This is Terranor Kalanhaven; Knight of Melsaria, Paladin of Light
He’s also a sentient suit of animated armor, but that fact is generally not very well-known.
Terranor's story begins long ago with the elven wizard known as Kalanhaven of the Moonlight Spires, who was not only a powerful wizard but also an avid explorer. While on an expedition into the far northern wilderness Kalanhaven discovered an odd blade. They didn’t find it delving into a dungeon or winning it in some epic battle, Kalan simply found it sticking out of the wall in an icy cave. It was a well-crafted blade that seemed to radiate a form of divine energy but Kalan could not figure out the blades origins or even what it was actually made out of (other than it was some sort of crystalline metal) no matter what spells they used. Kalan eventually went back home intending to study the blade further. But one night Kalan had some sort of dreaming vision, something unlike they had ever experienced. It was hard to put into words but Kalan was positive that the blade was a weapon that was involved in some grand destiny and that it was their duty to find the person that was meant to wield the blade.
Kalanhaven chose a remote "dungeon" to hide the blade until they could find the one to wield it. It was a place known as Ulvanor. It had once been a thriving city built at the bottom of a canyon but a massive earthquake in the past brought the canyon down, burying the city. However the city hadn't been completely destroyed, many buildings survived and they combined with the natural gaps that had been left in the stone and earth resulted in a strange labyrinth. Many creatures had moved into Ulvanor over the years making it quite a hazardous place. Kalan used their magic to find and restore an ancient vault that existed deep within Ulvanor, then got to work crafting a guardian for the blade. Using all the tricks and techniques they knew Kalan created an armored guardian, something they was sure would be strong enough to watch over the blade while Kalan searched for the person to wield it. Kalan put the guardian in place and added a few more magics to the vault that would help keep the armour in top condition. Satisfied that the blade was well-hidden and protected Kalan set off on their own quest, only visiting occasionally to make sure the guardian was still functioning and the blade still in place.
Over time the Armour was accepted by the other denizens of Ulvanor as just another part of the dungeon, a particularly hazardous part, and most just avoided the immediate area entirely. There were many, many adventurers over the years that would make it through all the dangers of Ulvanor only to meet their end at the sword of the Armor. Eventually a tribe of goblins that lived in Ulvanor began to take advantage of how good the Armour was at disposing of adventurers. While there was magic in place that would teleport things, besides the Armor and the blade, that remained in the vault too long away, they would remain long enough to be salvaged by those clever enough to do so. The Goblins would set traps to try and herd adventurers towards the Armour and when it worked they would simply wait awhile and then go check and see if the adventurers had met their fate. Then using hook and line the would try and fish for the bodies, hooking them and then slowly dragging them out of the vault since the Armour never left that room. It would work most of the time; unless they moved the bodies too fast, then the Armour would react and chop their lines. The Goblins even started rumors of "The Terror of Ulvanor" and the fabulous treasure it guarded in an effort to lure in more adventurers.
However one fateful day the Armour was once again doing it duty and protecting the blade from a group of adventurers that sought to claim the treasure. The last to fall was a mage whom was trying to get off a spell just as the Armour struck them down. Somehow interactions between the mystical energies of the Armour, the magical energy of the nearly cast spell and other unknown variables caused the armor to gain sentience and free-will. After being confused for a bit at the new sense of self the Armour decides to leave and take the blade with them, sudden sentience is no excuse for shirking one's duty after all; their goal to find Kalanhaven or at least complete the mission of finding the one meant to wield the blade. While the Armour had to fight through some of the other denizens of Ulvanor they eventually made their way to the surface and headed out into the wilderness.
After wandering the wilderness alone for a time the Armor eventually stumbled upon the home of a former adventuring Paladin that had retired to settle down and raise her family, the paladin's name was Melsaria Luzera, Paladin of Light. At first Melsaria was ready to fight when she saw this magic armor walk onto her property; but then she could sense there was something different about this armored guardian than ones she had come across before and she could feel divine energy radiating from the blade it carried. The biggest shock however was when the Armor spotted and greeted her, even sounded a bit unsure while doing so. In her experience those types of things were not supposed to be able to talk. Melsaria greeted back and began to converse, both out of sheer curiosity and an attempt to find out just what was going on. The Armor introduced itself, again a bit unsure sounding, as Terranor, and answered Melsaria's questions the best it was able. After hearing Terranor's story Melsaria decided it was her duty to help; it is the duty of all Paladins of the Light to help those in need, and Terranor was perhaps in as much need as she had ever seen someone. Melsaria's spouses were unsure of the whole situation but would support Melsaria if this was something she really wanted to do, the children’s general reaction was that Terranor was one of the most awesome things they had ever seen.
Sensing potential and an affinity for Light in this Terranor, Melsaria decided she would train him in the ways of the Paladin. Terranor was already well-versed in the ways of combat, just needed a bit of refinment, so Melsaria focused more on the moral and spiritual. And while Melsaria was training Terranor to be a Paladin the whole family helped him learn how to socialize and taught him many other skills he might have need of in normal society. Terranor proved to be a quick leaner and took in any knowledge he was presented with, it wasn’t long before Melsaria felt that Terranor’s training was complete and it was time for him to go out into the world and use his skills to help those in need. Terranor thanked Melsaria and her family and said his goodbyes as he set out on his journey.
Now Terranor wanders the land helping those in need; but always keeps the mission of finding the one destined to wield the blade in mind, no matter how long it may take.
Here’s a new drawing from me after a very long time, hopefully it won’t be as long before my next pic ;P heh The idea for this guy came to me one day as I was going through the Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual, just one of those random ideas that develops a backstory and such.