[PK] The Anvil Rings Silent

[Sarven 2619]

Artistic Depiction of Marcus Erhdhart, Dated; 1770

Spoiler

 

“Knights! We charge! For God! For King and Country! Krusae Zwy Kongzem!”

 

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Marcus Erhdhart was a highlander who grew up in the rural countryside of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, striving to serve for the good of Haense and aiming to follow in his father's footsteps. Marcus was not special through his childhood, he was like everyone else, just some man on some farm out in the countryside, though he was supposed to be a farmer, his father's tales of heroics got his sights set on being a soldier for his Kingdom, and a soldier he would become. After reaching the age of 25, he was ready, trained by a family friend, he was an overconfident lad and after receiving a letter from a courier, detailing a call to war, he immediately set off to Reza.

 

Upon arriving at the towering walls and gates he saw a man clad in plate armour, this man was Ser Wilheim Barclay, the current Lord Marshal at the time, upon a short conversation Marcus was drafted to serve as a soldier in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl. In due time he’d climbed the ranks from Initiate, to Footman, Armsman, Armiger, Sergeant and finally Lieutenant. Throughout his military career he’d meet a great many friends and comrades. Tharik Sturmholm, someone who he’d fought with since the beginning and who he’d considered a great friend. Jacques De Beaumont, who he had been with acquainted through the fires of the Toe War. Darien Reyne, who helped Marcus in his endeavours in the Brotherhood. Aedan Capulei, a man of great pride and strength, who Marcus would look up to from time to time. His escapades with Aurianne Vuiller who had shortly after been branded a ‘heretic’ and Harald Vuiller who had consoled him in troubled times. Erwin Barclay, the man who would later become Lord Marshal, would also aid Marcus in his endeavours, Marcus considering him a good friend and comrade. Lastly a long time friend, Jonathan Frostfire, though originally not the closest of friends the two bonded over weapons, armour, glory, and battle. 

 

Throughout his Military career Marcus accomplished many great things, he fought to stave off the mutant wolves that plagued the land, he fought in the war against the traitorous Lorraine Knights, as well as against the Orcs. He fought tooth and nail to protect the innocent during the siege of New Reza and went to the end of the world to fight alongside Tharik, Aedan and Jon and countless others to fight back the demons of the Void and their ruinous powers. Lastly, he fought in the war that would take the greatest toll on him: The 28 Years War, more commonly known as The Ruberni War, it would be the most devastating for Marcus. Jacques, Darien, Aedan many died in the fight against AIS, and Marcus’s soul would bear its scars. 

 

With its completion and the collapse of AIS, Marcus would then be Knighted and awarded for his great efforts. However, during such events, King Sigismund II of Haense was savagely attacked by Goblins, though his life was saved due to the tireless efforts of Marcus and several Doctors. During this time, he’d also ventured several times with Nikolas and his retinue, guarding and aiding the lad in his dastardly escapades. Shortly afterwards his long-time friend Ser Jonathan was assassinated, as well as the Queen and though Marcus demanded an investigation, nothing would be done by the crown. He had fought through the bandit hordes at the Battle of Boomhill and trained many soldiers in the art of combat in the HRA. 

 

Then, they came, the Scyflings came to Haenseni shores, for conquest, for blood and for glory of their pagan gods. The first battle, the Battle of Valywck concluded in a Haenseni victory halting the first wave. Shortly afterwards in a series of skirmishes Fort Buck fell once more and in a plan to retake it a secret operation was conducted. Though the operation was relatively successful with Fort Buck in flames and the enemy pushed back, Ser Bjornolf fell, dying in the battle. Only a few short months later Ser Robin followed suit, and Marcus was alone once more. Several Scyfling battles came afterwards and during the final battles many fell. Marcus nearly meeting a similar fate, however saved by his son’s Fyodor Erhdhart’s actions. Months later, his long life superior, friend and fellow knight Ser Wilheim Barclay passed. A month later the unexpected occurred, following the start of the war between the Orenian Empire and Sutica, Sigismund II committed suicide, having done so with the same weapon Ser Marcus and Ser Jonathan had gifted him in childhood. During the final siege of Reza, Marcus would raise the Haesenic Banner on the walls, standing tall and prideful as he’d support his fellow cavalrymen. Suddenly, a javelin would fly forth and strike Marcus in his left arm, the plate did little to protect it from the shaman strength, severing it. The banner fell and as Ruben Ruthern raised it once more commotion could be heard from the Palace, after a series of painful stumbles Marcus reached it, only to have the Palace be lit ablaze, after charging forth and saving Ser Ivan and Ruben with a hasty parry the two escaped, Marcus himself later dragged away after refusing to ignore his desire for revenge for those who had fallen to Bralt’s hands.

