Golden Shield

By Convergence

• January 16, 2014

Age: Depends on RP, 16-24

Gender: Male

Species: Unicorn

Appearance: A light tan stallion of average size with a mane of different shades of brown.

Cutie Mark: A golden kite shield with a painting of half of the sun connected with half of the moon, forming a complete circle. This cutie mark exemplifies Golden Shield's desire to be a protector of all pony-kind; a vain endeavour.

Personality: Golden Shield is introverted and distant. He will freely exchange pleasantries with other ponies, but avoids friendship and commitment. Golden Shield tends to act level-headed and logical, but he hides his emotions from others. As a consequence, in times of great distress, he is prone to getting consumed by his feelings and lashes out with acts of raw, unfiltered emotion that can be harmful to himself and others. <br /><br />Despite his disposition,Golden Shield is very skilled with the use of words and thus is talented at diplomacy,but only does so when forced to. When in conflict, he is the last person to throw a hoof but the first person to enter battle. Somewhat headstrong, Golden Shield will do everything to help if somepony asks him,but he is aggressive if he thinks sompony is using him.

Backstory: Golden Shield had a rough childhood at the "A New Start" orphanage in Canterlot. Unfortunately, the new start was not a good one for Golden Shield. He received little care and affection in a land ruled by the cruelty of little colts and fillies that didn't know any better. His life converged on one single goal, to escape from the orphanage by any means possible.<br /><br />This is when Golden Shield's love for books began. He would escape the crowded halls of the orphanage into worlds of wizards and magic, knights and ladies and kings and queens. One subject in particular was tantilizing for Golden shield, the wild. A realm of pure isolation where one's only concern was foraging for food and survival seemed like a Utopia when compared to the overly crowded halls of the orphanage.<br /><br />When he became old enough, Golden Shield began to venture into the forests around Canterlot to apply what he learned of survival from books. It was a difficult start, wilderness was far harsher than what he had dreamed of. Eventually he persisted and began to spend days and even weeks at a time in the pure isolation of the wild. However, he always had to return to society, and thus the orphanage.<br /><br />As soon as he came of age, Golden Shield discovered a way to leave the orphanage once and for all. Without a moments hesitation, he enlisted into the Canterlot Guard. He was immediately put into training where all the recruits were judged to see how worthy they were. In tests of strength, agility and magic, Golden Shield was consistently out-competed, and thus was seen as unworthy. In games of strategy the recruits sometimes played in their free time, such as chess, Golden Shield never lost a game. His intelligence however, seemed to go unnoticed.<br /><br />Near the end of his training, it was announced that Princess Celestia herself was going to attend a training session to observe the prowess of the new recruits. A few individuals, including Golden Shield were told that they did not make the cut, they would not be allowed to preform for Celestia. Dejected, Golden Shield decided to return to the one place he had ever felt comfort, the wilderness of the forests near Canterlot. <br /><br />As Golden Shield left the city, he came to a gruesome site on the outskirts of Canterlot. An enraged chimera was descending upon a cowering young filly. Without hesitation Golden Shield charged at the manticore distracting it and luring it into the forest. Although he does not remember how, Golden Shield was able to trick the manticore, resulting in it getting lost. Upon returning from the woods, a small crowd was gathering in the place he had originally found the filly. Even Princess Celestia was in the gathering.<br /><br />From that point on, Princess Celestia took interest in Golden Shield, and after a few discussions, she recruited him into the Royal Guard. Golden Shield now takes lessons and orders from a series of often strange ponies. Little does he know that Princess Luna is organizing his training herself and is guiding him in his dreams.