"A dull blade can kill an opponent but a sharp one will do it faster."
- —Egon Rothstein[1a]
Egon Rothstein
Egon Rothstein is the captain of the Company of the Comet, a mercenary band based in Wurtbad. He is also a master of the secret society known as the Knights of Magritta. He is always on the lookout for fresh talent for the Knights and due to his position he travels frequently and crosses paths with many soldiers.[1a]
Unlike many masters of the Knights of Magritta, Egon Rothstein did not attend one of the Aquila Academies. The son of a baker from Delberz, he joined a mercenary company at the age of 16 to escape a life of kneading dough. At first he wanted little but to see the Empire and make some money. Other recruits died on the harsh campaigns but Egon learned to survive. Eventually, he won a position as sergeant in the Company of the Comet. They were mostly men of Stirland, but Egon earned their respect with his professionalism and coolness in battle.[1a]
The captain of the company, Helmut Balck, took an interest in Rothstein. He taught the young mercenary to read and gave him lessons in tactics, logistics, intelligence, and strategy. Rothstein served the company faithfully for three years, at which time Balck initiated him into the Knights of Magritta. This gave Rothstein purpose for the first time in his life and he will always be grateful to Balck for that.[1a]
At the age of 30 Egon Rothstein became the captain of the Company of the Comet. Balck went south to organise a new mercenary company in Tilea. Some in the order say this is because Balck did not agree with Gunther Ostermann's views about the future of the order. Rothstein is dubious about this because he too believes in the historic mission of the Knights and he has retained his position for nearly a decade.[1a]
Personality[]
Egon Rothstein is every inch the professional soldier. He takes his job seriously and expects his subordinates and allies to do the same. Only two things make him outwardly emotional. One is the mistreatment of women. He simply won't abide it and has hanged several men under his command for taking liberties with local women while on campaign.[1a]
The other thing that moves him is the dream of Estalia. He has seen much death and war in the Empire. He envisions retiring to Estalia, where the threat of Chaos is remote. He has never been there, so it remains a distant and perfect goal. He hopes the Knights of Magritta return to Estalia in his lifetime so he can be part of that great day.[1a]
Rothstein feels he has an unpaid debt to Captain Balck. He tries to pay it back by finding worthy candidates for the Knights of Magritta and shepherding them as Balck did for him. He sends some of his charges to the Nuln academy but prefers to instruct students himself. He believes life in a mercenary company is better training for a Knight of Magritta than any schoolroom. Many of the sergeants and officers in the Company of the Comet are teachers in the Knights.[1a]
Appearance[]
Rothstein is a middle-aged man, with a beard that is just starting to grey. He remains fit and a life on campaign has made him tough. He favours plate armour in combat and prefers an open-faced helm so he can be heard over the din of battle. Off the field he wears a black and red uniform with a twin-tailed comet embroidered on the breast.[1a]
Wargear[]
- Good quality uniform[1a]
- Telescope[1a]
- Library of tactical manuals[1a]