Well, good news is I’m content with my chapter, so I’ll be sending it out for some final editing. I say “content” and not “happy” because “content” means I can release it with minimal regret and without lying about my opinion of it. Anyways, I may or may not get to the Pantheon today, because I wanted to do something different. It’s been awhile since I talked about some of my inspirations. I am influenced by many fantasy worlds, but many of them are video game fantasy worlds, with a few notable and famous exceptions. So, I’d like to introduce you to some legendary heroes of Eirmoda who are inspired by video games. The first you might know and might have already guessed about. Fair warning, tl;dr.

Tales of Distant Lands: A Gamer’s Inspiration

Aidan Raptorbeak, the Warden of the West

Legend: The Warden of the West and the Mage Knight, Koeleth

Description: Brave and honorable rogue who, with a small band of exceptional companions, must stop an evil tyrant and his tainted army that threatens all of Koeleth.

Game Inspiration: Dragon Age Origins

Story Profile:

Heritage: Koeling

Background: Commoner

Class: Thief, Dueler

Gear: Leather Armor, Legendary Red Katana “Blood Painter”, Longsword

Skills: Stealing, Lockpicking, Dual Wielding, Sleight of Hand, Persuasion

In-Game Status:

Background: Human Noble

Class: Rogue

Specializations: Ranger, Duelist

Gear: Silverite Longsword, Red Steel Longsword, Inscribed Leather Armor

Talents: Lockpicking, Stealth, Dual Weapon Training, Dual Weapon Striking, Power of Blood

Skills: Coercion, Stealing, Survival, Combat Tactics

Neria Woodblade, the Mage Knight

Legend: The Warden of the West and the Mage Knight, Koeleth

Description: Short-tempered and defiant elven warrior and alchemist who joins a rogue on his journey to save Koeleth.

Game Inspiration: Dragon Age Origins

Story Profile:

Heritage: Elvair

Background: Knight Apprentice

Class: Mage Knight, Alchemist

Gear: Elven Plate Armor, Elven Greatsword, Legendary Damygli Greatsword “Nameless”, Alchemist’s Satchel

Skills: Swordsmanship, Botany, Alchemy, Medicine

In-Game Status:

Background: Elf Mage

Class: Mage

Specializations: Arcane Warrior, Spirit Healer

Gear: Silverite Greatsword, Heavy Silverite Armor

Spells: Arcane Mastery, Healing, Enhancements, First Tier Primal

Skills: Herbalism, Poison Making, Combat Training, Survival

Hansgregory V

Legend: The Warden of the West and the Mage Knight, Koeleth

Description: An unlucky bard who found himself swept up in the adventure of a lifetime.

Game Inspiration: Dragon Age Origins

Story Profile:

Heritage: Koeling

Background: Self-Taught Scholar

Class: Scholar, Scribe

Gear: Scholar’s Clothes, Scroll Case, Book Satchel

Skills: Scholarly Work, Tactical Retreat, Deception, Ancient Languages

In-Game Status:

Background: Human Noble

Class: Rogue

Specializations: Bard

Gear: Silverite Dagger, Cloth Armor

Talents: Stealth

Skills: Coercion, Survival, Clarity

Mia Sailorsong, the Enchantress of the Wilds

Legend: The Treasure Hunters of Bladeshear, Trialias

Description: An adventurous young woman seeking fortune and freedom in the open world.

Game Inspiration: Borderlands 2

Story Profile:

Heritage: Elvair

Background: Cloistered Mage

Class: Dark Mage

Gear: Elven Leather Armor, Elvair Shielding Talisman, Longsword, Automatic Crossbow

Skills: Dark Magic, Magical Enchantment, Elvair Religious Lore

In-Game Status: (My play style and understanding of other playstyles for borderlands is less refined than for other games, please forgive some of the vagueness in character description; I like my Jakobs weapons, though)

Class: Siren

Class Mod: Legendary Siren

Favored Skill Tree: Cataclysm

Gear: Varies

Salazar Chaoshead, the Blood Letter

Legend: The Treasure Hunters of Bladeshear, Trialias

Description: A reckless and destructive treasure hunter, notorious for his slightly murderous ways.

