Name: Olin Eldridge
Gender: Male
Age: 43
Appearance: A sort of rough, imposing personage, Olin is still handsome in a distinguished way. His brown hair is short, with grey streaks at the temples, and a dusting of sideburns. His jaw is strong and his nose fierce. His eyes are a dark grey with hazel shot through. He has a long stride and is not so put together in his wardrobe as some. Often there can be found to be bird droppings on him, for he keeps many in his home and takes care of wild ones as well. He is tall, imposing, and generally silent.
Personality: Olin does not tolerate, above all else, cruelty to animals. He does not mind the farming of animals, but to make one suffer is to incur the wrath of Olin. Make no mistake, he will take man or woman to task for it, and after a warning they can expect him to hound the authorities. Should no action be taken, it is generally accepted that Olin is capable of great violence, though he has never yet had to take it so far in such cases. In the case of abuse of children, however, it has been said that a few abusers have taken a beating from Olin, though none would admit to it nor were there ever any witnesses. Mostly all he has to do is stand there and crack his knuckles, or scowl, and the abuse ends.
Birds like him a great deal, and tend to come to him with their ills. Though no horse doctor, he is modestly skilled in the treatment of animals, and sometimes is asked to attend the birthing of farm animals alongside the actual horse doctor. He is not much good with people, but he is a regular at the tavern, and usually has a pint or two with his nightly meal, being a bachelor and no good at cooking for himself.
History: In his youth, Olin was raised in the north by the lake where he was brought up by his father with no other family, and taught his father's trade, which was the weaving of fishing nets. When he was sixteen, his father died, and Olin traveled south to join the army. Not long after, his company learned he was good with horses and put him in charge of theirs. He liked the work, and was fine in it for some years until he lost his temper with a man who beat his horse. Rather than be dishonorably discharged, he resigned, and took up various jobs in stables and kennels. Most of the time he would quit before he punched an animal abuser in the face; sometimes he could not stop himself. After all the stables, kennels, and mews would not take him in Palisade, he resigned himself to work that did not involve animals.
Basket weaving is his trade now, and he makes such baskets. They are smooth of shape, and often have terribly delicate patterns of fish, birds, and other animals put in the sides. He keeps many pet birds, often injured ones that wish to stay with him after they've healed, but also ones that are given to him when the owners no longer want them. They know better by now than to kill the poor creatures.
