Good day to thee Gentles,

Mine name doth be Gavan Hawkwinter, Sentinel of the Realm, and servant of Rutilor. Though it seems odd I must needs discuss mine past with others, many total strangers, I wilt consider it a memorial to mine parents.

Truly I mourn their passing every day, they doth be in mine thoughts always. For I learned many aspects of serving as a Paladin from them, each was a Paladin, and didst serve with honor in the defense of Shard. Both were of noble blood, and they didst instruct mine self well in the upholding of Justice, and to Honor others as I wouldst ask those to Honor mine self. Twas in those long gone days I didst learn to conduct mine self in courtly fashion, and didst learn High Speech, though it hath fallen by the wayside in the passing of years. Though mine wast a military household, I never considered it strange, to mine self, such didst seem as comfortable as well worn boots.

As I grew older, I didst yearn for the thrill of combat, to fight the Goblins and other evil denizens of the Realms, wast mine dream. Mine parents, knowing the brashness of youth, didst keep it contained by giving field trips to areas inhabited by such beasts. Twas on one of these field trips that we didst stumble across an arm of an invading Gorbesh horde. I wilt not go into details, some child may be reading mine tale, suffice to say mine parents fought valiantly, and mine Mother didst survive to entrust mine care to another ere she didst succumb to the fatal blows she didst sustain. Many other parents didst perish that day, such are the fortunes of war, so mine tale doth not be an uncommon one.

The Gorbesh were thrown back that day, and I didst find mine self feeling listless from the loss of mine parents. Mine poor performance that day, didst do nothing for mine fragile ego, and mine anger didst become directed at Paladins. For several years after reaching mine majority, I didst leave the Shining City, the memories to overwhelming. I didst wander, searching for that which wouldst suit me well, mayhap Empath, I couldst have healed mine parents with such training, or mayhap Cleric, I couldst have Raised them from the dead.

Twas in these dark days I didst find mine self in Crossing, thinking to pay mine respects to mine parents souls, I didst visit the Paladin guild. Twas at that time the old Paladin guild leader Sir Beren didst remind mine self of that which doth make a Paladin, and the vital role they play in the defense of others. With such inspiration, I didst remember mine parents teachings, and realized mine true calling. Though I fear in mine early days of joining the guild, other members didst consider mine self stiff and unbending, no doubt because of mine prior training.

Twas not long into mine stay at the guild that I didst meet the lady Paladin Bethe. Twould be poor not to mention her, though she doth no longer be a love interest. She wast indeed mine love, and she wast as stiff and unbending as mine self. Mayhap more so. Indeed, I felt mine life and hers intertwined, but she didst leave the Realms, and for many years I didst not love another.

Until I reacquainted mine self with a young Elothean Moon Mage, Zephirys Lunarys. She wast one whom I aided when she didst just enter Elanthia, and after seeing her again, I didst feel emotions I had not felt before. For truly she wast not Noble in character, and wast not a Paladin of the Realm. But she wast warm and giving and friendly. I found mine self deeply in love with her, and today we doth be engaged. She hath smoothed my sharp edges, whereas before I rarely smiled, I do so most often now, and I hath even attempted an occasional joke.

That doth end mine tale good Gentles, if I see thee in the Realms, introduce thine self. Until then, Rutilor guide and Protect thee.

Gavan Hawkwinter