[hider=Stromgarde] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/DKdfX2p.jpeg[/img] [h3][b]Kingdom of Stromgarde[/b][/h3] [hider=Stromgarde and the Arathi Highlands][img]https://img.freepik.com/premium-photo/beautiful-valley-old-medieval-fantasy-town-castle-concept-art_492154-743.jpg?w=2000[/img][/hider][/center] [b]Held Territories:[/b] City of Stromgarde, Arathi Highlands, and Arathi Basin. [b]Other Assets:[/b] None [b]Goals and Motivations:[/b] To call Stromgarde a Kingdom is being charitable. Since the devastating attacks by the Scourge, Stromgarde has become more of a heavily armed City-State ruled by a military council with the goal of presreving what remains of the birthplace of humanity, throwing back the Scourge and eventually restoring Stromgarde to its ancient glory. [b]Recent History:[/b] The initial Scourge attack hit Stromgarde harder than most. With his armies halted by at the Elfgate, Arthas and his Generals turned their horde southward, smashing head first into a poorly prepared Stromgarde. Savage combat raged across the Arathi Highlands as Stromic forces were assailed on all sides by the Scourge, and Syndicate, Boulderfist, and Witherbark forces who sensed weakness in their ancient foe. Lord Trollbane rallied his crumbling forces and sent out a call to their allies and adventure seekers alike for aid. Help came in many forms, but none had a greater impact than the thousands of would be adventurers, heroes, and fortune seekers. Tragically Lord Trollbane, and then his son Galen Trollbane, fell in battle. At first this caused some despair among the Stromgarde forces but the deaths of the famous father and son opened the door for a new generation of leaders. The Trollbanes had built the Stromic Army into a force to be reckoned with and that wonderful weapon of war fell to the control of a military council that reflected the make up of the new army and their diverse background. A military council was formed by Garald Hammerfist, Captain of the Knights of the Silver Hand, Paladin Rycyn Rookwood, and the Errant Knight Alma Blackthorne. The three of them continued to manage the operations of the city-state and lead the Stromic armies in repelling a full blown Scourge attack on the capital itself. Under their leadership the veneer of Empire and even Kingdom have vanished to be replaced by a scrappy militaristic city-state on the edge of a wilderness echoing with the howls of the undead. Those who might have otherwise been found the odd one out in Stormwind or Gilneas have found a home in Stromgarde where past sins are forgotten, birth title doesn't matter, and wealth means little. The Arathi Highlands are a continuous battlefield in which everlasting glory or grizzly death can come to the same person in a matter of moments. Here, in the lands that gave humanity life, the true human spirit continues to thrive and the people of Stromgarde fight on. [b]Key Players:[/b] [hider=Garald Hammerfist] [center][img]https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/019/642/203/large/andre-mello-main-final.jpg?1564408651[/img] [h3]Garald Hammerfist[/h3][/center] [b]Faction:[/b] Sromgarde [b]Rank/Role:[/b] Captain of the Knights of the Silver Hand Member of the Stromgarde Military Council [b]Appearance:[/b] Nearly 55 years old and wounded more times than he cares to remember, Garald is beginning to show his age. Numerous scars mingle with his extensive wrinkles, some of which are hidden by his still impressive head of hair and greying beard. Still immensely powerful in frame and character he is not as fast he once was and the loss of his right eye means his days of fighting in the frontline are numbered. Though he manages a fine scowl, his smile is a beacon to all around him and his chuckle is a welcome sound throughout the army. [b]Personality:[/b] Garald Hammerfist is the living example of what happens when you take a man who has lost everything, back him into a corner, and then leave him no option but to kill you to escape. He has been at battle since he was a wee lad when his family farm was attacked by Trolls and he claimed his first kill with a spear at the age of twelve. The only son of a noble family he earned a fine education and, despite some youthful shenanigans, earned his place among the flower of Stromgardes military ranks. He proved an apt administrator, leader, and tactician. A powerful Paladin in his own right, when greatness was thrust upon him as Stromgarde turned to him for leadership, he took to the role with glee. His eye for talent led to him picking the Paladin Rycyn