The Gear Grinders

The Gear Grinders are one of the most prominent and heavily armed mercenary bands operating out of Steamfort. Unlike traditional sellswords, the Gear Grinders specialize in mechanized warfare, utilizing Aether-powered exosuits, experimental firearms, and steam-driven siege engines.

History

Founded in 380 AW by a disgraced Dwarven engineer named Grom "Iron-Jaw" Hellsing, the Gear Grinders started as a small squad of mechanics who realized their inventions were more profitable on the battlefield than in the foundries. They quickly gained a reputation for their shock-and-awe tactics, capable of breaking conventional infantry lines with terrifying ease.

Organization and Leadership

• Commander-General: Currently led by Elara "Spitfire" Vance, a human tactician who lost her left arm in the Giantfolk Incursions and replaced it with a fully articulated, steam-powered prosthetic. She is ruthless, pragmatic, and fiercely loyal to her troops.
• The Ironclad: The elite vanguard of the company. These are soldiers who pilot the bulky, Aether-fueled exosuits (often called "Clankers"). They act as mobile cover and heavy weapons platforms.
• The Grease Monkeys: The combat engineers who maintain the equipment, set up artillery, and repair suits mid-battle. A Gear Grinder squad is useless without its mechanics.

Contracts and Alignment

The Gear Grinders are politically neutral, caring only for coin and access to high-grade Aether crystals to fuel their machines. They are frequently hired by Steamfort's noble houses to secure mining operations, but have been known to take contracts from Kigum merchants who need heavy protection against pirate raids or beast attacks. They despise magic-users, viewing arcane combat as "unreliable."