Araian Sunshield

**Nation**
 **Born**
 **Titles**
 **Beliefs**

Lord Araian Sunshield is Stormwind nobleman who now rules over the Barony of Southwatch, a farming and frontier region in Southern Westfall. A long-standing Knight in the Order of the Silver Hand, and the current patriarch of House Sunshield. A stalwart defender of the common people from his time holding the line for the people of Darkshire against the Undead and other monsters of those dark forests. Currently, he strives to see Westfall's people, and that of the Kingdom, prosper before another conflict saps what little remains of Stormwind's strength.

## Personality & Beliefs

Araian is a reserved individual, often preferring to listen and ponder an issue for great lengths of time before coming to a decision. The weight of nobility and the plights of those that serve beneath his banner often given the same careful attention as any personal matter. The only exception to this is where battle is concerned. As a Knight of the Silver Hand, Araian maintains an almost fearless resolve in combat. Unflinching against even the most horrific creatures Azeroth's people have seen.

In terms of his faith, it comes without surprise that Araian is beholden to the Holy Light. Despite often found at the Cathedral of the Light in Stormwind seeking reflection, he is largely distant from most Church affairs within the capital region. Preferring to put his time towards those most in need throughout the kingdom.

## Biography

Born the second child and only son of a wealthy lord in service to the Kingdom of Lordaeron, little else is recorded or known of the Lord's early life before the fall of the Kingdom of Lordaeron during the Third War. What records remain come from documents kept by the Order of the Silver Hand proving his knighthood in their ranks.

Araian's beginnings with the Kingdom of Stormwind began with an oath of fealty to the boy-king Anduin after the events of the Third War. King Varian Wrynn still missing. Vowing upon his life to make sure what befell Lordaeron would not happen to Stormwind and desiring to immediately be set loose upon the now-cursed forests of Duskwood and aid those beleaguered people fighting against the Undead menace and feral worgen.

For many years Araian and his family, along with a growing cadre of knights and able-bodied fighters, stood shoulder to shoulder with Darkshire's Night's Watch to protect the towns and villages of the region. He even took the liberty of forming a sizeable militia under the name of 'The Borderland Coalition' to better protect distant villages and farmsteads that were far out of reach for Stormwind's depleted and errant armies.

Unfortunately, with the return of the Burning Legion to Azeroth after the death of King Varian Wrynn, hard times fell upon House Sunshield. Most of the forces under Lord Sunshield were deployed to Westfall to help protect the region from the Legion invasion. A series of pitched battles that ultimately ended in victory for the Alliance depleted the majority of Araian's forces and left them in disarray. Even worse, the small keep House Sunshield had struggled to build in the forests of Duskwood was destroyed after the violence that came with a demonic cult taking over Darkshire.

The the years that followed, through to the end of the Fourth War, Araian and those able-bodied enough to fight moved from battlefield to battlefield across Azeroth fighting in the King's army against the Legion and later the Horde. Recently Araian has come in possession of land Westfall. Overseeing a number of small farming communities and the repairs on a sizeable keep. Hoping to reinvigorate the reach and work towards spreading peace and prosperity across a war-weary kingdom.

## Titles

### Baron of Southwatch

Araian is the lord of the Barony of Southwatch, a southern farming and frontier region in Westfall's south along the mountains. From a strong keep he oversees the settlements of: Brushwind, Southstone Village, and Lily Pier.

### Knight of the Silver Hand

Araian holds the rank of knight in the Order of the Silver Hand. A stalwart member of the Order since the time of the Second War.

## House

Araian is the current patriarch of House Sunshield. Formerly a noble family of Lordaeron now sworn to the Kingdom of Stormwind. Known for its raising of fine steeds and in times of war fielding powerful knights.