To say that the Erde family had a background in arms was putting it mildly, going back generations the men of the family had been mercenaries, joining a company and seeking their fortune in the squabbles between wealthy families, or city states. Sometimes they took part in expeditions, often coming back laden with spoils from whatever exploration they had been paid to take part in. But each time the soldier would come back, settle down and the next generation would come along in due time. Something however wasn't quite the same with young Malleo. He had inherited his father's strong features, a sharp nose that made his face perhaps just a touch more angular than most people would consider handsome, but there was something compelling about it all the same. He was broad shouldered, and built like he was made for armour and a horse. But while he excelled at all the combat training his father and grandfather put him through, he was always wanting to go off and study with any of the wandering priests who occasionally came through the local town.

While Malleo enjoyed learning the fight and found the skills came naturally to him, there was something about the idea of fighting for simple coin from the highest bidder which just jarred against his sense of what was right. As he entered adolescence he came to the conclusion that if he was going to fight and take life then it would be for a cause, and one he truly believed in. It was several years later while debating with another of the travelling priests, one dedicated to the goddess of earth and fertility that the priest mentioned the concept of a paladin. A warrior dedicated to upholding all things good and true. The idea fired Malleo's mind, he leapt up, embraced the frail priest and dashed off.

His intention was clear in his mind, he would become a holy warrior, dedicated to helping those in need and in peril. But telling his family that he would not become a mercenary was going to drive a wedge between them, while his mother, a quiet, soft-spoken woman, wouldn't harbour too many ill feelings towards his new path, his father and grandfather would view it as a betrayal of their legacy. Indeed when he did tell them of his plans he was all but thrown out with the barest of supplies and expected to make his own way in the world, perhaps they thought a measure of hardship would lead Malleo to give up on this plan and earn gold the way they had. But their training had been too good, he could find food from the land and could barter like a merchant, but never failing to keep to his values. It was while travelling that he began to develop his own personal creed.

Take nothing from those in need, and never what is not offered.
Protect those that cannot protect themselves.
Do not ignore evil, even under the guise of authority.
Spare life where possible.
Protect the earth that nurtures.

The last part of his creed was his way of thanking the earth priest, and by extension the goddess for showing him his true path.

Years passed with Malleo travelling the land, always training where he met masters of combat, and honing his mind when he met priests, but he always held a special regard for those who served the goddess, or as he came to view her his goddess. He began to wear a token of his faith whenever entering combat and painted his shield a moss green. Now after a decade of travelling he considers himself as close to the warrior ideal as he can attain this way, it will only be through divine intervention that he can move beyond that to being a true paladin.