The Golden Shield

The crown jewel of the Acquisitor's Adventure Association, the Golden Shield is a group of heroes composed of Siegfryd Maianar, Rin the Wise, Noerisha Rhogar "Gnawer", and Coraldine. Their elite status and skills mark them as the most prestigious heroes in the AAA, and their reputation is well-deserved. Each member is a champion alone, but together they have rarely failed to succeed in their tasks.

The Golden Manor by CCO Public Domain (pxhere.com)

The Golden Manor overlooking the ocean near Astrashore is their stronghold. It includes a separate wing for each member of the Golden Shield, as well as an extensive library, dining, and entertaining space. The great ship used by the Golden Shield in their ocean-faring voyages, the Vengeance's Spear, also has a place to moor for convenience as well.

The manor was commissioned by Siegfryd, Rin and Noerisha in the year 2993, with an additional space requisitioned in 2996 for their newest companion, Coraldine. While it is a well-known location, a contingent of mercenary soldiers provided by the Acquisitor's Adventure Association are in position at all times to ensure that only those who have been invited are permitted to approach. The grounds, while a part of Waethern's Astrashore Province, are considered sovereign soil for the Golden Shield, and are therefore requested often to be a neutral site for negotiations or summits between nations.

Heroes

Siegfryd Maianar

Siegfryd Maianar

Siegfryd was born to a poor family in Birchloft in the year 2726. As a youth he hoped to become a member of the Elbonsir, a knightly order dedicated to protecting the province's northern border from encroachment form Oevridaen. Unfortunately, his dreams were soon dashed in 2778 when Flaesdon fell to the Casaerdrol Empire's conquest. His family fled the invading Yuan-ti army and made its way to the south to Waethern. Along the way, Siegfryd's mother and father were slain by bandits, while he and his younger sister Sydra managed to barely escape safely to Ironvein.



In Ironvein, Siegfryd found work in the Ironheart Mines. The grueling work made him strong, but conditions were harsh and both he and his sister struggled daily to survive. When Waethern and Dryntha declared war on the Casaerdrol Empire to force the Yuan-ti to cease their conquest, Siegfryd enlisted. Despite the army's overall failure at The Battle of Bloody Grass, he managed to distinguish himself as a masterful warrior and was given a commission as captain.

While life in the army provided more monetary support than the mines had, Siegfryd chafed at Waethern's inaction in stopping the Yuan-ti from seizing the remnants of the northern provinces. In 2945, he resigned his commission and joined the newly founded Acquisitor's Adventure Association, vowing to protect the downtrodden when others would not. His exploits over the next fifteen years cemented him in legends across all of Aedrothin, and established him as the preeminent member of the Association whose power has only continued to grow over time.

Notable Achievements

• Ended the Cursed Revelry of Sagren the Joyful in Dryntha (2984)
• Negotiated an end to the Siege of Vigilford from band of Bugbears (2985)
• Secured victory in The Champion's Gauntlet in its first occurrence (2987)
• Broke the Lycanthope Curse afflicting the southwestern shores of Beorgarde (2989)
• Defeated the Golden Wyrm that terrorized Eagra and founded the Golden Shield with Noerisha and Rin (2991)
• Slew the dread Fire Giant Vormgul in Eagra (2994)
• Ended the Raze of Oakenpass in Dryntha and tamed Coraldine the Wild who then joined the Golden Shield (2995)

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Rin the Wise

Rin the Wise

Little is known of Rin from their younger years before they appeared before the magistrates in Beorgarde for thievery in the year 2961. The assumption made is that the Changeling spent much of their youth making a living as a member of the Silenza League. Somehow, rather than face death for their crimes, Rin was given a position within the Dwimmark Covenant to work off their debt to society, infiltrating other spy organizations and hunting down elusive criminals. The change in position seems to have taken to them, and Rin grew to become a useful tool for the law.

Once their debt had been paid in 2969, Rin disappeared from all records. Rumor has it that they and their partner found a place to live within Beorgarde, until the Great Fire of 2987 laid waste to the poorer districts of the city. At this time, they suddenly made a reappearance, tracking down Silenza League criminals with a vengeance. This goal soon led them to joining the Acquisitor's Adventure Association, where their knowledge and experience became a useful means to track brigands or thieves, as well as hunting little-known monsters and beasts.

