Who is Wendell, from Chronicles of a Hero?

Further Lore behind our teen hero, Wendell P. Dipmier

Stupid as this may sound, I didn’t think anyone was listening.

Growing up a nobody, all I wanted was to do something important.
To be someone who mattered.

The one time I decide to bellyache out loud, the Universe hears me and I get the chance of a lifetime to change my life??

Wouldn’t you take it?

You’d have to leave everyone you know, everything you’re used to and understand...and jump feet first into the unknown. Completely starting from scratch. Kicked out of your comfort zone, every belief challenged and every scrap of worldly knowledge now invalidated.

Would you do it?

Me too.

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The Kid Who Chose To Help

Seventeen years old.
Just a kid when taken from his home.
A normal teen, from an average family, yanked from some small backwater planet called Earth.

This was never Wendell’s fight.
Mahan, Thule and even the Ithari weren’t his problem.

Yet this kid found himself in an impossible situation, back against the wall…an anomaly…an exception to the rules we knew of...and the greatest magical artifact of our world history chose HIM as host.

Who and what Wendell was before he found himself here on Elämä I can’t say, but Morphiophelius, Dax, and even my daughter Alhannah, have told me the Ithari saw something in this kid.

...and she was right.

It’s impossible not to like and admire Wendell, once you get to know him…and get past the occasional whimpering.

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The Mantle of the Hero

The Hero mantle has been passed down from father to son since the Lanthya first arrived on our world.

That’s one of the main purposes of the Iskari High Council…keeping track of the bloodline. Someone has to know where and when to grab a new hero if the Ithari calls for one…even when that bloodline is hidden off-world.

Still, I’d paid good money to see the looks on their faces when Wendell entered the room.

*snort*
That had to be a shocker…

I can understand Wendell’s hesitation.
If I were given some monstrous diamond by strangers, no questions asked and no explanations either, I’d be suspicious too.

Add to that, being pushed about by a bunch of robed mägo…demanding you fight their battles for them?

Yeeeeeah, good luck with that one.

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The Boy We Know Now

When you first meet Wendell, you notice his manners.

Oh, he’s awkward and he may be nervous, but he will smile at you and shake your hand with a kindness you just feel to your toes.
Because he’s a good kid.
He will reach out, offering his hand in friendship upon meeting people, even for the first time.

If I could sum up the youth, I’d say he’s thoughtful, kind, giving and honest.
Nearly to a fault (or so Wood says), wearing his personality on his sleeve for all to see.

In my personal opinion, it’s refreshing to see such a kind and positive personality in this dreary world.

That’s what makes this young man so special.
What you see is exactly what you’re going to get.
He’s not always sure what he’s doing, or even what he’s SUPPOSED to be doing…but he’s willing to sacrifice for those in need until he figures out what that is.

“Wendell, it doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not, the Universe doesn’t MAKE mistakes. You weren’t brought here to fail, so unless you give up, the plan is still in play. Learn in motion. Don’t look back. Just meet every challenge with your whole soul. Trust yourself, son.
You have a good heart…the rest is just PRACTICE.”

— Mr. Dipmier

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Wendell’s Magical Abilities

Wendell’s abilities have yet to be fully discovered…but the mantle of the Hero has provided some distinct abilities: •

• HEALING: Wendell has shown multiple examples of extreme healing, which he has confirmed comes from the Ithari herself. He is not susceptible to normal illnesses, and any physical damage sustained -- including broken bones, deep flesh wounds, and even extreme burns -- have healed in full.

• LIGHT: Wendell has shown a natural ability to call forth and manipulate light in various degrees.

• FIRE: Through intense concentration, Wendell has shown a basic control over magical flame.

• HEIGHTENED ATTRIBUTES: There have been specific instances where Wendell’s heightened emotions and focus brought about physical aspects above and beyond those of a teen male of his height, weight and age. Increased strength, endurance, speed, and agility are a few of the attributes manifested.

• INVISIBILITY: Though the spell taught to Wendell by Chuck was specifically shared to hide the presence of the Ithari. Yet Wendell performed Silmä Inäkmään, with exaggerated results--far beyond the original capabilities of the spell.

• ANIMAL EMPATHY: Wendell seems to have a connection with those of the animal kingdom. To what extend that influence or control is, is unknown--but Wendell has received the protection of natural apex predators in the wild, without any effort on his part.

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The Mantle Inheritance

Wendell somehow won the affections of a rare Ridge Hound named Mouse. This 22+ stone (350lb) canine is the crossbreed of a Ridge Wolf and a Keep Hound which refused to leave the Hero’s side when he left the small village of Putayal. In addition to this companion, Wendell acquired several specific magical artifacts when he accepted the Hero Mantle.
They are:

• CHUCK’S COTTAGE: Taking up the space of less than 50 square feet of land—once inside, the cottage provides a vast and ever-changing space, easily compared to the finest of castles. Crafted by the previous hero, the cottage is the main dwelling of the one who holds the mantle of the Gem.
  This unique structure seems to be connected to the world around it.
  Able to move to various locations, many of its doors open to other structures…and holds within its rooms, deep secrets of magic known only to previous heroes (and close gnome friends who happen to be historians).

• COIN PURSE: This pouch was a direct gift from the last hero to his son—an enchanted coin purse with a fortune attached to it. The total contents of the purse are unknown. Specifically enchanted to the Ithari itself, the purse only works for Wendell, activating at his touch.
  Though Wendell has misplaced the purse on several occasions, and even had it taken from him…it’s always found its way back to him (so far).

• THE LETTER: Presented with the coin purse was a single letter, encased in a white envelope. This letter, I’m told, was written by the last hero, and cannot be read by anyone but he who possesses the Ithari. The parchment has yet to be damaged or lost, always appearing near Wendell when needed. Its true magic is the changing message it displays from time to time, providing direction to the Hero on his journey (though Wendell has openly complained that it’s rarely been of any true use to him, other than to frustrate him to action).

• MÄGOWEAVE: Wendell is in possession of the most extraordinary gift in what he wears. Preferring what feels comfortable, which usually means sneakers, blue jeans, and a black shirt with an animated smiley face, the result of wearing the unusual hybrid design of Mägoweave.
  The creator of this outfit is unknown, though when Chuck allowed me to perform an age test on the cloths, the results revealed its creation to date hundreds of years before Wendell arrived.