Dolph Wilkes

occupation: Silent owner of the Crystal Springs Sawmill; millwright

story: For centuries, Aethelwulf served as a self-appointed guardian of the Algonquin people. In the time spent amongst their collective tribes, he came to be known as Wàbà Mahiga ( White Wolf ). He served as their protector from the evil spirits they believed to threaten their very existence. In the process, he established a reputation for being their most revered Wendigo Hunter, because he always yielded results during his hunts.

The reputation he garnered would serve him well during a time when America's thirteen colonies declared war against their British oppressors. He, too, came to serve what he felt was a noble cause in their fight for independence. Aethelwulf's knowledge of the terrain, as well as its flora and fauna, came of great benefit to the small scouting party he was responsible for. Although, despite the color of his skin, he was more often than not treated no better than a savage. But that suited him just as well. For his savagery in combat proved second to none, leading a number of successful ambushes and skirmishes on British redcoats before the war was done.

In the years that followed, he returned to his home amongst the Algonquin, where he lived in relative peace for the next thirty or so years.

Until he was stricken with a certain longing for the open seas. Often returning to his unwieldy mistress, the sea, after having grown jaded and complacent with his circumstances. There existed within him a passion not only for the open seas, but their promise of exploration and adventure. This sense of discontent couldn't have come at a more advantageous time, for his expertise were once again called upon in service of his country. Aethelwulf was recruited as a part of the United States Exploring Expedition soon after. Under the command of Lieutenant Charles Wilkes.

Over the course of the expedition, Charles developed a poor standing with his subordinates. Regarded by many who sailed under him as an arrogant and capricious man. He often resorted to punishing those under his command. Regardless of his many flaws, Aethelwulf stood on equal footing with the Lieutenant and thereby befriended the man in due course. It was more out of necessity rather than an innate desire for companionship.

Aethelwulf came to the island in the year 1841, under the alias of Dolph Wilkes. He had witnessed for himself as the wheels of industry forged ahead into the modern era, and it was high time he did the same. Although, he would never abandon his true identity completely. But he needed to reinvent himself to some degree or another if he intended to function in society without inadvertently calling attention to himself.

The moment he landed on the island, he was enamored with its beauty. The terrain as well as the islands flora and fauna came closer to mirroring his native home than any other place he had visited before. It was love at first sight.

Sometime after the expedition's full survey of the island, he established the Crystal Springs Sawmill as a silent owner. The island had an abundance of cedars that reached so high they practically touched the heavens. Establishment of the sawmill was meant to bring stability to the island, to attract more settlers with the promise of a booming lumber industry. Conceptually, it was founded with the idea that it would provide jobs for generations to come.

Dolph would never allow himself to entrust maintenance of the equipment or overseeing the day-to-day operations to anyone else, so he took on responsibility as the millwright—and that's where he stayed as the years rolled by.

To anyone uninitiated in the supernatural, he appeared as a man in his early 30s. And if they are to ask, he would answer as he always did, the owner was a mystery. He had lived so many lives already. What was a lifetime to him anyway? To him, it was honestly no more than a blink of the eye. What locals assumed as generations of ancestors who came before him were, in fact, him. Another life lived. Another lie told. But, it was for the sake of the island and its people, he often told himself.

Dolph is a lone wolf and he prefers it that way. So far as he knows, he's the very last of Fenrir's line. Wise beyond the years of his fellow wolves, he frequently offers advice to anyone willing to listen. He has seen much bloodshed during his time. Much of that bloodshed dealt by his own hands. In no way, shape, or form is he a pacifist. Dolph recognized his lust for blood, he recognized the kind of monster he was, but rather than give in to his tendencies, he acts as both protector and defender against those who would seek to threaten his island and everyone on it. After all, a monster deserves another monster.

face claim: Josh Mario John

aol/aim sn: gIory and gore (gioryandgore)

#local #werewolf #playedcharacter #male