 

After the war he retired from active service, though keeping to his duties as smith and trainer of soldiers in the Army.  Years of sundering war and conflict had rendered him wounded and tired and with Haense, FREED from Orenian Rule Marcus took to his retirement, surrendering his blade to King Josef I he then retired to his smithy as the sounds of the clashing of steel and hammer continued. 

 

A few years past, the Inferni Hordes encroached upon Arcas, and Marcus’s bones grew old and frail, many more of his former comrades and dear friends would perish, Amelot the Brave, Darien Frostfire, and many more. Marcus had lived a long and fruitful life, though escaping death five times before, it would still come for him, and claim what it sought. An illness had gripped him in its claws of late and as he grew older and more frail by the day, he knew his time had come. His last comrades, brothers in arms and dearest of friends gathered; Manfred Barclay, Ser Ruben Vasili Barclay, Ser Ivan and of course his son, Fyodor Erhdhart. The comforting words of these few, made his final moments… all the more tranquil.

 

And here ends the tale of Ser Marcus “The Forgemaster” Erhdhart

Veteran of the Ruberni War, Toe War, Etc

Last Meyster Knight of the Kingdom of Haenseti-Ruska

Lieutenant of the Haenseti Royal Army and Brotherhood of Saint Karl

Royal Blacksmith

Father

Husband

 

 

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The Last Will and Testament of Ser Marcus “The Forgemaster” Erhdhart

My son Fyodor Erhdhart and Couriers will be the ones to execute my will;

 

Those who ready this, apologies for the poor writing, for these are the words of a meandering old fool. My son Fyodor Erhdhart and Couriers will be the ones to execute my will;

 

To all of vy I would first like to give my thanks, vy have brightened this world for me and it was an honour to make vy friends.

 

To my comrades, friends and compatriots, Erwin and Manfred Barclay I only wish that you aid my Son in his endeavours, lads quite ambitious… hopes to outdo me. I leave you and your father my Zvaerd it served me well, I hope it shall serve you too.

 

To my Apprentice, Brandt Barclay I give you my smithy, the Anvil I have used for my crafts, a weapon of my creation and the duty to forge many more weapons of war for the HRA and BSK.

 

To my fellow Knights who have served me or at least who are left. I leave my utmost respect and gratitude, Ser Ivan, Ser Ruben, thank you, for making my time in the order all the more enjoyable.

 

To the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and Haenseni Royal Army, I leave my utmost respect and gratitude all of you are fine men and women and it is thanks to you, that I was able to find my place in this world. A few names that come to my mind… Amelot Mondblume, Astoro Jovanovsk, Ozark Mondblume, Brandt Barclay, Buck and many more great men and women.

 

To the crown, the Kingdom, His late Majesty Otto Sigismund II and his succeeding son, Josef I, I leave my gratitude and unwavering Loyalty, I have served faithfully for many decades and it was an honour to do so.

 

Lastly to my Son, I leave you my everything, honour the Erhdhart name, serve our country well and loyally. Don’t be reckless my son, I beg of you, stay alive.

