Baelin
A humble fisherman turned reluctant hero in the world of Skycraft.
Baelin is a non-player character (NPC) in the fictional fantasy MMORPG universe of 'Skycraft,' created by Viva La Dirt League. He appears primarily as an NPC fisherman whose normal daily route from home to his fishing spot is interrupted by human players. In the crowdfunded short film 'Baelin's Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure,' released on 9 May 2021, Baelin (played by Rowan Bettjeman) becomes a reluctant hero after being approached by a player and a damsel in distress. The character also stars as the protagonist of the 2D action RPG 'Nice Day for Fishing,' released on 29 May 2025, where he transforms into a playable 'Adventurer' to accept quests from other characters.
Quick Facts
- Role
- NPC; Playable Adventurer
- Class
- Fisherman; Adventurer
- First appears
- Epic NPC Man series; Baelin's Route (9 May 2021)
- Affiliation
- Skycraft NPCs; Honeywood Village
Lore & Background
Baelin exists within 'Skycraft,' an entirely fictional fantasy MMORPG set in the kingdom of Azerim, a portmanteau of Azeroth and Skyrim. His existence is defined by the sentience granted to NPCs as a side effect of developers prioritizing graphics over logic. In his standard role, Baelin is a fisherman who follows a fixed path until player interference occurs. The narrative expands in 'Baelin's Route,' where he interacts with a human player (Ben Van Lier) and a damsel in distress (Phoenix Cross), forcing him out of his routine. Later, the spin-off series 'Mug 'Em' features Charles (played by Bettjeman) and Bernard, but Baelin remains central to the franchise's exploration of NPC agency.
Reader's Guide
Baelin is accessible through Viva La Dirt League's various media properties. To experience his primary story, viewers should watch 'Baelin's Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure' on YouTube or the VIVA+ platform. For interactive gameplay, the title 'Nice Day for Fishing,' published by Team17 and developed by FusionPlay, was released on 29 May 2025 for Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo platforms. In this game, players control Baelin as he accepts quests from the wider Epic NPC Man cast. Fans can also find him in the 'Epic NPC Man' sketch series, where his interactions with players highlight the absurdity of MMORPG logic.
Did You Know?
- Baelin's story was the subject of a Kickstarter campaign that raised NZ$660,000 in 2020.
- The short film 'Baelin's Route' reached over 900 thousand views within 24 hours of its release on 9 May 2021.
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