Ananias

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Information

Player: Areninekay

Character Full Name: Ananias Cain

Character In-Game Name: Ananias

Nickname(s): N/A

Association(s): Stormwind, Argent Dawn, Knights of the Silver Hand, Argent Crusade

Race: Human

Class: Paladin

Skills and Abilities: A charismatic persuasion, a personality that looks for the best in strangers, and a knack for resolving intra- and interpersonal problems; the ultimate diplomat and leader.

Age: 27

Sex: Male

Hair: Short dirty-blonde

Eyes: Steel gray

Weight: 205lbs

Height: 5'11"

Appearance

Usual Garments/Armor: Sunwell Paladin Armor

Other: General clothes that can be bought at a store; varies with whichever culture he's with. Also has his spare Templar Plate and equipment from his earlier years, before the restoration of the Sunwell, in the bank.

Personality

Alignment: Lawful Good

Having difficulty fighting without a cause, Ananias found being an ardent defender, rather than an argent crusader, to be his calling. He prefers to find ways of resolving conflict outside of fighting, having an open hate and opposition to fighting. As such, he prefers to remain a distraction while those around him take arms against enemies. When questioned about why he chose to not walk a healers path, his only answer was a shrug and a statement that, "[He does] not study enough, nor meditate enough, to walk in the Light as a healer needs to." Many have raised doubts about his faith, but there is one truth to him; his cause is righteous, his beliefs are steadfast, and he will fight to maintain the freedom of those around him.

History

Born in the city of Stratholme, Ananias' father, Ezekiel Cain, was one of the many postmasters in the city. Word quickly spread just a year after he was born about a new group of righteousness, the Knights of the Silver Hand, being formed, and the designation of Uther the Lightbringer as the first paladin. Ezekiel, wishing to let his son become greater in life than a mere postmaster, encouraged Ananias to become mentally wise and physically strong, to one day join the organization.

When he was 4, Ananias and his father fled Stratholme as the orcs invaded, destroying the city. Heading south, they found refuge in the city of Stormwind. Shortly after the rebellious orcs were put into internment camps, Ezekiel decided to stay in Stormwind, opting to serve as postmaster in this kingdom, rather than back in Stratholme. As such, Ezekiel was free from having to help rebuild with the Stonemasons.

At 12, Stormwind was completed, but the Stonemasons were refused their payment. Furious, the Stonemasons resorted to riots, and even killed the Queen. Ezekiel, fearing his beloved son, ordered him with other fleeing caravans to head to Northshire, with Ezekiel staying behind to defend what was right. After the Stonemasons were expelled, both Ezekiel and Ananias maintained contact through mail, letting each other know the other was safe. Ezekiel asked Ananias, when he reached 15 years, to ask for help in the ways of the light.

When Ananias turned 15 and joined as an initiate into the Knights of the Silver Hand. He naturally felt uncomfortable wielding a mighty hammer, and felt even worse having to train against practice dummies. Alone in his room, he would weep bitter tears, as he had no desire to fight. He hardened his emotions in the middle of training; it was as if a switch would turn him on and off, making him a machine in conflict, dangerously logical, and destroying all sense of intuition. He felt confused and alone in the Silver Hand, unwilling to share these emotions with even Brother Sammuel, his teacher.

Tirion Fordring sent shockwaves through the organization as he defending an orc named Eitrigg shortly after Ananias turned 17. Several members of the Silver Hand held discontent with Tirion's actions, but the news left a positive impact on Ananias -- no matter what the world says, no matter what friends say, there is a good in a person, no matter what. The race of "orc" meant nothing to Ananias -- this Eitrigg person was a man who was in need of a friend, and that's exactly what Tirion was. Realizing the reward of defending instead of fighting, Ananias asked Sammuel to teach him the ways of protecting the innocent, much to Sammuel's misinterpreted delight.

The next year, Ananias was overlooked for recruitment with Arthas Menethil and Uther the Lightbringer for an investigation of Stratholme and the undead appearing in the city. Deemed to lack the zeal of using the glory of the Light, Ananias was left back in Northshire as some of his fellow students left to go up north. When they return, confused and disillusioned, Ananias was shocked to find out about the state of Stratholme, now entirely massacred. He sent a letter to his father telling him of the news, and stated on his tear-stained message, "I thank the Light you kept us in Stormwind instead of returning home. I thank the Light that you are still alive with me."

Shortly after this, Ananias became more and more confused in his faith as Arthas, the greatest potential paladin he had heard whispers about, turned into the Lich King and slayed the greatest paladin alive, Uther the Lightbringer. Unable to cope with this confusion, Ananias focused less on his meditations and more on his strength, believing that his hammer would never fail him, if ever the Light decided to play tricks.

At 23, Ananias traveled away from Northshine to go to the Western Plaguelands, enlisting into the Argent Dawn. Finding an equality in the organization -- mainly that regardless of race, a believer in the Light could join -- Ananias willingly pledged his services, offering to defend and protect any camp or group. His sense of duty was admired by his superiors, as was his calm and respectful demeanor. He found himself stationed at Light's Hope Chapel, protecting his comrades.

Making friends with the Sin'Dorei in the Dawn, he found their perspective on the Light interesting, yet crude. Compared to the other paladins at Light's Hope, however, he remained less offensive or harsh towards their beliefs, which was a long-deserved pleasure to the Blood Knights.

In return for his respect, the Blood Knights suggested that he join the Shattered Sun Offensive being created in Shattrath. Several of the Blood Knights, being Scryers, offer a note of recommendation for Ananias to serve, recognizing him as a soldier willing to obey any order and serve any purpose, so long as it's for a just cause. Accepted off-handedly, Ananias not only stepped foot in the shattered world, but was able to witness Kil'Jaeden's avatar itself, and witness the glory of the restoration of the Sunwell. Out of gratitude and recognition, Ananias was rewarded with the armor and equipment he wears now, a symbol to himself of the rewards of doing what is right, not what is expected.

His return to Light's Hope is less than comfortable, as days after arriving the knights of Acherus began the onslaught against the meager chapel. Defending rather than being on the offense, and inspired by his recent adventures at the Sunwell, Ananias fought with conviction, able to resist the oppressive force of the undead. Not only was he able to meet with and converse with his teenage hero, Tirion Fordring, he was present to hear the man unite the Argent Dawn and the Knights of the Silver Hand into the Argent Crusade, a force of Light without judgement for its members. Ananias' heart almost burst from joy as even the undead knights, formerly evil beyond all measure, were willing to step into a different light, despite all the odds and all the hatreds, in order to do what was right. Ananias' past two years filled him with an actualization that Light is real, is forgiving, and is just in its purpose, serving in its own time.

Ananias is currently working with the Argent Crusade to restore the Plaguelands, wishing to impress Tirion by his deeds.