Known primarily as Klomster, both on the net and on real life.
I really enjoy roleplaying and do so every weak, preferably twice in two different campaigns. Sometimes even more.
From time to time i've done some forum roleplaying with mixed success. I've tried GM-ing with even more mixed success and all in all, i find forum rp's enjoyable. Hence why i joined, hoping to play some forum rp's and OWN at it. (Or something.)
I have an erratic thought pattern so my posts can appear as incoherent, if you notice you can just mention it if i should clarify anything. Other than that, hey there fellas.
The feast lasted long into the night, the rain of blood soon turning into a heavy cloud layer of dark sooty thickness. Casting the fortress of Norsal into a blinding darkness, only lit by the still burning granaries, torches and makeshift braziers. The Bloodied feasted upon the dead, drank stolen wine, ale, water and blood.... so much blood. All over the pit fires grilling large hunks of meat was seen, cattle, ratmen, goblins, minotaurs. Every corpse would turn up as food, everything remotely edible was prepared in some way. Large bags, rucksacks or simply things tied together were filled with food. Grilled legs, roasted smoked and boiled ribs.
This had been a good haul, sure he had lost roughly four to five thousand soldiers, about five hundred of which were in the vanguard while slaying barely even half that number. But the effort had been worth it. Standing on the plaza, Kraam had assembled all his forces, sure, only the vanguard itself fit on the plaza itself, standing in strangely orderly neat fashion for minotaurs, other nations would even refer to them as being drilled and standing at attention. On a raised platform, usually used for public displays, Kraam stood and looked upon his arrayed army with pride and glee. Such a force it was. Clad in the pelt of Shansera, the gnoll matriarch who perished on the wall. He had skinned the matriarch with the logic it was the largest unionist he could find, so it was probably the fortress leader, seeing the entire enemy army had routed as she fell. In his hand, he held her heart, then spoke.
-"Bloodied host, we stand in victory, we hold the hearts of our enemies. Now we celebrate with the bloodied toast!" Finishing the sentence he held the heart aloft, as many as possible in the vanguard held a heart aloft, be it from friend or foe, soldier civilian or livestock. -"Drink for the blood lord, drink for ME!" His voice boomed out, the hearts were squeezed and emptied into the mouths of those who held them, after which they happily ate the rest. Those who didn't hold hearts just roared with delight, drank whatever other beverage they could get hold of or just joined the cacophony of roars that followed the bloodied toast.
Streaks of theurgia flowed over the vanguards forms, shamans began to walk among them and gather it, using it to reinforce gear, enchant new weapons or simply storing it.
-"Now, it's time to reinforce the vanguard! STEP FORTH CHOSEN!!" Kraam's voice echoed over the plaza, the fortress and rumbled in the deep. Stepping forth was many minotaurs, chosen by the complex method of Kraam saw them do something impressive in the battle, so he sought them up afterwards and told them they would be chosen. They were ritually given the gear of the vanguard that had been slain, they were cursed by the shamen and made to take the oath of the vanguard. Never falter, never flee, never surrender. They are the core of the Bloodied, and they will damn act like it.
The rest of the night was spent with feasting, eating, making food and sleeping. During the evening a satyx javelineer approached Kraam laying upon a makeshift masters bed from pelts and pillows with two female minotaurs beside him with another female satyx waving a makeshift fan of goblin skin towards him. -"Foe-hammer, may i ask you somethin'?" Without even looking at him, Kraam caressed the mane of one of the females and answered. -"Speak." -"My lord, i earlier saw strange activity by winged creatures, unlike other carrion, they did not land and then disappeared towards the principality." The Satyx said while kneeling. -"So?" The voice of the god-eater betrayed that he was sorely bothered and bit into a plump juicy fruit of some kind, dipped in meat sauce. -"So... it is probably griffon knights, you know the dangerous flying cavalry?" Getting a bit worried, the satyx began to tremble. -"Soo... they know we're here. They usually do. My plan still stands." Kraam now looked at the trembling satyx, before continuing. -"We move out in the morning, set fire to the rest of the fortress. Then we move into Evernyx and move west, looting everything along the way." He finished off the sentence with a grinning smile. -"NOW BEGONE! I order you to feast!" Kraam angrily motioned with his hand towards the satyx, whom jerked, bowed and ran off.
