie, met a horrific fate when he was a boy—his mother, driven mad, set Foxglove Manor ablaze, leading his father to take his own life. Aldern, too young to understand the dark legacy of his bloodline, was sent to Korvosa under the care of distant relatives, leaving the ruined estate behind. As he grew, Aldern became charming, sociable, and eager to reclaim his family’s lost name, but beneath the noble veneer, he carried a deep fear of his past. He eventually returned to Sandpoint, purchasing Foxglove Manor with dreams of restoring it, unaware of the ancient evil lurking within its walls. Seeking acceptance and admiration, Aldern began surrounding himself with influential people, desperate to prove his worth. His obsession with status and approval led him down dark paths, his soul increasingly entangled in the whispers of something sinister.