[quote=@Shorticus]
Am I right in assuming you don't need Defender to be proficient with shields, but you do need it to be better than the average footsoldier with one?[/quote]
Yes, that is correct.

[quote][b]Cormac Fifth-Chance / Male / 37[/b][/quote]
Very good, [color=green]Accepted![/color] I like it.