World Map

Prologue: Elwynn Origins

Bodo arose to the radiant drapes of sunlight that pierced through the Abbey's stain glass window. Stretching his sore arms and legs in bed before returning once more to his feet, he opened the sill doors to peer outside and gaze upon the forest he was so familiar with. 

Distant shouting from Paladins to their squires contrasted with the peaceful chirps and chimes of the birds overhead.

"Welp.. The day has come.. I hope we're ready."

                                                                                           A few months prior

   "Excuse me?.. You're here for WHAT now?"  A very skeptical, and very old priest stammered. Stroking his long white beard, and scratching his bald and shining head- he eyed a young man down, judging him.

"I would like to become a Paladin, sir!" An innocent faced, but determined lad declared. "I've journeyed all this way after meeting Sir Jayder in the forests of Elwynn, and he said to meet him here, at Northshire Abbey!" 

The young man's name was Bodo. Bodo Steelsworn, a semi-muscular and tall man, with skin fair- but not quite snow white. Brown bark hued hair parted down the middle, which ran down to his cheeks, and a noble and trustworthy heart in his chest, A few days prior was attacked by the infamous Defias Bandits on his way to the village of Goldshire, when a quite literal knight in shining armor swooped in to save him.

"Sir Jayder told.." The old man looks Bodo up and down again. "YOU that?"

Few days earlier

Listening to the birds chirping over head, and feeling the sun warm his face, Bodo smiled and closes his eyes while walking. Breathing in deeply the forest's air, he hugged his backpack, and continued on wards to town. But suddenly, it was dark. It was colder. Underneath the large canopy of leaves that spanned over head, Bodo heard the chirps of birds no longer.  He took a gulp, and continued forwards when a gruff voice called out to him."'Oi. Kid" A tall, skinny rogue stepped out from behind a tree, brandishing multiple daggers on his leather jacket, and tossing a knife up and down. Bodo recognized the blood red mask on his face and quickly stopped cold in his tracks. "I-"  Another bandit appeared behind him, from seemingly out of nowhere. "You know the drill, Pretty boy. Your money, or your life."  Bodo turned around, sweat was shooting out of his face like bullets. "What do I do? I'm out numbered!" he thought to himself before saying outloud. "I-I don't have any money on me!" He looked back and forth between the two criminals. "So stay back! I have a knife! I'll fight you!" There was a silence. One nodded to the other. "Don't worry about it kid!" "Yeah! Haha!" The two laughed with each other. Bodo standing in the middle of this awkwardly, trying to reach for the hunting knife in his bag. The laughing stopped, and so did Bodo's search.

"We'll just kill you for free."

 The tall Rogue tossed his knife into the air, catching the handle and nimbly threw the blade at Bodo, aiming for his throat. The boy's eyes widened as he saw the knife coming straight for him, and caught a glimpse as the thief behind him was performing the same attack. Bodo gripped the dagger in his bag, and closed his eyes. Terror filling his mind in the split second of the knives closing in. "Why..-"

From the shadows of the forest, a streak of light zoomed straight for Bodo- even faster than the knives could fly, suddenly ingulfing him, and with a loud chime that echoed throughout the forest- the knives hit Bodo's throat. But did not penetrate, instead- the blades broke in two! "What the hell?!" "Who did that?!" The duo called out. Bodo was surrounded by a barrier of light, his eyes reflecting the heavenly glow from staring at it. He was in awe, in shock, in terror and elation all at the same time- but mostly confusion. He placed a hand on the bubble surrounding him and watched as he was safe from the outside world. He smiled, with a tear running down his face. "Thank the light.." The trampling sound of horseshoes on grass to cobblestone roared by, almost as fast as the shield did. Bodo and the bandits stared up at the towering, shining figure in front of them, all unable to believe what they were witnessing. "Never fear.." The hero unsheathed a gold glowing blade with the emblem of a black and yellow sun on it- with a shield to match. "For I, am here.."  

A quite literal knight in shining armor, had arrived. He leapt of his noble steed that was wearing matching Golden-steel armor to his, and the Knight lifted up his face to meet his foes. "Damn it.. I won't let you make a fool out of us, Paladin!" The cutpurse that was behind Bodo dashed toward the towering Knight with both blades out and an insane grimmace on his face. "No! You fool! We gotta get the hell outta here!" The tall masked man called out. The Paladin brandished his blade at the man rushing toward him with murderous intent, and kept a calm demeanor on his helmeted face. "So be it." Bodo's savior finally turned to face him. "You! Boy! Run out of here now! I've got this!" 

Quickly and expertly charging forth- the knight slammed the criminal's blades with such a force- they were knocked clean from his hands- and using his holy blade, he slashed upwards on the Defias Bandit's chest, ripping open his shirt and leaving a streak of blood coming up from his chest, causing them to get knocked away and fall flat on their back as they writhed in pain. "If you scum are the type that would try to murder a child.. then may the light have mercy on you." His gaze pierced the tall bandit that watched his ally get cut down. Completely shocked, he turned around to flee, tripping over himself in fear. "You won't catch me, Dumbass!" The hero sheathed his sword and shield. "That's fine." He pointed above the runner's head. "Because justice will catch up to you instead." A glowing hammer manifested purely out of light was spiraling downwards toward the cowardly victim's head- and no matter how much he tried to bob-and-weave out of the way and run, the hammer was flying toward his skull. "WHAT THE HELL?! GET THIS HOLY SHIT AWAY FROM ME!" 'Till.. Bang! A quite literal hammer of justice had knocked the runaway criminal out cold.

The knight shook his head and chuckled. "Gods.. I love that spell."

Bodo fell to his knees in awe. Speechless. Admiring his rescuer as he walked toward him, removing his helmet, and kneeling down to meet the boy.

"Why did you stay, young man? Why did you stay and watch me fend off those criminals?" The Paladin inquired sternly. "I-.." Speechless, Bodo gathered his supplies from the ground and stood up "I.. thought it looked amazing, Sir." The knight stood. Chuckling to himself "Look's like I got another fanboy... Listen, what's your name young man?"

The boy took a moment to collect himself, and his belongings, before looking back up at Jayder. "My name.. is Bodo Steelsworn!" he announced proudly. Sir Jayder's lips curled up into a grin "Sounds like the name fit for a Knight! May I see your map, young Steelsworn?" Without hesitation, Bodo gave the tall knight his map as he marked a certain location in the forests with a Cross- the symbol of the light. "Head here tomorrow-" Jayder checked his pocket watch that was stored in his satchel, made out of the hide of an onyx drake. "-At this time, be careful mind you, don't want you to be attacked by any more bandits now." Turning the map around, and looking down on it he was excited but confused. "Woah!.. What is this place?"  "'Tis Northshire Abbey! Thought you might like a little tour on where us Paladins and other followers of the light train!"

"I'm not quite sure I believe tha-" The Priest was interrupted by Sir Jayder's plate greaves trodding down the chapel tiles towards the entrance. "Ah! So young Steelsworn! It seems that you we're truly interested after all!"