[center][h2]First of Knights[/h2][/center]
[center]....has landed…[/center]

[color=yellow]Setting: The Valley of the Elves, nondescript wooded location[/color]


	“Heh!” 

	A particularly angular zena by the name of Hafface chortled to herself as she walked through the woods. Underneath the canopy of the tall trees was one of her favorite places to be, to be drowning in the sounds of the wild and feeling the mottled beams of sun on her disfigured face always sent a certain calm down her spine. As always, she found refuge among the leaves, and found friends in the foliage of the wilderness. Often she found herself shunned by common society on account of her injured face, particularly the right side, but never found judgement among the bark. 

	With recent restrictions on the forests, it was only her knowledge and frank disregard for authority that led her away from her fellow Zenii and into the maw of the woods. Duly swallowed by the many trees and hidden in the unknown of greens and yellows, Hafface could feel all her tensions falling from her shoulders. She let her eyes close and her feet lead her through the familiar roots and brambles.

	Onward she sank through her sanctuary, until she felt the warmth of the sun flash across her entire face and the sounds of grassland sparrows fill her ears, she had found her secret glade. Sucking in a strong breath of air, she released her eyelids and stared up at the blank blue sky with wonder — how she had missed this peace. 

	Something felt wrong. Hafface furrowed her brow and her ears started to pop, a vibration shaking under her feet and sending adrenaline down her legs. Suddenly a blast clapped overhead, nearly throwing her to the ground and bending the trees. A dreadful whistle deafened her and she witnessed a flaming streak burst through the sky. As quickly as it had cut into her view, it crashed somewhere beyond the canopies with an explosive flash. 

	This time the shockwave did throw her to the ground, a deep ringing in her ears. Aches were already groaning in her bones from the fall, but her curiosity found her scrambling to her knees. The smell of soil and metallic flame filled her nostrils as she clambered forward, back into the forest to find whatever fell through the sky. 

	Hafface knew by the time that she found the land devoid of trees — the ones that used to be present now in splinters — she had been going in the right direction. Her head was still spinning but looking forward she was sure she wasn’t hallucinating. 

	There straight ahead was a mighty crater carved into the forest land, with a ring of fiery destruction all around it. The birds were refusing to call, and the crackling of coals filled the air instead. Luckily the wind from the blast kept the fire by the crater and not by the still standing woods, but the more horrifying detail was the shadow rising from the bowl of destruction. Hafface froze in place, her knees locked and her adrenaline in a confusing swirl as she watched on. The figure of a man was rising from the devastation, his figure obscured by the smoke of the coals until finally he stepped past the veil and into view.

	Immediately the sun caught the man. He held a round shield on his right shoulder, covering half of his body with it — the sun angrily shone off of it, forcing Hafface to put her hands over her eyes in an attempt to focus. He came into focus and she gasped — he had horns on his head and big smokey eyes, a wicked grin on his face, and a shimmering crucifix sword of white in his left hand. His body was wrapped in strange woolen clothing (not that Hafface knew the material, nor that the instrument in his left hand was a sword). She was still frozen, even as his eyes fell onto her, a determined look swelling on his face.

	“Ho!” His voice was strong and confident.

	Hafface opened her mouth but only a dry puff of air escaped. She still couldn’t move as the man approached. His smile widened as he flourished his blade before slamming it into the ground at her feet. Before she could react, the man fell to one knee and bowed his head against the pommel of his sword.

	“Dearest Hevel, I pray to thee thanks for a safe delivery so that I may have the privilege to meet this creature that stands before me. I pray unto you that I do not lose your favor but instead prove my worth in your eyes, amen.” 

	“Uh.. uh… uh…” Hafface twitched, suddenly finding her motor functions again. Taking a step back, she couldn’t help but let loose a horrific scream. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!”

	The strange horned man was blown back onto his rump, staring up at her with wide eyes. “A majestic singing voice, ho! But I do request perhaps a quieter tone for my gentle ears, ho!” 

	He stood up, nearly jumping, and threw back his shoulders. “I am Farwaen! Knight of Hevel and first of this land.”

	Before Hafface could even speak, Farwaen interrupted her. “Pray tell!” His face fell serious. “Could you point me in the direction of where the services of a knight may be needed?”

	He held out his hand, as if expecting it to be clasped. Hafface closed her eyes and let loose a soft breath before turning away from the man. Hidden inside her own mind, she started to walk away — leaving Farwaen standing frozen in his pose.

[hider=Vigor]

Apostate starting: 9

1 vigor spent on creating the champion: Farwaen the Knight — an Eidolon of prestige, handpicked by Apostate to be his liaison of Orsus. Also blessed to have an innate understanding of language not his own HO!
1 vigor cut to 0 creating the White Sword: A single handed, double edged sword with a crucifix guard. This sword is made of a white metal and refuses to be held by anyone who doesn’t possess a pure heart.
2 vigor cut to 1 creating the White Shield: A large circular shield of white metal that can cover Farwaen’s entire body save for below the knees and above the nose should he hold it against himself. It’s bowl like shape makes it perfect for defense. On the back is a bunch of scribbles Apostate had written (whatever writing is) and apparently only whoever’s name is on the back can move the shield, with no other (non-divine) force being able to send energy through it, not even a cataclysmic crash.

Ending: 7[/hider]

[hider=Summary]

We meet the disfigured elf known as Hafface as she takes a rebellious walk through the forbidden woods of the elven valley. On her walk a meteor cuts through overhead and crashes into the wood, provoking her to investigate.

There she finds that it wasn’t a meteor but a strange Eidolon dressed with a glimmer white shield and sword. He drops a prayer to Apostate upon meeting her and claims his name is Farwaen. He then asks her where he could be of service, but Hafface has had enough and walks away — eager to forget this strange encounter.[/hider]