Alaric Stark

Alaric Stark was the Lord of Winterfell and the head of House Stark during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

Alaric was notoriously prickly and had a flinty reputation. He was said to be hard, stern and unforgiving, tight-fisted almost to the point of being niggardly, humorless, joyless, and cold. Although he was respected by the northmen, most did not love him, except for the garrison at Winterfell. He is a tall and imposing figure, with the typical Stark features of long dark hair and grey eyes that seem to mirror the harshness of the northern landscape, and he as well has a full beard. His demeanor is serious.

According to Archmaester Gyldayn, after spending some time at Winterfell, Queen Alysanne Targaryen came to know Alaric as having taciturn humor with an edge to it, and as being not an ill host, despite being careful with his coin.

Alaric attended the Golden Wedding in King's Landing with his father, Lord Brandon Stark, and older brother, Walton, in 49 AC. Brandon died soon after returning to the north and was succeeded by Walton. While pursuing rebels from the Night's Watch in 50 AC, Lord Walton was slain beyond the Wall by giants. Now Lord of Winterfell, Alaric blamed King Jaehaerys I Targaryen for his brother's death, as the rebels had been spared by the young king and sent to the Wall after the wars of Maegor I Targaryen.

Lord Alaric was wed to a Mormont from Bear Island. They had two sons and a daughter, Alarra. Alaric said his wife had taken an axe to a pack of wolves when she had been twelve, had killed two of them and had sewed a cloak from their skins. Alaric's wife died in 55 AC.

Alaric and his sons alone received Queen Alysanne Targaryen during the royal progress to Winterfell in 58 AC. He asked the queen not to take her dragon, Silverwing, within the castle walls, and declined her initial offers to arrange marriage alliances for his sons with daughters of great southern lords, by pointing out that House Stark keeps the old gods. After Alysanne pointed out that several southern houses kept the old gods, he promised to discuss the matter with his sons. Alaric also scoffed at not wanting to have to feast a large royal delegation, citing that "winter is coming", even though it was summer, because they could not feed a thousand men for long.

Alaric was uncertain on how to entertain a queen, and unhappy that Jaehaerys had not come with Alysanne. However, he warmed to the queen, and eventually took her hunting in the wolfswood for elk and wild boar, and showed her the bones of a giant. He also allowed her to rummage as she pleased through his modest castle library. When Alysanne continued her journey north, Alaric sent word ahead to Lothor Burley, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, informing him of her upcoming arrival at Castle Black. Alaric was cold toward Jaehaerys when the king arrived, showing him Walton's tomb in the crypt of Winterfell.

According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Alysanne charmed a reluctant Alaric into granting the New Gift to the Night's Watch because, even though Alaric was a strong friend to the Watch, he knew the northern lords who already held the lands in question would not be happy to give them away. According to Maester Yandel, however, the Starks were opposed to the royal demand, and Alaric's sons wrote letters to the Citadel asking the maesters about precedents against forced donation of property.

Alaric was perceived as a hard and stern figure, unyielding in his decisions and expectations. His sternness was often seen as a reflection of the harsh Northern landscape he ruled over. Alaric's frugality was well-known, almost to the point of being niggardly. He was careful with his resources.

Rarely seen smiling or indulging in lightheartedness, Alaric was considered humorless. His serious demeanor was a constant, leaving little room for jest or merriment. Along with his lack of humor, Alaric was also seen as joyless. He seemed to derive little pleasure from the usual comforts. His overall demeanor was often described as cold, not just in reference to his emotional reserve, but also in his interactions with others. He maintained a distance that could be chilling, reinforcing his reputation as an unapproachable lord. But he is no brute, or savage. But Alaric is easily annoyed and stern, aswell.

Despite Alaric Stark's reputation for being hard, stern, and seemingly devoid of warmth, there are nuanced aspects of his personality that reveal more to his character. Beneath his flinty exterior, Alaric possesses a taciturn sense of humor and a capability to be a gracious host, albeit in his own reserved manner.Despite his stern exterior, Alaric Stark possessed a taciturn humor with an edge to it. His humor was subtle and often laced with sharp wit, revealing a more nuanced personality beneath his tough facade. This trait added depth to his character, showing that he was capable of dry sarcasm, understated wit, even if it was not readily apparent to all. But he is very hard to get to know, very hard to understand and truly be close to.