[color=f49ac2][b]Name: [/b][/color] Lord Claus Rotstein [color=f49ac2][b]Age:[/b][/color] 28 [color=f49ac2][b]Gender:[/b][/color] Male [color=f49ac2][b]Position:[/b][/color] Lieutenant at arms, Captain of the "Steel fist" mercenary group. Formarothian lord, imperial advisor of war. [color=f49ac2][b]Personality:[/b][/color] Brash and a bit boastful, he drives his men hard but not too much. He is known as a tough leader but fair. When he can he tries to fix up some extra bonuses for his men, and at times even pay from his own pockets. He has been likened to an unstoppable force in battle, with little fear and little regard for personal safety. If this is because of underlying mental problems is however unclear. [color=f49ac2][b]Appearance:[/b][/color] https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/331459081405595658/472924917139243008/7.jpg?width=764&height=468 Claus Rotstein is rather tall, with a rough slightly bearded face with several minor scars and a large scar running across his nose from his right side eyebrow to the left side of his jaw. Dark hair and dull blue eyes. He wears a very nice tailored suit of plate armour made by an artisan serving house Blackwater with a lot of subtle, yet beautiful decor. The cuirass has his companies icon painted on it, the clenched white fist atop a black background. He carried a flamberge greatsword and carries a mace, he has a decorated battle horn and a decorated misericord dagger. [hider=Legendary arm:] Claus Rotstein was given a legendary weapon from Giles Blackwell, the old man himself. Within would lie a blade of unrivalled caliber. Reflecting an iridescent and metallic green, the sword's focal point is its remarkably wide blade that measures in at two hands wide which glints brilliantly when the light strikes it. The weight indicates it is Steel at its core, gilded with draconian scales. Uniquely, every inch of the scaled blade is pounded into a patterned formation, each overlapping structure ascending the sword to come to a finely sharpened edge. The guard itself is planted into the base of the blade and embellished with a pair of talons of a drake rising upward which creates an advantageous nook to lock weapons between. The long grip was whittled bone which was tightly wrapped with treated leather that allowed the largest of men to hold it with ease. Beneath that rested the fierce insignia of a dragon -- a pommel with a vicious and archaic design of a great scaly head with teeth clenched and its bright eyes featuring the same scales of the blade creating an eye-catching yet simple motif to set it apart from all others. [/hider] [color=f49ac2][b]Background:[/b][/color] His family was burghers of minor renown whom tended a region of farms for the lord of Scassia. Claus was the second son of his father Adolf Rotstein and thus wouldn't inherit much. The local lord though took him in as a man at arms for his personal army, and as such he was trained to become a potent fighter. He served the lord for many years and was rather successful.... apart from his darker side. When he drank he became harsh and at times violent, and it showed that the monotone duties of his service in a low combat area made him take to the tankard more and more often. He finally took a step to far and was dismissed from service after punching a nobles 3rd son and trying to approach his sister. He was however only demoted to lieutenant and discharged after his family helped him out. His life now in ruins he took even more to the tankard and eventually got thrown out from his home. Eventually he joined the Steel fist mercenary company. He quickly got a recognition because of his great battle prowess and man at arms training. The varied duties also kept him from drinking, which his fellows from now on made sure so he didn't drink to much. After many years of service, the old company captain decided to retire, Claus Rotstein was selected for his outstanding service and promoted to captain. The Steel fist now returns from a campaign in the east, having fought for the imperial concord. The steel fist consists of mainly battle hardened fighters, with some new trainees as with any army. The army has good knowledge in sieges as well. Gear. Halberdiers, about this. But with halberds and some tassets. They carry maces as well. https://youtu.be/FH9yjmmAE3k?t=1m49s (It's a music video, and i jump in midway) https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d7/2d/f3/d72df30862b9f9ae1838d79c415d33d7.jpg Pavise crossbowmen, about the same but with a pavise shield and a heavy windup crossbow and a mace. The Steel fist numbers are supposed to be 2500 men, 750 of which are crossbowmen. A new battlemage detachment numbers 20 mages, a group of 5 restoration mages have also been hired. Following the war in the east, the steel fist is currently numbering roughly 