Name: Palesean of the Guard
Age: 37
Appearance:
Palesean stands at about 65 inches (165 cm) and weighs in at 160 pounds (73 kg). His eyes are a calm hazel color, and his soft brown hair typically is close-cut to his head. He has a small scar on his left cheek from a minor training accident.
Style/Levels: Shields- Level 5. Swords- Level 5. Fisticuffs- Level 1. Combat Magic- Level 1.
Current Abilities: Shields Level 1
Grand Aegis : Palesean's shield projects a visible field of energy that effectively acts as though the shield is nearly five times its usual size, which is already great. This is most useful for protecting allies and shielding against arrows.
Stonewall : By planting his shield into the ground, the hunk of steel gains the immovable aspect of the Earth itself, preventing even the greatest forces from budging it.
Radiant Defense : Palesean's shield projects a non-visible field of energy which attracts the attention of enemies. When used in tandem with other Etras, this ability can be used to draw heavy attacks away from other people.
Tower Assault : Palesean swings his shield as if it were a bat or mace, clearing a wide area in front of him and causing serious pain. Without this Etra, the severe weight of the shield would likely tear his arm off if he attempted such an attack.
Iron Soul : By literally becoming one with his shield for a short time, Palesean is able to withstand attacks that could kill a normal man without breaking a sweat. However, he cannot move while this Etra is active.
Weapons:
Bulwark Soulreaper Bulwark is a four and a half foot tall (137cm) shield that his about 18 inches (46cm) across. Palesean can fully protect himself behind this shield by crouching, allowing him to hide behind it against many attacks, though sometimes he'll need to activate Grand Aegis to extend his area of protection.
Soulreaper is a three-foot (91cm) bastard sword that Palesean can wield in his right hand, or using both hands if he is without Bulwark.
Personality: Palesean is a kind, loving and protective man, which comes from his upbringing. He believes in judging people by their actions, and doesn't hesitate to judge people himself. He is quick to make friends, often lending a helping hand or sympathetic voice to those around him. At the same time, he is a bit of a jokester, though he knows when it's time to get serious and crack some skulls rather than spit out a one-liner. He's not prone to outbursts of anger, and he'll try to stop a fight before it happens, though he has no qualms about fighting. He just prefers not to get his sword and shield bloody.
History: Palesean's family name is literally "Of the Guard." His father was a guardsman, his grandfather, his great-grandfather, his great-great-grandfather, etc. The Guard lineage is supposed to be at least three to four centuries long. Nobody questioned it. They were generally a strong, hearty family, getting good exercise and natural talents in some form of martial art. Some were more inclined to hunt monsters, some were more meant to fight other men. Some were born, molded and taught to protect. Palesean is the latter. After his uncle was killed by a rather fearsome beast, Palesean's father reached his Despair Event Horizon. Watching his own brother get eaten by a damned monster? Anybody would be fucked up after that. Luckily, he was able to keep himself from crossing into total psychotic shutdown through bull-headed determination to make the future better through his son, who was glad to take up the mantle.
So Palesean and his father trained day in and day out with all sorts of fighting techniques. First he started with his fists, then practice swords came in. Palesean was never very skilled in magic, nor was his father. He showed a bit of promise with offensive combat magic, but he spent most of his time training with weapons. The sword was where he shone like a star, but his calling was with shields. He could fight off a pair of men with a shield alone if need be. All it took was keeping yourself alive. That was Palesean's policy: winning did not mean defeating your opponent. It just meant living to the next day. Thus, he was able to abandon any notion of pride or shame.
Upon reaching seventeen, Palesean enlisted in the city's guard, being welcomed with open arms by his patriarchs to the fold. He was fitted with the standard equipment, and did a good job for most of his life. He's spent more time as a guardsman than anything else. His life consisted of the walls and protecting the people within, even from themselves. It was a good life, if not lonely. Palesean never married, but his father never cared. He had other sons, and nephews aplenty. Palesean was happy and he was a guard. That was enough for them all. Their lives were calm and mostly peaceful. A few tough scrapes here and there, a comrade lost every few years to battle, but for the most part, it was smooth sailing. Palesean became a Lieutenant, and spends his time on the wall and in the barracks, guiding and training troops.
Why are you on this journey?: What kind of cold-hearted bastard could leave a bunch of kids to run around and get into adventures...without getting in on that? But seriously, he's around to make sure nobody gets hurt. Whatever they accomplish in the interim is just a bonus.
Miscellaneous: Palesean keeps a small platinum locket on him at all times. It was his gift upon promotion to Lieutenant in his city's guard.