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

248 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
Despite the Church of Morrow’s stance that this
manifestation is unnatural, the spirits have become
important symbols—doubly so with the occupation.
As the soldiers’ preparations draw to a close and
they form up, the living traditionally gather in the
streets to wave banners and Llaelese flags—something
upon which the current occupiers may frown. Living
musicians lend their breath and horns to the dead
silent trumpeters, and people cheer for the soldiers
and root for their victory knowing well they will vanish
before reaching their destination. Scholars agree this
army belongs to the baron, General Ghan Gallowey,
whose forces mysteriously disappeared in 183 AR while
marching to reinforce Ravensgard against the Orgoth.
They were never found, and Ravensgard fell that
winter not to be rebuilt until after the Orgoth were
years gone from the shores of Immoren.
winds oF war
eLsinberG was one oF the First cities to FaLL in the initiaL
khadoran inVasion and was assauLted aLmost simuLtaneousLy
with redwaLL Fortress to the north. the LarGe attackinG
Force was Led by kommander sorscha kratikoFF and her
aide koVnik neGomir taroVic. the LLaeLese deFenders here
FouGht braVeLy untiL it became cLear they were oVermatched.
the eLsinberG royaL FusiLiers were ParticuLarLy VaLiant and
suFFered terribLe Losses beFore LayinG down their arms. most
oF the battLe was oVer in a Few short days and was Finished
with reLatiVeLy LittLe damaGe to the town itseLF, aLthouGh
the barracks and seVeraL nearby buiLdinGs were destroyed.
it is said that archduke cherydwyn surrendered as soon as
soLdiers stePPed Foot on his estate beFore the FusiLiers had
eVen been FuLLy enGaGed. taroVic, haVinG been Promoted to
kommander aFter the FaLL oF merywyn, returned to take
command oF eLsinberG siX months Later.
Noted Persons
Archduke Wyle Cherydwyn of Wessina, Earl of
Elsinberg, (male Ryn Ari8): The archduke remains
the nominal head of Elsinberg’s local government.
Always impeccably dressed in the latest fashion, Lord
Cherydwyn is an arrogant dandy. He disdains any sort
of exercise or physical activity and has a very doughy
countenance as well as a reputation for delegating
most of the actual work of governance to his vassals.
Various barons and common ministers see to the dayto-day
administration of the city, while Lady Ganelyn
sees to law enforcement. Though the archduke’s
ornate sword is purely decorative, he is a surprisingly
excellent shot with a pistol and always carries a
marvelous Radliffe with him. He quickly surrendered
during the initial invasion of Elsinberg and lives in fear
of Kommander Tarovic. He obeys all commands of the
occupiers without question and has done nothing to
reassure his community.
Baroness Rashel Ganelyn (female Ryn Ari3/Ftr8):
Whispers say an Umbrean lurks somewhere in this
delicate, auburn-haired beauty’s family tree because of
the darkness of her hair and her height. Lady Ganelyn
is easily six feet tall in her high military boots, and
there is something about the arch of her brows and the
turn of the corners of her mouth that make her look
constantly sad. This habitual expression, coupled with
her narrow build, has earned her the nickname “the
Willow Baroness,” a pun on the ravaged lands west of
Elsinberg to which she is entitled. Very few folk inhabit
the Willow Barrens however, so the baroness makes
her home in town where she commands the city guard
and militia—now considerably reduced. It is no secret
Lady Ganelyn fought against the invaders of her city,
and rumors say she avoided execution afterward only
because her strong allure had captured the attention
of Kommander Tarovic. She is perplexed by Tarovic.
She must despise him as the killer of many of her
comrades-at-arms, but under different circumstances
she might admit he has a certain rough charm. He is
certainly more civilized than most Khadoran officers,
but she remains politely defiant and rebuffs his
advances. Recently the baroness has helped Llaelese
resistance fighters pass information to Cygnar and the
free folk in Rhydden. If discovered, she would likely
face execution despite the kommander’s affection.
Kommander Negomir Tarovic, Posadnik of
Elsinberg (male Khardic Ftr10/Rfl5): A well-seasoned
older veteran of the Khadoran Army and a pious
Morrowan, Kommander Tarovic is one of Khador’s
most capable officers. After aiding Kommander
Kratikoff in capturing Elsinberg, he went on to take
a key role in the siege of Merywyn. Tarovic has seen
countless border skirmishes in his day and is a canny
combatant. Though he did not ask for the title of
posadnik, he felt honored when he received it for
his efforts in the campaign. During the long months
of the war, the memory of a tall woman fighting on
the frontline with the doomed soldiers of Elsinberg
taunted Tarovic. At one point in the fighting he
found his rifle trained on the lady called the Willow