| Born | 25th of Erntefest, 107 GME (age 34) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Vuurstahlan |
| Affiliation | The Vuurstahl Empire |
| Known for | Liberating the Lupine Wall from Selvaggian separatists |
| Held titles | Wallclimber (current) Cloudchaser |
| Family | Astoria Swanson (sister) |
Wallclimber Russel Swanson (callsign Rusty) is known among the Imperial Military as one of its most skilled pilots, having earned his title reclaiming the Lupine Wall from Selvaggian separatists. Despite his storied history, however, he remains in the much-maligned 113th Company, something often attributed to charges of insubordination.[1] However, some whisper that his superiors are intimidated by his abilities, and keep him in the 113th to keep him in his place. Whatever the case, the Wallclimber seems to take things in stride, and those in the Company know him for his easy-going and friendly attitude, always willing to help a comrade in need.
After a night out together at the bar Rubicon, he's grown closer to Kingslayer Bowen Stark, and the two have started a relationship. They share a mutual unease, however; as soldiers, any mission could be their last, leaving the other with heartbreak– a feeling the Wallclimber already knows all too well from when he lost his close friend, Shieldbreaker Helena Ritter, in the War of Fire.[2]
Mech
| Pilot | Wallclimber Russel Swanson |
|---|---|
| Model | GMS Everest |
| Affiliation | The Vuurstahl Empire |
| NPC Class | Veteran Scrapper Assault |
| Status | Active |
The signature frame of the famed Wallclimber, what Steel Haze lacks in bulk it more than makes up for in speed, allowing Russel to out-maneuver all but the fastest foes, too fast to react to.[3] Should an enemy manage to close the distance, however, he's no pushover in melee either, wielding a powerful thermal blade. Many say that the skill of Steel Haze's pilot has long since outstripped the capabilities of the frame, with many wondering when the Wallclimber will finally abandon it for something more on his level.
Associated themes
- Battle theme (Mission 3: The Coming Storm - Take Back the Wall, ally): Steel Haze
- Battle Theme (Mission 3: The Coming Storm - Stormfront, ally): Wildfire
- Karaoke pick: Hymn to Breaking Strain
Trivia
- Russel's favorite restaurant is Master Burger, though he acknowledges it as hazardous to his health.[4]
Related characters
- Shieldbreaker Helena Ritter, a close friend of Russel's who seemingly perished when the Mond de Tod was fired
- Kingslayer Bowen Stark, a fellow squadron leader who Russel has begun a romantic relationship with
- Chamomile, an enigmatic Selvaggian rebel who seems to know Russel from the previous Selvaggian revolution
- ↑ Russel nods again. "People may think I'm a hero, but, well... there's a reason I'm in the 113th. Got a bit of a mouth on me that superiors don't take kindly to." (Shore Leave 1, 1/10/2025)
- ↑ "...I thought back to a friend of mine. She was a good soldier, one of the best. Always looked up to her. I..." He stares at the wall, his bottle creaking as his grip on it clenches. "I wanted to live up to who she thought I could be." [...] "Of course," Russel says with a sad smile. "Who doesn't remember Shieldbreaker Helena Ritter?" (Shore Leave 1, 1/22/2024)
- ↑ "I'll go on ahead," Russel calls to the others as he springs into action. "Don't worry-- they won't be able to keep up with Steel Haze." (Mission Log, 4/4/2024)
- ↑ "First time," Russel replies, scanning the menu. "I told you; Master Burger's more my poison, and I mean that very literally." (Shore Leave 2, 2/15/2024)