This skillset led to them partnering with Siegfryd Maianar and Noerisha Rhogar "Gnawer" when they went to confront the Golden Wyrm. Rin's information proved integral to defeating the great dragon, earning him a share of the massive reward. The experience of teaming up with the other two being a positive experience, they joined the Golden Shield to maximize their success and renown across the world.

Notable Achievements

• Infiltrated the Silenza League in Beorgarde, leading to the largest arrest in the city's records (2989)
• Safely protected the mayor of Eadra from assassination by doubling as her (2990)
• Defeated the Golden Wyrm that terrorized Eagra with Noerisha and Siegfryd (2991)
• Slew the dread Fire Giant Vormgul in Eagra (2994)

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Noerisha Rhogar "Gnawer"

[Image Needed] Hatched in 2967, Rhogar "Gnawer" of the Noerisha clan traveled as a nomad with his people in the remnants of Ssandroth. Until he reached adulthood, he learned the trepidations of Dragonborn life beneath the boot of the Yuan-ti nation. His life then took a darker turn when he was press-ganged into service in the Casaerdrol fleet, where he learned combat and maneuvers on an imperial merchant vessel. After resisting orders to kill crew members stealing the merchandise, Rhogar was instead sold into slavery in Maervoldra during the year 2985.

The Elves of Maervoldra had little interest in bettering Rhogar, instead putting him into their coliseum battles. Rhogar fought and clawed his way to the top, striving to survive against all odds. After his hundredth battle, per Maervoldra's traditions, his freedom was earned in 2988 and he was shunted off on his own. He wandered from city to city, participating in duels and mass battles before finding his way to Beorgarde. Here he discovered the Acquisitor's Adventure Association had launched the 2nd Triannual Champion's Gauntlet, and he eagerly joined. His victory in this set of battles caught the attention of the Association, and they signed him into their ranks.

While attempts were made to direct and train Rhogar's energies toward less bloodlust and more positive pursuits, he rarely exhibited these qualities. In desperation, the Beorgarde branch of the Acquisitor's Adventure Association paired him with Siegfryd and Rin to hunt down the Golden Wyrm, an older dragon terrorizing the neighboring Eagra. Rhogar and Siegfryd immediately butted heads, but the Elf managed to win Rhogar's respect in a sparring match when he defeated the Dragonborn. Following their successful mission, Rhogar agreed to follow Siegfryd's lead, and the Elf proved to be one of the few creatures whom the Dragonborn would defer to as their partnership continued.

Notable Achievements

• Secured victory in The 2nd Triannual Champion's Gauntlet (2990)
• Singlehandedly defended the mines along the northern border of Eagra from a Drow raid (2991)
• Failed to negotiate a defensive alliance between Beorgarde, Maervoldra, and Eagra (2991)
• Defeated the Golden Wyrm that terrorized Eagra and founded the Golden Shield with Siegfryd and Rin (2991)
• Slew the dread Fire Giant Vormgul in Eagra (2994)

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Coraldine the Wild

Coraldine the Wild

Born in the wild, Coraldine knew little beyond the animalistic instincts that drove her and her clan. They lived in the wildlands of Dryntha and avoided interactions with outside influences. This provided them ample opportunity to learn innate magic they inherited from powerful fiends of Fyerhaeknam, the Plane of Fiends.

However, when hunters from the nearby town of Oakenpass in the Lunacrest Province of Dryntha ambushed them in an attempted massacre, the entire clan save Coraldine perished. She wandered for years, gaining strength and knowledge of her power from her infernal heritage, then returned to her homeland to seek vengeance. Her first assault ended in dozens of civilians being murdered, and she left to

When news reached Dryntha of the razing, the Acquisitor's Adventure Association sent the Golden Shield to defeat her. In the battle, Noerisha was eventually able to restrain her while Rin the Wise translated her Infernal to the rest of the group. Upon learning of the massacre, Siegfryd brought the hunters to justice and ordered their executions. This sparked outrage, and a separate group of hunters attempted to kill him. Coraldine saved his life in the onslaught, and as thanks he brought her to the Golden Manor. Not long after, she became an official member of the Golden Shield, earning renown with her immense magical skill and strength.