Wiglaf

Origins
Wiglaf’s personality is inspired by both Beowulf, a brave and powerful character in English literature who slew two giants and a dragon, and Don Quixote, another literature character who becomes obsessed with his books and tries to become a chivalrous knight (and fails miserably).

Story
Wiglaf, then known as Aschen Waterlock, grew up in a small, unheard of village named Mandrake. As a child, he mostly stayed cooped up in his house when he wasn’t working outside, reading stories of brave warriors and knights. Despite his overwhelming strength, his parents didn’t believe he would amount to much aside from tending their crops.

Being discontent with this reality, at the age of 10 Aschen decided to venture out on his own quest in the middle of the night in search for something to prove his worth. What exactly it was he was searching for was unclear even to him, yet he knew it was what a brave warrior would do.

During his travels towards a tall mountain on the outskirts of his village, Aschen tripped and fell into a deep chasm that had previously been covered with leaves and mud. With a squishy thud, he landed safely and began searching for a way out. As he searched, he stumbled across a hidden room filled with long-forgotten treasures and fortunes. Stuffing as much as he could into his clothes, Aschen quickly found his way out soon after.

Once home, Aschen said goodbye to his family, carrying his riches and favourite books in tow. After leaving his village, Aschen changed his name to Wiglaf, the name of a character in the story Beowulf who succeeded the titular character as the king. Ever since, Wiglaf vowed to become one of the strongest warriors to ever live, putting his name in the history books.

Technically speaking, he succeeded at this, but...not quite as he planned. For years to follow, the tales of Wiglaf were published into books and shared verbally among families and friends, but only because Wiglaf himself was the one who published them. While he did grow to be a strong man, all of the stories written about him were fabricated by himself. Such stories include, but are not limited to Wiglaf slaying six sea monsters during a swimming race, challenging a Medusa-like creature to a staring contest and being able to wield Excalibur (only to discover the power of the sword was nothing compared to his fists, of course!).

Other Notes
Wiglaf’s past was inspired by the song “Cinderella Man” by Rush.

If Wiglaf had a theme song, it would probably be “Dragon Slayer” by NSP.

List of Wiglaf’s Heroic Deeds*:

* {Almost all of these are fabricated.}
 * Going to a tavern with Kubla Khan and drinking the milk of paradise
 * Starts a stand-up comedy routine with Sir Dinadan (one of King Arthur’s knights)
 * Slaying six sea monsters during a swimming race
 * Daring Medusa to a staring contest (and winning)
 * Wielding Excalibur