Sir Edwin Cuthbert
My good blade carves the casques of men,
My tough lance thrusteth sure,
My strength is as the strength of ten,
Because my heart is pure.
Quenis is a world that has seen much tragedy. Its once vibrant magic is greatly diminished, for the Feyrealm is forever sealed off by the Veil. Its once bountiful resources must now be hard-won, and are at constant risk of being destroyed. And what prosperity can be found is constantly fought over in horrible and heartbreaking wars.
In spite of this, the people of Quenis manage to find joy in their lives. And among the heroes who fought to spread that joy near and far was the Roseknight known as Sir Edwin Cuthbert. Though many now insist that he was merely a myth, or that he died long ago, to those who's lives he saved he was, and is, as real as the day, itself. His legend lives on in the hearts of all who hold dear the cause of righteousness. Some say he is just a man, while others say he is an angel sent from heaven. He is known for the power of his lance, the speed of his great horse, Mithral, and by his calling card: a single white rose.
Call to Adventure
Unlike many mythic figures, Edwin Cuthbert was not born a hero. If anyone was, it was his older sister, Victoria. Born with unusual might and an iron will, she was a knight of the Order of the White Rose. The Order was a religious organization whose warriors, called Roseknights, were paladins renowned for their bravery, piety, strict code of ethics, and by the brilliant white scarves they wore. Many agreed that Dame Victoria was the most promising Roseknight that the Order had ever seen, and that she was destined to lead it someday.
Edwin was not as gifted as his older sister, but he admired her more than anyone in the world. She had raised him since he was three, after their parents passed away. He joined the Order as Victoria’s squire. She insisted upon it, wanting to keep a close eye on her brother, and the Order trusted her decision. Under her wing, the young boy learned to fight with a sword, a lance, and even no weapons at all. He was taught patience, mercy, and all the good qualities that a Roseknight must possess.
One misty morning, while a ten-year-old Edwin was strapping his sister into her armor, Victoria mentioned a friend he had made. She was a mischievous girl, and Victoria thought her a bad influence on her brother. She forbade him from seeing her, and for the first time Edwin protested his sister's order. Hurt and upset by his sister's demands, Edwin hastily fastened the rest of Victoria's breastplate and furiously ran off to be alone. Though angry, Victoria let him go, understanding his pain. Later that day, word came to Windsburh that demons, rarely seen in that part of Outerland, were raiding a nearby town. Dame Victoria mounted her horse and set off immediately.
An hour later, Edwin learned of what had happened. Realizing that he'd neglected his sister's armor, he mounted his horse and raced after her. By the time he arrived, Edwin was met with a field of corpses and the stench of blood. There, on the top of the highest hill, stood Dame Victoria, her sword gleaming in the faint sunbeams that broke through the mist, her white scarf billowing behind her even though no wind flowed. The bodies of a hundred demons lay around her, all cut down by her hand. Yet her breastplate was loose, and it fell as she turned to face another attacker. Before Edwin could say anything, the demons' leader let loose an arrow from nearby and struck Dame Victoria in the heart. Edwin ran to her as fast as he could, his sister fighting on by a supernatural will. But once the last fiend fell, so did Victoria, her wounds too great to bear. Edwin apologized over and over, but Victoria hushed her brother, and told him to stand her up. Fighting through tears, he obeyed. His sister took her sword, and told Edwin to kneel. As Edwin lay on his knees, Dame Victoria bade him to recite the Oath of the Roseknights.
I, Edwin Cuthbert, vow to uphold the code of the White Rose, to uphold El-Shaddai’s Law. To remain righteous and pure, defend the weak, preserve the peace, and fight evil where it exists.Dame Victoria dubbed her brother Sir Edwin Cuthbert, Knight of the Order of the White Rose. She then fell to her knees, and held Sir Edwin close. She whispered how very proud she was of him. She closed her eyes one last time and then she passed away.
Sir Edwin was not given time to grieve. The demon sergeant approached the boy through the mist. He mocked the child, telling him that he would be with his sister, soon. He swung his axe, when suddenly, Sir Edwin’s eyes flashed with righteous anger. When it was all over, the demon was on his knees, eyes wide. Sir Edwin had run the monster through with his sister’s sword.
The Order trusted Edwin’s word, but even then, they did not at first grant him his knighthood. Dame Victoria had knighted Edwin based on an old tradition, whereas now knightship was granted by a council. However, Victoria’s teacher, himself a highly esteemed man within the Order, insisted that they honor her wishes. They agreed and accepted Sir Edwin Cuthbert. However, they did so begrudgingly, for they held him responsible for the death of their greatest champion. The boy felt the same way, and he refused to forgive himself for many years.
Under his sister’s former teacher, Sir Edwin completed his training. With time he exelled as a knight, and became especially skilled at jousting. When he was finally eighteen, he left the Grand Temple of the Order and set out on his first quest.
Trials
Even though he was a Roseknight, Sir Edwin was not given the usual tools of the Order. He was neither given a magical sword, nor armor. He was not even given a steed. All he had was a lance, and the pure white scarf which all Roseknights wore. The rest, his leaders said, he would have to earn.
Sir Edwin’s mission was to find and bring to justice Urdron the Red, a notorious bandit leader and murderer whom had thus far evaded the law. After three weeks of trekking through dangerous roads, Sir Edwin eventually tracked the man down to a wild forest. The bandit camp was heavily fortified, but Edwin, displaying the courage of a knight, charged in undeterred. He took the camp by surprise at night, and bested the seasoned yet cowardly ruffians. Urdron, not wanting to risk capture, fled the camp and set fire to it, trapping the young warrior inside. Edwin was sure he would perish, and so he prayed. When he again opened his eyes, before him stood a pure white unicorn. It looked straight into his soul, and then motioned to its back. Enchanted by the magical creature, and feeling some kinship he could not explain, Edwin mounted the stallion and brandished his lance. The two charged forward, flames lashing out at them, until at last they broke through the gate. Though their quarry had a good hour lead, the speed of the great unicorn was such that they were upon Urdron in half that time. Faster and faster the pair thundered through the deep forest until at last they ran the bandit leader down, and Edwin tied him up.
