Leifen Steelstriker

Sir Leifen Steelstriker the Highlander, was born in Stromgarde, 23 years before the Third War. He is a Knight of the Hand/Silver Hand and is a former Sergeant of the Stormwind Army, if not the Alliance.

He is currently presumed K.I.A., last seen in the halls of the Nexus, Northrend.

Early Life
Born 23 years before the Third War, making Leifen Steelstriker about 29 years of age in the Arathi Highlands. His father, Kane Steelstriker, was a veteran of the Second War, and was a renowned soldier in the town guard of Stromgarde. His mother, Yvette Steelstriker ('''née Frostfist) was a Frost mage in the Kirin Tor. At a young age, he was taught to use a number of weapons, as he longed to be someone like his father. He preferred axes and longswords. Steelstriker spent countless afternoons, learning to use rifles to shoot rabbits in the fields.'''

Escape
'''At around 10 or 12 years of age, Leifen woke in the night to sounds of screaming and a clatter of weapons. As he was pulled out of bed by his father, he was told to escape through a small tunnel only Kane and Leifen knew of. Leifen was told that after he escaped that the family would meet up again. After a long journey to Southshore with an Argent Dawn escort, Leifen met a Alliance scout and rode with him on to Stormwind. As they approached Northshire, they were attacked by Dark Iron dwarves, and barely escaped alive. They set up camp at the top of Northshire Falls. Later that night, they were again raided by Blackrock Orcs, and Leifen's seemingly dead body was chucked into the waterfall along with the now dead scout.'''

Northshire
'''After a failed bandit raid and his platoon ending up dead, a young Deputy Willem is hiding from remaining bandits until the body of Leifen is found. After severe bloodloss from both people, they mange to reach Northshire Abbey safely, and are taken care by monks.'''

Training
For the following years after Leifen's escape, he spent 8 years training as a warrior, like his father. His trainers were Llane Beshere, who trained him in physical combat, and Brother Sammuel who usually trains Paladins, but introduced Leifen to the light so the impact and scarring of his escape was not so severe, along with the fact that the local priest was a bit unusual. During his sessions with Sammuel, he sometimes saw his later Grandmaster, Sir Grandmaster Derron Forrgrim the Oathkeeper. During his training, Sammuel eventually decided to take Leifen as a Page, later Squire.

The Alliance
'''After doing some work in Elwynn, Leifen enlisted with the Stormwind Army, and went on a Tour of Duty in Kalimdor, and fought in some battles in Northern Azeroth. He served with them for some years before leaving with the rank of Sergeant at the age of 25. He was still a Squire of Sammuel, and the Brother contacted the Silver Hand, sending in Leifen as an Squire of the Order. He eventually was knighted by the Grandmaster Forrgrim and the 1st Marshal Gaiwind in the Cathedral of Light.'''

Presumed K.I.A.
Leifen went M.I.A. once when leading a platoon into a Vrykul village in the Howling Fjord. He is now presumed K.I.A. by the Stormwind army along with his platoon.

The Transmission
A transmission recieved by one of the Silver Hand's amulets by Leifen suggests that he is alive, before it is destroyed by what it seems to be dragonkin.

The Truth
Leifen is a prisoner of the Mage Hunters of the Nexus, and spends his days waiting for someone to rescue him.

More Information
Some more detailed stories of Leifen's life can be found on the forums here...

- Knights of the Hand website