1500 men, of which roughly 120 are crossbowmen. The mage detachment is on top of this number. The mage detachment wear similar gear to the crossbowmen, minus the arbalest. Their shields are painted black with the white fist holding fire. About 3/4 of the force is still Beilokias veterans while the last third is from the mercenaries of the Telmarion campaign. This distinction is interesting in terms of loyalties and skill. Following the battle of "the Betrayal at home", at least half of the Fist has been killed, ALL of the scout detachment have perished and hundreds more are dead. [color=f49ac2][b]Skills and traits:[/b][/color] Claus Rotstein is a massively skilled swordsman and has a strong voice, he is a potent commander. I write the things i know he has training or exposure in. Swordsman - Grand master Other combat - Master Strategy - Adept Tactics - Master Logistics - Adept Economics - Adept Negotiation - Adept Politics - Mediocre Motivator - Expert Intimidate - Expert Farming - Mediocre Known languages. Formarothian: Fluent. Elven: Accented. Poor writing. Caelic: Broken. Cannot write. Vogani: Knows a few insults and swear words. [color=f49ac2][b]Flaws:[/b][/color] Claus has a few, but notable character flaws. [b][i]Alcoholism:[/i][/b] If he's not careful, and don't get the mental support from his friends he will quickly fall back to his alcoholic past. While he has a much greater tolerance to alcohol because of this, if he does get drunk he will lose all his restraints and easily become violent, unpredictable and dangerous. [b][i]Unrefined:[/i][/b] Claus is not someone who suckers up to people, even when they do earn proper respect, he is also a commoner at heart. This can if he is not careful very easily anger people of higher status and/or nobility. Since he do treat basically everyone with the same respect as a commoner until they have fancied his liking, where he will treat them as a friend instead. Which isn't much better than being treated as a drinking buddy. [b][i]Impulsive:[/i][/b] Claus usually goes with his gut feeling, not one to plan for ages and carefully devise a plan. Nope, come up with a solution that seems fair enough, and then just go with it. While he does try to plan and consider his options, he usually fall back to intuition after a while. [b][i]Post traumatic stress disorder:[/i][/b] The repeated violent events and supernatural horrors he has suffered in the pasts are catching up on him. And after the war in Telmarion his psyche is beginning to properly show signs of lasting damage. He is showing more and more signs of post traumatic stress disorder, he'd never admit the wars have taken a toll on him, question is if he even knows. But he can be unstable if reminded of traumatic events. [hider=Notable people of the Steel Fist.] [hider=Lieutenant Roogel Therp. {Deceased}] Name: [color=92278f]Roogel Therp[/color] Age: 34 Gender: Male Position: Proffessional mercenary lieautenant Personality: He goes from being chummy, loud and kind to a cold heartless killer faster than people ever feel comfortable with. Appearance: A giant of a man, a bushy black beard and clad in the classic armour of the Steel fist, albeit with a nice silver decor. With brass rivets. He uses a pollaxe instead of a halberd. Background: Having joined the Steel fist when he was 20, he did so after the famine in Akki his family was suffering from. Or more like himself, seeing he tended his miniscule farm alone. He always felt he wasn't good at farming, he had a crappy house, weedy and root and stone filled fields and on top of that the moose seemed to be after him. When he joined the fist he felt all the more at home. He is a personal friend of Claus being one who helped him keep away from drinking. Skills and abilities. Master polearm fighter Master brawler Decent fighter otherwise Makes friends easily when in a good mood Expert command Decent tactics If possible, worse than Claus at farming [/hider] [hider=Lieutenant Asahal Harr {Deceased}] Name: [color=92278f]Ashala Harr[/color] Died at the siege of Clarm. Age: 22 Gender: Female Position: Proffessional mercenary lieautenant, crossbows Personality: Short tempered, serious, protective Appearance: Medium long auburn hair, curvy build, looks stern but pretty... apart from the scars. Wears a filled out cuirass to give her chest more room, she wields a Corseque instead of an arbalest. Background: A born fighter, she was an orphan, a slum child and a thief, she was currently hunted and wanted for execution when the Steel fist showed up and gave her a way out. She was 17 then. Skills and abilities. Expert polearm fighter Good brawler Decent fighter otherwise Expert sneaking Good thief Expert command Good tactics [/hider] [hider=Lieutenant Jorrel Harpe] Name: Jorrel Harpe Age: 30 Position: Company lieutenant. Stand in chief of imperial