Erika Vale Sternhammer
Erika is a stoic and disciplined warrior with a background in the martial traditions of The Empire. Her sharp features and piercing gaze betray a no-nonsense attitude, tempered by a sense of duty and loyalty to her comrades. She hides a powerful physique and subtle beauty beneath world weary and much mended green clothing.
Clad in green leather armour and wielding a longsword, she is a formidable opponent to any who would threaten the caravan. She conceals a number of throwing knifes about her person.
Despite her reserved demeanour, Erika is fiercely protective of her fellow guards and the cargo they are sworn to defend. She is Grimbald Helmbrecht's second in command. It is immediately obvious that even the more unruly members of company follow her orders without complaint.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Erika has served with Grimbald Helmbrecht, Reinhardt Ironwood, Adrik Blackthorn and Ulrich Ravenshield for around a decade.
Of Horns and Hefers
Viktor slings his axe over one shoulder. "Say Erika, why is that yar still followin' the old man? The pay ain't bad and the company is fine but there are other lines of work for a veteran." Viktor adjusts his pose, holding a stance as if his portrait were being painted. Erika turns her eyes to the giant of a man, clearly judging the question. There is a brief delay, but with no preamble she begins. "We were patrolling deep in the woods out by Unterbaum. It was a crisp foggy morning. The forest was so still, there were no animal noises. Not a breath of wind. It seemed as though the world was holding its breath." Erika crosses her arms. "We'd been told bandits were making off with livestock. Local mayor had given us a surprisingly high bounty to take the buggers out." She looks at Reinhardt. "If we'd known, we'd have called in the whole regiment." Reinhardt gives a curt nod and turns his attention to the tree line. "It all kicked off when we came across a mutilated hefer. She was spread open like a book, although she told of a story we wanted no part of but alas it was already too late." Erika grimaces and continues. "The war horns came from all angles, followed shortly by a flight of arrows, and soon after by the guttral cry of the foul beasts." "Grimbald was in thick as usual. He always leads from the front." A wry smile spreads across the woman's face, making you realise she is still fairly young. "He got us into formation, shields locked and spears ready just in time. He saved the entire company. Well not all of us, but a fair number." She trails off looking wistful. "I swear the man was born in battle. He'll certainly die in it. We broke the beasts that day, barely. We drove the filthy creatures back into the deep wood." Erika looks you straight in the eyes. "It's been almost ten summers but I'll never forget the beast that led them, twisted and deformed with horns like snapped tree limbs. I've got a debt to settle with that monster. I may have been a girl back then but if I see 'im now, I'll end it." "Through that battle, and the many since, Grim has held us together. He's saved my life more times than I can count." She smiles but her eyes show something else you can't put your finger on. "I keep meaning to leave, keep meaning to settle down and leave the life behind. Everytime I do I find myself with another score to settle or debt to repay." You get the impression the story has been told time and again internally and only a fragment of the truth ever sees the light of day. Erika adjusts her sleeves, and gives a hand gesture to Reinhardt indicating it is time to move on.
Species
Age
32
Family
Children
Sex
Female
Gender
Female
Presentation
Feminine
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Dark Brown
Height
5'7"
Weight
134lbs
Belief/Deity
Sigmar
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