A while ago I posted a little story about an underground labyrinth that could turn everyone who entered into an uninhibited glutton. Thanks to the encouragement of many people, and specially to   Silver-Stag / Twitter who not only helped me shaping his story up, but also drew his gallant design. Meet Lord Filippus, the picture perfect of sternness and restraint. Always putting the needs of the many before his own. Until certain event changed his outlook in life and showed him how to relax and enjoy the pleasures life has to offer. Here's his story.

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Lord Filippus of Breggmorth was the former supreme commander of his Majesty's royal army. And a good friend and confidant to Sir Karver since they met at times of war.. He was the one to encourage Karver to not let anyone tell him his short height meant he was worth less than what he was, since for Filippus, he had the biggest heart out of all of them. Which inspired Sir Karver to become the walking fortress of an otter he was in the present day.

Sir Filippus had a rough start on his way to becoming the renowned knight he was. When he was five, his recently widowed father stole gold from his lord and, to avoid being thrown into a cell, he gave young Filippus away as repayment.

Filippus’ father: "Behave and Obey…"

Those were the last words his father spoke to him, and they had an enormous impact on the young colt's psyche. His new master, Lord Borzz, was a viscount who had served the kingdom during his younger years as a knight, and due to his accomplishments, he had been given his title and the claim of the land where Breggmorth was located.

Living in a small, dilapidated castle, for the next two years, Filippus was taught how to read and write, and how to do simple math. By the time he was seven his new master decided it was time for him to see if he would have what it took to become a proper knight.

Years of gruesome training later, Lord Borzz thought it was time to see if his little "investment" would pay off the trouble.

Lord Borzz:"Make a name for yourself and do not come back until you do. Do NOT disappoint me…"

And that's how, at nineteen, Filippus found himself alone in the outside world, just another freelancing knight like many all across the land.

While many would've faded into obscurity through the years, Sir Filippus had a clear objective in mind. With his father's words echoing in the back of his head, and the command of Lord Borzz on top of that, Filippus was more than ready to fulfill his task. And while it might've been not his own desire, his conviction never faltered.

Entering the tourney circuit, he spent his early days winning each of the tournaments with grace and honor. While Lord Borzz wasn't the best example of a noble, he was certainly a great combat teacher.

Soon, Sir Filippus started branching out of the tournaments, having gained a following as The Sentinel of the South, and traveled the land offering his services as a knight.

He defended towns and roads against bandits, and magical beasts. He defended against troll attacks and rescued children from the evil blood wizard known as Krown. He also managed to stop the coven of the Sisters of the Moonless Shore from bringing ruin to the coastal city of Trenchenoux.

By the time he was 24 years old, he was among the most well-known traveling knights in the kingdom. Many nobles had extolled the virtuous and dignified way in which he carried himself. His selflessness and charitable disposition towards the people he saved had gained him their hearts. Just how he won the hearts of many damsels and some lords with his chivalrous ways and stoicism.

When he rescued the kingdom's royal princess, princess Amelinna, from a kidnapping attempt from one of the enemy nations, Filippus was fully acknowledged by King Cassius and bestowed the title of royal knight and was given the noble status to that of a Baron.

Feeling indebted to the kingdom itself for bestowing upon him such honor, he swore to always be of service to the crown and its people. King Cassius approved the young stallion's dedication and asked if he wanted something in reward for his deeds. All Sir Filippus had to say was that he wanted to visit the town where he grew up one more time before fully committing himself to his royal duties, which King Cassius gladly accepted.

While on his travels, he wrote many letters to Lord Borzz, but he never got a reply. Maybe now that he had gained the king's favor, he would've been able fulfill the order he had received years ago.

What awaited him was something quite unexpected and unwelcome. A recent famine had left the town on the brink of collapse and to make matters worse, Sir Borzz had died just a few days before his arrival, apparently his health kept on declining ever since Sir Filippus left all those years ago. It was as if training him had kept Lord Borzz alive for some reason according to one of the servants.

A letter was left behind where Lord Borzz explained that the title of ruler of Breggmorth was now Sir Filippus'. He admitted that he only trained him just so he could have his name being spoken at the royal court if Filippus ever became a renowned knight, but after hearing the news of his heroics, he actually felt good for his former squire. And, as a prize for all he had done, he left his land and all his riches.

He lamented his poor ways as a lord and asked Sir Filippus' not to make the same mistakes he did. And to plead for him not to abandon the people of Breggmorth.

While he might've started his journey not by choice; he had felt the happiness he brought to this land when he aided those in need during his travels. So, he vowed to make the town of Breggmorth into a prosperous place where people could live happily and on their own accord. It would take time, and money, he would need more of that, but it was something he had decided to do himself and not just to honor Lord Borzz's memory.

Raising a small town from the ground proved to be more difficult than Filippus thought, and his duties as a royal knight had to be fulfilled. War was on the horizon. The giants from the north had declared war against the continent and the underground lizardmen were starting revolts on the eastern side of the land.

