Arthe had left the arena and was looking for Mathis so that he could turn in his Grand Melee quest, he found him waiting outside the castle armory with another man that he didn't know.
"Hey Mathis, I've come to turn in that quest you gave me."
Mathis turned towards Arthe and walked over with his hand outstretched, he then proceeded to shake Arthe's hand vigorously.
"Congratulations lad I saw the whole thing, you were magnificent, and the way you dispatched those fighters ganging up on the princess was fantastic. I didn't know you had that kind of ability in you. So I'd best give you that reward you've been waiting for hadn't I?"
"Ding"
Quest completed.
You have triumphed over all other competitors in the Grand Melee, proving yourself a top ranked fighter in the kingdom of Baldur.
You have leveled up
You have leveled up
You have leveled up
Fame increased by 500
Reputation with Baldur Kingdom increased by 200
Honor Points increased by 50
You have Received Breastplate of the Loyal Retainer.
You have Received Leg-guards of the Loyal Retainer.
Breastplate of the Loyal Retainer:
Durability: 150/150
Defense: 100
This Breastplate was presented to the most Loyal of the Kingdom of Numenors Knights. Once left to rust it has been fully restored over a long period of time by an extremely skilled Blacksmith
Equip:
+40 STR
+30 STAM
+200 Honor
+20% chance to dodge incoming projectiles
+20% chance to reflect 15% of all incoming damage
Requirements:
Must have Honor Stat
Must have won the Grand Melee
STR +80
Honor +100
Leg-guards of the Loyal Retainer:
Durability: 150/150
Defense: 70
This Leg armor was presented to the most Loyal of the Kingdom of Numenors Knights. Once left to rust it has been fully restored over a long period of time by an extremely skilled Blacksmith
Equip:
+40 STR
+30 END
+200 Honor
+20% Attack Speed
+20% resistance to movement restricting effects
Requirements:
Must have Honor Stat
Must have won the Grand Melee
STR +80
AGI+50
Honor +150
Arthe finally had some decent leg armor, he had been wearing the started gear for over 50 levels now and it had been difficult to fight well and guard his lower half too. Plus the Armor gave him massive bonuses to his honor stat which would allow him to take on more quests given by Baldur Kingdom officials, he looked pretty good too.
His helmet was in the style of those worn by medieval crusaders but it had swept back wings on the sides, his breastplate and leg-guards were bright silver with gold embossed patterns. These along with his gold gauntlets and shield gave him the look of a heroic champion of good, in fact as soon as he equipped his new armor he felt himself standing a little bit taller and he walked with a bit more swagger.
"Now that that's out of the way I'd like to introduce you to Knight-Captain Heimdall, leader of the Paladin order in Ymrheim city. He has come to invite you to join there order on the recommendation of myself and Cadfael." Mathis said to Arthe after he had finished equipping his new gear.
"Indeed, I have heard many good things about your bravery and faith. I can see that the reports do not do you justice. I had not expected you to have such faith already, many of our initiates have only limited piety and so much of their training is taken up with prayer and learning. However I can see that you will not need such lessons and will be ready to join our more advance training about blessings and other such skills." Heimdall responded with a searching glance of Arthe.
"I thank you for your kind words Knight-Captain but I am but a Humble fighter, I still have much to learn about Freya's bounty and many trials of faith to overcome until I am fit to hear such words from you." Arthe replied thinking that it never hurt to show humility to those of high rank.
Stolen story; please report.
"Mathis you did not tell me he was so humble, I shall have to recruit him quickly so he can put the other initiates to shame and show them how a paladin of Freya must behave."
Mathis grinned and then shook Arthe's hand again, whispering into his ear as he did so. After this he bade goodbye to Heimdall and left.
Heimdall then turned to Arthe and gestured for him to follow, as they exited the castle Arthe took one last look around the training ground and waved goodbye to Cassis who was stood on the rampart above the gate.
Arthe followed Heimdall out of the city and after a 2 day journey they arrived at a small fort situated halfway up a mountain, the fort had many pennants and flags flying from the ramparts and the walls were manned by many people wearing gleaming plate armor. As they entered the courtyard Arthe saw a chapel on the far side as well as a Keep that appeared to be built into the mountainside itself.
"What is this place Knight-Captain? Who could build such a fortress and why so far out into the wilderness?" Arthe asked, honestly curious.
"This is the fortress of (Solitude, no just kidding) Vanaheim, training center for Paladins and one of the great secret fastnesses of our order. Only those deemed worthy to become paladins are ever taken to these places. Once here none may leave unless they pass the final trials, those who fail become the Protectors of the fortress and guard the trainees as well as watch over our sacred treasures. This is where you will undergo your training and be granted knowledge of the holy magics bestowed upon paladins."
Heimdall then showed the way to the barracks and thus began his training as a paladin candidate, he started his training with his stats looking like this:
[tr]
NameArthedainPrimary ClassKnightHealth3754Mana763Level54TitleThe Marvelous Monster Masher of the MausoleumHealth Regen/Sec54.5Mana Regen/Sec49.7Strength203+222Agility112+132Wisdom42+12Intelligence31+12Stamina76+50Vitality92+106Faith467+110Sustenance57Honor1180+100Fame1350+100Attack210Defense445All combat related stats increased by +20
Honor increased by +100
Fame increased by +100
Enables you to equip certain items specialized for the class.
... who knew what they would look like after his training.
Authors note: I know this is a short chapter but I'm not 100% sure on what Arthe will do next, should I skip the training and have him turn into an absolutely hench fighter or do I write a chapter about his final trials as a paladin candidate? All input is welcome.