john noble

oVERVIEW

The main protagonist of Samsara. John Noble is the main character for the entirety of the Faded Diamond storyline and still one of the major characters in Last Horizon and Endless Womb. John is the son of Victor Noble and Rene Bennington.

John's character arc sees him wanting to escape the shadow of his father. John finds out who his father truly is right before the beginning of the story which propels him to leave his home at the Cathedral that he was raised, and figure things out for himself. He initially puts himself in harms way out of a desperation to do the right thing, in an effort to prove to himself that he is a good man. He eventually comes to terms with who he is and where he comes from, understanding that he is his own man and not defined by the crimes of his father.

His father, Victor Noble, was apparently an evil man who killed thousands during his time as the Shimmering Knight. The Shimmering Knight was the High Commander of the Empress's army, The Phoenix Scepter and was used as a tool to strike fear in the hearts of those that would oppose her. Victor Noble had within him, a supernatural, destructive power that obliterated anything in a blast of white light. The Empress would utilize the fear of the Knight's power to assimilate new kingdoms through hegemonic power, rarely employing the Knight to actually fight. He would eventually be involved in the Grey Plains incident that killed thousands and leveled an entire forest. 

CHARACTERIZATION

Early on in the story, John projects an outward confidence to seem stronger and more in control than he really feels. He is, in actuality self-conscious and full of doubt toward himself and how he will handle the situations he finds himself in. However, it is in his struggle for control of himself and fear of being seen as a villain like his father that makes him strive to do the right thing, regardless of the outcome or even his own doubt about it. This will extend through the whole Faded Diamond story. Early on, he is reserved and wary of opening up to others, for fear of how he will be seen. It seems that he is not only wary of revealing much about himself but is actually untrusting of others.

John’s reserved nature makes him initially very skeptical of Michael and of Champions in general. In a way, he doesn’t even truly believe in the good of others at first. This manifests in his main character flaw, which is a lack of trust. John will have difficulty trusting both in himself and in others. He is not fully able to trust that he will do the right thing. Similarly, he is wary of supposedly good people and what they could potentially be capable of. John believes that you can never truly know someone and his outlook is the belief that anyone is capable of anything.

For this reason, this makes him initially distrusting of Michael as such a paragon of virtue. This is because his mistrust of people manifests from him not trusting in himself. However, this negative outlook toward others is the first thing that he will let go of after the Stolen Moon arc, seeing that Michael is truly a good man and who John himself strives to be.

After this, John will still retain a very simplistic view of good and bad, seeing things in black and white until after the Sacred Sands arc. By this time, John still held on to the belief that anyone is capable of anything and what you do determines if you are good or bad, even your mistakes. This is part of the reason he tries so hard to do the right thing, but also why he is so self critical. However, this also makes him too judgmental toward those that actually have made mistakes. Near the end of the Sacred Sands arc the view of a binary view of good and bad begins to soften. His travels in the desert will illustrate to him that there are grey areas in who people are, including him.

Finally, the last change that John will go through is to truly let go of his doubt and lack of confidence in himself by relinquishing some control and relying on others. By the time the last chapters come around John truly feels he had come to know others, Michael, Sam, Vahuma, Elahei and Aletheia. In the end he trusts in himself and more importantly he trusts in the good of others. He also knows that those he cares for will keep him from losing his way. Aletheia even says as much near the end that she will be there to keep his head up and keep him on the right path. This is demonstrated completely when she is the one to stop him from drowning Donofrey. 

By the end, his struggle to overcome his own doubt will afford him to truly rely on himself and the strength of others. In doing so he comes to trust in himself and his friends. This frees him from the façade of confidence and grants him true self-confidence and the place in the world he had been searching for.

GAINESBOROUGH

Rene Bennington lived in the small town of Gainesborough at the border of Veiland and Miridian. When she was a young woman, she was friends with a young man named Haylen Wright who also lived in the village. They were very dear friends but both of them knew that there was something more. The young man was an artist and decides to make her a gift. He then asks Rene to meet him on their favorite hilltop at midday. Haylen, finishes his gift and puts it in an envelope along with a poem. He then heads toward the hilltop outside of town. On his way, his foot falls into a hole in the road and just as he attempts to remove it, a runaway horse cart is tearing down the road. Haylen is killed. 

