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

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has been absent from Rorschik more often than not
over the past decade tending the faithful, attending
council in Korsk, and embarking on a number of
extended trips outside the Motherland. Unlike so
many of his peers who are illegally answering the
call of the misguided Hierarch Voyle, Valenkov feels
that the “fanatical madman” has forgotten Menoth’s
true role as the Protector of Man, which requires the
strength and solidarity of Khador. With such negativity
toward the Old Faith as of late, Valenkov has spent a
great deal of time trying to smooth over the political
problems with the throne. He sees a much larger
problem than questioned nationalism on the horizon
and hopes to keep from spilling any more blood
because of Vanar pride.
Locales of Rorschik
Cathedral of the Grand Ascension: Several
churches lie scattered throughout Rorschik and their
many intricately carved spires and towers dominate
the cityscape. Morrowan churches dedicated to each
ascendant, decorated with extensive brickwork and
varicolored tiles, galleries, porches, and magnificent
portals dot the city. Situated near the heart of the city
at the west end of Temple Square, this cathedral dwarfs
them all. It is shaped like a giant radiance of Morrow
with a twelve-foot statue of each ascendant on a tower at
the ends of the points. A fifty-two-foot statue of Morrow
holding Dusk’s Last Light and the Enkheiridion occupies
the main point. Morrow faces east and worshippers pass
between his feet as they enter.
Lakeside District: Remote from the dust and
smell of the stockyards and the bustle of the open air
markets, this quiet district is popular with nobility and
kayazy. Many nobles have lakeshore property, but the
Lakeside District with its many fine shops, cafes, and
restaurants is the place to see and be seen. Several
large fountains serve as meeting places and landmarks
for the unfamiliar, while two small parks provide
space for intimate walks and quiet reflection. The
district also includes several restaurants on steamboats
permanently anchored down at the docks.
Rorschik Tower: This massive tower topped by a
thin, gold menofix houses in its center a mechanika
marvel, a gigantic clockwork face that animates a
complex series of constructs at the strike of five. The
tower was originally built during the reign of King
Yeken Vladykin to recall the farmers from the field,
but it now serves as a tourist attraction. The tower
booms so loudly people say the sound carries all the
way across the lake to Volningrad.
Stockyards: With cattle and other livestock
constantly moving through the city, the stockyards are
always busy. Unique to Rorschik are the gobber ranch
hands and cattlemen frequently seen here. Over
the centuries Umbrean and Khardic ranchers have
trained some of the semi-nomadic plains gobbers to
drive cattle and handle other livestock. The gobbers,
used to stalking herd animals across the plains, quickly
took to this profession, and Rorschik and its environs
have an abundance of skilled gobber cattlemen.
Temple of the Lawgiver Resplendent: While
Morrow’s worship is evidenced by the many churches
in Rorschik, Menoth’s faith has but one massive stone
temple. It is all that is necessary. The seat of Visgoth
Fedko Beshukin (male Khard Ari3/Clr16), this
massive stone temple is a veritable fortress capable of
withstanding months of siege. The walls are twenty-feet
thick and 200 yards to a side. Standing over the main
entrance and facing west across Temple Square towers
an enormous ninety-eight-foot-tall statue of Menoth
bearing Decretus and a shield symbolizing his role as
the “defender of man.” Some suggest the statue of
Menoth and the statue of Morrow are facing off across
Temple Square like two warriors staring each other
down before a duel over the souls of Rorschik.
Skirov
In Power: Posadnik Nikolei Mikolovich
Population: 68,000 humans (mostly Skirov and
Khard), 10,000 Rhulfolk, 2,000+ prisoners
Military: Skirov maintains a moderate Winter
Guard garrison as well as a small contingent of
warjacks. Additional companies of Winter Guard
and Widowmakers are stationed nearby in the Skirov
Khardstadt, and Fort Brunzig reinforcements can arrive
in times of need within a few days.
Imports: Criminal and political prisoners,
gunpowder, livestock, vegetables
Exports: Copper ore, fish, gold, iron, machinery,
silver ore, steel, sugar beets, textiles, wheat
The City of Chains, Skirov is an ancient settlement
World Guide 225