02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

144 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
After the Orgoth retreated from western Immoren
forever, Cygnar fast became the center of trade
throughout the Iron Kingdoms. Blessed with abundant
resources, a long coastline, a diverse geography and
citizenry, and many other assets, it is referred to—if
mostly by its own people—as the “Jewel of the Iron
Kingdoms,” and its blue and gold banner features
the graceful and unmistakable image referred to as
Cygnus the Swan.
Cygnar is a pioneer in industry and scientific
advancement, and its people are an enterprising
lot, though they are well aware of their position in
the current state of affairs. They realize the other
kingdoms have perceived them for generations
with a measure of awe and envy. In Khador’s case
especially, this envy has moldered into a bitter hatred
with repeated attempts to test Cygnaran resolve by
assaulting its borders. Indeed, many Cygnarans see the
recent invasion of Llael in 605 AR as an attack against
Cygnar and a way to bludgeon the south by crushing
their longtime ally.
Cygnar has traditionally been the most
accommodating nation when it comes to outsiders
and even other races—in addition to humans of all
ethnic groups, gobbers, trollkin, dwarves, ogrun, and
even elves are welcomed for the most part. King Leto
Raelthorne has a reputation as a just and resourceful
monarch with fair policies and sound tactics. The
king and his court, the Royal Assembly, are well aware
their enemies are on the move. Word has spread
southward of the aggressive depravities meted out by
the northmen accompanied by Llaelese war refugees
in a desperate wave of bedraggled humanity seeking
shelter and sanctuary. Along with the refugees have
come a handful of holdouts imploring for more aid
against the Khadorans. King Leto Raelthorne, as
well as many Cygnarans, truly wishes to help these
resistance fighters overthrow the occupiers, but the
truth of the matter is that Llael has been largely
lost. This is evident from the substantial number of
Khadoran troops stationed in every major Llaelese city
west of the Black River.
Cygnar must now worry about the protection of
its own borders. It is even more imperative since the
erstwhile subject state of the Protectorate of Menoth
has broken away and declared a holy war against the
land of its forefathers. The Protectorate recently flung
troops and fired ordnance at the very walls of Caspia
and even infiltrated the kingdom with clandestine
tactical forces. Fanatics have amassed on the eastern
border choosing to strike now while Cygnar’s troops
are spread thin. In addition, brazen attacks by Cryx’s
nightmarish hordes have plagued the west and the
north primarily attacking granaries and food stores.
In addition they have been stalking the fields of the
fallen in the recent hostilities between the kingdoms
to gather remnants of war and raise undead to expand
their own rank and file.
Vinter the elder, Whereabouts unknoWn
before the War, Cygnar’s most signifiCant reCent eVents
reVolVed around the royal raelthorne family. When king
Vinter iii died under mysterious CirCumstanCes, his eldest
son assumed the CroWn. Vinter iV the elder Was an iron-
fisted tyrant. he used his inquisitors to eliminate all Who
opposed him or did not shoW the proper deferenCe; many
people simply Vanished in the night for unknoWn Crimes. for
years people liVed in fear of their king and his blaCk-Cloaked
agents until, by the graCe of morroW, prinCe leto put a stop
to his brother. after his defeat, Vinter managed to esCape by
fleeing into the bloodstone marChes. Cygnar rejoiCed and
WelComed leto as their neW soVereign. some time later the
elder reappeared and briefly took Control of CorVis (see the
WitChfire trilogy), but he again Vanished into the marChes
after his defeat and remains at large.
Trade with other kingdoms has filled Cygnaran
coffers for centuries. The war has changed things. Of
course, it is widely known that Cygnar’s people are the
most opportunistic sort in all the lands; even with the
war and hostilities at every border, many a scheming
Cygnaran seeks to turn the events into profit and coin.
However, much of the kingdom’s resources are taxed to
the uttermost especially after having endured a recent
drought that has left thousands of starving bellies in its
wake. All the while the Royal Assembly gathers nearly
every day to debate how best to defend their homeland
and its people, and King Leto, a devout man, prays
frequently to Morrow for the strength to do the right
thing and for the insight to save his kingdom.
Cygnar faCts
RuleR: king leto raelthorne
GoveRnment type: monarChy
Capital: Caspia
ethniC GRoups & appRox. population: Caspian (3,440,000),
midlunder (2,720,000), thurian (1,200,000), morridane