To know Jahn Stirling is to understand that not all light is gentle. His is a light that stands against shadow, that casts hard truths upon hidden corners, and that does not flinch in the face of pain. He is a paladin of Saradomin not merely by title, but by deep and often challenging conviction—a man forged in faith, tempered by loss, and guided not only by law, but by an unrelenting pursuit of truth.
Where others speak of justice in chants and banners, Jahn lives it in scars and silence. He does not draw his sword lightly, but when he does, it is with the certainty of one who believes in the weight of every choice.
Sanctuary and Steel: His Early Years
Jahn Stirling was born beneath the high vaults of a cathedral in Taverley, in a modest cloister maintained by the Church of Saradomin. He was not the son of nobility or knights, but of caretakers—his mother a temple healer, his father a scribe who tended the archives. From the moment he could walk, he was surrounded by the blue and white regalia of the faithful, the scent of incense, the distant clang of bells and sparring steel.
As a child, he was solemn, studious, and often too serious for his age. While other boys played mock battles, Jahn copied prayers in calligraphy and listened to sermons with wide, wondering eyes. His questions, even then, were piercing: Why do we fight? Who deserves judgment? Can a good man fall, and still be redeemed?
By twelve, he was enrolled as an acolyte in the White Knights’ scholarium, where combat training met theology, and steel was taught alongside scripture. It was there that he met Thalyria, a fellow student of Saradomin's teachings, known for her brilliance with arcane studies and philosophical debates. The two sparred with words and blades alike, building a friendship on mutual respect, quiet rivalry, and the shared experience of growing beneath the stern expectations of the faith.
Knight of the Crown, Servant of Conscience
Jahn rose through the ranks of the White Knights of Falador not by charm or ambition, but by grit and unshakable moral clarity. He distinguished himself in border disputes, in rooting out corruption within smaller enclaves of the order, and in missions where diplomacy demanded more than force.
But the Order is not without its flaws. Jahn saw too many acts done in the name of Saradomin that felt tainted by pride, vengeance, or politics. He began to question—not his god, but his brethren. He walked a fine line between loyalty and reform, often at odds with his superiors who mistook his integrity for defiance.
Eventually, he stepped away from the high tower of Falador, becoming a wandering paladin. He bore the mantle of Saradomin still, but answered not to lords or councils. He chose his missions with care: healing the wounded after skirmishes, breaking up bandit rings, arbitrating peace where it could be brokered, and offering mercy where others offered only wrath.
He still wears the white and gold of the Order, but his tabard is travel-worn, his armor bearing more road-dust than polish.
A Kinship with Nyssarra
Jahn first encountered Nyssarra on the sacred island of Entrana—a place where weapons are forbidden, and the faithful come to meditate, reflect, and unburden their spirits. He had come in search of clarity, temporarily shedding his armor and title to walk among the humble monks in brown robes, contemplating justice without steel.
Nyssarra was not Saradominist, yet she walked the temple gardens as if she belonged, her presence a quiet song among the wind-chimes and seagulls. She had come seeking silence, not answers—wishing to understand how Saradomin’s people found balance, how their faith translated into peace rather than command.
Though he wore no sigils of rank or blade, Nyssarra saw through him at once. "You are not a monk," she had said, not unkindly. "You stand like someone who has trained too long to ever forget it." Jahn was struck—not just by her perception, but by her gentleness. She did not judge, nor pry. She simply saw him.
In her, he sensed a soul unlike the acolytes or even the knights he had known—someone who bore her beliefs not as shields, but as songs. Though their gods and paths differed, something ancient stirred in that first meeting: recognition. Quiet kinship. A sense that their journeys, though distinct, were in some way parallel.
From that moment, Jahn watched her not with suspicion, but with respect.
The Fire and the Thunder: Wolfthora
If Nyssarra is the mirror of his ideals, Wolfthora is the flame that tests them.
