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

150 Iron Kingdoms
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each passing day. However, as the Crown calls for
recruits and rewards the valiant with gold coin and
commissions earned in service, the ominous pressures
of a war on many fronts drains the nation’s coffers.
Younger and younger recruits enlist each day, and the
training period for infantry has intensified.
Many say that Cygnar’s vanguard is their advanced
mechanika; indeed, the nation is unequalled in
the synthesis of magic and science. Their advanced
technology is evident in the varied strengths of
their troops from specialty forces such as the fabled
Stormblades and units of gun mages down to trencher
and long gunner infantry. The Royal Navy too is
peerless in its might because of mechanika support
for its ships, and it has become crucial in preventing
incursions from the sea in recent times. As new
warjacks trundle off assembly lines, mechaniks find
themselves forced to implement alterations in the
field to suit the conditions of combat. It would seem
that war is changing the pace of Cygnar’s technology
as swiftly as it is changing the pace of its people.
Their foundries produce more weapons, warjacks,
alchemical components, and material to support the
war effort, and goods and rare materials throughout
the kingdom are now rationed for the military.
In truth, the Cygnaran spirit resting in the hearts
of its soldiers is the military’s true strength. Even
after massive losses over the past campaign season, so
many of them are still eager to take up arms and fight
despite the risks. They are more than willing and ready
to defend themselves and their beloved kingdom from
those who would crush the principles of freedom and
all for which Cygnar stands.
Duchies and Provinces of Cygnar
Cygnar is divided into fifteen provinces, each
overseen by an earl. The more important provinces
or collections of lesser provinces are also considered
duchies and their rulers are granted the higher title
of dukes or archdukes. Some duchies have changed
over time as a matter of royal discretion. An example
is King Leto’s controversial decree breaking up
control of the Midlunds into four duchies (formerly
provinces) believing that a single archduke should
not have so much power and territory. Some of the
current provinces are the result of similar acts by other
sovereigns. Lesser nobles supervise smaller regions,
lands, or towns within the provinces subject to the
vagaries of local customs, family inheritances, and
royal decree. Some dukes or earls spend little time in
the provinces they govern and devote their attention
entirely to Caspia.
Caspia
The duchy of Caspia is ruled by Lord Admiral
Galten Sparholm III of Sentinel Point, Archduke
of Caspia, and includes the Caspia and Mansgrave
provinces.
Caspia Province: This province encompasses
all lands around Caspia, the Cygnaran capital and
fabled City of Walls, and includes Salt Vale Lake and
the coastline stretching south to Clockers Cove and
north to Eastwall. It is a small province but one of the
wealthiest.
Mansgrave Province: This province encompasses
the villages around Steelwater Lake, including
Steelwater Flats, and extends south to the Wyrmwall,
north to Ironhead Station, and east to the banks of Salt
Vale Lake. It is a rugged region graced by numerous
lucrative mining communities, and it is a major hub of
the Cygnaran railway. Mangrave is ruled by Earl Druce
Halstead, Lord Mayor of Steelwater Flats.
Midlunds Duchy, Eastern
The Eastern Midlunds includes Fharin and the
region east to the Marchfells and north to Fort Falk
and comprises some of the eastern mountains of the
Upper Wyrmwall. This duchy has excellent farmland,
numerous small mines, and several smaller villages and
communities. Eastern Midlunds is ruled by Archduke
Alain Runewood, Lord of Fharin.
Midlunds Duchy, Northern
The Northern Midlunds is a large and
geographically diverse region stretching west to
Bainsmarket, south to Fort Falk, and some leagues
north of Corvis including portions of the Widower’s
Wood. This duchy also includes the Dragonspine
Peaks and an eastern run of Dragon’s Tongue River.
Much of the Northern Midlunds’ wealth comes from
the bustling trade at Bainsmarket and Corvis but
also through some mining in the peaks. Northern
Midlunds is ruled by Duke Kielon Ebonhart IV, Lord
of Falk.