Rookwood and the Errant Knight Alma Blackthorne to assist him in leading Stromic forces against the Scourge. [b]Biography:[/b] Garald was the only son of Stromic nobility; neither his mother nor father are alive. He fought the Trolls and Ogres as old foes continued to harass the Kingdom. His battle prowess, thirst for victory, and dedication to the Light saw him flourish as a Paladin in his early thirties and he became a soldier of the Silver Hand, still serving within the borders of Stromgarde. Training, education, and a firm hand from a tutor or two helped mold him into the man he is today. When the Scourge began to threaten he returned home to Stromgarde, appalled to find it utterly unprepared for the storm that was to come. It was during this time he met a wandering Paladin named Rycyn Rookwood who had arrived to fight the undead menace, quite unaware of just how powerful it was. The two men had become friends and when the undead smashed into Stromgarde the pair waded into the battle together. Their actions and bravery inspired those around them, serving to rally the combined human forces that threatened to break during the initial invasion. Causalities among his superiors, and his own skills, saw him rise quickly to the rank of Captain within the Silverhand and, with the death of the King, Prince, and any number of nobles, he found himself being begged to take command of the remaining Stromic forces. He sent out a call for aid from all of humanity and among those who answered was the Errant Knight Alma Blackthorne. A pure fighter supported only with magic trinkets for she had no powers of her own, her sarcastic quips, general good humour, and even her morning hangriness, brought her the adoration and love of many who served with her. As with Rycyn, Garald noted the skilled young woman as someone who could inspire others and asked her to join him in a leadership role. The three would go on to form the Iron Council - Stromgardes ruling military's triumvirate. Garald, his injuries now catching up to him, serves largely in an administrative role now, but can often be seen riding the frontlines to inspire his soldier. There is not shortage of those who call for him to become the next King of Stromgarde. [/hider] [hider=Rycyn Rookwood] [center][img]https://neural.love/cdn/ai-photostock/1ed51caa-f3f1-6230-ab67-3301d3a5a38f/1.jpg?Expires=1677628799&Signature=133-WKO1qCI9LGZB7TGzzGR5dU-D0H1yJ-tsvWcgQVgiGM2NBu4ci-PM5cxRueBv7LXDhgZdIiWZ8N53JB8CCuiJZNlkfuJ4A6s0SU-VV2elLPg6T1h-8o0Cs3Bhpsn~VMe~2pPwLfdOO9FX9kChSRzRNymlHkB2P87P6wOnVDQ2WMuDYGhIg3M5bQhJ4KPhhnXyNKyU2h-WVWKPIppgUfkW4luTtLJm-osC3zfOjR5h06tkqJ3txmWOd2KWjijlxQgcd~FngCJr9NkuB9QT6f1BnYxV5HRTXMBF7c0J~N44-NOKpG8HnAKhfXZ2o65gN6HIstlBas8jT-x9yPcMwA__&Key-Pair-Id=K2RFTOXRBNSROX[/img] [h3]Rycyn Rookwood[/h3][/center] [b]Faction:[/b] Sromgarde [b]Rank/Role:[/b] Paladin Member of the Stromgarde Military Council [b]Appearance:[/b] Young, tall, and handsome, Rycyn is the man all parents hope their son will grow up to be. He is covered by many scars though they somehow contribute to his looks rather than detract from them. Broad in the shoulders, thick in the legs, and wielding a massive two handed hammer, he is almost a stereotypical Paladin. He wears no signs of allegiance, only a black tabard over chainmail that is rumoured to be imbued with powerful spells. His hair is long, reaching half way down his back, and he is quite vane about it, always washing it and braiding it when he can. [b]Personality:[/b] Rycyn has a savage wit and sarcasm about him that earns him a broad smile from nearly everyone he meets. The oldest of five children he left home at a young age following an argument with his father and ended up in Northshire as a young man where he began to train as a Paladin. While not unusual for boy to do such a thing, Rycyn proved himself highly likeable and a firm friend to those he brings into his circle. He is counted a good friend and a savage enemy. [b]Biography:[/b] Born to a family that no longer exists, somewhere in the Human Kingdoms, Rycyn began his life as one of many young men tired of life on the farm and yearning instead for adventure. He fought with his father shortly before his tenth birthday and fled, travelling until he reached Northshire Abbey. Here he was given an opportunity to consider his future as instructors among the Abby occupants each tried to sway the young one to their path. Ultimately, he chose to fight, and wield the power the Light. It is likely he chose to be a paladin because of the armour his mentor wore - ironically he