guard. Skills. Expert polearm fighter Adept tactics Expert command Good fighter Master at catching people trying to nab things from the food wagons Adept security Excellent singing voice [/hider] [hider=Company logistician Katrina Nikos.] Name: [color=92278f]Katrina Nikos[/color] Age: 14 Gender: Female Position: Blacksmith apprentice Personality: Head strong, Stubborn, honorable, idealistic, ambitious Appearance: Short Red hair, taller than most of her age. Background: Katrina has spent her entire life helping her uncle at his forge. She knows nothing of her mother and father and only knows that her mother served up in the castle but was killed during the civil war. Once she reached 14 she decided that she wanted to leave Nyhem and see the world (much to the disagreement of her uncle). Once the Steel Fist mercenary troupe arrived in Nyhem she saw it as the best opportunity to leave. Skills and traits: Apprentice swordswoman Expert Blacksmith Master knowledge on weapons Expert inventory taker Expert logistician [hider=Secret stuff] She is secretly the bastard child of Heylot and Anna; a handmaiden to Queen Ruth and Duncan's former (secret) lover. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Company battlemage lieutenant.] Name: [color=f26522]Balthar Uneiuss Imazz[/color] Balthar being a fancy family name. Age: 21 Gender: Male Position: Company battlemage lieutenant Personality: An honest and contemplative man, with little fear to voice his opinions and who loves to teach and has performed many lectures in the mages circle on alteration. Appearance: A fit somewhat tall man with scruffy hair kept in as orderly fashion as he can muster, which usually results in pointing upwards. He also has a sharp mustache. He can look stern but has the broadest and kindest smile there is. Not that he smiles a lot. He is actually somewhat handsome. He often wears very slim and small glasses with a copper frame. Background: Brought to the circle in his early teens, he's had all the time in the world to learn about magic. Some of his teachers thought that he'd be an excellent battlemage and focused early on practising his destruction magic skills. But after some time, he found his true calling, alteration magic. A study he's poured his essence into and even come up with a few smaller breakthroughs which he has tutored in the collective. His passion is alteration magic and if one starts to discuss it, he shines up and goes into every possible detail. Recently the order came from the imperial council, a battlemage detachment was to be assembled for the imperial guard. Uneius Imazz never thought he'd be choosen since he is an avid alteration mage but lo and behold they came knocking and offered him the spot. He gave some protest but in the end he had little choice in the matter. He now leads the mage detachment in the steel fist. A job he never wanted but the other mages were adamant in that he should lead them. Mostly since they had enjoyed his lectures in school and partly since he has decent charm and practicality to him. Funnily enough he isn't even the best warmage in the detachment. Skills and traits. Master Alteration mage Adept Destruction mage Beginner Illusion mage Dabbling Glyph mage Decent Swordsman Adept Command Poor Strategy Beginner Tactics [/hider] [hider=Mage detachment restoration expert.] Name: [color=1a7b30]Orvel Forrin[/color] Age: 33 Gender: Male Position: Mage detachment restoration expert Personality: Gruff and bitter, years of war has jaded this man to the world. But at heart he still wants to help people. Appearance: Long fluffy curly dark blonde hair, he often wears a green headband with the restoration magics iconic symbol. He looks tired, scarred and has a slight permanent swollen lower lip, especially on his right side. Background: Orvel has served in the army of Cawanor before being discharged for disorderly conduct. What he did was heavily protest the ways mages were used in the second battle of Telmarion in the recent war. He got a bit 'heated' in his argument and was discharged shortly after. He barely had time to pack before the imperial advisoral staff called for him to work in a new force with several new pupils. He is not happy with this deal of affairs but will see what the imperial guard has to offer. Skills and traits. Master Restoration magic Decent Destruction magic Adept swordsman Adept combat Adept logistics Master of improvisation, especially setting up triage Poor social skills (only with soldiers) Master social skills (only with 'innocents') [/hider] [hider=Others] Johan: A crossbowman and also a scout corpsman. He has light brown hair. {Deceased} Harper: A halberdier. A dependable fighter, he has black hair, looks more stupid than he is. Best friend with, Goyle: Another halberdier, a dependable fighter, he has brown hair. Appears brutish. Best friend with Harper. