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"So much in life dependeth upon a good harkening. Remember that, and beware."— Ollister B. Pembrick
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Wingfeather Saga! |
Podo Helmer was the father of Nia Helmer Wingfeather and grandfather of Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli Wingfeather.
Podo was once a dragon hunter, but settled down and took care of the farm at the Igiby Cottage in Glipwood Township. This includes chasing and bagging thwaps.
History
Early Life
Podo was born in Glipwood Township, Skree, and grew up in a cottage built by his great-great-great-great-grandfather Edd Helmer.[1] When he was a teenager, he stole Growlfist the Strander King's pone, thereby earning the respect of the stranders.[2]
While a strander, Podo was sent by Growlfist to Bylome Falls to fell some wood out of which Growlfist made a treasure box. A rumor was spread by a drunken strander that this treasure box was bottomless. A man named Wyle heard of this rumor and kidnapped Podo, forcing him to show where he got the wood. Podo escaped through one of Wyle's magic cupboards, which led to the Jungles of Plontst.[3]
During his time on the Strand, Podo fell in love with another strander named Nurgabog. Their relationship ended when Podo left the Strand.[2]
Pre-Great War
After leaving the Strand, Podo became a dragoneer. His last and most famous voyage as a dragoneer was when he took command of the Gilded Whilly. He convinced Captain Whilly and his crew that he could kill four sea dragons in a single day. Podo led the Gilded Whilly to the Sunken Mountains while the dangerous adult dragons were away in Glipwood. The dragoneers succeeded in capturing four sqwryms before Podo injured - but did not kill - a fifth. After that, they were charged by a half-grown wyrm. They managed to kill it, but lost the Gilded Whilly, the four sqwyrms, and Podo's left leg. Afterward, Podo made himself a stump to replace is leg.[4]
After the fateful voyage of the Gilded Whilly, Podo became a pirate.
Eventually, Podo made his way to Ban Rona, Green Hollows, where he fell in love with Zola May Rubleshaw. He began to court her after receiving permission from her father, who was a fabric and wicker merchant. Podo gave up pirating and found a job chopping glipper fish. While courting Zola May, Podo met the Rubleshaw's servant, Wendolyn Igiby. As he continued his courtship, Podo began to like Wendolyn more and Zola May less. Finally, he left Zola May and attempted to court Wendolyn.[5]
Wendolyn's father, Kargan Igiby, did not approve of his daughter courting an outsider like Podo, and made sure Podo was beaten any time he came near Wendolyn. After a year, Podo realized that the only way to win Kargan's respect was to compete in the Bannick Durga. In the Bannick Durga, Podo failed the first two events. In the third event, he found MacDullogh's boot first, but when he reached the Field of Finley with it, he was beaten out of consciousness and the boot was taken from him. However, his efforts earned him the respect and friendship of Kargan Igiby. With Kargan's permission, Podo married Wendolyn.[5]
Years later, Esben Wingfeather, High King of Anniera, married Podo and Wendolyn's daughter Nia. Podo and Wendolyn moved to the Shining Isle to live with the royal couple.
The Great War
When Gnag the Nameless's army invaded Anniera, Podo escaped with Nia and her children and sailed to the Skree, where they moved into the cottage in which Podo had grown up in.[1]
Post-Great War
Podo lived peacefully in the Igiby Cottage with Nia, Janner, Tink, and Leeli for nine years. Podo worked the land to support his family.
Shortly preceding the start of the Wingfeather War, on the day after Dragon Day, Podo went with Janner and Tink to town. While the children helped Oskar N. Reteep unload a shipment of books at his bookstore, Podo visited Shaggy's tavern. Satisfied that his grandkids were safe, Podo went back home before they were done in order to return a shovel to the Fangs.[1]
The Wingfeather War
Three days after Dragon Day, the Igiby children returned to the bookstore, and Podo once again escorted them as far as Shaggy's tavern. After he had had a drink, he returned to the cottage, promising to come back to bring his grandchildren home before dark. While he was back home hoeing the garden, Janner and Tink came running home to tell him that Leeli had been kidnapped by Slarb the Fang, who was taking her into Glipwood Forest. Podo mounted Danny the carthorse and chased down Slarb. Podo never found Slarb, but after being attacked by a cave blat and a quill diggle, he found Leeli with Peet the Sockman in Peet's treehouse. Podo took Leeli safely home without further incident.