The army of the principality may come, the army of the union is doubtlessly already on their way though.
The following morning the clouds would have been normal if it wasn't for the fact that the upper city of Norsal now burned and caked the sky with soot and smoke. The Bloodied host entered Evernyx, the farmsteads would stand little chance in front of their advance. They marched west along the mountain wall, the wind-pined white mountain tops setting the backdrop for the rumbling march of the host.
The black steel form of the forge god voiced his answer to Markon. -"Should know..." Ha's voice was now more of a slow rumble than the wrothful deity from a moment ago he did not change his posture and kept fiddling with the trinket in his right hand.
-"But as is always the case, mortals never learn. I understand that now, their life-spans so insignificant that our words and laws are being forgotten...." He seemed to think back to another age, where things were different, until turning to finally face the deity behind him.
-"Markon, you mentioned an artifact? What would such a trinket do? Comb your hair, give your appearance an illusion of luster? Or perhaps a weapon?" The forge god looked unusually laid back in his posture, now that the two were alone.
-"You're right about mortals. They don't live long enough and they forget easy. This is why I want something so the whole world will quake and spawn an era where they will worship us like they never had before." Markon said with a level of motivation.
Gazing upon Markon, Ha didn't expect this interest in the mortal realm. -"Wasn't that the reason i got chained to heaven in the last era? For meddling too much in the world of mortals?" Ha straightened his posture and stood up after he had spoken. Gave Markon a good look. He went to his storage drawer and began to check around for things. Considering several things before returning them. An angels feather, scales of a dragon, a hydra spine, a rusty nail. The nail he kept in his hand.
-"You didn't just meddle with the mortals you destroyed whole species. Our fight destroyed whole continents. No not like last time, although I enjoyed it a little we should not go that far. Not yet in the least. This artifact will be different from all your other ones. Respectfully of course. Whoever wields this... treasure will usher a time of worship and bring immense power. Perhaps even uniting most of the world as one in a golden age, but we will not allow them to gain this artifact easily. No. It will be protected and hidden well." He was floating around the room as he spoke and now he was looking up trying to form a picture in his mind.
Markon's words intrigued Ha, he stroked his chin as he tried to come up with things that would suit the elusive gods needs. -"So like a crown of divine rulership? The mortal who wears the crown is decreed to be the one chosen of the gods to rule the lands of the living?" In his head Ha began to design such a magnificent headgear. It would require complex materials of course, but nothing outside of what he could muster himself. Until he realised what Markon had said and asked. -"So why do we give such a potent artifact... for a mortal... to the one who finds it by chance? Shouldn't the chosen ruler be, well, chosen by us?"
-"Interesting. Perhaps, we will make three artifacts. The first one will be used to find all other artifacts with your divinity or any of the gods; a magic map or compass if you will. The next artifact is key because the crown cannot be used properly without it and the crown will not be found without it either. Then after the long journey of finding those two and then the long journey to find the last piece they must get past protectors or even traps of our make. When all is done and they have everything in place they must go through our divine judgement as the last part. Then we can name a king fit to rule as our vassal. Mortals will never disrespect you again Ha!"
With interest not showing, Ha listened to Markon as the great craftsman opened a small box and produced a gem, a platinum stick and some silver. -"Bite this." Ha said without flinching while handing the rusty nail to Markon, he then put the things so far next to his workplace and began to hand drill into the gem-stone. Markon examined the rusty nail first then bit down on it. He passed it back when he was done.
Ha examined the nail, murmured something akin to 'excellent' and sharpened its edge with a strike of Ha-mmer upon the anvil. -"However, since these artifacts will be powerful and you after all have ordered them, i will need something from you." The forge god informed while drilling the gemstone. -"You see, mortals only look up to one thing in the end, the only thing they seek, is divinity. Therefore we will need divinity to fuel the artifacts power and imbue them with the divinity they will look upon, i need you to provide that." The forge god told with a calm but serious voice. As he finished drilling the gem he drilled the centre of the nail. -"While i assume you don't feel like losing a finger or a toe, i still need a sufficient source of divine power." He turned to Markon and began to thread the hole in the nail while looking at Markon. -"I need one of your demigods. That will be enough." Ha sat silent and unmoving for a moment and waited for the answer of the ancient god.
