Alonzo Durrane, Grand Magister
Physical Appearance
Grand Magister Alonzo Durrane is a tall, slim man approaching 60 years of age. His bald head, penetrating grey eyes, and razor-sharp goatee lend him an impression of distinguished age. Alonzo dresses simply, preferring earth-toned robes and gloves suitable for handling mystical instruments over ostentatious garb. An unsightly scar runs down his left cheek.
Background
Alonzo began his apprenticeship with the Mages Guild at the age of ten, displaying tremendous arcane talents. He quickly advanced to magister status by the age of 18, but he struggled with authority and resented limits on his research of alternative magic. After disputes with the guild’s orthodox elders, Alonzo left to travel as a freelance battlemage offering his talents. Over the course of 30 years, he battled for numerous nobles and mercenary organizations, mastering several schools of magic. Alonzo’s unrivaled abilities finally drew the notice of The Silver Serpent Order. They promised him prestige and access to considerable magical knowledge in exchange for tempering his independence from their authority. Alonzo accepted and has diligently served the order ever since, at least as much as his aversion to authority allowed. Years later, his achievements won him a transfer to The Green Company as Grand Magister soon after its inception.
Personality Traits
Alonzo is disconnected, intelligent, and prefers to operate independently rather than collaborate with others. He sees things through the perspective of esoteric practicality rather than emotion. His discourse contains irony but is normally courteous to superiors. Alonzo discreetly chastises arbitrary restrictions or uninformed figures that limit access to or ethical investigation of magical knowledge.
Motivations & Goals
Driven to test the limits of magic, Alonzo is always looking for new ways to broaden his arcane horizons and use his rising strength to help the order achieve its goals. He sets out on expeditions to find new types of magic or rare lore, and to put his ever-increasing mystical abilities to the test against challenges emerging from Britannia’s remote borders.
Alonzo travels through the order with austere professionalism, keeping correct if aloof posture when coordinating magical operations with allies on assignments. While Alonzo prefers his own company to camaraderie in his own time, he is willing to interact when required at official gatherings or while serving the interests of his profession. He establishes relationships with compatible personalities through shared interests rather than emotional connections when talking esoteric magic. When it comes to picking advisors and judging performance, Alonzo prioritizes competence and vision over position and temperament.
Complexity
Alonzo privately believes that if unusual magic is used correctly, it can help the order achieve its aims more efficiently. He continues his undercover research into arcane rites and experiments that conservative magical society considers taboo or hazardous. Alonzo keeps this portion of his knowledge and desires hidden from everyone but a small number of like-minded supporters.
Secrets
While dabbling with dangerous magic as a young apprentice, Alonzo was responsible for a magical accident that murdered his best friend. The disaster showed him that spellcraft has little tolerance for careless pride. He has never forgiven himself, which fuels his constant attempts to experiment but with safeguards always in place.