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Draft of the timeline of the Steel Fist.] [color=ed1c24]DISCLAIMER! This is a very rough draft of the history of the steel fist. Some dates and a few other things are still susceptible to change. Any of this can be changed.[/color] The official mentions and dealing with the company of the Steel Fist are scattered within the archives of Nyhem, while the mentions are often correct, it is hard to get all the data, especially with a self governed force like a mercenary group. So considering this, the archives are well stocked in the matters of the mercenary company. This data can be collected by anyone who has access to the archive of Nyhem. And some is well known facts by people in or outside the company itself. The Steel Fist was formed by Captain James Formery in 412, a man who worked for the Tulza family and was rewarded for his service with funds in exchange for creating a mercenary force loyal to the Tulza family alone. The company helped fight their dirty fights of the Tulza and did so as long as they paid. Which the Tulza's stopped. So the Steel fist abandoned them. The Tulza’s hoped for a loyal puppet, but they got Mr. Formery, who was only loyal to his purse. The Tulza’s waned into nothingness over a span of roughly 15 years after the Steel fist refused to work for them. At least once did the Tulza's suffer from a manhunt, but records are hard to come by. The Tulza family was recorded as extinct by the year 437. The following 45 years are shrouded in myth, lost records and simple bad memory. A few mentions of the company exist but few have exact dates. 461: The Steel fist is mentioned in a report about Windermere. The mention is short and their captain is listed as Nathan Goyle. This makes sense since James Formery would have been 75 years old at this time and probably have not led the Steel fist for some time. 462: The Steel fist celebrates 50 years. Many reports of increased disruption can be found in the Windemere provinces for a time. A 3 month span according to reports. 467: The Steel fist is listed as participants in a troops record of the forces of Nash. Border skirmishes and waning diplomatic relations between Nash and Orog during the time does make the companies presence and employment does make sense. However no true battles are recorded between Nash and Orog during the time and their relations stabilized over the next five years. 470: The Steel fist makes an official plead for aid to several towns, and the city of Nyhem. Records state that the company suffered a tragic accident while they were travelling through the Irman strait by ship. Apparently two vessels ran aground and thus inflicted heavy losses in manpower, but primarily materiel. The plead was written by Felicia Hartshyre. It is unknown if she was the captain of the force or if she was tasked with the plead. There is rumours that the previous captain was killed in the accident which complicates record keeping further. However a certain Doroka Hawk is seen within the list of survivors. 471: The Steel fist is restructured by their new captain, Dory Moor "The Dwarf." The records on this event is rather extensive and include an order for a new equipment standard. And that their equipment was now owned by the company and not individually paid for. The company is designed with the armament types wielded to this day. Heavy cuirasses, polearms and crossbows. The company kept making minor changes in the equipment thereafter, mostly following technological advancements. The nickname of captain Moor is often mentioned in records and rumors claim he was an actual dwarf. But evidence speaks directly against this, since the then most famous armour-smith in Nyhem was tasked with a suit of armour that he described as "Fit for a giant." Probably referring to captain Moor which means the nickname is probably a joke. 474: The battle of Alenius. Captain Dory Moor leads the Steel fist into the heartland of what today is known as Alenius. Reportedly the force was to seek out and destroy a dragon to quote "Prove that dwarves smote harder than beast." The whole ordeal ended in catastrophe as the expedition was ill prepared and suffered from food shortage. It is also told that the company resorted to heavy pillaging in the area. But little proof can be found. The force achieved one of its main objectives though as it was attacked by a dragon. Reportedly the battle was a great confusion. The ranged forces were scattered and the beast also never landed. A small poem of the event lives on in a very select few books and known by tongue within the Steel fist company itself. "Dory the Moor, most dwarven in lore." "The beast faced the fist, but the fist had no gist." "Dwarf ordered loose, that hail was death." "For not once it struck black scale, but many struck flesh." "By miracle or luck, large bolt was flung." "Pierced was black scale, beast wings now hung." "From the sky beast fell, upon the banner of the fist." "A crash was its landing, our banner now in dung." "And from under the beast, an arm of a dwarf, clenched with ringed mesh." "And thus Dory the Moor, most dwarven in lore." "Dwarven no more." The poem describes the battle and the fate of the captain of the Steel fist. With massive losses and the loss of their captain the force left Alenius. 