Rene eventually realizes something is wrong when Haylen doesn't show up and goes looking for him. Back in town she sees commotion on the roadside and finds that her friend was killed in an accident. Her father gives her the envelope and Rene finds out that Haylen loved her and intended to ask for her hand in marriage. Within the envelope was a beautiful gold medallion and a poem written to her asking her to marry him. The poem read:

Years later, Rene works in the small bakery owned by her family. She meets and befriends a new priest that has come to the church in Gainesborough. His name is Basildes and Rene would often visit him to seek guidance in her life. She and Basildes become fast friends as Rene would often bake things to give to Basildes, despite his protests. 

Several more years pass. Rene meets and falls for a soldier from the Sanguine Empire when he had been passing through as an escort for envoys of the Empire. The soldier’s name was Victor Noble, who had come to Basildes for help in dealing with his own guilt. It was at this church where he and Rene met and they became closer over the span of several months. Eventually, Victor would visit more often to the point where it was clear he was visiting just for her. Rene was very optimistic and bright which enraptured Victor. While Victor was a very serious and intense man, Rene was able to break down his walls and she found a compassionate man that held onto severe heartache and pain. 

At this point, the Shimmering Knight was a near mythical presence that was often heard of in rumor. No one but Empress Anahita's closest knew of Victor's identity as the Shimmering Knight, not even Rene. However, Basildes deduced his identity but vowed to keep his secret. The priest was protective of Rene but saw Victor as a kind, albeit broken man. Still, he saw that Victor loved her and he urged him to tell Rene. Victor never could, but despite him hiding this from Rene, Victor truly loved her and she him. After nearly a year, they were married by Basildes in a secret ceremony in the forest surrounding Gainsborough. Victor gave Rene a silver ring he made from a chip in his armor, while Rene gave Victor her Medallion, the same one that she had received from her friend long ago. 

Victor and Rene agreed to leave the West and travel North to explore the Wilderlands and live a quiet life. Before they could leave, however, Victor was sent to accompany the Empress of Gules in her final meeting with King Marcus of Selene. The meeting was to discuss the assimilation of Veiland into the Empire. Rene had become pregnant by Victor before he had left her, which is something that she told Basildes of. Basildes was one of the few people outside of the Empire that knew Victor was the Shimmering Knight. He intended to tell Rene himself. However, the young woman had suddenly developed a strange illness where she displayed white freckles under her eyes. After this, Basildes could not bring himself to tell her. 

After the Empress’s apparent assassination, the Empire was in disarray and those in her regime were in real danger of being killed. Victor knew what he had to do to survive and asked Simon Perish to create a Resonating Artifact out of the Medallion that Rene had given him. Simon relinquished despite the dangers, feeling that there was nothing left to lose. After this, Simon Perish was captured and the Soothsayer disappeared. With no alternative, Victor led what remained of the Phoenix Scepter army in an effort to take Veiland by force. They were met by the Crescent Shield army in the Bastion Forest near Veiland and a fierce battle ensued. Victor, as well as many others were killed in a strange phenomenon that left a crater where the battle took place. It became known as the Grey Plains and the Shimmering Knight became a condemned figure in Veiland for his role in killing so many.

TO MONOS CATHEDRAL

After the incident at the Grey Plains, Rene gave birth to a son and named him John. After nearly, two years, she finally succumbed to her illness and entrusted John to Basildes. The priest was heartbroken at the loss of his friend and decided to leave Gainsborough with John and travel west to a new church being built in Veiland. He joined a caravan that was heading west to build the church, which was to be known as the Monos Cathedral.

Basildes felt a responsibility to raise John but would often question his faith, realizing that John would never really know his wonderful mother. After this, Basildes began to lose some of the lightheartedness that drew Rene to him.

As he traveled west with John, Basildes reached the Grey Plains where the battle between Veiland and the Empire had occurred. Basildes spent some time there praying for the fallen where he found the golden Sun Medallion, amidst the ash. He recognized it as the one given to Victor by Rene when they were wed. He did not know how the medallion was the only thing left, but he soon noticed strange things about it. The medallion seemed to give off a quiet ringing. It also had a tendency to end up on the floor after being put on shelves or tables. Despite this, Basildes felt that it belonged to John and intended to give it to him when he was older.

