The Order of Eathyron is the most pious faction in the Legions of Light. Aligned against the undead evils of the Congregation of Necronominus, this army is led by the subject of this “Figure in Focus” article – Sir Gideon Heavensbrand!
Before Gideon Became Gideon
The figure that would become the golden-armored Sir Gideon was part of the Mythic Legions line from the earliest days of its inception. Looking back on the display that we showed at the Toypocalypse show in 2014, which is where the line made its debut, you can see the figure that would eventually become Sir Gideon.
We’ve written about this before, but when the figures were shown at Toypocalypse, they were not intended to be “named” characters. Those display figures were actually sample configurations of parts that could have been used in the future. Our samples were so well received that when we eventually rolled out the Mythic Legions Kickstarter in 2015, many of these original configurations were updated and turned into the characters we now know from the line, including Sir Gideon Heavensbrand!
An Original Hero
Sir Gideon Heavensbrand was one of the very first figures shown in the campaign for Mythic Legions 1.0. He was part of the set of figures that were presented for the initial assortment which would be released if the campaign was fully funded (which of course it was). He looked very much like the sample that was shown at Toypocalypse. The notable addition to the figure was a new head that would become the default Sir Gideon look! The “bucket helmet” shown at Toypocalypse was also included with the figure, but the primary look was this new head complete with a “movable” visor that could be pegged on the head to fully cover or reveal the heroic face of the Order of Eathyron’s leader.
Sir Gideon was one of the more popular figures in the first wave of Legions figures, and that popularity continued after the wave began to ship and new fans started to discover the line. This heroic knight was high on many new fans’ wish lists, and prices for Sir Gideon began to climb on the secondary market. Thankfully for those new fans, Sir Gideon made a triumphant return as he made his way into the very first series of Mythic Legions All Stars figures.
Gideon the All Star
The first wave of Mythic Legions All Stars remains the only All Stars wave which was 100% selected by the studio. The lineup consisted of figures that were definitely “sleepers” in that first wave (Sir Ignatius and Orn Steelhide) as well as very popular figures that fans wanted more of! Sir Gideon falls into that later category.
While the early popularity of Sir Gideon was based solely on the look of the toy itself, fans would come to appreciate this character even more as details of his story came to light, including how he rescued the Order of Eathyron from the evils that had corrupted it.
Gideon’s Story
The story presented on the package for Sir Gideon reads as follows:
As the leader of the Order of Eathyron, Sir Gideon Heavensbrand has guided the Order into a new golden age. The once disgraced Order has flourished under his command, reclaiming its sanctity and the respect of the people it protects. Sir Gideon's unwavering faith in the crowned Eagle god Eathyron has only strengthened his resolve and given him the courage to defeat the dark armies of Mythoss.
The reference here to “the once disgraced Order” struck many by surprise, and fans have long wondered what the history behind this disgrace and reclamation may have been. This tale is further fleshed out in the forthcoming volume, “The Rise of the Dark Four: Volume One”. Below is an excerpt from that tome:
Over time, greedy men and women made their way to the Eathyross. Bearing gifts and spouting words of faith, they made themselves part of the great city, all the while working behind the scenes to strengthen their influence as they sought power rather than enlightenment.
Little by little, the power structure at the heart of the Order of Eathyron began to change. The welcoming hands of faith gave way to discrimination, and only those deemed “worthy” were granted access to the resources of the Order.
Artistic voices who challenged the changes in the Order were silenced, their funding cut off and their creations destroyed under the guise of these creations not being in line with the teachings of the Crowned Eagle.
The Heavensbrand family remained in power during this time, but their influence diminished with each passing day. This once proud family had misplaced their faith, not in the Great Beast whose example they endeavored to follow, but in the advisors and generals they trusted to help them in that holy mission.
The most stunning example of the fall of the Order of Eathryon came during the time of Sir Gabriel Heavensbrand. A deeply religious and good man, Sir Gabriel sought to reform the Order and return it to days of glory and honor. He may have succeeded in his mission had he not taken ill with a mysterious affliction that robbed the Order’s leader of his health and his senses during what should’ve been the formative years of his rule.
With Sir Gabriel indisposed, the greedy members of the Order saw a chance to solidify their power once and for all. A key moment in their rise came when agents from the Congregation of Necronominus desecrated the Temple of Eathyron. Believed to be the final resting place of the Crowned Eagle, this attack exposed the Temple as being empty, and it gave the new leaders of the Order the excuse they needed to disband the Templars who guarded that once-sacred place. These power-hungry men and women knew that this ancient sect of the Order posed a real threat to their plans, so they jumped upon this excuse to disgrace and remove them.
This sad state of affairs continued while Sir Gabriel Heavensbrand remained on his sick bed, a leader in name only. It would be some time before Sir Gabriel’s son, Gideon, would lead the Order of Eathyron out from under the dark cloud of avarice and away from the faithless individuals who perpetuated it. The light always returns, however. For even after the darkest of nights, the morning sun rises, ushering in a new day.
Sir Gideon Returns
By the time the Mythic Legions: Necronominus wave was revealed at 2022’s G-con event, it had been years since a Sir Gideon figure had been available for purchase, and he was once again amongst the ranks of the most sought after characters for new fans to the line. Since the Necronominus wave pitted the undead ranks of the fourth member of the Dark Four against the pious soldiers of the Order of Eathyron, this was a perfect opportunity to do an updated version of the Order’s leader.
Sir Gideon Heavensbrand 2, along with his loyal steed Bishop, were two of the most talked about reveals for the Necronominus wave. Sir Gideon features the brand-new knight body that was created for this wave. This body includes the added range of motion for the figure while still retaining the sculptural details that Legions have become known for. The new Sir Gideon figure is loaded with avian-inspired detailing across his armor, representing the Great Beast from which the heroic faction he leads draws its name. This new figure also includes premium soft goods prototyped by our partners at CJESIM, adding yet another aspect to this new version of this classic character.
The bio story for the new Gideon figure once again references the “dark days” of the Order and the heroism of a man who has helped bring about its reclamation.
The dark days of the Order of Eathyron are now in the past thanks to the leadership of Sir Gideon Heavensbrand. A selfless man whose conviction and faith are unwavering, it is his example that is needed as the darkness of Necronominus returns and death itself walks once again in Mythoss. Sir Gideon’s faith shall be tested, yet it shall not break, even as the dead rise from their graves and stand against him on the field of battle. Leading an army of knights, Templars, mystics, and paladins, Sir Gideon and the Order of Eathyron march to meet the horrors of the Congregation, bringing the purifying light of the Crowned Eagle with them.
The bio for Sir Gideon’s horse, Bishop, also has some interesting information about this man before he led the Order of Eathyron:
The mighty steed known as Bishop was born lame in the stables of the Heavensbrand family. Set to be put out of its misery, a young Gideon pleaded that the foal be given a chance. The stablemaster told the boy he could pray that night, but come morning the horse would need to be put down. Gideon stayed by the white horse’s side that evening, praying continually until sleep overtook him. When he awoke, the horse was miraculously cured, and it was deemed that the healing touch of Eathyron himself could be seen in this miracle. Since that time, Sir Gideon and Bishop have been inseparable. They ride into battle as one, their hearts pure and true, for they know that faith has the power to turn away even death.
These two heroes will certainly have their faith and their bravery tested as the undead rise and the Lord of Death once again walks in Mythoss.
The Mythic Legions: Necronominus wave is up for preorder now at StoreHorsemen.com. The preorder ends this week on Sunday 01/15/23 at 11pm EST.
Published on 01.12.23