Maldene has a plethora of heroes and what might be termed ‘main characters’, but there also exist the secondary and tertiary characters; those characters that, while not contributing in any major way to the plot, nonetheless have their own presence, quirk, or enjoyable distraction. They might work with the main characters, possess some singular fact or device the others need, or simply act as a monkey wrench to everyone’s plans. Whatever their purpose, they are memorable.

This, then, are a few of the secondary characters in the story of Maldene.

Blag-ak is a dimwitted, lovable-in-his-own-way, ogre who can’t string together more than four words at a time in what passes for conversation. His concepts are usually limited to “friend” and “not friend”, but under that small umbrella his loyalties are pretty much absolute.  He does have one unusual quirk in his choice of weapons, however.  Besides being able to punch his way through a rock wall, for ranged weapons he uses those skulls hanging from his belt (and you thought those were only decorative additions by the AI engine); he grabs one by the hair, whips it around, then hurls it with amazing accuracy, usually while shouting something like, “Blag-ak kill!”

But now what about that passenger riding on his shoulder? That would be Quickfoot; a diminutive creature that’s basically Maldene’s version of a Hobbit.  A thief with a love for collecting  knives, he winds up being the only one able to translate the real world into Blag-ak’s limited vocabulary, as well as getting away with slapping his large friend on the head to get him to focus.

Eldana starts out as “Lieutenant Eldana”, a female Elf in service to the King.  As stable as they come, a fierce fighter with her own Elven magic.  Then her unit encounters the mad wizard, Po-Adar.  Eldana was the one that got to live, though not without a price. Through details that you will get to read in ‘Maldene II: Mysteries Of Olde’, old Po breaks her mind and turns her into his loving pet (notice the collar around her neck? I’m talking a literal pet). She’s as mad as they come, though with a twist or two that Po introduced into her. From that point on, the antics of Po-Adar and Eldana are the most fun for me to write; they’re basically like Joker and Harley Quin except not nearly as well adjusted.

Oh, and that ghoul pictured by her side? It used to be her commander.

Baldegron, mighty warrior and head General for the King on the dalnmar of Degaloth. With strength unmatched and reserves of courage and determination that have become legend, he has been serving the King since the days when the King was but an orphan working his way up in the world. When it comes to serving the King and protecting the kingdom, Baldegron does not mess around.

But you may notice that sword across his back, the one with the jeweled hilt. That is not just any sword, but one of deepest legend, the most powerful sword anywhere. The famed Sword of Force. Created millennia ago by Miro, along with the Shield of Might and Helmet of Awe, it was thought lost until unearthed during an expedition led by he who is now King before he’d gained his kingdom. Now Baldegron guards it; a sword said to be able to hack through yards of solid rock, drain magic, and perform other functions that General Baldegron has yet to uncover.

There is, however, one caveat that goes along with the Sword, in that it was created– along with the Shield and Helm– to be used by but one individual alone: Grong. And thousands of rels it may have been, but Grong still exists, which means that there will come a day when the two will meet and decide in combat who the real owner of the Sword will be.

The ground itself may crack when that day arrives.