Markon was shocked for a moment. -"I see. Would a tooth, or nail... even a hair work?" He floated around enjoying the moment. "You're right. None of those will work. But now who... Someone loyal."
Then for a moment he was sad. Kathume was his best friend, but he knew only Kathume would never hate him for putting him inside the crown. His creation would be loyal and divine. And thus the dog was instantly teleported to Markons location.
He placed a hand on the old dogs brow. Then he lifted his head high and kissed him. Kathume already felt what was happening due to the link between god and demi-god. "This isnt good bye my friend..."
-"It is decided then." Ha saw that Markon was already preparing the divine being for the task, as such the forge god began to take the divine energy of the hound and form it into a shape. The form of Kathume vanished slowly and something formed in the hands of Ha whom violently shaped the purple energies into a form much smaller than the beast had been. Instead of leaving a corpse, only specks of dust slowly fell like from a breeze upon the floor of the divine forge. A small goblin-esque looking creature with ugly bat-like wings quickly emerged from behind the bellows and collected the dust and put it in a vial, put it next to Ha and vanished into the shadows. Without looking at the little imp, Ha finished his shaping and in his hand was a magnificent reddish purple gem, smoother than possible and with a depth one could stare into for ages.
He carefully put the gem upon a soft pillow upon a shelf with his clawed gauntleted hand. After which he took the silver plate and bent it into shape of a bowl which he set the gem he had drilled from earlier in. -"I will begin crafting the crown shortly, i will however need to get a few other resources but the most important one is now provided." While talking he screwed on the rusty nail upon the platinum rod, poured a liquid from a porcelain pitcher into the silver bowl followed by blowing upon the surface with an outstretched palm gesture, seemingly blowing something from the palm unto the surface of the clear liquid. The surface hardened into clear crystal, the nail within began to spin with sudden jerks with the tip of it pointing in all manners of directions. He held it outstretched towards Markon. -"This compass will point towards the nearest artifact, more potent artifacts will draw its attention before weaker ones." The compass was in a sense ugly, but held a certain charm. What was obvious however was that it worked, the point jumping between different artifacts present before stopping violently pointing towards the gem of Kathume.
Position: Lieutenant at arms, Captain of the "Steel fist" mercenary group. Formarothian lord, imperial advisor of war.
Personality: 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.
Appearance:media.discordapp.net/attachments/3314… 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.
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.
Background: 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.
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.
Skills and traits: 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.
Flaws: Claus has a few, but notable character flaws. Alcoholism: 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. Unrefined: 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. Impulsive: 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. Post traumatic stress disorder: 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.
Name: Roogel Therp 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
Name: Ashala Harr 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
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
Name: Katrina Nikos 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
She is secretly the bastard child of Heylot and Anna; a handmaiden to Queen Ruth and Duncan's former (secret) lover.
Name: Balthar Uneiuss Imazz 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.
Name: Orvel Forrin 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')
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.
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.
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.
The white marble halls was abuzz with activity, mortals of many species working the divine tools to learn and to aid the creation of ever more impressive wonders and to learn new ways of making things that will impress and last through the ages. Some dwarves were working the bellows of one of the minor forges, so that their master could get the heat he wanted to forge a blade.
But something didn't go well for the smith and as a loud 'ting' could be heard as he quenched the blade, with speed he retracted it and furiously looked at the smoking blade and the long visible crack in its form. He was scowling viciously and turning red. -"That's it, what sort of miracle forge is this? Isn't the tools the ones that make the best things? Whom make failures never happen, the perfect foundry of heaven!?" He was barking this and turned to his worried servants, saliva began to be flung from his mouth as he kept on raving and threw the ruined blade. -"BEGONE! Damned blade, this is not how it's supposed to be! Divine forge? Yeah right!" The loud clatter of the blade and the ravings of the dwarven master smith made most work end within the foundry, but most importantly the figure within the upper section descended with heavy trods down the three-step tall, wide stair.
