TO Halberg

Theodore Orville Halberg, nicknamed "TO Halberg", was a bully good Esperian General and national hero. He was nicknamed "The Last Romantic", as even during the grim times of war he retained an air of heroism and honor. He is one of the most iconic figures of Esperian nationalism.

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Meta•Fact: TO Halberg was loosely inspired by Teddy Roosevelt.

TO Halberg was a native of Maranda. In the NAMAC Conflict, Halberg led a cavalry regiment out of Maranda, which was allied with the Tasnica Republic. However, his disagreement with Rolf Julian's brutal methods convinced that his city wanted no more part of the alliance. However, he would later serve with distinction in the Grand Army.

A proud 'Esperian', when the Esper Union was formed, Halberg joined the army. He was already a famous, charismatic, influential individual, partly due to his vast fortune, but more due to his forceful and garrulous personality. He was appointed leader of the elite Esperian unit, the STORMs or Sorcerous Tactical Operations Reconnaissance Magicians. The STORMs are battlesuit infantry given magitek implants to allow them to cast spells. Halberg led the STORMs in the Battle of Atlanatis, later describing it as "a bully good time."

The Leviathan War began with a string of decisive victories for the Scandian League under the brilliant tactical leadership of Halder Skalice. Halberg, from his native Maranda, gave an appeal for volunteers across the Web to fight against communism. He also called in corporate connections to secure troops from the Kuat Consortium, Saeder-Krupp, and other AAA corporations; this was also a convenient excuse for Guardia to send a contingent of Archons. Halberg also used his vast personal fortune to hire several of the Web's best mercenary units. He created the Returners Expeditionary Force, or REF. The Communists were shocked; they had destroyed one Esperian army, only to face another. Halberg's army successfully reclaimed Nikeah, and he fought Halder Skalice to a draw at the Second Battle of Hosluftgrad. Halberg saved not only the Esper Union, but perhaps the entire Web from communist hegemony.

After the war, Halberg grew increasingly suspicious of the new Regent, Ceriz Altrega. His investigations would ultimately lead him to the Alter Dimension at the same time as his old enemy, Halder Skalice. Hal and Ted then had a most excellent adventure where they secretly teamed up to destroy the 'Freedom Alliance' army of the New Wraith.

After the New Wraith and the death of Regent Ceriz Altrega, Halberg served as de facto head of state of the Esper Union, though he did not himself take the title of Regent. He introduced many social and political reforms to the Union. In foreign policy he strengthened his countries ties with the Tasnica Republic and distanced the country from tis old fascistic aggression. Although prepared for a Second Leviathan War with the Scandian League, he did not seek it. He was received and feted by Kenny Brackhaven and Khalid Morris, and was in Egmont in time to help defend it from the Reklar.

His daughter, Alice Halberg, was known for being headstrong, but cooled off in later years. When Alice threw herself into the fray at a key Leviathan War battle, Halberg lamented, "I can save the country, or I can control my daughter. I cannot do both."

He wielded the magic sword, Ragnarok, which he had acquired in his younger adventures.

His anticlimactic death in an accident has lead to a period of political uncertainty in the Esper Union. Dignitaries from across the Web including Rhodes Palmerston attended his funeral, mourning the passing of one of the Web's great men.