Chronicles of Shovelry - Episode 0: Prologue

Journal of Shovel Knight, first entry

Before I begin, I believe that an introduction is in order. My previous escapades have made me known across the land as Shovel Knight. I follow the code of Shovelry, which, among other things, dictates that I am to use a shovel in battle and encourages me to treat those around with great respect. While I have adventured much, my travels have died down in recent times, the reason for this being that I lost my dear friend Shield Knight in the Tower of Fate. However, something has changed recently: the Tower of Fate was unsealed thanks to the activity of a fiend called the Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter.

It began earlier today when I was tending to my secluded farmstead. I spotted a small group off in the distance, and went to greet them. It was made up of knights from a nearby village, who numbered about a dozen. Their leader, clad in gold-painted armor, stepped forward and requested, trying his best to remain authoritative, "It seems that a new evil calling herself "The Enchantress" has begun a reign of terror over this valley from atop the Tower of Fate. This terror is dispensed through the eight knights she has recruited: King Knight, who has taken Pridemoor Keep, Specter Knight, who dwells in the Lich Yard, Plague Knight, who is based out of the Explodatorium, Treasure Knight, who loots the seas in his Iron Whale, Mole Knight, who desecrates the Lost City as we speak, Tinker Knight, who builds tools of war in the Clockwork Tower, Propeller Knight, who travels in his Flying Machine, and Polar Knight, who dwells in a Stranded Ship. We could not stop any of them, which is where you come in. Shovel Knight, your history of adventure makes you viable to succeed where we have failed. Could you save this valley? Pridemoor's rightful king will surely reward you for efforts." I was, of course, going to help them. The code of Shovelry says to help those in need, and this was no exception, but something beyond that interested me. They mentioned that the Tower of Fate was unsealed; could there be hope for Shield Knight? I resolved to go make preparations and leave in the morning.

When the knights left, one person remained: a man wearing a luxurious lime-green cloak over an equally high-quality white shirt. Between his dark brown hood and thick black beard, his face was almost entirely obscured. He came bearing a cryptic message: "It seems your adventure is about to begin. My friend wanted to give something to you, and he will keep an eye on you as you go on this journey." He then pulled a leather-bound book out of his cloak and handed it to me. That journal is the one that you are reading now. After he gave it to me, he took a step back, pulled out some sort of flute, and played a few notes. A twister then showed up on the horizon, passed by, picked up the mysterious figure, and vanished over the opposite horizon.

Now, as night falls, I have gathered everything that I need for the journey ahead. Food and water to last me until I get to the village, some fire starters, armor polish, and of course, my shovel maintenance kit are all packed in my trusty Hero's Burden brand magic bag. Being prepared for tomorrow, I figured that I would take a look at this strange gift. This book is mostly blank, and the pages are of high quality. The only thing that was left for me inside was a simple signature, for lack of a better term, which reads: "A gift froM the King." Considering what the stranger mentioned about my journey, I have concluded that this is supposed to be a journal for me to chronicle my adventures, so I have decided to honor the gift by using it as such. I think that it would be best to end this entry here, for I leave tomorrow, and I need sleep if I am to venture forth. To whoever reads this, goodnight.