For years, Basildes cared for John and taught him everything that he could but knew that he would benefit more from a proper teacher. He tried to raise him and instill good morals but John would often get into fights with other young boys that attended the church. As a result, Basildes was very strict with him. He worried that there would be something of his father in him. He knew who his father truly was and although there was good in Victor Noble, Basildes worried that John would inhabit the worst of his father. He also worried what would happen to John if others found out who his father was.

When John was 10 years old, he began to question his heritage more and Basildes would often tell him about his mother who he had been dear friends with. Regarding his father, he would only tell him that he was a brave knight who fought for what he believed in. Basildes opted not to tell him much more than this at the time.

CHAMPIONS

Around this time, Basildes was summoned by the King of Veiland, King Marcus. The King wished for something to be done for his daughter, Princess Aletheia of Selene. Aletheia had a strange power that put anyone she touched to sleep. The healers and apothecaries could not diagnose her and it occured to the King that his daughter was suffering from something supernatural or evil. King Marcus believed that she could be healed from this affliction and requested for the priest Basildes to attempt to do so. The King hoped something could be done for her simply because he did not want his daughter to be feared or persecuted. Since the Grey Plains incident, superstition and persecution seemed to become more widespread among the people, and the King did not want this for Aletheia. Basildes asks the King to give him a few weeks to pray on the matter before he can help.

Since, Basildes had been friends with John’s father, the Shimmering Knight, he had a personal stake in the matter. Victor Noble was not the monster everyone in Veiland believed him to be, but a conflicted and human man with pain and emotion. Basildes knew firsthand that these people with powers were just people. He believed they could make another man like the Shimmering Knight, only one that inspired people. However, Basildes feared what would happen if the King found out who John was.

Because of the King’s firsthand experience with the Grey Plains incident, Basildes wished to avoid any chance of him discovering John’s heritage, despite the incident taking place 10 years prior. Basildes simply does not know what the King would do if he found out about John. He decides to send John to a temple called the Moon Palace to keep him from being discovered by the King and makes arrangement to send John away.  He will also receive tutelage at the Moon Palace and have further education there, something that Basildes could not provide.

John initially does not want to leave but Basildes insists that it would be for the best. John first believes that he did something wrong to be sent away and Basildes assures him that this is not the case. Basildes does not want to lie to the boy, who he cares for deeply and decides to tell him the truth, or at least part of it. He gives John the Noble family’s medallion which he accepts. Basildes then tells him that his father was named Victor Noble and he was part of the Ensanguined Empire, an enemy of Veiland long ago.

John asks if he himself is an enemy of Veiland as well, but Basildes assures him that he is not. However, his father was considered an enemy and people may not understand. John is unsure how to feel about this but Basildes tries to console him. He tries to tell John that his father was not a bad man, but he worries that right now, people would not be willing to open their eyes to this. He tells John that this is the reason he must be sent away. John is deeply saddened and takes this to mean that he is unwelcome at the Cathedral. He accuses Basildes of misleading him and refuses the medallion, not knowing that it was originally his mother’s. He begins to believe that Basildes is ashamed of him, despite what he says, and John decides to leave willingly.

Basildes is heartbroken to cause so much pain in the boy he has raised. He tries to convince him that his father was only ever doing what he thought was right and he hopes one day he will understand. John is taken the next day to the Moon Palace where he will be away for nearly 8 years.

THE LUNAR GUARDIAN

Basildes vows to instill a change in how people with powers are viewed. He had also begun to recognize the increase in superstitions and growing distrust toward people with powers. This was especially since rumors of them were becoming more prominent. Because of his experiences with Victor Noble, Basildes wished to understand these people better and hoped that others would not fear them. He returns to Selene and is able to convince the King that Aletheia did not need to be healed.

The King did not understand at first, but he soon realized his own ignorance and agrees that Aletheia does not need to be cured. However, he does not want her to be feared by others and would often keep her hands and much of her skin covered. For this reason, Basildes understood the King’s concern for his daughter and the two come up with an idea to change the public perception of people with these powers. This is the first time that Father Basildes meets Aletheia, whom he notes has antlers. Basildes did not realize that she was Faun and assumes that the Queen was of Elven descent as well. He finds this somewhat interesting, considering that she also has red hair, an uncommon trait among Fauna. The King seems reticent about the topic, however, and Basildes does not press the matter further.