475: A large draft was made in Telmarion, the reason it is of note is that the whole ordeal really upset the local government. There is even reports of skirmishes. "The hunt for Hoyt." was a local phrase used by some in Telmarion during the time. Which could refer to the name of the Steel Fists captain. 475: Rumour has it there was an uprising within the Steel fist, if it was one or more people is hard to know. But several people were killed. 478: The first recorded instance of "Old" Doroka Hawk being the captain of the steel fist. Rumours claim he officially took over after cpt Moor, other rumours claim he was leading the force while Moor took the credit. It is however important to not ask steel fist personnel of this, since it is practise within the company to blatantly lie about when mr Hawk took over the company. Since some claims even predates the end of the elven invasion and some claim how mr Hawk helped the Remonnets take over Formaroth. Which is simply falsehoods. It is however evident through several reports that mr Hawk has been active within the steel fist for a long time. 488: House De Reimer intercepts a courier with a letter to the Steel fist from house Hieze. The letter was an invitation for employment and would probably have swung the events in the following year in another way should the fist have fought for house Hieze. 489: De Reimer employs the Steel fist, but the fist suffers from problems with transportation and arrives too late to make a significant impact. The Steel fist is therefore only mentioned in a single battle. 491: The steel fist is hired by House Mandarass to defend house Willow. However the battles are not in the favor of the Steel Fist and while horrendous losses were inflicted on enemy forces, the Steel Fist is ultimately beaten and forced to retreat. 492: Early in the year Doroka Hawk gives a formal statement that the steel fist is far too beaten up to take any contracts of employment for the time being. It is evident that this was probably an act of reason. The Steel fist is reported to have fought in multiple conflicts in the years leading up to this decision. But it is also evident that mr Hawk could have done this to protect the Steel fist. Many rumors exist but few can be proven. 493: Numerous events are on record, but the most notable is that Claus Rotstein first appears in the roster of the steel fist. 494: After an extended rest and an influx of new recruits Doroka Hawk leads the Steel fist to Beilokias to begin a contract for the elven kingdom. Rumour has it the Steel fist was pressured from multiple sides to change loyalties to several formaroth households. Especially during the civil war but also after the civil war. There is also rumours of threats of assassinations and treachery. Barely any which can be proved. Doroka Hawk is believed to have left Formaroth for the time being to properly safeguard the company for the future. 497: Command is let over to Claus Rotstein when Doroka Hawk retires. Different sources about mr Hawk are available, but it is generally agreed upon that he was either 63 or 85 years old. Interestingly enough it seems as if you look upon mr Hawk in person that the later age is the correct one. 498: The battle of Shrooms. A rather inglorious event with rather good reports refer to the battle of Shrooms. Apparently it was a lengthy siege against a city of elven revolters, but the Steel fist had received the wrong location or there was a misunderstanding. The result was however that cpt Rotstein had his men cleave their way through an extensive Beilokian fungi forest for 2 weeks trying to locate the fortress. When the correct location was finally received Rotstein was much angered since the 2 weeks of hard work was completely in vain. When the defenders of the castle asked for a parley cpt Rotstein was repeatedly insulted and quote "offered fungi stew" that he called off the negotiations as fraud. It's later been proven that the parley actually was delaying tactics. A later report states "Rotstein fell down upon the fortress with unspeakable force, within a day the keep was razed and the Steel fist burned two fungi forests." Soldiers whom remember the event claim it was pure slaughter, and that Claus acted more like a madman than a captain. Fighting with blade in hand instead of commanding. 