  

• Ser Marcus ‘The Forgemaster' Erhdhart, Lieutenant and Last Meyster Knight of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska

 

OOC:

Spoiler

Sorry for the wonky post, has been almost half a year in the making XD

I tried squeezing in as much history as I could remember!

That aside;

Thank you guys so much, all of you, its been a year and a bit more since I joined LOTC, joined Haense. It has been an absolute honour and I am so glad I got to meet so many great friends and make others' days a bit happier.

Thank you.. All of you.

 

[ItsMrCannibal 119]

Ser Ruben sat in his home that evening, having witnessed his old friend and comrade's death. Sitting in front of his fireplace the greying knight drank from a bottle of carrion, recalling his memories of Ser Marcus. "Could cleave a man in half with his Zweihänder, even having his arm ripped off didn't stop the old fock" He murmured to himself with a small chuckle, recalling being on the walls of New Reza with Ser Marcus during the scyfling siege. His mind then shifted back to when he was a squire, learning a thing or two from Marcus as he was nursing bruises given to him by Ser Ivan in training. "You will be missed and you will niet be forgotten, old friend." The greying knight said aloud, raising up the bottle of Carrion black before downing the rest of the bottle in Marcus's memory. 

[ColdestPepsi 1176]

Astoro heard the news from Ser  Ivan a short time after it had happened. Soon after he had a moment to himself thinking back to fighting with the man during the Scyfling war until he was suddenly jolted back to the current time from someone directly talking to him.

[erictafoya 3276]

After witnessing the passing of his old friend, teacher, and idol, Ser Ivan was sad, but shed no tears. The old knight, now being the oldest one, was used to death. If anything, he was glad that Ser Marcus had passed peacefully next to friends and family, as so few of his other fallen comrades did not have that luxury. The best Ser Ivan could do for himself and for Ser Marcus was to pass down his teaching and example to the next generation, as that was the duty of a mentor. "And now it's my turn" he'd say to himself, lighting up a cigar

[Wolfey34 244]

The final embrace. Clutching onto his father he would feel the life drain from the great knight's body, his last breath would linger in the air as tears streamed down Fyodor's face. It was a peaceful way to die, surrounded by friends and family, but it didn't blunt the stab to Fyodor's heart. His greatest mentor, the man who had always supported him and forged him into the man he is today and most importantly his father, drifted off to the seven skies.

 

Later that evening sitting alone in his home Fyodor would reminisce about days past. He would think of his childhood and the days spent training with wooden swords. About the look on his father's face as he left the gates to pursue being an adventurer. A faint smile would spread across Fyodor's face as he remembered the look on Marcus' face when he finally returned home to Haense. He would remember the proud words his father would speak to him as he steadily ascended the ranks. He thought about all the battles they fought together in the Scyfling war and about carrying him away from the enemy lines and towards the clinic.

 

Tears would fall upon the page as Fyodor read his father's will. He would reread the final note to him again and again "I will make you proud papej." he'd mutter with a slight smile on his face

 

OOC-

It's been a lot of fun playing with you Sarven and I will miss rping with Marcus. This is my first persona and you made it a really fun time being on Lotc. Here's to all the good times we've had so far and here's to all good times we will have. Thank you for everything it's been a blast so far.

Screenshot from my first day on Lotc and first day rping with you

I would add another screenshot here but there's an upload limit so here's an imgur link to our final day as Father and son on Marcus and Fyodor

Link

[GoodGuyMatt 7113]

Brandt Barclay weeps as he learns of his master's death, clenching his teeth as his head falls down "May you forge weapons fur Godan's angels in the Seven Skies now" he managed to utter to himself before crossing the lorraine, praying for Marcus as he'd reminisce all the good, enjoyable, and benificial times they had together.

[Sander 3312]

As Ser Fiske received a letter with the news of Ser Marcus' passing, he frowned deeply. He did not know the old fellow Crow Knight as well as many others knew him due to their age gap, but he knew just as well that a great man had passed away. After a moment of silence he sighed softly before speaking the age-old saying his family had for such occasions: "The sea bows to none..."