King Marcus and Basildes work through their ideas for months at the Monos Cathedral. Their attempt to give a name to supernatural people varied from calling them, Angels to Paragons to Apotheoun. The terms for their abilities ranged from Blessings to Powers to Virtues. They both recognized, though, that it was important to stress that these people were still human, just gifted humans. They decide upon calling these gifted people Champions. Basildes begins to use his influence in the church to create reverence for Champions. He often mentions these Champions during congregation and tells people that they are to be cared for like any other.

Two years pass and Aletheia is turning 12 years old. The King and Basildes would continue their work to uplift Champions throughout the years.

They then locate a young blacksmith in Selene who was rumored to have supernatural strength. The lad’s name is Michael and the pair decide that he could be a grand figurehead to further elevate Champions. Michael is given the persona of The Lunar Guardian and he is christened the High Champion of Selene, to protect the people of Selene. Immediately after this, the Lunar Guardian quickly becomes a Champion of the people and an inspiring figure to the commonfolk.

THE MOON PALACE

When John was 10, he arrived at the temple called the Moon Palace in the far eastern side of Veiland. The temple had long ago become a library and source of knowledge for a faction of the priesthood called the Apocrypha of Terra. It had become an institution for scholars studying many disciplines and served to teach children in elementary song, grammar and mathematics. Basildes had studied here for the monastic disciplines as well. It was for this reason that John was admitted, despite, education being mainly for the wealthy.

Of the priests that instructed at the Palace, John had been the closest with Father Arbelo, the Faun priest who had collected John from the Monos Cathedral at the request of Basildes. John was bright but lacked discipline and the Priests continued to have trouble with him for several years. As such he made no friends for much of his time at the Palace and would often quarrel with a group of young boys. This group was led by a Baron’s son named Gawain Pryor. Gawain and his friends would often bully other students and John would see fit to involve himself despite often losing the fights. This would lead John to defend some of the other students, however, he would still refuse to befriend those that he defended.

One day, after losing a fight with Gawain, John came across a swordsman in the woods . He was a traveler and had a small encampment near the Moon Palace. The traveler was just passing through but befriended John, who was intrigued by his sword. The man was friendly and John was immediately endeared to him. John was 16 at this time and over the course of a week, the swordsman gave John a few lessons in swordplay and even how to disarm without a sword. John took quickly to the lessons.

The traveler soon bid John farewell and left, though John never received his name. After this, John seemed to excel in his studies for a time but continued to get into confrontations with Gawain. This once again led to the pair getting physical, however, John was able to finally win their most recent fight. This surprised both Gawain and John. Afterward, John began to express some interest in befriending some of the other boys. This was soon interrupted with the return of the traveler.

After nearly a year away, the traveler returned on a rainy afternoon seeking shelter at the Moon Palace, suggesting that John sneak him into the palace. He was seemingly on edge and John allowed him to take refuge in his quarters. While organizing his things, John discovered that he carried with him several packages including an ornate box that the man told him was a gift for his wife. He then told John that he returned to retrieve several of his belongings which he had buried nearby the previous year at the small encampment. John decided to go to the encampment and retrieve them for him.

After this, Crescent Shield knights came searching for a thief that had stolen from a Baron further north of the Palace. John realized that the traveler was the thief and returned to confront him. The thief, however, was gone and John tracked him into the forest. There, the traveler had buried his belongings and was retrieving them. From the woods, John saw that it was primarily gold and other valuables.

Suddenly John was confronted by Gawain along with two other boys. He had taken the box from his quarters and came to confront John about it. He wanted to know why John had it. Apparently, it is revealed that Gawain recognized it as his mother’s, the Baroness of the territory. The traveler discovered them and asked John what was going on. Gawain became defensive and asked who this traveler was. The traveler claimed to be John’s friend, he then asked John if these young men were the same ones that had been giving John trouble. John said nothing but Gawain was becoming angry and asked the traveler where he got the box.

John could only turn and confirm that the man was the thief. The thief did not deny it and stated that he stole it from the Baron and Baroness north of the Palace. He then claimed that the box was his now, he would like it back. Gawain was furious and he and his comrades began to move toward the thief. John attempted to stop them but the traveler threw a small knife, hitting Gawain in the leg. He fell to the ground in pain.

