A Halberd (Fighter) (Lawful Good)

What to expect: A proud soldier defending the Intransican Empire, for better or worse

You eyed the armaments in the space with an exacting precision, eyeing not only their initial quality, but how well they appear to have been maintained and any obvious signs of bruising or poor wear. Having not seen a blemish on any of them, seemingly all made by master hands and nearly pristine shape, it caused you to wonder if any of them had ever actually been used for their intended purpose. Even the best armorer or weapon master would not be able to take a well used weapon to this level. You suspected that rather than this being an armory or a garrison that you first imagined, that it was a display collection, either of a wealthy noble house, a museum piece, or by a wealthy and eccentric individual.

Though there were a few types of swords you could not name by its specific and technical name, you were able the type and purpose of just about every weapon here, including the more unusual weapons made by Elvish hands and the grotesquely overpowered double-axe in the orcish style. Swords were the heavy favorite here, largely for their different styles and purposes. Axes, mauls, a lance meant to be used on horseback, seemingly everything was here. Those you had not trained with personally to use, you’d been trained at a basic level on how to combat.

Nothing here would serve as a means of getting out of here, but there would be an ideal means of protecting yourself. Your eyes moved towards a halberd, an ideal defensive weapon for places like this, favored for their flexibility of approach, their reach, and ability to theoretically ward off multiple attackers. It’s also the style of weapon you are most familiar with, using one of these weapons every day, proudly volunteering to serve as a soldier of the Intransican Empire.

In the Imperial City, and in the capitals or large cities of the various Imperial Territories, ceremonial guardsmen and patrols carry such a weapon at all times, providing a good defensive posture and distance from any attackers. Since leaving your home of Pavilona, along the Empire’s southern border, and completing your training, you had the honor of performing such a duty in the Imperial City, a duty reserved only for those skilled and decorated veterans or those raw recruits who showed great promise. Having stood out early in the ranks, you were a natural assignment here.

Familiarizing yourself with this specific weapon, the heavy ashen wood felt smooth in your hands, the balance well positioned, and with a few practice swipes, the mounted point at the end seemed clearly well connected, no jostling that might throw off your motions, or worse, come off during fighting. As you inspected it closer, you brought the business end of the weapon to your eyes. You were surprised to see the Imperial seal mounted near the blade end; this clearly was not an Imperial armory, or even any place in the capital that you had yet visited, and yet it would be particularly remiss should this be in the hands of anyone other than a soldier of the Immortal Empire.

You instinctively pulled away as you heard a loud sound behind you: a horn of some kind. Confusion and discomfort swarmed over you as you do, as you find yourself not only clothed again, whereas you were stark naked just a few seconds ago, but you were fully armored for your responsibilities as a patrolling member of the Imperial Guard. The half plate armor was bulky and tiring, but showed the strength and endurance of those who wore them, and that the Empire could support and field so many of its troops with them. Everything served a purpose, everything had a reason, and you were proud to play your part. Looking around, you saw the heavy, immovable iron bars are gone, along with all of the other weapons that had adorned the room. It would in fact be simpler to say that you were in a completely different space than you had just been, with a simple doorway providing a way out into the city. How was that possible, you wondered. Were you daydreaming? Hallucinating? You lacked the time to figure it out. Taking the halberd in both hands, you rushed outside to fulfill your duty.

You stand in an antechamber of a second-story guardhouse, looking over a busy street below. The horn you heard bellowed again, and you're able to easily determine the source: it came from the nearby market square. The streets of the city were gaily decorated and celebratory, as it should be. Today is Victory Day; the day in which The Triumvirate of the Second Age fell, and lead by the Immortal Emperor, the nation of Intransica became not only an Empire, but the largest nation in all of T'sraa, and the most trained and dominant military force. Thus ushered in the Third Age, the Age of Men. There was much to celebrate, but you still have to be watchful. People are stupid when times like these, making it rife for pickpockets and the like.

You head down the stairs and join the Imperial City in it's celebration as you walk your patrols, wondering what sort of excitement today may bring.