Osric of Aldenmore was the merchant-born lord of the county of Aldenmore. He was the founder of the Aldenmore Dynasty and the Steward of King Lain of Anor.
Pre-Nobility[]
Osric was born to a merchant family in the year 966 in the city of Castonath. His father had started the family business when he set up a small clothes workshop to sell cheap clothes in the poorer districts. When Osric took over at the age of 21, he would quickly use his natural business instincts and start expanding the business empire. His most notable and influential decision would be to invest into weapons manufacturing, which would prove to be a wise investment with the ongoing War of the Sorcerer-King.
With his own personal military-industrial complex Osric started to grow richer and gain more connections. It was during this time he married his wife, Emma, to further grow his connections. His increasing wealth and influence also brought along a growing desire for a noble title to create a lasting dynasty, this was an ambition that he shared with his wife.
His ambition would ironically be fulfilled when Black Castanor would collapse and with it his weapon workshops. When the dust settled after the collapse and king Lain would become ruler of the Kingdom of Anor, Osric saw an opportunity. He approached king Lain with a deal, Osric would offer his remaining funds and businesses in exchange for the county of Aldenmore. Osric chose this county because of its strategic location near the Alen; he hoped to tax vessels on their way towards Castonath. The king would accept this deal and in 1017 Osric would officially become count of Aldenmore, with it he proclaimed the creation of the Aldenmore Dynasty.
Post-Nobility[]
When Osric arrived at his newly acquired county with a small band of mercenaries he would quickly restore order in the county, banditry had increased due to the absence of someone with a monopoly on power.
After asserting his authority in the county, the Count would quickly enact reforms to make the county more profitable in order to recreate his previous fortunes. These reforms entailed things such as a small toll for ships passing by and small land distributions for more efficiency. He would also make deals with old business contacts to provide products for their workshops.
Count Osric would also make plans for expanding his small realm. In 1029 he started preparations to invade the barony of Westgate to secure control of his side of the Alen. The plan was to quickly seize the castle before the king of Cast could react and then to fortify all the river crossings so that a response would cost more than it would be worth. However, the preparations would be for naught as Osric would pass away in 1030 due to illness. His successor would freeze the plans due to a lack of ambition and wanting to focus on growing the wealth of the county.
Even though Caylen Aldenmore was born and groomed to be the heir, the second son Ekbert “the spare” would take over the county. This was a result of Caylen dying in 1027 after drowning in a small creek in a drunken stupor.