The group moved back as the thief once again asked for the box. Gawain pulled the knife out of his leg and lunged at the thief who disarmed him and grabbed him by throat. He then asked Gawain if he enjoyed hurting John and drew his sword. Before he could stab Gawain, a knife pierced his shoulder.

John had stabbed the thief with the small knife and stepped back. The thief was surprised that John would attack him, stating that these were the young men that made his life difficult at the Palace. John said nothing and only stood in front of Gawain. The thief pulled out the knife and looked at the young men for a moment before he sheathed his sword. Deciding to leave without the box, just his other loot. He told John to get out of the way and he would leave. John only said that he would not. The thief then once again drew his sword, lunging at John with the blade.

John was able to disarm him and pull the sword away. The thief threw the knife at John who knocked it away before attacking the thief himself. The thief was impressed with what John had learned but was able to knock the sword away and it fell to the ground. However, this did not seem to stop John who began to completely lose himself. He then proceeded to fly into a rage that ended with him beating the thief to a bloody pulp against a nearby tree. Gawain watched as John then picked up the sword and attempted to run the thief through. His heart was beating fast as he attempted to kill the thief until he heard Father Arbelo tell him to stop. The Father had arrived with the Crescent Shield knights. John held onto the sword tightly until it was pulled away from him by one of the knights.

The traveler was arrested by the Knights, known as an elusive criminal and murderer in the northeastern area. Arbelo tried to console John about what happened, but John seemed to ignore his advice. He did not seem to understand why he did what he did. He even was afraid of what he might have done. Although John still had another year of schooling, not long after, he decided to leave in the night. Before he left, Gawain stopped him outside of the Moon Palace. He could not bring himself to say sorry but told him about how it had been hard for him at the Palace. Gawain was the youngest of several sons and was sent away because of his father, the Baron, almost as a way to be rid of him. Gawain then thanked John for what he did, finally opened up to John. However, instead of John being accepting of Gawain’s thanks, John said nothing and left the Moon Palace for good.

JOHN'S RETURN

John is 18, he finally returns to the Monos Cathedral. He had been away at the Moon Palace for nearly 8 years until his return. After he left the Moon Palace and made his way west, he had begun to hear more about people with supernatural powers called Champions. John had never met such a person and was increasingly skeptical about the existence of such people. He believed the ability to perform such feats was trickery, as it was so often seen before this.

John returns to the Monos Cathedral, hoping to speak with Basildes but finds that Basildes is not there. One of the other young priests welcomes John back and informs him that Basildes has left him his belongings as well as a horse. It turns out that Basildes had finished his work on the Cathedral and left to the east several years prior but will returning soon.

The priest informs John of a letter that Basildes had written for him the night that John left. He intended to give it to him upon his return. John opens the letter that reveals the truth about his father. John learns that Victor Noble, his father, was the Shimmering Knight who was responsible for the Grey Plains incident. His father was responsible for the deaths of many people in Veiland. Basildes states that he could not tell this to John when he left, as he felt he was too young to deal with it. The Medallion was given to his father by his mother, who truly loved the good man Victor was. He wants John to understand that his father was still a good man, just on the wrong side of history. Basildes ends the letter hoping that he will see John again to see the man he has grown into.

John had come to terms with his father being part of the Empire years ago but the letter opens up new wounds. He doesn't feel angry or betrayed by the news, only hurt. He feels restless and frustrated but most of all, lost. John feels an intense longing to leave the Cathedral and decides to go on a pilgrimage to get his mind off of things. In truth, he simply did not want to be at the cathedral when Basildes returned. He decides to undertake the journey that priests take in order to become ordained Apocryphans. This involves visiting three of the seven Pure Shrines across the land, and to pray at each of them. The shrines are to guide him, and the journey will reveal his path.

John prays at the Shrine of Horaios, located just outside of the Monos Cathedral. He then prepares for his next destination, the Shrine of Yaldabaoth to the north. Something compels John to take the Medallion, hoping it will serve as a reminder of his heritage. He then packs his new horse, Stella and leaves the Cathedral in search of himself.

JOHN NOBLE | ALETHEIA | MICHAEL MITHOSE | SAMUEL WARD | MITHOSE SISTERS
ANAHITA | SIMON PERISH | KING MARCUS | SOOTHSAYER | SHIMMERING KNIGHT
DONOFREY | GILCOLM GREVE | BASILDES | HERON DAIMA