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

254 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
Order of the Golden Crucible in Llael. He has given
himself the title of “master” although he never earned
it and was not particularly respected before the
invasion. Tyrwen is an obsequious elderly alchemist
who always resented that his talents never received
proper recognition from the old Aurim Magnus. He
serves Koldun Lazar quite happily. In truth he has
been in the pocket of the Greylords Covenant for
several years. They pay him handsomely to betray
his colleagues when called upon. While many believe
Culpyn is a minion of Prime Minister Glabryn, the
truth is he was not one of Glabryn’s agents—his
defection was completely independent.
Koldun Lord Volkh Lazar (male Khard Wiz18):
The head of the most powerful ternion in Llael,
Koldun Lord Lazar represents the full authority of the
Greylords Covenant in Leryn. Utterly devoted to the
Motherland, the humorless old wizard was the obvious
choice for posadnik of Leryn. He primarily concerns
himself with maintaining control over the Golden
Crucible. He realizes the weight of his responsibilities
and that holding Leryn and Thunderhead Fortress
represents an enormous symbolic victory for Khador.
Koldun Lazar holds a personal interest in the secrets
of the Crucible and hopes to find treasured alchemical
lore. Thus far he has been frustrated. He suspects many
secrets were either hidden or taken away by refugees,
and he is far from convinced the collaborators among
the Crucible are as forthcoming as they should be.
Magziev Akina Kazanovo (female Khard Wiz14)
and Magziev Kasia Zevschenzo (female Skirov Wiz13)
serve as Lazar’s aides. He has tasked Akina, a promising
raven-haired wizardess of considerable power for her
youth but prone to fits of temper, with rooting out
hidden Crucible stashes in the maze-like corridors
of Thunderhead and elsewhere in the city. Kasia
provides a much needed counterbalance. An older,
deep-thinking woman with white hair and cold blue
eyes, she is less brilliant than Lazar in magical theory
but more adept in politics and the manipulation of
people.
Locales of Leryn
Temple of the Lawgiver: Leryn hosts a small but
vocal Menite minority centered on a community of
copper miners and quarry workers dwelling in the
western Outer Ward. The structure is an impressive
step pyramid done in the old Thousand Cities Era
style of the region. The leading priest is the selfproclaimed
Visgoth Zayiv Ryledor (male Umbrean
Clr13/Pal3), a hulking man who runs his temple by
his own interpretation of the True Law. He has no
affiliation with the Protectorate of Menoth, the Old
Faith, or even any other Menites of Llael. Indeed,
relatively few of the faithful in Leryn have defected
to the Protectorate although they remain intrigued by
rumors of the Harbinger.
Thunderhead Fortress: Visible from anywhere in
the city, the squat, ugly, and seemingly impregnable
Thunderhead Fortress houses the headquarters of
the Order of the Golden Crucible. This building was
the original stronghold of the Army of Thunder and
the birthplace of the firearm. A sizeable portion of
the structure is a museum to the old Rebellion army,
housing hundreds of priceless heirlooms from that
time including many perfectly preserved rifles and
muskets. Before the occupation visitors were always
welcomed for a nominal fee, but this policy has been
stopped by Khadoran soldiers who question and
scrutinize all visitors. The rest of the fortress is given
over to alchemical and arcane business and is always
bustling with activity and industry. Greasy smoke pours
continuously from its various chimneys, and more
than one passing bird has dropped dead instantly from
straying too close to the noxious fumes.
Younger apprentice alchemists are put through their
paces at Thunderhead and are tasked with creating to
the Crucible’s trademark blasting powder. Veteran
alchemists and wizards work on advanced projects
including testing complex mixtures and enchantments.
Arcane mechaniks comprise a significant minority here,
and their labs and workshops are just as busy. None of
this activity has stopped since the occupation. In fact,
the Greylords advanced deadlines and made greater
demands. Morale is low, for Crucible members dislike
slaving away for the invaders of their homeland.
Traitor’s Gate: Although most locals make use of
the two tunnels between Old Town and the Outer
Ward, a single gateway from the Dregs to Old Town
exists called the Traitor’s Gate. This gateway is a grisly
monument, as the walls between the outer portcullis
and the inner one are filled with skulls. Every skull
in the wall is said to have once been atop Orgoth
shoulders, and names are inscribed below them. Some