500: The battle of hymns. The steel fist engages in a land battle against an army of Vogani in their homeland aiding the elves in their conquests. Curiously enough there was massive casualties on all sides except for the Steel fist whom lost no lives and had few wounded. While facts of the battle are hard to come by, the Steel fist claims they were superior at arms. While the numbers suggest they did not enter the battle itself until the very end. Accurate records are hard to obtain of this incident. 501: The siege of Krypola. The steel fist enters a siege against the fortress city of Krypola which is fought against revolting elven slaves. 502: The siege of Krypola ends with a large scale battle inside its walls. The Steel fist however does not participate. Why this is does not come up in records. The Steel Fist then returns to Beilokias to root out rebels once more. 503: With the contract with the elves complete the Steel fist returns to Formaroth in Scassia. It then marched to the capitol of Nyhem. Disrupting the grieving populace after the death of King John Remonnet. Claus Rotstein is imprisoned and tried at court but found innocent. 503: The Steel fist was employed by the imperial concord, Claus Rotstein leading the defense force of Telmarion on order by the De'Reimer family. The army of the concord clashed with the combined army of Andris Mandarass and many of his allies. The battle was a massive slaughter, thousands perished on both sides as the Steel fist engaged with unbridled fury after the local commander Orland Tuania sent in his forces without consulting Claus. Claus Rotstein performed an impressive tactical feat and managed to save his outnumbered army from annihilation. However, the cost was high. 503: The siege of Clarm commences. The steel fist are in charge of the command and defence of the massive stronghold and its surrounding town. The fighting is fierce and after a week of siege the Mandarass alliance attack the city. The town falls but the stronghold within still stands under the command of Claus Rotstein. He also orders hit and run strikes against the Mandarass forces trying to peacefully occupate the town. After several days more, the Alliance are forced into action by the closing reinforcement armies of the Imperial Concord and thus assault Clarm. The town is taken with force but the steel fist manages to halt the destruction of the gate and thus hold the fortress. A massive war elephant was used to drag down the gate but with a daring raid performed by Claus Rotstein he managed to take it out. Prolonging the siege. Roogel Therp takes temporary command over the steel fist when Claus Rotstein goes missing after the raid. 503: The second battle of Telmarion. The Steel fist arrive in the latter part of the battle and flank the Mandarass supply line. Most of the baggage train is seized and lord Mandarass himself is almost captured by Claus Rotstein who made miraculous recovery after a vigilante raid by Katrina Nikos to seize his body. The capture of lord Mandarass is however ruined by a paladin of the church, allowing Mandarass to escape. The Steel fist hand over the Mandarass war chest to the imperial concord. 503: Returning with ships back to Nyhem, the company is forced to stay outside the city which is in open riot and uproar. The Steel Fist moves in to suppress the riot after being employed for that task by the king. The company does excellent work in the riot suppression and there are very few civilian casualties where the fist works. In other parts of the city, many civilians perish as church troops use a far more brutal approach. 503: Claus Rotstein is given the title of court military advisor to the high king, now emperor. Following a brutal duel with the previous military advisor, Alice Rallar. Ending in the vicious dismemberment of Alice's arm. 503: Claus Rotstein thwarts an assassination attempt upon the emperor and Lady Isabel De'Reimer. This quickly results in him being awarded the title of nobility by the emperors own hand. 503: The Steel Fist officially becomes the imperial guard of Formaroth. Tasked with the defence of the imperial family and the keep of Nyhem. 503: The Steel Fist leading the imperial relief force moves north to quell the northern rebellion in Uzgob. On the way they have a pitched battle with the Grim company, which vanish mysteriously during the battle. The Imperial forces carry on north and reach Uzgob thus ressuplying the beleaguered church forces. 503: Trying to land in Scassia, the Steel Fist is ambushed by unknown forces, a massive battle ensues and reports claim half the Steel Fist, if not even more was annihilated in the ambush, the Steel Fist managed to board the transport ships they were landing with and sail south. It is not clear why the Fist was disembarking on the shoreline near the city instead of in the harbor. [/hider]