Jahn and Wolfthora have crossed blades—once, perhaps more than once. He sees in her the very chaos that Saradomin teaches must be opposed: defiance without reason, strength without purpose. Their early encounters were marked by hard words, drawn swords, and deep disagreement. Jahn once declared her a threat to peace and nearly brought her in under binding law.
But conflict breeds understanding, especially among warriors.
Over time, he came to see something more: not a wanton destroyer, but a woman of painful honesty and personal code. Wolfthora’s defiance comes from deep wounds. Her fury is not without reason. And while they may never walk the same path, Jahn now gives her wide respect. He has seen her defend the innocent. He has seen her choose restraint. And in the places where her chaos tempers his certainty, and his order tempers her wildness, they have found a tense but necessary accord.
He would still argue with her in a heartbeat. But he would also protect her, should the need arise. Perhaps that is what fellowship looks like in its roughest form.
Thalyria: The Old Ally
Among all who share Jahn’s path, it is Thalyria who knows him longest. Their bond goes back to temple halls, torchlit libraries, and long philosophical arguments that carried on late into the night. They learned the rites of Saradomin side by side—he, the blade of doctrine; she, the mind of arcane tradition.
Where Jahn questioned morality through justice, Thalyria questioned through knowledge. They challenged each other constantly—he accusing her of overthinking, she accusing him of oversimplifying. But they balanced one another, then as now.
Though their paths have diverged—his into the field, hers into more scholarly and mystical pursuits—they remain close allies. She reminds him of the value of patience, of nuance, of inner reflection. He, in turn, reminds her of the power of action, of standing firm when knowledge alone cannot sway the world.
There is a deep, enduring respect between them, and in times of crisis, Jahn is never far from her side.
Bearing the Light Forward
Jahn Stirling is not a perfect man. He doubts. He questions. He makes mistakes. But in all things, he seeks to walk with integrity, even when the road narrows and the light fades.
He is not Saradomin’s echo, but his questioner. He does not seek glory, but justice. He does not wield power for pride, but for purpose.
In a world of shifting alliances and forgotten truths, Jahn Stirling remains a rare thing: a man who believes that the light is not something one follows, but something one must carry forward—through battlefields, through pain, through loneliness. And if, along the way, that light touches others—be it a ranger in the woods, a flame-hearted warrior, or a long-lost friend—then so much the better.
He does not seek to lead.
Only to serve what is right.
Race: Human
Class: Paladin
Background: Acolyte (Servant of Saradomin’s faith)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Strength 16 +3
Dexterity 10 +0
Constitution 14 +2
Intelligence 10 +0
Wisdom 13 +1
Charisma 16 +3
Human (Variant): +1 Strength, +1 Charisma, plus a feat at 1st level (Great Weapon Master or Sentinel are thematic options).
Divine Sense: Detect celestials, fiends, or undead within 60 ft.
Lay on Hands: Healing pool (25 HP at level 5).
Fighting Style: Defense (AC +1) or Protection (impose disadvantage on attack against allies).
Divine Smite: Spend spell slots to deal radiant damage on hit.
Spellcasting: Paladin spells focused on protection, healing, and smiting evil.
Aura of Protection: Add Charisma modifier to all saving throws for self and allies within 10 ft.
Divine Health: Immunity to disease.
Bless (buff allies)
Shield of Faith (boost AC)
Cure Wounds (heal)
Wrathful Smite (enhance melee attack)
Detect Evil and Good
Lesser Restoration (for conditions)
Armor: Plate Mail (AC 18)
Weapon: Greatsword or Warhammer and Shield (depending on preference)
Holy Symbol: Saradomin-themed pendant or emblem worn on armor or as a necklace
Explorer’s Pack (standard adventuring gear)
Faithful and disciplined, Jahn embodies Saradomin’s ideals of justice, order, and protection.
Has a calm and commanding presence, inspiring allies in battle.
Struggles with balancing strict dogma against the messy realities of the world.
Holds a quiet respect for both Nyssarra and Wolfthora despite their differing beliefs and backgrounds.
Known for his steadfastness in the face of darkness, acting as an unbreakable shield for those in need.