As the dwarf kept on his anger fit and kicked a bucket and tossed down some tools at the floor some within the foundry were gasping, others were already getting out of here while the smiths servants hid from the looming presence which was nearing. With a careful hand he picked up the blade, apart from the crack the workmanship was solid, a leaf blade shape with a shallow central groove. -"This blade is not worthy of the divine forge, nor is it worthy of having been made by a 'master', how did you ever manage to claim such a title?" The booming voice of Ha made the dwarf stop and turn slowly to find the forge god himself inspecting his ruined blade. Fear in his eyes, shuddering and gaping he didn't manage to form words. With an initial calm Ha spoke once more. -"When a god speaks, it's prudent to answer... especially if the one questioned is in the gods HOME! Working HIS TOOLS!!!!" The halls began to shake, dark clouds roiled outside as the volcano rumbled and spewed black smoke. -"ANSWER ME! Mortal!" Ha now faced the pathetic dwarf and pointed the ruined blade directly at him.
After promptly soiling himself the dwarf fell to his knees and cupped his hands in lamentation. -"I'm sorry my lord, i'm... i'm sorry... i was given the title..." The smith began to speak but was violently cut off by the furious god present. -"You claimed the title of master yourself, with ambitions only to earn wealth and power. To further your own standing in your society, not a thought of what wonders to make. Only greeeeeed...." With a snotty cry the dwarf begged. -"I can change, i can become better.... i could..." Cut off again, Ha proclaimed his verdict.
-"You will not change, times before have i witnessed your work, i have felt every strike of the hammer that missed its target and struck the anvil, every tool blamed, every failure." Ha grabbed the soiled mess and dragged him to the anvil which had produced the faulty blade, put the dawrfs left hand on top of it and the forge god raised Ha-mmer towards the ceiling and boomed out. -"And that is just within these walls, i grow tired of you blaming my perfect tools for your own failings, time and time again you will deny the true cause unless i say no." Ha-mmer struck the hand upon the anvil, but instead of blood and gore the hand was violently dished and looked more like a painted piece of leather than a hand, the dwarf was screaming and crying, his servants panicking unable to move. -"There is a simple punishment for those that disrespect..." With a push of his foot, the dwarf was pushed to the floor and clasping his ruined hand in panic. -"A tarnished work." Ha incanted, putting the failed sword upon the anvil and struck it once, the head of Ha-mmer catching fire as it slammed into the blade and shattered it in a single blow into a thousand pieces, a second after they spread out however, they froze mid-air and began to return slowly to the anvil. -"Fear from mortals minds." The forge god grasped in front of the dwarf smiths servants, blueish tendrils came from the ears and noses of them and danced into the grasp of the lord of crafts in an orb with a purple heart. This orb was laid upon the anvil and began to absorb the shards of the broken blade which sped up their unnaturally slow flight and within a second went from slowly gliding to shooting themselves into the glowing orb of fear. Shortly after the violent might of Ha-mmer struck it, flattening it. The echo ringing through the halls, out into the realm of the gods and through the heavens. -"And finally.... the sinner." Ha turned to the dwarf, whom now was screaming with terror and tried to back off, to no avail as Ha took a single step, grabbed the dwarf by the apron and slammed him upon the anvil, the gods eyes turning ablaze as he stared upon the struggling mortal below him as Ha-mmer was raised once more.
The final stroke shook the foundations of the world, all over creation unease was felt for a moment, in heaven the echo lasted for just a moment of eternity and within the forge the blast threw all within the forge to the ground apart from the divine.
Upon the disc, a tortured visage could be easily seen, it seemed to slowly move and writhe in anguish. With a strong gait, Ha walked to the entrance and hung the disc next to the others, several rows of them, but there always seemed to be room to hang it in head height for the master of the forge. It took a moment, after admiring his work, for Ha to turn to those within the forge and give them all a glare.
-"You may return to your work, now you know what happens to those that sin towards me." His voice much calmer now. The silence was broken as one of the dwarfs servants began to sprint as fast as he could out of the forge, soon almost all of the mortals present were fleeing the forge. A single human and two ogres stood firm but with a distinct fear in their eyes and a sudden but perhaps not so strange newfound veneration for the tools as they returned to work. The human man filing the handle of a tin cup and the ogres knapping stone of a block.
