In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, “Is it good, friend?”
“It is bitter—bitter,” he answered;

“But I like it
“Because it is bitter,
“And because it is my heart.”
—Stephen Crane

Aldric was once a well-loved ruler of a modest kingdom, until a mysterious, supernatural plaguelike force began sweeping through the green glades and forests of his land. Survivors were few, and those who managed to live through the ordeal moved away from the now-barren land. Unable to help his people in times of crisis, Aldric was consumed by guilt, which takes the form of a physical blight across his skin—the king's only contracted effect from the plague that claimed his people. He rarely ventures outside his castle, now.

My DTA entry for Deer-mafia's DTA on deviantart! I fell in love with this character the moment I saw him--but then again I have a weakness for royal aesthetics, and goopy inky black bits. I didn't win the DTA, so this is now fanart for the winner, baconpandas on dA!