Republic Steam Golem

Commission done courtesy of *Shimmering-Sword.

Race: Living Steam Golem (Part of the Republic of Arcadia)
Class: Assault Armor (Living Tank)
Weapon: 30mm rotary "Revolver Cannon", Servo-assisted double-sided Hammer (one handed, mounted behind shield)

Standing at an impressive height of 9-10 feet, the Steam Golem is an extraordinary technological and magical wonder of the world of Keros. Unique to Republic of Arcadia, the Steam Golems live in the coastal regions of Arleanor (home of the snow white arcadians, who are known to be priests and healers). Golems are led and forged by those known as 'Hammersmiths', great golem of days long past who wield the great Dual Hammers of the Creator, a potent symbol to their people. Golems are not simply made, however; they are forged using special life granting soul-stones (also forged) on the Great Anvil of the Cavern Sanctuary of the Steam Golems. Here, the great Hammersmith will spend anywhere between 4-6 months to craft, forge, and breathe life into a single golem. Golems are immortal creatures, unable to die of old age being that they are machines, though they can be destroyed by injury. Because of the time to forge new golems, as well as the handful of surviving Hammersmiths to date, the Steam Golem population is undeniably small.

Ancient guardians and warriors, and very often wise beyond the years of mortal species, Steam Golems hold high positions of respect and reverence in the Roman-styled warrior tribes of Arcadia. Most Golems work in service of the Twin Capitals as Honor Guards to the Senate and Citadel or as Marshalls of the main urban centers in the Republic. Due to the physical nature of the Arcadian people, the Republic is unable to use anything short of a very large and oversized tank for their people (and even then inside such cramped quarters, their wings would become an issue) and it is here that the Steam Golem distinguishes itself in times of war.

Serving as living, walking "tanks" on the battlefield, they add much needed heavy firepower and armor to an already resilient Legion force. While they are capable of wielding close combat weapons and shields, a unique weapon to their people is the multiple-barrel revolver cannon; a slow firing auto cannon capable of firing magically infused rounds of explosively destructive firepower. Mounted under the arm and fed by a large thick belt from an armored pack on the back of the golems, these revolver cannons are capable of punching through and rending tanks apart under a hail of cannon fire. Due to the rarity of the weapons, munitions, and actual golems, Golems are only ever deployed when accompanying particular important battlefield commanders and generals or are pulled to play a part in only the direst of circumstances or missions of significance, and even then they are only fielded in numbers of a few dozen or so.

The Steam Golem in the illustration represents the common load out for a "Tank" role of the golems, wielding the impressive 30mm revolver cannon. Equipped with a shield bearing the symbolic markings of their people (the hammer, also their signature close quarters weapon for smashing enemy vehicles and troops alike) and their allies (the dragon wings of the Republic), they represent the hardiest and strongest troop units the Republic has to offer.

Also note that the glowing soul core of the golem can be seen shining through both their body and helmet (and the intensity of said glow changes depending on the mood of the golem, i.e. if it is under duress, angry, calm, etc).