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

200 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
The northern kingdom of Khador is a land of
sweeping expanses, fertile plains, imposing mountains,
and wide spanning forests. Thick hewed and stalwart
are many of its people, and they have been long
considered cantankerous, lacking in social graces,
and more interested in combat than cultural pursuits.
It is said by those who are not Khadoran that these
northerners have evolved very little from their forest
and mountain-dwelling barbarian ancestors.
Indeed, the oft-wintry Motherland once teemed
with roving tribes of barbaric nomads, many led by
fierce horselords who ruled with iron fists over their
families and those they conquered. These horselords
banded together, conquered the weaker tribes,
subjugated them, and fashioned the proud Khardic
Empire. Some say the empire never truly fell but
simply endured the ages until it evolved into what is
currently Khador.
Throwing off the Orgoth yoke was the first step
to a new consciousness. When the Orgoth were
gone, the Khadorans began to look on the so-called
deviousness and growing hegemonistic tendencies of
their southern neighbors with a keen eye, as a wary
wolf watches a stranger in its territory to discern if
it is rival or friend—or prey. One cannot blame the
Khadorans for these beliefs and gestures, for it was
their homeland in which the Orgoth focused so many
of their atrocities. It is something difficult for a onceproud
empire to weather, yet they did, and as a result
the Khadoran folk believe themselves strong enough
to shoulder any burden. Khadoran traditions have not
changed much since the days of the Khardic Empire.
Even conquered by the Orgoth, they would not allow
their culture to be crushed under the invaders’ heels
and lashes. To this day, they have the same mindset as
their ancient forefathers. Although the practice may
have taken a more modern outlook, the rule remains
the same: the weak live at the mercy of the strong.
Since the dawn of the Iron Kingdoms, the
Motherland has looked on is neighbors with contempt;
the Khadorans never felt adequately compensated
for their suffering at the hands of the Orgoth. As a
result, over the centuries Khador has made numerous
aggressive attempts to expand its borders. Time and
again Khador’s monarchs have felt the call to reestablish
the empire of old, blurring boundaries with
the blood of border skirmishes. Cygnar in particular
has earned their ire time and again, for their rival’s
expansionistic goals mirror their own in some ways.
To match her rivals, the Motherland has taken great
strides over the past centuries toward reinventing itself
as a major industrial power. As a result of unchecked
mechanized growth, most Khadoran cities lie
shadowed under a constant canopy of coal smoke and
forge soot. The Motherland’s industrial revolution
has wracked its citizens with growing pains, but the
kayazy and other royal supporters have no intention
of backing from their goal of eventual superiority.
While some noble families may wonder if the financial
and philisophical cost is worth abandoning ancient
traditions for newer breakthroughs, industrialization
has stretched practically kingdom-wide in recent
generations.
Khadorans are assiduous laborers who fervently
devote their sweat and blood to their way of life.
Patriotism is in their basic nature, and service is
considered a badge of honor to most of them. Khador
comes first. Religion, background, and even personal
grudges come second to the call of the Motherland.
Even though the kingdom has a massive Menite and
Morrowan population intermingled throughout its
cities and settlements, ancient feuds between the two
religions are set aside in favor of Khadoran pride.
Though occasionally questioned, true patriots quickly
remind these wayward sons and daughters of Khador—
sometimes forcibly—where their loyalties lie.
Winds of War
Beginning a massive expansionist campaign in 604 ar, Queen
ayn vanar xi has Blanketed the kingdom With military forces.
although spread thin in places and Working day and night
to keep the War effort in motion, khador remains a force
With Which to Be reckoned. after conQuering llael, khador
has immediately turned its attentions to cygnar as open
War threatens to consume the iron kingdoms. ord has not
made any official attempt to aid or dissuade their northern
neighBor, preferring instead to shore up their oWn defenses.
even the traditionally standoffish rhulfolk seem to have
noticed khador’s successes, and rumors speak of a possiBle
treaty or agreement in the near future.
Their steamjacks are of the utmost quality, and
their railway progress has elevated their pride over
the past century. Khador has transformed from ethnic
pocket societies, isolated in their remote forests and
mountains, into a kingdom with a unified sense of