Hectus the Blacksmith

**Hectus** is a Cave Minotaur who, after having served the Iron Division for many years, became a close member of the community and obtained the right to establish his own home and shop inside Valc, in the upper plaza. He is also married to the Innkeeper.

His smithy provides various metal goods ranging from weapons to various tools, horseshoes and other household items. When the Iron Division Campaign began, he was taken along to provide his service in the field, much to the concern of his wife.

*"Not as many customers as I was hoping for since the campaign started. The tavern is also quiet now. I pray Hectus will return well. I know he's strong, but fighting Demons is such a task..."*

Hectus' home lies right behind his shop, with a large cave garden in between the buildings. An underground passage links their water well to a set of secret cellars belonging to the tavern. One of the cellars has been repurposed by Hectus into a small forge. He normally uses this secluded area to leave messages and important items for his wife to collect.

*"The key is outside the secret entrance here if you need it, my dear. Again, I'm sorry I have to leave for so long, but your sisters need a fine axeman for this campaign, and I'm eager to stomp some demon skulls myself. Take care, I'm sure the tavern will have plenty of visitors even with most of the Iron Division forces away... - Your loyal minotaur blacksmith, Hectus"*

In a goodbye note he mentions the Iron Division requiring his combat skills which further proves that he is not only a good blacksmith but also an experienced fighter. He also shows a particular disdain towards the Demons.

Zan does not encounter Hectus during her quest to save Valc. A wooden hatch inside the tavern cellar suggests that his wife may have used it to escape the invading Cultists.

*"I've worked for the Iron Division for decades. You orcs fight with honour. I know my axes live in worthy hands.*

*Every blade I craft bears a fraction of my soul. The steel rages with my fury when slicing through demons."*

As a blacksmith, Hectus worked behind the front line when the Iron Division's army faced defeat at the Demons' frontier fortifications, and this allowed him to safely retreat and join the remnants at their new camp. As one of the last surviving blacksmiths, he was entrusted with maintaining the survivors' equipment, working tirelessly at the camp's forge and making do with whatever metal could be salvaged by the orcs.

*"The campaign has been gruesome, and it will worsen, but the enemy has yet to see the last drop of our blood.*

*Maybe I will get to see Valc again... I have faith in our warriors. Even now, we can still break the demons.*

*I haven't slept in a while but the war surrounding us doesn't wait. I will work for as long as it demands."*

*"Don't distract me, Halfblood. One wrong strike with this Fire Hammer and we'll both explode into bits."*

The Iron Division commanders have also tasked him with managing the camp's ammunition inventory, and he allows Zan to resupply from it in exchange of iron ore, which he further uses to craft more magazines and important equipment. While playing on the Bearzerk difficulty, he offers to craft Zan a Great Axe for which she needs to bring eight lumps of iron ore.

*"\*Squints\* ...you look like you could use a proper axe, warrior. I even have this enchanted scroll waiting for the right blade. If you can bring me eight lumps of Iron Ore, I'll forge a weapon worthy of your arms, Half-Orc."*

After the Halfblood finds the required components inside the Dwarf Town, she can bring them to Hectus and have him assemble a functional Diving Suit.

*"You need me to put together a dwarven diving suit? An odd request. Let me see what I can do about it..."*

Due to his essential role in keeping the Iron Division's arsenal in top shape, Warlord Grund decides to take him over when sailing over the Sea of Fire after the successful assault on the Demon Port Town. Once arrived at the Core of Hell he sets up a small makeshift forge and resumes his usual work.

*"We couldn't carry many supplies here. I'm forced to work with pig iron scrapped from the cultists."*

When Zan reaches the new camp after being separated for a few days, Hectus scolds her in a fatherly manner, which further contours his stern nature and his strict devotion to the Iron Division's laws.

*"Warlord Grund was displeased with your recklessness. But yet, you emerged from the fire, forged anew.*

*Watch how gently I strike. Steady your arm, and the steel will bend. Strike too hard... and boom."*

After further interaction, he also mentions the existence of an iron-bound tome inside one of Hell's forgotten libraries. Zan can find it after freeing the Shady Fixer from the Golden Primarch's vault by using her chaotic device to open a portal to the library just to the west of the camp.

*"Legends tell of an iron-bound tome with forbidden schematics that was lost in the libraries of Hell..."*

Bringing the tome to Hectus will allow him to craft her a Ring of the Red Monk, the only item in the book for which he has enough materials.

Talking to him will also reveal that he does not entirely agree with Lord Murguth's proposition for Zan to appease the Demon Primarchs, although he does not question his superiors' decision any further.

*"Meddling with the primarchs is beneath us... but I won't question Lord Murguth's findings. Carry on."*

After the defeat of the Blue Baron, he returns to Valc with the orcs rather than joining Murguth's expedition to the abandoned Minotaur Town. He resumes working at his own forge once again, while things begin to slowly return to normal.

1. ↑ Excerpt from the Innkeeper's ledger found inside Valc's tavern.
2. ↑ Letter from Hectus found inside his cellar forge.