| Born | 17th of Kohlefest, 75 GME (age 67) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Vuurstahlan |
| Affiliation | The Vuurstahl Empire |
| Known for | Captaincy of the 113th Imperial Company |
| Held titles | Headsplitter (current) |
| “ | I do want to mitigate harm done-- and do you know what outcome is going to mitigate the most harm? The one that roots out traitors in our ranks. Perhaps the higher-ups will care more about the public image, but right now, I'm thinking if someone was willing to reach out to a death machine and offer a helping hand, then they could do it again-- and more of my men will die for the decision. | ” |
—Captain Erhad Schafer[1] | ||
Though Captain Erhad Schafer’s title may be the Headsplitter, his troops will tell you he’s the Hairsplitter (though never to his face). A veteran soldier, Erhad has a rigid understanding of the world, and an unquestioning loyalty to his country. His strict nature comes through in regular maintenance checks on his unit’s weapons and mechs, writing up citations for any deviation from standard protocol, and is quick to give any soldier with a disorderly uniform a thorough dressing-down. Still, Erhad’s heart is in the right place; in his years of service, he’s seen many a soldier lost to their haphazard approach to maintenance, and he never wants to lose someone under his command the same way.[2]
Unfortunately, the Captain’s age has begun to catch up to him; his augmentations have started to hit their expiration date, and though he soldiers on, determined to serve his country to the end, he knows it’s not long before his body begins to fall apart at the seams.
Mech
| Pilot | Headsplitter Erhad Schafer |
|---|---|
| Model | IPS-N Drake |
| Affiliation | The Vuurstahl Empire |
| NPC Class | Veteran Commander Deluge |
| Status | Active |
The Magnus is the Headsplitter's personal frame, one of the oldest Drakes still in use. Though the Captain is rarely found on the battlefield these days, due to both his augmentation rejection and his importance in commanding the 113th Company, in extreme situations he has been known to take it to the field.[3] It is his skill with the Magnus that earned him his title, as in addition to being able to lay down a wide spread of fire to dissuade enemy advances, he also has fine enough control of his targeting to disable the sensors of hostile frames, leaving them blind and sitting ducks for the soldiers under his command.
Related characters
- Linebreaker Edith Hofmeister, general of Vuurstahl's armed forces, who Erhad takes most of his orders from
- Heartbreaker Sieghild Schrotter, an unruly soldier who often clashes with Erhad's strict nature
- ↑ (Mission Log, 6/29/2024)
- ↑ The captain bangs his fist on his desk, glaring at Sieghild. "You pick that godsdamned button up this instant!" he roars. "I'm trying to run a military unit here, and what do I get? Clowns! Day in and day out! And now... now..." He pounds his fist again. "Seven soldiers, bedridden with magic corruption. If there had been better discipline--" He hisses a sharp intake of breath, releasing it in a heavy sigh. (Mission Log, 9/6/2023)
- ↑ "If we find ourselves in a situation that requires the Magnus, I will gladly take to the field," the Headsplitter says curtly, glaring down his nose at Sieghild. "But the Commander would rather have me overseeing." (Mission Log, 3/9/2024)