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

182 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
fuel the development of mechanikal and other types
of engineering projects in the area. The soon-to-be
Primarch proved prophetic, and in the year 603 AR
the Orven Rail line was laid down after investors
poured their wealth into it and other equally grand
endeavors. Even after just a couple short years, the
locals cannot imagine what life would be like without
the rail and feel more connected than ever to the
heart of the kingdom. There has been an upsurge in
pilgrims to the city who come to visit the birthplace
of the leader of the Morrowan Church—a practice
that was unknown in previous generations. Likewise,
the Church exercises plenty of influence with Orven,
both subtle and overt, and the town has grown rich
from the proceeds of pious donations. Some skeptics
disapprove of the way in which these funds have been
used, however.
The other major distinction of Orven is the city
serves as the home of the second largest dwarven
conclave in Cygnar established after the Corvis Treaties
when the dwarves ended their isolation. This began as
a civic experiment but after two centuries has become
an integral aspect of the town. The conclave takes
up a sizable portion of the northern neighborhoods
and extends down into a considerable subterranean
section. This part of town is considered Rhulic territory
and is not subject to Cygnaran law. Its robust multistoried
buildings bear more resemblance to Ghordic
construction than the southern neighborhoods.
Recent decades have brought more mixing of the two
communities and there are now thousands of dwarves
living in other neighborhoods along with numerous
human families who have moved into dwarven-built
homes. These ties have worked to strengthen the
community as well as create lasting bonds between the
races. Nonetheless there are periodic disagreements
particularly where Cygnaran and Rhulic laws do
not agree. It is well known that lawbreakers such as
thieves are brutally punished in the conclave to a
degree considered almost inhumane. This has caused
anger and resentment among freer minded human
“merchants and traders” (i.e. thieves and con-men)
and focused crime in the human neighborhoods.
Noted Persons
Clan Lord Horud Lakestone (male dwarf Amk6/
Ftr3): The dwarven counterpart of the lord mayor,
Horud is relatively young for a clan lord and new to
the position. The Lakestone clan has led the Orven
conclave for almost a century and is influential among
the miners, builders, and engineers of the dwarven
community. Horud is more interested in working on
mechanikal devices than is considered proper for one
of his station, and rival clans seek to overthrow the
Lakestone dynasty. Nonetheless, Lord Horud is well
loved by the industrious members of his community,
particularly since he is willing to get his hands dirty
and work alongside them. He cemented his reputation
in recent months when he led his people to aid Cygnar
in the reconstruction of the Marchbridge south of
Fharin at King Leto’s request.
Lord Mayor Amauri Montewick (male Midlunder
Ari3/Ftr4): Orven’s current lord mayor is a devout
follower of Asc. Katrena and is in good standing with
Vicar Roard. He has adopted a very hands-off approach
to governance, preferring to allow the Church, the
conclave, and the various business factions within the
city to act without interference from his office. Indeed,
Montewick frequently turns to them for advice and
assistance since he hates confrontation without good
cause. When he does take an interest in something,
as he does whenever he finds evidence of corruption
or malfeasance, no one—not even the vicar—can sway
him from his course.
Vicar Juliete Enderlin (female Caspian Bcp5/
Clr9): A middle-aged woman with a friendly manner
and open-minded approach to religious matters, Vicar
Enderlin is new to Orven having only recently been
appointed by the Primarch to oversee the basilica and
the clergy of the town. She is by nature very accepting
of religious differences and gives much leeway to local
practices so long as they do not undermine the central
doctrines of the faith. A dozen lesser churches and
shrines in Orven fall under her authority, and she has
been making her rounds to get to know her priests.
Due to the interest in Orven as a site of pilgrimage,
more paladins and church knights are assigned to
these churches than is customary for a town of this
size. As well, the substantial town watch is actually paid
and organized by the Morrowan clergy; thus Vicar
Enderlin also acts as the city’s watch commander.
Locales of Orven
Basilica of Ascendant Katrena: The basilica is a
massive cruciform structure with hundreds of fluted