Baelin

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.

In Their Own Story

In the short film 'Baelin's Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure,' which premiered on YouTube on 9 May 2021 after raising NZ$660,000 via Kickstarter, Baelin's typical routine is disrupted. Written and directed by Alan Morrison and Adam King, the story sees Baelin (Rowan Bettjeman) interrupted while traveling from his home to his fishing spot. Instead of ignoring the world as per his programming, he encounters a human player and a damsel in distress, compelling him to become an unexpected hero. The film achieved over 900 thousand views within its first 24 hours. This narrative arc was further developed in 'Nice Day for Fishing,' where Baelin is fully transformed into a playable character, allowing players to control his journey as an Adventurer.

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.
• In the game 'Nice Day for Fishing,' released on 29 May 2025, Baelin transitions from an NPC to a fully playable character.
• Baelin is voiced and portrayed by Rowan Bettjeman in both the short film and the video game.
• The world of Skycraft features sentient NPCs like Baelin due to a developer's focus on improving graphics over logic.