As Ha returned to his workstation, an angel of constantly turning copper gears and sprockets approached the lord of walls and spoke. -"Masterful one, i return with thy due." As the angel held up an ugly twig with a single leaf upon, which Ha took and studied. Then put in a drawer in a bookcase nearby. -"Excellent, while it lacks quality it is sufficient, you may rest until i need your services again." The angel nodded and backed off to a wall which promptly opened itself with a mechanical motion to let the angel through and then reconstructed itself as the forge lord returned and sat down to study a small silver leaf which laid upon the anvil of his own workstation. Stroking his chin and pondering.
Name: Ha Nicknames/Titles: lord of the forge, master of arms, steel personified, chivalry's father. Mistakenly known as the god of honor.
Base Appearance: static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original… Ha, has the appearance of a massive knight clad in black steel armour, told to be taller than the tallest pine in the forest, he wields great strength in combat, but is also intelligent. Armed with a massive sword which never cooled after its forging, and never will. How Ha looks beneath his harness is unknown and non who have tried have ever succeeded to persuade him to show. Neither through words or martial prowess.
Other Appearances: Ha isn't known to take on any different appearances. But can change his size.
Gender: Ha sees himself and holds the form of a male.
Affiliation to the world: Ha usually ignores the events of the world, focused upon some divine wonder which takes all his concentration. But there have been several times where the god of chivalry has taken to the world to some end and lead it the way he see fit. The most notable in the second era where thousands died because of his stubbornness.
Otherwise he seldom takes interest in mortal affairs.
Artifacts and creations: Ha wields the sword "Ember" when it strikes home the blade bursts into flame making it cut through armour like cloth and bathing the struck in flames. Normal mortals cannot hope to survive its strike, and gods either envy its power, fear it or both, although epic heroes or gods with powerful weapons might be able to parry Ember's might. Ha also wields a runic hammer of the forge, the first hammer, and named after Ha himself ,Ha-mmer. With its might, less magical resources is needed when forging magical artifacts. And its strike can shake mountains, but is unwieldy in combat.
Ha also has a black steel armband, with it Ha can to a limited degree control weather. Only small things though, like summoning clouds and making thunder strike and rain fall.
The fortress city of "Ha'zufel", it's massive bulwark of defenses has never been defeated by mortal hands. Time and time again it has stood against sieges.
The divine forge was constructed by Ha to be the ultimate workplace of a smith, armourer, even other professions. There are numerous albeit difficult or hidden ways to enter the divine forge and mortals have been known to enter and work the miracle tools. However if they disrespect his home, Ha is known to have forged misbehavers into discs of tortured souls, which he hangs in the entrance to warn visitors.
Apart from those, Ha has created thousands of artifacts, many of which is held in the armoury of the divine forge, but hundreds upon hundreds exist in the mortal world. While not mighty artifacts according to Ha, blades that strike like lightning or bows that need no arrows are mighty heirlooms of impressive families. Long forgotten artifacts can still be found in hidden places, for Ha makes them all the time. He has forgotten most, too many to remember. None can compare to what Ha calls a 'true artifact', but they can perform tasks no mortal blade can hope achieve, and many a smith could only dream to make.
Religion and culture: Ha is usually worshipped by dwarves and humans. Primarily by smiths and other craftsmen, but also soldiers and kings. He is a common deity for worship but very few hold him as a primary deity. But there is no serious smith or armourer who doesn't know the name Ha, their life dependent on how well they perform in his domain. And the stories go that if you strike an anvil five times with a hammer, Ha will appear and scold you for disrespecting the tools. While this is more of a joke, Ha has stepped out of a furnace more than once.
Domain(s): Steel, forging and crafts, weapons, armour, chivalry, walls.
Personality: Ha is a stout individual, that values his solitude, he often resides within his forge and contemplate upon his next wonder he will construct. When he leaves his forge, he commands without doubt and demands the very best of each of his subjects. Failure is frowned upon and to fail Ha himself is often punished, at times even with death. He is contemplative and resourceful in nature, never rushing into a situation. Ha values honor and chivalry, and as such gives those who live by its codes the respect they deserve. Ha often likes to make a show out of things, making unnecessary statements and pretentious acts.
