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

250 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
barracks of the western Llaelese Army as well as
the legendary Thunderhelm Irregulars mercenary
company (see pg. 140). Now a substantial Winter
Guard garrison under the command of Kommander
Jozak Milianov occupies the city. Considerable
numbers of troops and supplies pass through the
city from Korsk en route to Merywyn or other
occupied cities.
Imports: Foodstuffs, textiles, weapons, horses
Exports: Raw ore, coal, liquor
Laedry is no stranger to warfare and destruction.
Twelve centuries ago it stood as the great Umbrean city
of Korska, an eastern capital in the Khardic Empire. In
542 BR the Orgoth razed Korska completely when they
conquered the region and subdued the eastern Ryn.
Its surroundings later saw some of the most brutal wars
of the Rebellion and suffered still more strife during
border wars between Khador and Llael before being
ceded to the east in 313 AR.
The new city of Laedry, founded by Llaelese
hands, eventually restored some of the former glory
of Old Korska—built in the Umbrean style to honor
the people of this region. Many of its oldest buildings
are relatively new by Immorese standards, and its
proud citizens maintained them in pristine condition.
The Umbrean buildings bear more resemblance to
Khadoran architecture than Llaelese, but the influence
of Ryn culture appears in many neighborhoods.
Its people are also stern and less willing to mince
words than their countrymen to the east, yet they are
arguably more cultured and refined than their rustic
Khadoran kin to the west.
The Khadoran army has had to be vigilant in Laedry,
disarming most of the citizens and imposing strict laws.
There is a palpable sense of unrest, and the Umbreans
are barely held in check. While some of these families
have heard the legend of Prince Tzepesci and support
his cause, most are patriotic Llaelese and despise
everything Khadoran. If an Umbrean leader were to
rise up, they might support him as long as he did not
bear the banner of Khador. They similarly do not love
their current overseer, Viscount Barak Ushka, despite
his Umbrean heritage.
The city suffered considerabe damaged during the
initial bombardment and assault, and much local effort
is being expended to rebuild it. Each broken wall and
fallen stone is a reminder of the invasion that triggers
righteous anger among the populace. A ring of the
ancient tombs of fallen soldiers surrounds Laedry, and
its maze of ironwork fences was considered the city’s
first line of defense as well as a macabre reminder to
visitors about its troubled past. These fences proved
useless against the long-range mortar fire brought to
bear against the city by Kommandant Irusk’s forces.
Many more soldiers rest in fresh graves in the honor
fields, and citizens leave daily offerings to them.
winds oF war
kommandant irusk PersonaLLy Led the initiaL attack on
Laedry whiLe kommanders kratikoFF and ZoktaVir moVed on
eLsinberG and redwaLL Fortress. Prince VLadimir tZePesci
joined irusk at the Last moment with a LarGe continGent oF
unstabLe berserker warjacks. the two warcasters worked in
tandem aLonG with doZens oF warjacks, a LarGe number oF
handPicked winter Guard trooPs, widowmaker sniPers, and
other Veteran khadoran soLdiers to make Quick work oF
the LocaL deFenses. PerhaPs the most decisiVe Factor in the
assauLt was khador’s new LiGht artiLLery that decimated the
Garrison barracks and deFensiVe cannon batteries beFore they
eVen reaLiZed they were under attack. aLthouGh the mortars
haVe eXcePtionaL ranGe they are not entireLy accurate, and
they demoLished many incidentaL city buiLdinGs and kiLLed
hundreds oF ciViLians with scattered Fire.
aLonG with the initiaL Losses, LLaeLese soLdiers suFFered
Further From the earLy disaPPearance oF their Great Leader,
the archduke oF new umbrey Lord GeneraL aLreG VLadiroV.
aLthouGh no one has Found his body, the Famed tactician
went missinG earLy in the battLe and is Presumed dead. his
renowned hatred oF khador and ProFessed LonGinG For the
chance to Face them make it inconceiVabLe that he FLed oF
his own wiLL.
Noted Persons
Kommander Jozak Milianov, Posadnik (male
Khardic Ftr10): Another of Kommandant Irusk’s
capable subordinates, Kommander Milianov gained
renown for his valor during the assault on Redwall
Fortress. Though he has the love of his men, he
resents being placed in Laedry despite the honor
of his new title as posadnik, for he greatly wishes to
rejoin the war. He is kept here to ensure a soldier of
unquestionable loyalty controls the garrison—Queen
Ayn does not entirely trust the viscount. In truth, Jozak
is also uncomfortable with Barak and all Umbreans.
He thinks of the inhabitants of Laedry as ancestral
traitors, and he is more than willing to crack down