My level 5 Paladin was from the great green forests of Shadowdale, in the world of Fae'run. He's been through one of the Zhent invasions, defended the Dales for a time, was sucked into Ravenloft to fight a giant cursed flame effigy and a few werewolves, came back out and found the zhents had taken back the dales, but was sucked into Ravenloft yet again to fight an undead lord and his minions. And then, to finish it off, was chucked back out into Shadowdale where the zhents have been precariously mopped out. The end result? I don't know.
He's witnessed a goddess' wrath upon an entire city, a corpse prior to cremation reawaken into undeath, was comrade to a horse that almost betrayed him to a lord he did not even know the name of, and is not quite sure where home is anymore. Ten years of time he was forced to skip, so though his comrades are still around, they do not remember him nor his name. A wizard once blessed him with permanent Comprehend Languages, but after understanding everything that was ever spoken to him, he wants the spell gone, for some secrets are best left hidden. Yet, the wizard is no where to be found.
This is one of my first characters and even though he's only level 5 and has been around for 6+ years, he means quite a bit to me.
With that being said, I'm writing his background and all that he has experienced as a measure of how much I, as a player of d20 games, have changed over the years. There is still one piece of my character's story, though, that I'm trying to hammer out, and I'm not sure if my idea is too cliche, so that's why I'm running it by you guys. The focal point of my character is a shield he found on his most recent adventure, and though the shield is a mighty bit overpowered, it's really the only magical thing on him. (seriously, the only other magical item he had was a +2 greatsword and that broke on his first run through Ravenloft...uh...when he was level 3).
Shield of Tactics
Large Steel Shield (Kite Shield)
+1 enhancement bonus to AC, Attack Rolls, and Damage
Grants Two-Weapon Fighting
Grants Improved Shield Bash
My paladin obtained it after he last returned to Shadowdale, and I wish for there to be a story behind it. With that being said, the idea I have for it is rather wonky, and I'd like your guys' thoughts on it. The shield is a relic from an unknown order that transcends the multiverses. Using its own magic to transport him to other realms, the shield tested the paladin to measure his sense of character, and afterwards, has found him worthy. Since then, my paladin has been serving as a protector of those the shield wishes he serve. On top of that, the shield has a soul within it and has since been a mentor to him while my paladin processes the good and evil that he has witnessed over the two decades of his life.
Lore, my paladin, was originally from 3.5, so I'll also be converting him to Pathfinder. He may or may not be seen wandering the Inner Sea, but I'd very much like to prepare him for an event such as that, hence why I'm looking to you guys' on advice for the above generic background. In advance, I thank you guys for your help in this, and I look forward to future discussions.