Madigan

Walking along the Northern Trade Route you notice a well-kept Abbey sitting on the hillside. Its clean white walls stand out against the green hillside of the surrounding countryside. Maybe the warmth of the place draws you down the winding path to the front gate. Or maybe it’s the chiming of little voices resounding off the low walls surrounding the Abbey. Nonetheless, you enter the front gate of the Abbey and the first thing you notice is a young paladin swarmed by a horde of young children from various races! Some are leaning, biting, and tugging at his legs. Others are dangling from his shoulders, while yet another is tugging at his hair. You blink in amazement as the young paladin gently dislodges all the children and places them in the care of one of the many brown-robed monks in the area. As the young paladin adjusts his armor, he hands the abbot a full gem pouch and coin purse. The aged monk blesses the paladin in return while he smiles warmly and pats the paladin on the shoulder. The paladin, obviously embarrassed by the attention, ducks his head, tussles a young lad's hair and heads out the front door.

Curious, you follow the paladin out past the courtyard. “Of course you may travel with me friend. I am Madigan. Most people call me Mad Madigan,” the paladin replies to your request, while giving you a firm handshake and a cheerful wink. Walking along he replies to your questions about the Abbey. “The monks raised me in the Abbey,”  the paladin says as he runs his fingers through his hair. “My brother was a paladin who fought and died in the city of Crossing. When he fell during a battle, I was orphaned to the church.” The paladin rests his hand on his sword at his belt. “As an orphan, we all had to work together to help around the Abbey. Also, we learned to fight a bit as it’s hard to get the last piece of bread with twenty other young lads around the table.” The paladin smiles fondly as he gazes off into the distance.

"I always return to the Abbey and donate my time and coin. 'Tis truly a blessing to be fortunate enough to help others.” Madigan looks you directly in the eyes. ”There is no greater duty than to help the less fortunate, the weak, and the helpless…as I once was.” The paladin continues his walk shortly after the serious moment, his carefree smile returning as quickly as it departed. “No, I have no other family. My family is the church and in particular that little Abbey on the hillside.” He adjusts his armor yet again, wincing slightly from the obvious weight, and continues, “I serve the Barony of Therengia and in particular serve in the Theren Guard. Hopefully, if Chadatru guides me true, I shall live to serve honorably and well.” With a slight nod, Madigan shakes your hand, gives you a crisp salute, and boards the ferry. You do notice that he catches a thief’s hand in his belt purse and winks, to the amazement of the thief who was already running down the road.

Last Revised: 9/14/00