Peek: The Origin of the Crystal Shield

I hope you all have chosen a subject for your final paper of the semester.  Deadlines have a habit of sneaking up, you know.

Anyway, on to today's lesson.  This subject is one of the most wide-spread religions on the continent, and it's not difficult to see why.  When someone thinks of a paladin, the image most associate with it is one of The Shield.  There is even evidence to suggest The Shield is one of the very few deities to have a paladin before apotheosis.

Lana Shieldbearer was a paladin in ancient times, and carried a more ordinary shield at the start of her career.  Her early exploits are well-recorded by the Church of The Crystal Shield, and you procrastinators could do worse than to write your papers on her.  Her exploits were the typical paladin fare, and are even arguably the inspiration for such deeds to become the typical paladin way of life.  Some may call it cliche today, but it seems very likely she was the one to invent them.

The object of her faith was interesting.  Even today, many Paladins of The Shield are more inspired by Protection than The Shield itself.  Theologians argue if her focus was The Shield from the start, or simply a shield, but it was certainly something slightly different from simple protection.

As the legend goes, she went on a pilgrimage into the wilds, vanishing from the land for a year and a day, before returning with a new shield and incredible power.  Some say she found a companion who got mortally wounded during their journey together, and his soul infused her shield, so he wouldn't abandon her.  Others claim it was a scale from a celestial dragon, a boon gained from some heroic deed.  Some even say she somehow forged the shield herself from the core of a dungeon, performing a miracle to allow it to roam the land freely on her forearm.

Whatever the source of the shield, Lana Shieldbearer never elaborated, at least not in a way that would keep historians from arguing.  Once she returned with that shield, her exploits only became more legendary: A flood diverted, a plague quashed before it could ravage the countryside, legions of undead snuffed out easier than the flame of a candle, and more.  All the while, she would proclaim the might of the crystal shield on her arm, attributing the great deeds to it, not herself.

As her storied career started to come to a close with her age, she started gathering various disciples of the shield.  Of course, most would try to lay the power at the feet of the Shieldbearer, but she was adamant it was not her strength.  Amusingly, she seemed to have more followers than the object of her faith, though there were still some who would heed her insistent words, and they would see the truth when she finally breathed her last.

On her deathbed, in the house of a friend, she of course had her crystal shield, and as her time grew short, she started talking to it.

"It's my time... I can hear The Raven's call.  I hope he wont be upset that I'm already where I belong... or maybe he'll appreciate having his easiest delivery yet.  I know... I know.  But my time is done.  It's up to you, now.  All I ever did was give you a strong arm to hold you.  Let them be your arms, let them help you protect those who need it.  I've believed in you, ever since we met.  Now... now it's time for you to do the same..."

She passed with a gentle smile on her face, and the gathered started to mourn, only to be interrupted by a blinding light.  When it passed, everything was changed.  While the mourners were untouched, everything else had turned to crystal: The house, the bed, the tables and chairs, even the clothing of the mourners became crystalline.  Those same clothes are passed down to the various members of the church leadership today, the odd flexible crystals being an incredible sight to see, even if one doesn't follow The Shield.

Lana Shieldbearer herself wasn't changed, but around her grew a solid crystal, preserving her body perfectly.  Even now, it could be easy to think she's simply sleeping in there.

The Shield has become one of the more popular deities to follow since its apotheosis, thanks in large part to how Its teachings resonates with many faith casters, but also in how those teachings resonate with people in general.

It's one thing to say to protect and uplift people, but The Shield also urges Its followers to be the strong arms.  It takes both to actually make a difference.

~Julior Juntil, theology professor.  Excerpt from a lecture transcription.