The following information is not common knowledge in Tridia, but may be known by characters who follow Bastion, or have the Divine Lore Skill, or an appropriate reasoning in their character backstory.
The Legend
Legend says Bastion Sunfire was once a slave in the dismal realm of a tyrannical being known as “Harbinger.” Serving faithfully gained him trust and an improvement in status. Soon, he served in the castle of Harbinger. For many years, he witnessed the cruelty and injustice of Harbinger’s rule, and while Harbinger’s power increased, Bastion’s contempt grew too. Until one day, Bastion’s disdain boiled into righteous fury.
A young girl was brought before Harbinger, accused of stealing bread from the castle kitchens. The girl, Timara, boldly admitted her guilt, claiming she did it to feed her brother. The brave girl continued,
“Your people are suffering, starving, and dying, while you hoard everything you take from us and live in luxury! This is not right!”
Harbinger’s “justice” was swift, and he threw her in the dungeon to starve.
No longer willing to tolerate Harbinger’s cruelty, Bastion snuck into the dungeons and rescued the girl. Together, they fled the castle, pursued by Harbinger’s minions. As their enemies closed in, Bastion stood his ground, declaring,
“This is not justice! This is murder! I can no longer stand by and watch injustice unfold. From now on, I will protect those in need and be an unwavering guardian of the weak! I do not fear you!
Bastion’s words resonated powerfully across the battlefield as Harbinger’s forces surged forward. Just as one of them descended upon him and Timara, Bastion unleashed a fierce roar,
“NO!”
In a flash of light, all was still.
When Timara opened her eyes, she saw Bastion on his knees, glowing in a radiant light, Harbinger’s minion dead. Once again, Bastion vowed with determination that he would not yield.
More of Harbinger’s forces closed in. Bastion stood slowly.
“Leave her or be no more!”
As each enemy fell, the glow around Bastion grew stronger and stronger. With Harbinger’s last minion dead, a bright ball of light lowered into Bastion’s palm. In a soft voice, it spoke to him,
“If you truly believe in that claim, swallow this light. You will leave this mortal life behind and become the valorous guardian who fights for justice for all.
He did not hesitate.
The divine spark in place, Bastion Sunfire opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by nine people, all radiating divine power. One by one, they introduced themselves: Terra, Flint, Raven, Throat, Trip, Trap, Marissa, Shard… The last one approached with a cruel smile.
“I am Raash… You want Justice? For true justice, there can be no bias.” And with that, he ripped Bastion’s eyes from their sockets. Falling to his knees, screaming in pain, Bastion felt a gentle hand touch his cheek. The kind voice of Terra spoke,
“I will tend to your bandages for as long as you need me to.”
“Welcome to the pantheon,” Marissa smirked.
The Knights of Sunfire
Each god has a trio of powerful beings at their side who represent key aspects of the faith. For Bastion, these are his loyal Knights of Valor, Guardian, and Justice.
Timara, the Knight of Valor. Timara’s remarkable bravery in standing up to Harbinger sparked a fire within Bastion, leading him to name her his first Knight. Few experiences in life can affect someone more deeply than seeing your savior sacrifice everything to guard you, to fight for you, and, if necessary, die for you. Nothing will stop Timara from fighting for Bastion and his noble cause.
Solaire, the Knight of the Guardian, was chosen for his unwavering dedication to protecting those who could not protect themselves. It is said he never turned his shield away anyone who sought his help, and in one fateful circumstance, he found himself wounded, alone, and refusing to abandon a seemingly hopeless siege. Impressed by his resolve, Bastion appeared to him. “Your time as a mortal is over, but your mission can endure. Join me as one of my Knights, and continue to protect the weak.” Solaire has never regretted that fateful decision.
Aequitas, the Knight of Justice, also known as Lady Justice. In her lifetime, Aequitas was a famous judge. Living alone, she became a beloved figure in many villages and cities, where people turned to her for guidance on important issues. No case was too challenging for her to take on. Born blind, she listened closely to her people and possessed a remarkable ability to discern the truth. She dedicated herself to fighting for justice for those in need, always supporting their causes whenever she could.
