{ βIf you wish for peace, you must be willing to fight.β }
| Name |Aedan Merryn.
| Nickname |'The Lion of Sliabh' - The title Aedan earned among many of his troops and warriors of Abhainn who he faced in combat.
| Age |Thirty.
| Gender |Male.
| Sexuality |Heterosexual.
| Kingdom |Sliabh.
| Alliance |The Kingdom of Sliabh
| In Depth Appearance |Not the largest and strongest, nor the smallest and most agile, Aedan's physique is a firm balance between the two, though still athletic and muscular, betraying his warrior lifestyle. His wavy, black hair is often held up in a bun, fading down into a well-kept beard which does not extend too far from his face. He has a pair of dark grey, almost blackened eyes, and fair white skin. Most of Aedan's body is free of scars, though there is one particularly noticeable one which runs from his forehead down to the side of his right eye, one he received in a particularly close call with a Knight of Abhainn during the war. Living primarily in the Northern parts of Sliabh, Aedan tends to be seen in warm clothes, fur cloaks and thick leathers as opposed to well-made or decorated nobles' dress. Generally, some refer to Aedan as looking solemn or guarded in his expression.
| Habits |Stroking his Beard || When deep in thought, Aedan has a habit of running his fingers through his beard, scratching at it or straightening it out as he considers plans or what to do next.
Chewing his Gums || When frustrated or in any situation of particular irritation or annoyance, Aedan tends to chew on the gums in his cheeks or biting his lips. He does it subconsciously, and it generally takes for Aedan to be immensely irritated for him to do it.
| Hobbies |Reading || Though he is a fighter first, Aedan prides himself on being well-educated. Knowing that he is lucky to be so well-educated, he spends a great deal of his free time studying history, tactics and all manner of things.
Duelling || While he is a general and strategist, Aedan still prides himself on his skill as a swordsman. He often takes the time to personally assist in the training of his men and guards, sparring and duelling with them to help them improve, as well as himself.
| Likes |Honour || Aedan has a strong and proud sense of honour, and he respects those who similarly have such a code they follow.
Books || Learning is one of Aedan's preferred past-times, and so he enjoys books of almost any kind. Though, history in particular is a favoured topic.
Ale || Like most men, Aedan enjoys ale when it is appropriate, preferring it to wine.
Peace || Aedan may be a soldier and a warrior, but he professes an intense devotion to the attainment and preservation of peace in all forms.
Cold Weather || Aedan is mostly used to cold weather, he prefers it as it reminds him often of home, and he believes it breeds strong folk.
| Dislikes |Traitors || Loyalty is important to Aedan, and those who abandon their loyalty to the kingdom of Sliabh, whoever they are, are sure to gain Aedan's ire.
Arrogance || People who claim titles or respect which they have not earned is one of the things Aedan can hardly stand.
Noble Expectations || The expectation that as a noble, Aedan should be primarily focused on finding a wife and making a lasting family name, is something he detests
Southerners || Though he's polite enough to keep it to himself, Aedan finds those from the south tend to be fancier, weaker, and generally more irritating than he prefers.
Murderers || Though he has debated if such a distaste is hypocritical, Aedan finds the taking of one's life which is not for proper reason the most detestable act of all.
| Fears |Ruling || Though it would be an immensely unlikely circumstance, being a lord is already terrible enough for Aedan, who would prefer to live his life on the battlefield, rather than on a throne.
| Personality |Hardened, strong and solemn, Aedan does not fit the category of most noble lords. Strength is one of Aedan's best characteristics, though it is Strength of Heart. An incredibly brave man, Aedan would never back down from any sort of challenge, and fears of death or injury have always been the last thing he'd give thought to. Given his rough beginnings, Aedan has also held a great deal of respect and even love for the common folk beneath him. He takes no pleasure in being considered above others, and does his best to protect the common folk, while making as little a show of his wealth and stature as he is able to.
While he is honourable and loyal, earning Aedan's trust is not an easy thing to do. An incredibly reserved and solemn person, Aedan does not make friends easily, and he is rarely even seen with a smile on his face. Considering he is the only one of his family, and many of Aedan's closest friends have died in battle, there is little people know of his history, or even of him aside from rumours, and he endeavours to keep it that way, generally not wishing to risk any sort of affection for others.
| Background |Aedan Merryn was born a commoner, his father a blacksmith and mother a cook in the north of Sliabh. His childhood was as most common boys' was, without much in the way of education, and with its fair degree of troubles. Luckily, work was never hard to come by for his parents, with his father regularly receiving work with the war, and his mother having all sorts of travelers going between the kingdoms to cook for. Aedan's life was changed, however when an Abhainn army took over his home. His father killed in the fighting, Aedan became separated from his mother shortly after, never learning her fate, as he was eventually picked up by a group of Sliabhan soldiers retreating south. Though he was young at the time, Aedan ended up joining with the soldiers, being trained to eventually join the Sliabhan army.
As he aged, Aedan's ability and rank in the army grew, and he was eventually knighted for his valour and ability in fighting. Becoming a general of the Sliabhan forces, Aedan spearheaded a major counter-offensive in the North, retaking large areas of territory which had been lost in the war with Abhainn. It was during this counter-offensive that Aedan earned the title of 'The Lion of Slibah', given out of respect for him by some of his enemies, before the name began to spread among his own men as well. Retaking his homeland, Aedan was ordered to hold it by King George III, and given a lordship along with the land while the treaty with Abhainn was being discussed. Though he had never particularly wished to rule, Aedan accepted out of a deep loyalty for the king, and began to rule and lead his armies in the North, defending against the occasional skirmish while the treaty was negotiated.
During his lordship, Aedan made a few visits to the capital to speak with the king, becoming a close ally and even confidant for George III. As a skilled general and warrior, Aedan has held a similar relationship with the new king, Alister, and holds a respect for the man - believing him to hold true to George's doctrines. Aedan has had little argument or debate with the new king except on the topic of Julianna's betrothal. While both men share an aversion to the war, Aedan maintains his belief that it would only be a temporary peace. Aedan remains a loyal servant of Sliabh, and for now, a personal guard to the Lady Julianna.
| Extra |I'd be hard-pressed to decide between anything Medieval or Sci-Fi.
Nightwing95,
ivoryrolland95
