Shield

Back in the ninth grade, I started playing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

I created a character named Sir Edward the Eagle.

He was a knight who wore heavy armor with a helmet,

carried a hand-and-a-half bastard sword, and bore a gold eagle on his blue shield.

He usually died quickly since he was always the first in and last out of combat.

I used that name and shield for just about every character I ever played.

The shield on this page is the one I created for Sir Edward the Eagle.

The symbol above the Eagle is a combination of two runes.

Runes are the Nordic equivalent to the Roman alphabet.

They are also used for magic and fortune telling like Tarot cards.

In this case, I chose the runes used by J.R.R. Tolkien in "The Hobbit".

The rune for "E" (as in Edward) looks like an "M", the rune for "Ea" (as in Eagle) looks like a "W" on a stick.

So the symbol is essentially a merged version of the initials for Edward, but there is an interesting twist for me:

The symbol for "St" (as in Stephen) looks like an "M" mirror imaged vertically.

When the "St" symbol us merged with the "Ea", it looks identical to the symbol for Edward.

I have not played a role playing game since 1989. My friends and I just do not have the time anymore.

Besides, I no longer have to pretend: I am Stephen the Eagle!

As shown in this Halloween 2000 photo, I even have a real bastard sword and a shield.

I can not yet afford a suit of plate armor.

I have a concealed carry license, so I usually have my 0.45 pistol with me at all times.

If the situation ever calls for it, I, like the many characters I have portrayed,

will risk my life to serve and protect those around me.

A year or so before my son Sebastian was born, a co-worker encouraged my wife and I to try World of Warcraft.

WoW is a modern online version of Dungeons and Dragons.

Of course my character is a Paladin as shown in an image from the game.