Meeting for the first time with Sir Karver during his first war campaign was like a breath of fresh air among the heavy classism of his fellow knights. The short otter could barely reach the bottom of Sir Filippus chest plate, but his enthusiastic disposition was among the loudest of all of them. Completing the quiet Filippus.

The war against the giants army was a harrowing endeavor, but thanks to the teamwork of Filippus and Karver, the royal army was able to land a critical hit to their morale when the two slayed their commander at the edge of The Red Cliffs of Zarr. Karver lost his left eye during the battle and almost lost his life when the corpse of the giant general fell on top of him.

Filippus stayed with him during his whole recovery and rarely left his side on their way back home. Once they reached the palace, they both received the outmost honors for his endeavors during the last battle.

Their military carriers continued to grow from there, always together, they formed an unstoppable duo. Their adventures alone went to become stories that would be spoken through generations to come.

While Sir Karver was known as an impetuous lover, Sir Filippus' lack of a known love life was something to talk about for many members of the royal court, including the royal family.

One time while Sir Karver was visiting Breggmorth, now a bustling and lovely town, during a night enjoying the harvest festivities, he jokingly said to Sir Filippus' that if he ever were to grow roots it would be in a place such as perfect as this beautiful town.

Lord Karver: "Perhaps I should start courting you Filippus, HAHA!"

Punching the rock-hard sides of the stallion next to him, he said that with a wide grin has he gave his mug a big swing. Looking back at his friend he saw the wide-open stare he was being given.

The little sparkling in his eyes, the nose flares and ear twitching. Karver had never seen Filippus so flustered before, he had said it as a joke, well kind of. Filippus had been his role model since he started hearing stories about him. And once, he met him, it wasn't a lie to say that his admiration for him might have grown during his time together. He still couldn't forget how he spent all his waking hours tending to him after the outcome of their battle against the giants.

So, he just had to throw it out there, even if he just half assed it, he could pass it as a joke. And move on, but Sir Filippus' reaction was unexpected. They both stood in silence for a while, faces turning a shade of red, until Filippus regained his composure and passed it on as one of Karver's jokes, something the otter agreed to. Deep down, disappointing both of them.

The kind princess Amelinna, who Sir Filippus had saved years ago, had become a sort of a confidant to him whenever he was in the palace grounds. Always teasing him and trying to make him lose his composure for her amusement but caring deeply for the knightly stallion all the same.

During one of their conversations in her personal garden she asked him if he was really going to be a celibate knight for the remainder of his life, prompting Sir Filippus to say such conversation subjects were unfit for a lady. Having caught his attention, she was able to ask the real question.

Princess Amelinna: "Isn't there anyone you love more than this land, more than the crown?"

Sir Filippus was at a loss for words, he couldn't think of an answer and then, he thought about him.

Sir Filippus:"Yes…"

Princess Amelinna was delighted with the news; she quickly demanded to know who it was, naming every single person in the royal court down to the stable boys, until she named Sir Karver. A faint nervous smile was all she needed. Giving a small dance of victory unbecoming of someone of her lineage she looked like a mighty giant despite being dwarfed by the bashing stallion next to her.

Her happiness was short lived though, Sir Filippus confessed that despite the fact that someone had already taken his heart, he had more important matters to attend to and didn't have time for "the foolishness of love".

Taking on a serious demeanor she would usually assume during royal meetings, princess Amelinna asked him if he didn't care about his own feelings just to keep on serving for the good of others, to which Filippus answered with a stern yes.

Disappointed, she sent him off. Refusing to leave her alone, Filippus decided to escort her back to the palace. It was a quiet walk on their way back, and while Sir Filippus talked to one of the guards, Princess Amelinna looked back with sadness in her eyes at one of the archways next to the bench where her and Sir Filippus had just talked.

Princess Amelinna: "I'm sorry you had to listen to that Sir Karver…"

She thought as Sir Karver exited the garden through a secret exit only very few people knew about….

While things remained mostly the same and both knights were still friendly towards each other, some distance has been put in between their interactions outside of the battlefield. And they both started to drift apart soon after.

In their mid-thirties, Lord Filippus, now a Count, had attained his role as supreme commander of the royal army and Lord Karver had become head of the king's personal guard. By then, Lord Filippus had become the stern commander that everyone knew would lead them to victory no matter the circumstances. The town of Breggmorth had become a small city that was becoming an ideal place of commerce and trading.

It was also starting to become well known for its agriculture. Cheese and fresh fruit were the most well-known products exported to many parts of the kingdom. All Breggmorth citizens were happy with how their new Lord had managed to step up and rebuild the land into such a beautiful place to live, even though he ended up dirt broke more than once in the beginning of his quest to do so.

Being a famous hero of the country was certainly a big plus. They just wished he could relax a little. Always at the ready and willing to serve, but never to enjoy the finer things in life. This would be Lord Filippus’ life for another decade, until he became another useless relic that needed to be disposed of by the ever-changing times.