Aldrin, Protector of the Realm

As the first crack of dawn embraced the newborn realm of Gilneas, many stories and songs were made to honor the noble Garalon. He that through blood and fire had won the freedom of the lands of his birth.

Although history mentions Aldrin as general of the rebel army, only whispers and myths remain of his history. It is believed that Aldrin was one of the unlucky children abandoned in the Ravenswood, as tribute paid to the mysterious spirit known as the Wolf-Serpent. Against all odds and fate itself, Aldrin managed to survive and was adopted by the Greymane nobility as the son of the cupbearer.

Betrayed by his own nature, Aldrin would not have been able to take over his adoptive father's task. His calling was to battle, a calling that convinced the young Greymane to employ him as his personal bodyguard. From then, the two teenagers were to face each other in intensive combat and games of strategy. This feigned rivalry soon turned into a brothership.

On the day that Garalon walked the steps towards the leadership of his lands, he named Aldrin his knight, and later had him become the general of the rebel army that was to defeat the Great Empire of Arathor. If Garalon was the sword of the realm, Aldrin would be its shield. If Garalon was to be the judge, Aldrin would be the executioner.

Their friendship grew over the years, and when Garalon forged the mighty Kingdom of Gilneas, Aldrin was named Lord of Ravenshire and rightful ruler of the Ravenwood Keep. In return, Aldrin made sure that the highest tradition of his family would be for every man to bear the name of Ravenwood to serve as shield of the realm until their deaths, and that any lawbreaker would face the fury and the absolute loyalty of the raven that would sooner tear its own wing, than defy the word of the King.

On the day the last embers of life left Garalon's body, Aldrin became tutor and mentor to the young heir. Not only did he make sure that the new King was ready to take over the legacy of his father, but by the edge of his blade he vowed his very flesh and blood forever unto the service of the Greymane dynasty.

This bond between Ravenwood and Greymane was thus sealed by the course of history. A Greymane will always stand atop the throne of Gilneas and a Ravenwood would always be at their side.