Skills: Ha as the god of chivalry holds massive skill in swordplay and strategy. He seldom needs to fight all out. He also is the god of the forge, he has all but mastered the art of forging artifacts in all of their forms. None can make artifacts greater than Ha. While Ha could create artifacts that are not necessarily forged, he finds them a bit more challenging. Making a silken weave isn't his forté but he could make it.
Powers: Ha has the ability to create simple objects of his dominions at will, weapons and armour can be created at a whim, with effort and magic he can make even larger weapons of war or fortifications of legend. He also takes little damage from heat and has limited ability to conjure and control fire. Blunt weapons seems to do little harm upon him. Ha can grasp and manipulate all sorts of magical materials, which means he can hold a portion of a years first summer wind and hammer it into a medallion and similar things. He also has knowledge of basically all magical materials, many of which he himself has created, how to obtain them and how to utilize them.
Fighting Style: Ha is a master of the blade, fighting with skillful strikes and keeping on the offense, relying on his prominent armour for defense, he fights up close only if he has to though. He usually tries to let others fight for him as he sees himself as a general and commander.
Vulnerabilities: Ha will seldom fight all out, often underestimating his opposition. Ha also has little control over the world outside his domains. He cannot shape mountains, nor conjure up tidal waves. He needs to work through artifacts to create things like this. Artifacts which need obscure materials to be really powerful.
Home: Ha lives in his divine forge, a massive foundry made of marble filled with all sorts of wondrous tools for crafting and smithing, Ha has gifted the understanding of many a tool to mortals. The foundry stands atop a fire spewing mountain within his small realm, which basically only contain the mountain with the forge and some burnt forest around the base of the mountain. It is said that every furnace is a gate to the divine forge, while this is an exaggeration Ha does have a great affinity to the forges of the mortals and usually acts from or near them.
Biography: At the first stroke of a hammer against the first anvil, Ha was born. He himself being that hammer and the unknown being the anvil and the material. His form gradually became that of the towering blackened steel warrior as his crafts were used more and more for war. Ha is popular with armies and generals that uphold the laws of chivalry. Knights often have Ha's blessing, albeit seldom in more than a figurative sense. More anarchistic forces tend to dislike Ha, mostly since he is always their opponent. Ha is controlled in his actions and always try to justify his acts. Ha is not shy of helping those that uphold his values. Smiths, warriors of chivalry and those who command.
History: During the first era Ha arrives with the sound of a hammer slamming into steel which echoed over existence, immediately he began to work metals and heat to produce things of value. He made the first forge and gave it to mortals. He showed them how to protect themselves with the gift of walls. He taught them to work metals and gave them the knowledge of weapons, to hunt beasts and to protect themselves.
But alas, the greed of mortals shone through and the weapons were in time used to take rather than protect. This disgusted Ha as his gifts were used to destroy, something which he hadn't seen yet, but was to see many a times more. During the god wars Ha abandoned the mortals, even as they cried for his help and wisdom Ha cared not. He went inward and became angry and sad. Forging a harness befit his visage and to protect from the treason of others.
When Markon declared that gods and mortals would be separated, Ha instantly agreed and begun to craft the gate of heaven, an unique artifact of immense might, he had to take help from Markon to manage but the gates of heaven were built and with them the realm of the gods was defined. The silver-like metal doors are surrounded by a bulwark of bronze, upon the doors are no decorations, just spiteful hammer-blows marks. The lock massively complex, needing five keys to open, these keys were made to fit the gods who would safeguard them. Thus the gates of heaven can only be opened with the combined effort of all the gods.
During the second era Ha made the divine forge. A haven where the creation of wonders was in focus. Unbeknownst to him, there were somehow ways to enter the divine forge through places in the mortal world. And one day a mortal dwarf came through the door with wonder and confusion in his eyes. With anger the forge god asked how the weakling mortal could have entered his home, Ghoras the dwarfs name was said he had found the door while mining and entered due to curiosity.
Ha looked upon the creature, whose type he'd never seen before and asked. -"So when you see these tools, what do you feel?" As he gestured upon the marvel tools and workstations of the divine forge. Ghoras answer was. -"I see marvels of the crafts, i can just imagine the stoneworks and tools i could make with them." The forge god was pleased with the answer, at last a mortal once again could see the beauty of the craft and not its use for greed. -"Then you may use them, make a wonder and i will judge you." Ghoras forged a hammer, to help him with future works. It was crude and ugly compared to Ha-mmer, but Ha saw they held the same purpose so he felt joy for the first time in ages.
