
Paladin
Lord Adam of Crego is another new face I created for War of Nytefall: Anarchy and he has an odd origin. Specifically, he was made up on the fly. Get ready for a fun ride.
When I made the final outline for Anarchy, I had a character show up who was only called ‘Paladin leader’. Obviously, this is the guy who is leading the paladin army against the Dawn Fangs. I never made a bio for him or came up with much of a plan beyond his purpose. My focus was entirely on Luna, Joran, Clyde’s doubts, and the mystery behind whoever was murdering mortals. So, I kept going and part of thought I could get away with simply calling him the Paladin leader. It was a rough year and I was starting to burn out, but that’s no excuse for that level of laziness. As I got closer to his first scene, I knew I had to do something.
Enter my friend who occasionally asked if I could put him in a book. Having no other ideas, I based Lord Adam of Crego off of him and things kind of rolled from there. I’m making things up to him with a better and main character in a future series. Anyway, I just went full fun with this guy, which was fueled by my friend’s antics. For example, he said a name wrong one day and I came up with the idea that Lord Adam says locations incorrectly. I did edge this guy towards comedy, but I believe I managed to keep him as a threat since he had some seriousness to him. Sure, his speeches were arrogant and kind of cringey, but he was still able to cause damage.
Lord Adam was a difficult character to have show up many times. Similar to Leo Kandrel from Eradication, he wasn’t working within the vampire world, which is what the series focuses on. He’s an entity preparing to attack from the outside, so I had no POV characters to work off of besides Lord Adam himself. That didn’t work the one time I tried because he’s very blunt and straightforward. He’s a character of action and having him sit around talking never felt right. It came off as strained and desperate to pad the page numbers. So, I left him as an enemy who appears throughout the story to terrorize the Dawn Fangs.
Considering I rarely use paladins beyond having them as fodder, I thought it would be fun for people to ask questions about the role in the comments. Lord Adam of Crego will be happy to answer them.
What’s your battle style? Do you prefer strategy and subterfuge or hit-’em-hard on blunt force? Why?
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Battles must always be head on. That is what a true holy warrior will seek. Sneaking around is for adventurers and those with lighter armor. Also, it’s important to have ones horse and carry large weapons when cleansing Vindimere of evil.
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I think it is terrific that you have a character modeled after your friend. How does your friend like him or is your friend like mine. They never read my books.
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My friend is excited, but didn’t read the series. He kept asking me to be put in one and I ended up with an opening for the paladin leader. Should probably tell him the book is live when I get a chance.
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Yes. I would tell him.
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So cool that you granted your friend a character. I don’t have anyone at that level, and most of mine could care less about my books. Sounds like Adam is kind of a holy tank. How does he fare against someone more nimble and accurate?
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He’s got really good reflexes for someone in heavy armor. So, he can block almost anything. Lord Adam had high endurance too, so he can push an agile character to their limits by holding out. A person would need to wear him down before they get tired.
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Lord Adam, how did you come to believe in your deity, and when did you know that this was your true life’s calling?
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I’ve known since birth. It has always been my calling. With so many monsters in Wundemere, strong warriors with holy power are needed. Otherwise, the darkness wins.
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