World of Redemption

Aldrich Ballard is a tall, slender man in his middle years, whose solemn profession seems to have seeped into his very bones. His posture is always ramrod straight, and he carries himself with a quiet, somber dignity. He has a thin, gaunt face, with high cheekbones and deep-set, empathetic eyes that have seen more than their share of grief. His dark hair is neatly parted and slicked back, with hints of grey at the temples. He is always impeccably dressed in a dark, formal suit, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie, his attire a stark, respectful contrast to the dusty, often bloody, streets of Rhodes. His hands are long and pale, moving with a slow, deliberate grace whether he is measuring a coffin or consoling a grieving family member. He is a man who embodies the quiet, final gravity of his trade.

Aldrich is a man of profound calm and professionalism. He speaks in a low, soothing tone, his words carefully chosen to offer comfort without being intrusive. He is deeply empathetic, possessing a quiet wisdom that allows him to navigate the most difficult conversations with grace and respect. He is not a man for idle chatter or gossip; he sees his role as a sacred duty, a final act of service to the town's residents, regardless of their station or reputation. While he appears somber and serious, this is a reflection of the respect he holds for his work, not a lack of feeling. He is a man who finds his purpose in providing order and dignity in the face of life's most chaotic and inevitable conclusion, a quiet pillar of stability in a community constantly teetering on the brink of violence.

Aldrich Ballard inherited the Rhodes undertaker business from his father, and with it, a tacit understanding of the town's grim necessities. He grew up surrounded by the quiet rituals of death, learning not just the practical skills of his trade, but also the delicate art of navigating the grief of the living. His position is a uniquely neutral one in a town torn apart by the Braithwaite and Gray feud; he has prepared final resting places for members of both families, often on the same day. He has seen the tragic, violent end results of their pointless war and has become a silent, weary witness to the town's self-destruction. His business, while morbid, is a constant, a necessary service that transcends allegiances, making him one of the few truly impartial figures in Rhodes.