refuses to wear it himself now - but it worked for the young lad. He trained hard in the Abbey and proved a capable fighter. One of his best mates, a fellow paladin, was from Ironforge and the two spent several years questing throughout the area, assisting the locals with tasks, propping up exhausted garrisons, and blunting attacks from Troggs. Rycyn earned the respect of those he fought alongside and a natural leadership ability soon became evident and he found himself leading a sizeable band of like minded young folk in search of glory and adventure. When word of the Scourge arrived he set out for Stromgarde with the majority of his company. They were welcomed with open arms and folded into the Stromic armies where they continue to serve alongside Rycyn. Rycyn's charismatic ways and firm belief in leading from the front brought him to the attention of the armies commander, Garald Hammerfist, who moved quickly to take advantage of the skill he saw in the younger man. Rycyn was flattered by the attention and rose to the challenge. Like many great leaders before him, forged in the fires of war, he has become a legend among the Stromic forces. [/hider] [hider=Alma Blackthorne] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a1/de/b8/a1deb892af15b08dfb4af53d04b22531.jpg[/img] [h3]Alma Blackthorne[/h3][/center] [b]Faction:[/b] Sromgarde [b]Rank/Role:[/b] Errant Knight Member of the Stromgarde Military Council [b]Appearance:[/b] Alma is often mistaken for an Elf at first glance, so fine are her facial features. That, however, is where the similarities end. She is immensely strong though, unlike her male counterparts, she does not carry in sheer size. Green/blue eyes consider everyone carefully and the scars she bears upon her cheek mark her a skilled fighter. Redhair, the same colour as the horse hair plume crowning her helmet, is kept short to fit beneath her helmet. Alam wears a full suit of plate armour made for her by the Dwarves of Ironforge, on commission of course, and she wields several different one handed weapons and shield with lethal skill. [b]Personality:[/b] Calm until annoyed, Alma has survived by being tough, fast, and quick witted. A skilled horsewoman and fighter, she is a daughter of Stromgarde and returned home to fight for her people. There is a fierce loyalty to her supported by a ferocious temper when angered or spoken down to by anyone, man or woman, Dwarf or Elf. She has fought to earn her reputation and she always leads by example. She commands the Stromic Cavalry. [b]Biography:[/b] She was born in Stromgarde, loved a boy there, and killed him there as well. She was only eleven years old when the boy, nearly sixteen himself, decided to force himself on the small redhead who had a crush on him. When he wouldn't take no for an answer she dug a thumb into his eye and then stabbed him to death with his own knife. The killing was shocking enough for the King himself to become involved and he recognized the fire in the young woman and, more importantly, he believed her. To protect her from the boys vengeful family she was sent to Stormwind where she learned to fight. A young woman like her was rare enough among the human race at the time to draw attention and a skilled Knight with a daughter of his own took Alma under his wing. She lived with his family, became firm friends with his daughter, and took to the clash of swords with an enthusiasm that brought joy to the hearts of her foster family. At sixteen she returned to Stromgarde and won several tournaments. She was Knighted by the King at eighteen and set out to see more of the world with little more than her armour, weapons, and horse. She rode much of the Eastern Kingdoms, earning her food and lodging in return for deeds of valour and daring. Her reputation would proceed her back to Stromgarde and she returned as a celebrated fighter at a time when the city needed her most. The Scourge were at the gates. She joined the bedraggled cavalry and quickly lived up to every rumour and legend told about her. Those who rode with her came to adore and honour her in any way they could. She led many of the counterattacks against the Trolls and Ogres who attempted to take advantage of the Stromic situation and wielded her much smaller force with cunning and skill that earned her the nickname "Redfox". Alma was flattered by Garald's request to join him in the Iron Council and amused to meet Rycyn. The big boisterous man treated her with nothing but respect and the friendship between the two has become strong at the war wages on. [/hider] [/hider]