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

176 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
daughters all of whom have settled near Steelwater
Lake. Viktor is also a masterful sculptor, and his
figurines of the ascendants are treasured by those who
receive them.
Deepventure Mining: The most successful of several
mining companies based in Ironhead, Deepventure is
also the most dangerous to its employees. They pay
well but make no pretenses about the fact that they
will put their workers in hazardous conditions to get
ahead of the competition. Their lack of caution has
made them unattractive to many local dwarves and
many refuse to work for Deepventure. However, plenty
of fresh newcomers are always willing to take chances
in order to make a few crowns. Deepventure Mining
is owned by the Mercarian League through some
complex financial arrangements.
Ironhead Conclave: This dwarven settlement was
built in the style of the old guard towns of northern
Rhul by first establishing a secure bastion fortress
on the surface of the mountain, building a town
around it, and then erecting additional walls around
the town. Once secured from outside threats, they
built downward into the mountain. It was during this
underground excavation they discovered the large
open cavern that would eventually become Ironhead
Station. Ironically, more dwarves here live on the
surface than in the neighboring human town although
there are still a large number of underground
dwellings. The conclave is in regular contact with
Rhul but is governed by its own Council of Elders, a
body of ten clan lords or their spoken representatives
mirroring the Moot in Ghord. The Ironhead clan,
led by Clan Lord Jaril Ironhead (male dwarf Ftr8),
has special clout as the founding namesake of the
region. It is rumored this clan name was a derogatory
appellation in Ghord before their exodus—given for
the stubbornness of their founder—but it is now used
with pride.
Offices of Steelwater Rail and Caspian Railway
Society: Although neither company is based here,
both competing rail lines maintain large offices and
contribute to the busy station. Conflicts between the
two are less frequent here than in Steelwater, but
problems still occasionally erupt. There is a lot of
turnaround in employees here. Most who are assigned
cannot bear to stay underground, yet fortunes have
been made by those who can tough it out. Between the
two rail offices is a large branch of the Steam & Iron
Workers Union which some people claim is the true
power and authority in Ironhead Station.
King ’ s Vine
In Power: Lady Mayor Rohessa Rainecourt
Population: 15,000 (almost entirely human, mixed
Caspian and Midlunder heritage)
Military: King’s Vine is garrisoned by two full
companies of soldiers each numbering over a hundred
men. One hundred watch guards maintain law
enforcement, and the area around King’s Vine is also
patrolled by troops from Eastwall. Recent movements
by Menites in the east have the locals unsettled, and
additional soldiers now protect the town. Archduke
Laddermore has also responded by sending two
mercenary companies to patrol the region—the
Daggot Blades and the Black River Rovers. These
mercenaries are of uncertain honor and reputation
however, and they have caused some difficulties for
the locals.
Imports: Manufactured goods, textiles, wheat
Exports: Grapes, wines
Situated among the rolling hills of a large river
valley a few miles west of the Black River, the small
city of King’s Vine is known to most Cygnarans for its
sole product: wine. Since before the founding of the
kingdom, this valley region of hills and vales (known
as Haimmonvale, which is why its inhabitants are
called Haimmoners) was renowned for the fertility of
its fields. The long valley stretches fifty miles from the
base of the Wyrmwall to the Black River and the hills
beyond, and it is home to a unique group of wineries
producing a broad range of excellent wines. The
grapes grown here surpass those found anywhere else
in Cygnar. Thanks to generations of cross-fertilization
and grafting, these fields now boast dozens of varietals.
Most notable is the bricet, a taste so remarkable that
connoisseurs as far away as Khador actively seek it. In
addition, the western mountains permit the cultivation
of ice wines—another specialty of the city.
Inhabitants are of two sorts: native Haimmoners
and transients. The latter consists largely of noblemen
and wealthy merchants, both of whom come to King’s
Vine because of the cachet associated with having a