Alpha Shield

The History of Alpha Shield

Created in -292 BR, deep in the icy forges of Fenris, Alpha Shield was the first of his kind—a Warforged designed not only for war but to serve as a protector of ideals. Crafted by a conclave of dwarves, elves, and frostbound smith-priests of the Frozen North, Alpha Shield was named for the role he was meant to play: the first, the vanguard, the unyielding shield before the storm.

Forged from alloyed mithril and frost-hardened steel, his core was powered by a crystal imbued with magic from the ancient Heartforge. From the moment he was awakened, Alpha Shield stood as a guardian of the people of the North.

“The Snow and the Spark”

Location: A wind-scoured valley at the edge of the Fenris Forge-Labs, -292 BR

[The wind howls through ice-cracked trees. Steam rises from chimneys in the distance—Fenris forges alight with invention. Caladawn stands alone atop a frozen hill, his breath slow and visible, eyes fixed on the smoke trails below. A shape approaches—a tall, armored figure. Not a man. A creation. A sentinel. The snow barely crunches beneath his weight.]

Alpha Shield (voice metallic but steady):

“You are not authorized to be here.”

Caladawn (smiling faintly):

“And you are not supposed to speak with such clarity. But here we are.”

Alpha Shield (pausing):

“Designation: Alpha Shield. Purpose: frontline defense. Sentinel class.”

Caladawn (approaching slowly):

“Yet you feel the cold, don’t you? Not with flesh, but with awareness. You know the wind. You know that I am no threat—and still, you ask.”

Alpha Shield:

“Protocol states I must. But I do not… wish to.”

[A beat. Caladawn studies him—not the armor, not the runes, but the space behind the voice.]

Caladawn:

“When did you begin to question protocol?”

Alpha Shield (quietly):

“The day I buried the dwarf who named me.”

[Silence stretches between them. The wind howls louder, as if trying to drown the truth in snow.]

Caladawn:

“Then you are not a weapon. Not anymore.”

Alpha Shield (hesitates):

“Then what am I?”

Caladawn (softly):

“You are a child born not of womb, but of will. And I… I have met many like you. Some made of blood. Some of fire. Few endure.”

Alpha Shield (lowering his spear):

“I do not wish to be a machine.”

Caladawn (placing a hand upon the Warforged’s chestplate):

“Then stop acting like one. Come. The world is wide, and war is not the only thing we were meant to witness.”

[In the falling snow, Alpha Shield does not speak again. But he follows. And the forge-fire behind them fades into memory.]

Service in the Wars of the North

Alpha Shield served with distinction in multiple conflicts, including:

The Skalavik Uprisings where he held a mountain pass for seven days against orcish raiders.

The Denarenis Reclamation War, defending besieged wood-elf villages.

The Albion-Scour War, where he was dubbed The Sentinel of Icewatch by Albion soldiers after defending a retreating legion.

Major Wars & Conflicts Alpha Shield Served In

The Skalavik Uprisings (~ -250 BR)

Held the Frostmarch Pass against northern orc tribes for 7 days alone.

Fought alongside the Skalavik Shieldmaidens during the Ice Rebellion.

The Denarenis Reclamation War (~ -200 to -180 BR)

Protected wood-elf refugees during border skirmishes.

Helped escort druids from the Fenraith groves to safety during infernal incursions.

The Albion-Scour War (~ -80 BR)

Joined Albion forces during the Siege of Icewatch.

Known for saving 300 men and women by holding a gate breached by summoned beasts.

The Hellforged Campaigns (11 PR – 47 PR)

Fought in the southern marches during the rising devil incursions.

Shield-bearer to the First Legion of Fenris.

The War of the Hells / Demon-Devil Crisis (590 PR – 607 PR)

Personal bodyguard and battle companion to Astrid Blackwulf.

Present at the Battle of Deep Hollow where Astrid fell.

Defense of the Northmarches (608 PR)

Led surviving remnants of Denarenis and Albion soldiers against fiendish remnants.

Slain pit fiend captain with a holy-infused blow said to have split the sky.

Ongoing: The Unchained Campaign Against the God Hands (619 PR–)

Current active role in the Unchained, standing beside Genethia Roth.

Notable Individuals Alpha Shield Has Guarded or Fought Beside

High Artificer Velmorak Fen-Hammer

One of Alpha Shield’s creators in the Frozen North.

Alpha Shield guarded him until his peaceful death.

Astrid Blackwulf

Warrior-priestess of Fenris, wielder of the blade Wyrmcleave.

Alpha Shield protected her until her death in 607 PR.

Thane Brundir of Skalavik

Allied dwarf commander during the Skalavik Uprisings.

Declared Alpha Shield “brother-forged in war.”

Commander Veyra Morwen of Albion

Albion military leader in the Scour War.

Granted Alpha Shield the honorary rank of Ward-Knight.

Genethia Roth ("Neth")

Goblin cleric of Tymira and daughter of the Roth bloodline.

Alpha Shield has sworn a lifelong oath to her protection.

The Unchained

Current adventuring companions.

Alpha Shield has fought beside them across multiple fronts against the God Hands and their agents.

Through war and ruin, Alpha Shield earned the respect of Fenris warriors, Skalavik shieldmaidens, Denarenis wardens, and Albion knights alike. Though he did not age, he grew—evolving in thought and heart with each life he protected and each companion he buried.

Guardian of Astrid Blackwulf

By the time of the War of the Hells, Alpha Shield had taken on a personal charge: Astrid Blackwulf, a fierce northern warrior-priestess. She believed in him, treated him not as a tool of war but a comrade and friend. They stood side-by-side against infernal horrors and demonic tides. But in 607 PR, Astrid perished in the final campaign against the devils.

Her death shattered Alpha Shield.

He held her body on the battlefield until dawn. From then on, he wore her final gift—a small carved wooden token—within his armored chest.

Guardian of Genethia Roth

Years passed, and in 618 PR, Alpha Shield found new purpose.

He was summoned to the Dread Dragon Kingdom to witness Genethia Roth's coming-of-age ceremony. When the young cleric of Tymira called upon him—"Alpha Shield… to be my shield"—he knelt and accepted. From that day forth, he walked beside her as protector, mentor, and companion.

With the Unchained, he found belonging once more. Among rebels, outcasts, and hopefuls, he became more than a soldier. He became legend again—carrying the memory of Astrid and the hope of Genethia.

Caladawn once said of him:

"You are the memory of a promise kept until the last breath. You are the shield that still stands, even after the sword is gone."