With that Ha let mortals enter his forge, but only through the ways which occured naturally. In time he spent more and more time in the mortal world, helping to create and later defend the wonders therein. He built the fortress city of Ha'zufel and invited anyone who appreciated the craft would be allowed to live therein. Without realizing, Ha became a wargod, with fury he attacked any whom dared oppose his creations, he clad his servants in armour of black steel and gave them weapons to smite the vile. It took time, but eventually his view had changed.
He had tired of those who didn't follow his ways. He led his mortal host to destroy all who opposed his ways. Millions died, thousands upon thousands were slain with his new-forged blade, Ember. It took the effort of several gods to restrain Ha's wrath. Following this it was decided that gods would not interfere in person within the mortal coil. Eventually the wrothful god of crafts abided, in time he even calmed down. He trod the mortal realm many a times to gather materials in avatar form, or tasked a servant to do it.
Known relations:
The creator of the world is someone Ha has great respect for. Many a times they have had shared views on things and the forge god often help him with tasks.
Tales:
At the twelfth siege Ha'zufel, when the besieging force of western barbarians were about to break through the first of the cities four walls, Ha stepped out from the cities largest foundry and walked to the fallen flank. He uttered the words. -"So, the times have changed." And struck the frontline of the enemy force with Ha'mmer with such force, the barbarian horde was defeated and from the ground the cities now outermost fifth wall arose from the ground.
-"And remember students, don't ruin the anvils. If you strike five nicks into it in the same day, Ha will come and strike five nicks in you with his ha'mmer."
His size is that of a tall man when he is in his foundry. 1,95 meters. When he treads the mortal realm, he likes to appear larger. Although seldom as massive as some of his equals, he could appear that large but usually prefer not to. His equipment appear as the same scale as Ha himself and therefore also shifts in size.
Ha-mmer and Ember was forged by Ha. Ha-mmer is a one-handed hammer, it is beautifully decorated with flowing design.
You may (and i guess should) read the secret stuff. Unless you think it fits not to. This section is for things that the other gods don't know exist, or don't know how to get to. So this information is sensitive to metagaming. But feel free to read as long as you keep the stuff hidden unless your character for some in game reason finds out about these things. Enjoy.
Ha collects forging artifacts. He has a second, really small dimension which holds these items. A tiny little forge in a hut with a pit kiln. The hut has no outside and is dimly lit by the fire in the kiln and in the firebed. He has searched far and wide trying to find as many ancient items as possible, the first anvil, the first mortal hammer, the first whetstone. Etcetera.
This smaller portable dimension can be entered from his divine forge or from the place Ha made the first forge. The entire place is really shoddy looking, filled with very rusty tools and broken equipment. A few items are placed in a manner which resembles a blacksmith's workstation. Most of these tools are very damaged and rusted. But they are very ancient.
This is Ha's true sanctum, should anyone tamper with this sacred place, he will be very, VERY angry.
Known primarily as Klomster, both on the net and on real life.
I really enjoy roleplaying and do so every weak, preferably twice in two different campaigns. Sometimes even more.
From time to time i've done some forum roleplaying with mixed success. I've tried GM-ing with even more mixed success and all in all, i find forum rp's enjoyable. Hence why i joined, hoping to play some forum rp's and OWN at it. (Or something.)
I have an erratic thought pattern so my posts can appear as incoherent, if you notice you can just mention it if i should clarify anything.
Other than that, hey there fellas.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Known primarily as Klomster, both on the net and on real life.<br><br>I really enjoy roleplaying and do so every weak, preferably twice in two different campaigns. Sometimes even more.<br><br>From time to time i've done some forum roleplaying with mixed success. I've tried GM-ing with even more mixed success and all in all, i find forum rp's enjoyable. Hence why i joined, hoping to play some forum rp's and OWN at it. (Or something.)<br><br>I have an erratic thought pattern so my posts can appear as incoherent, if you notice you can just mention it if i should clarify anything.<br>Other than that, hey there fellas.</div>
