Arod Gryphon, Knight-Captain

Name: Arod Gryphon.
Rank: Knight-Captain
Gender: Male.
Age: 52
Rank: Knight-Captain

Birthplace: Goldshire
Residence: Westbrook Garrison

Hair colour: Iron-Black.
Eye colour: Sky blue.
Body: Muscular.

Affiliation: Kingdom of Stormwind, the Grand Alliance.
Alignment: Lawful Good.

Family:
- Wife: Isolde Gryphon, Deseased.
- Son: Ainan Gryphon, Deseased.
- Sister: Marianne Gryphon, Alive.
- Father: Unknown.
- Mother: Jenn Miller, Alive.

Description:
Arod stands just above 6 feet tall with a strong build. Despite the long years, age has been kind to his health and his strength is all but unaffected. Though he may no longer be a young soldier in his prime, his form is nothing to scoff at. True to his protective nature, he is marred by patterns of old scars gained by an untold number of personal sacrifices.
Arod carries himself with dignity. Walking gently but proudly his bearing invites others to interact with him as his warm blue soul-full eyes peer out at the world with aged wisdom.

Personality:
When Arod was a young man, he was a very industrious baker for the Miller family in Stormwind and equally disciplined and devoted to the teachings of the Light. In his earlier years he was often brooding at times and passionate during conflicts, he had a personality of extremes, and his mood was only tempered by the discipline he tried to uphold outwardly as well as inwardly.

However, age brought wisdom and the wars left scars upon his soul. At the present, Arod is a social individual and learned to be a calm person. Even in dire situations or with tragic news, his mind may be disturbed for a short moment – but never long. This warmth he creates forms a deep well for all to enjoy and it is this joy and sense of duty that has served in him and his company well, inspiring the best out of those surrounding him.

History:
“And lo' a cry shall arise from heart of mankind demanding justice for the transgressions of evil.”
~ Prophet of Stormwind.

A long, long time ago..
“What, more work?”

The night has been growing unseasonably chilly. The rising breeze carried the scent of the damp forests of Elwynn. The wind in the leaves fills the forest with a dull murmur, like a thousand hushed voices whispering in the darkness. Scudding clouds overhead allow only feeble moonlight to peep through, while the faint glow serves only to enhance the menace in your mind. “We’re under attack!”, shouts a guard near Goldshire. This has been the 3rd time Arod heard this warning before, but it seemed so far away. This time, however he awakens. “Rally the Militia!”, shouts a guard from within the courtyard, as the sound of metal against metal resonates through the air. Realizing the threat is nearby, Arod jump out of bed, awaking his beloved Isolde. “This couldn’t be a drill”, Arod thought - This seemed so real.

Arod found his old and rusty mail nearby and slipped into it with ease, since it hasn’t really been made to his size yet. He strapped his belt and sheath around his waist as the screams of battle continue to ring through the air. ‘Isolde!’, he bellows back to his wife “Get Ainan and head to the city!” A ringing sound can be heard as he takes the sword out of his sheath, the sword which has been given to him by his father. Quickly he runs out of his new found cottage, and opens the oaken door, only to reveal that the orcs already breached the outer defence of Goldshire and are fighting with superior strength.

Sounds of metal blended with screams of pain as minutes pass, until his beloved wife and son were ready to depart. “Isolde, listen to me.. Listen!”, she was shaking with fear, but understood the necessity of control in order to survive. “Do you see the group there?”, Arod said, while points to a small group of women and children with a couple of Goldshire guards. “Go there and stay with them. They will head to the safety of Stormwind. Now go!”, he said as a quick farewell to his wife and son.

It was only minutes later since the first shouts, and already Goldshire was burning. Cursing himself for not training with his sword he ran towards the town in a desperate attempt to safe those dear to him by creating time… if only he knew how poor his judgement was. After a sudden burst of sharp pain, darkness overtook him..

Days later Arod was broken to hear of his losses. The group never really made it to the safety of the Stormwind walls. Unable to function in society the priests of Light took him in, enlightening him on the compassion and strength found in the Light. Determined to serve and protect his beloved city, Arod signed up for the Stormwind Militia. Preventing those who might be unfortunate enough like himself to the suffer the same fate which has been inflicted upon him.

During the Militia..
“Listen up, recruits! I started off where you did – amoungst the ranks.”

Within the Stormwind Militia Arod grew out to be a talent. He rose quickly through the ranks and soon found himself on the opposite of the recruiting end. As Head-Recruiter for the Stormwind Militia many rough recruits were polished into proper Stormwind soldiers and he himself learned the discipline required to serve within the Chain of Command. At the rank of Lieutenant-Commander the Stormwind Militia was absorbed into the main army, fighting the Scourge Wars against the Lich King in Northrend.

Shield of Wrynn
"King's honor, friend."

Arod received a Distinguished Service Medal for his sense of service during the Scourge Wars, going beyond the call of duty in a mission that remains classified. It was with this medal that he found the opportunity to form his own company within the Kingdom of Stormwind, serving the White City once more in finding suitable canditates for future defenses. Forged by a promise, Arod began the company – known as the Shield of Wrynn, honouring the fallen King Wrynn and the protection of his son, the New King of Stormwind.