When Sir Edwin arrived at the nearest town, he found the rest of the bandits waiting. Grateful for the knight’s mercy, and for giving them a way to escape certain death, they all agreed to testify to Urdron’s misdeeds in exchange for lighter sentences. Sir Edwin managed to get the judge to agree, and as a gift he left the judge a single white rose. With a polite farewell, Sir Edwin left to report back to the Order. Strangely, the unicorn followed. Sensing that he wanted to join the Roseknight, Edwin once again mounted the stallion. Inspired by the steed’s snow white coat which gleamed in both sunlight and moonlight, Edwin named him ‘Mithral’.
The leaders of the Order were shocked to see Sir Edwin return, much more so given that he arrived on a unicorn. Yet they agreed that the beast’s presence was a sign from El-Shaddai of Sir Edwin’s purity of heart, and so they finally granted him full knighthood, bestowing upon him a magical sword, a shield, and a full plate of armor, all made of pure mithral.
One year later, the Order called on Edwin for a special assignment. As demon incursions like the one from years before had become more numerous, the Order decided to investigate the cause. Edwin was to command of the junior groups given the task. He and the men went to the town of Somerset when they heard it was under attack, and they managed to save the people from the invading demons. When they reached the town’s temple to purge the taint of evil from it, they were shocked to find a manifestation of El-Shaddai, himself. He told the young adventurers that a dark god named Chaos, asleep for hundreds of years, was awakening, and that they lead the world in its destruction. Their duty was to liberate the shrines of the pantheon, where each god would bless the group. The deity gave the adventurers his own blessing, imbuing them with mythic powers, that they may best the forces of darkness and vanquish this evil, once and for all. Before leaving, El-Shaddai named Sir Edwin his champion, and told the knight that he would lead the others in this most sacred quest.
Sir Edwin again thought of his sister. Surely she was destined to be the champion of El-Shaddai? He was not alone among the Order to think this way, but their god’s word was law. Their sacred task clear, Edwin led the Mythic Heroes on their journey. In spite of their extraordinary power, each battle was more perilous than the last, and Edwin, fearful of losing anyone, increasingly took on more responsibility. Still not trusting himself to truly lead the others, he instead tasked himself with protecting them. He took more and more risks, desperate to prevent his group from coming to harm, until one day it nearly cost him his life. He charged ahead of the rest into a trap, and a hail of arrows rained down upon him, one of which nearly missed his heart. He awoke days later to find that his friends had saved him and completed their mission. Sir Edwin realized his error, that his friends didn’t need a protector; They needed a leader. He learned to trust his companions, and just as importantly, to trust in his ability to lead. With the adventurers now a truly cohesive unit, they defeated foe after foe with ease, and the forces of the sleeping god were were forced to take notice.
As the group grew in renown, tales of their deeds spread far and wide. Some even called them heroes. None who met them ever forgot them, and everywhere they went, hope was restored. Their powers became greater and greater, and both Mithral and Sir Edwin grew wings. Edwin, it turned out, was becoming an angel, a celestial being of ancient myth. Yet the heroes did not simply grow in power, but wisdom, as well. With their help, Edwin was finally able to forgive himself for his sister’s death, and made peace with his role in the world.
When the last temple was cleansed and the last blessing bestowed, Edwin and his friends were finally able to confront the Chaos, just as his wicked followers were summoning him. As foretold great swarm of demons poured forth when at last the dark god awoke, but the deeds of the companions inspired armies from all nations, races, and creeds to band together for one final stand. Sir Edwin stood before them, and using his angelic voice spoke so that all could hear and understand his words.
This day, the earth will quake, the seas will crash, and the very heavens shall tremble at our coming. And even a god will know fear when we stand together and with mighty voice say ‘No more.’ Sages and bards the world over shall tell of our great deeds this day, our bravery and sacrifice, our boldness and steadfast heart. For some this day be our last, but last it shall not be for the tales of their glory. For glorious is this, the day of our ascension! This day, we cry a mighty shout that shall echo in eternity! Victoria!The battle shook the very ground that day. The Mythic Heroes faced the awakened Chaos within its realm of destruction, fighting with powers that tore seams in the fabric of the pocket dimension. In the end, Chaos was no match for the heroes, and with a furious charge they slew the god, destroying it completely. So great was their triumph, the heroes attained apotheosis, and became lesser gods. All except Sir Edwin. Proud beyond measure, the Roseknight chose to stay on Quenis for the time being. There was still much work to be done. After bidding his friends farewell, he and his faithful steed, Mithral, rode off into the sunset.
The Return
Statues and songs the world over tell of the legend of the Mythic Heroes, but none are sure of what happened to Sir Edwin. Many dismiss him as mere fabrication. But sightings persist, even to this day, of a knight on a white winged unicorn, who rights wrongs and enacts justice where none can be found. Some say he can fly. Some say his lance can break mountains. Others say his steed runs as fast as lightning. People from every corner are inspired by his creed.Power, granted by Faith.
Wisdom, guided by Truth.
Strength, proven by Courage.
Justice, tempered by Mercy.
The only proof of his existence that he leaves behind is a single, unwithering white rose.
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