Game Inspiration: Borderlands 2

Story Profile:

Heritage: Itrelian

Background: Brutal Criminal (Even by Itrelian standards)

Class: Berzerker

Gear: Itrelian War Garb, Shamanic Totem of Protection, Dual War Axes, Dual Auto-Crossbows, Auto-Arbalest (You read that right, I’ve taken a few creative liberties), Fire Bombs

Skills: Dual Wielding, Battle Rage, Shamanic Ritual Lore

In-Game Status:

Class: Gunzerker

Class Mod: Legendary Berzerker

Favored Skill Tree: Rampage

Gear: Varies

The Shadow Blade

Legend: The Treasure Hunters of Bladeshear, Trialias

Description: A nameless and faceless assassin, seeking ever greater challenges.

Game Inspiration: Borderlands 2

Story Profile:

Heritage: Arilese

Background: Unknown

Class: Assassin

Gear: Padded Armor, Medallion of the Kitsune, Black Steel Katana, Shortbow, Assassin’s Knife, Assassin’s Crossbow

Skills: Stealth, Lockpicking, Arilese Poetry, Sleight of Hand, Marksmanship

In-Game Status:

Class: Assassin

Class Mod: Legendary Sniper

Favored Skill Tree: Sniping

Gear: Varies

Alexander Razor, the Guerrilla Warrior

Legend: The Treasure Hunters of Bladeshear, Trialias

Description: A disgraced member of the Vanguard, he and his world walker Nebula now seek fame and fortune.

Game Inspiration: Borderlands 2

Story Profile:

Heritage: Koeling

Background: Former Vanguard Summoner

Class: World Walker

Gear: Minimal Plate Armor, Longsword, Nebula’s Blessing, Longbow, Buckler, Fire Bombs

Skills: Spike Thrower (Nebula is a wild guardian and can do such), Swordmanship, Bowmanship, Lesser Summoning Magic

In-Game Status:

Class: Commando

Class Mod: Legendary Ranger

Favored Skill Tree: Survival

Gear: Varies

Elrid Shifter, Prophessia’s Wild Card

Legend: The Blindness of Fate

Description: A man of unknown origin and unseen destiny, he walks Eirmoda, changing the world around him.

Game Inspiration: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Story Profile:

Heritage: Orgalavi

Background: Mysterious Warrior

Class: Warrior, Mage

Gear: Legendary Plate Armor “Armor of the Demon Slayer”, Legendary War Hammer “Demonbane”, Legendary Shield “Hellguard”, Legendary Longsword “Lightshear”, Legendary Mage Staff “Dawnwash”, Legendary Enchanted Ring “Blessing of the War Mage”

Skills: Martial Weapons Training, Light Magic, Persuasion, Fateless

In-Game Profile:

Race: Almain

Skills: Blacksmithing, Dispelling, Detect Hidden, Alchemy, Persuasion

Destiny: Champion (Might/Sorcery)

Abilities: Brutal Weaponry, Longsword Mastery, Hammer Mastery, Skillful Defense, Hardy Constitution, Quake, Aftershock, Concussive Force, Bulwark, Adrenaline Surge, Power Strike, Arcane Weaponry, Staff Mastery, Sceptre Mastery, Storm Bolt, Healing Surge, Sphere of Protection, Chain Lightning, Conservative Casting, Tempest, Sphere of Reprisal (I probably did my math wrong here, but I’m too lazy to check)

Twists of Fate: All Main Story, Truesworn, Fearless, Undisputed Champion

Gear: Eagonn’s Armor Set, Mystic Hammer, Blade of the Pariah, Kingly Shield, Archsage’s Ring, Archsage’s Light