Well-adjusted defenders learn from their sorrow. They know that they’re not invincible or untouchable, and they take actions to become better guardians. That can take many forms, from developing better tactics to protect vulnerable members of the party to using magic equipment that makes it harder for enemies to disengage from the defender. Some accept that they can’t protect everyone, but the best defenders don’t give up reaching toward that ideal.

The sun shone brightly over the plains, a sharp contrast to Jaem’s dark mood as he strode forward. The halflings of the tribe knew enough to stay out of his way while he looked through the markers. They weren’t grave markers—the halflings cremated their dead to avoid having them raised as undead to feed their enemies’ armies—but several cenotaphs lay outside the main camp, honoring those who died well.