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

252 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
Temple of Wrath: This imposing stone edifice is
the largest building in the Menite section of southern
Laedry where several thousand Menites reside. This
particular brand of Menoth worship bears greater
similarity to the Old Faith of Khador than to those
living in the Protectorate. This temple has seen a rise
in attendance particularly among numerous Khadoran
soldiers who worship Menoth. In the months after the
invasion, the town did suffer some exodus of their
local Menites, for several hundred decided to flee to
the Protectorate upon hearing of the miracle of the
Harbinger. The majority of the city’s Menites rejects
the harsh message of the southern Hierarch, believing
their interpretation of the faith truer to Menoth’s will.
This includes their leader, Sovereign Misha Rudovna
(female Umbrean Clr9), who believes the Harbinger
merely an elaborate hoax.
Leryn
In Power: The Order of the Golden Crucible
overseen by Greylord Koldun Lord Volkh Lazar
Population: 115,000 (mostly Ryn with an Umbrean
minority and several thousand dwarves)
Military: Leryn is presently occupied by a
substantial garrison of Winter Guard reinforced by
Greylord Ternions under the command of Koldun
Lord Lazar. Although few of them were killed in action,
most of the famed Crucible Guard were disbanded
by the Khadoran occupiers. Those members of the
Guard who did not accept graceful retirement or go
underground fled south to Rhydden or Corvis.
Imports: Food, textiles, wood, steel
Exports: Chemicals, blasting powder, coal, pistols,
quarried stone, copper
Leryn was described by King Artys di la Martyn
I as “the best fortified city no one shall ever attack.”
This entrenched city at the base of Mount Borgio on
the banks of the swift-flowing Oldwick River is most
famous for the part it played in the Rebellion. It was
one of the first cities to cast off the Orgoth and keep
them out. It is exceptionally situated geographically to
hold out in a siege, and its defenses were meticulously
maintained as a matter of civic pride. Most Llaelese
and Cygnarans expected the great city to hold out
indefinitely against the Khadoran invasion and once
again become a bolthole for survivors. Sadly for them
events did not unfold as expected, and the city fell
without a fight—an enormous blow to the morale of
the Llaelese people.
winds oF war
when PreParinG to assauLt Leryn, khador’s hiGh kommand
was weLL aware oF the city’s rePutation and LeGendary
deFenses. this was a city that wouLd not FaLL to the tactics
used in Laedry, eLsinberG, or eVen merywyn. whiLe their
heroics are now mostLy ForGotten, members oF the crucibLe
FouGht braVeLy in the earLy months oF the inVasion by
conductinG a successFuL GueriLLa camPaiGn aGainst khadoran
suPPLy Lines. these Factors PromPted the hiGh kommand to
decide that Leryn couLd not be aLLowed to become a bastion
For any resistance or it wouLd certainLy undermine their
entire war eFFort.
the khadorans destroyed riVersmet eXPressLy For the
PurPose oF breakinG the wiLL oF the crucibLe Guard in Leryn,
and they succeeded in that PurPose . eVen aFter this massacre
some members oF the crucibLe arGued that they shouLd hoLd
Fast, but the decision was made For them on the 1st oF cinten
in 605 ar when the Gates were oPened From within to 8,000
khadoran soLdiers. the remaininG deFiant Leaders oF the oLd
order, incLudinG aurumn maGnus nieLs wys, were summariLy
eXecuted aLonG with their FamiLies. those who aGreed to obey
the GreyLords coVenant were aLLowed to LiVe and Forced to
siGn an eXcLusiVe contract to suPPLy bLastinG Powder to the
khadoran miLitary. desPite the surrender, there is an aura
oF restrained insubordination amonG the citiZens—oLd
Pride dies hard—and rumors FLourish oF secretiVe meetinGs,
stashed stockPiLes oF weaPons and crucibLe ammunition, and
LoyaList saFe houses throuGhout the city.
Leryn has grown considerably since its founding.
Three major stages of growth are each demarked by
a heavy defensive wall. The small “Old Town” at the
center is protected by an ancient wall preserved exactly
as it stood during the Rebellion. All city government
including the Order of the Golden Crucible, the most
prestigious citizens, and the Khadoran army officers
live here. “New Town” comprises the middle band
and is surrounded by a wall completed in 510 AR.
Although once vibrant and prosperous, New Town
quickly fell into disrepair and is now commonly called
“the Dregs.” Over the years it has become a badly
maintained slum circling the city and houses the city’s
lower classes, cheapest labor, and several unkempt
graveyards. Two tunnels connect Old Town directly
to the Outer Ward allowing safe traffic and commerce
while bypassing the Dregs. A recently constructed
exterior wall encompasses the Outer Ward, the largest
sprawling third ring of the city. The Outer Ward