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

294 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
of the older castellans who respect his traditional
values and allegiance to an older, simpler way of life.
The Mascal family has a long-standing alliance with
the Mateus through generations of intermarriage.
The lord castellan himself has married directly into
the Mateu family, having taken Izabella’s niece Stiata
Mateu (female Tordoran Ari4/Sor4) as his wife. This
arrangement has served both families well since a
number of long term Mascal enemies disappeared and
Izabella gained what she considers a useful tool in the
Hall of Castellans.
Castellan Izabella Mateu, Matron of House Mateu
(female Tordoran Ari5/Rog4/Sor8): Izabella Mateu is
the matriarch of the notorious House Mateu. Deceitful
and cunning beyond her age, Izabella is a gaunt
woman of over 70 years. Having survived countless
assassination attempts has done little but reinforce
her cruel disposition, and she seems to grow more
cold and calculating with every year—if such a thing
were possible. Though at the center of an intricate
web of plots and conspiracies, Izabella has managed to
keep the Mateu name clear of scandal through careful
manipulation, veiled threats, and covert displays of
force. It is well known among commoners and nobles
alike that to oppose the will of the Mateu family is akin
to signing one’s own death warrant.
Izabella cares for nothing except the growth and
prosperity of her family. Though her efforts have
expanded the Mateus’ influence in nearly every
industry in Ord, she is not satisfied. Long ago the
Mateus claimed the throne of Ord and the Cathors
have been hated rivals ever since. Izabella’s ultimate
goal is the overthrow of King Baird II and the
destruction of his entire line.
House Mateu takes great lengths to hide the
sorcerous blood that runs through the veins of
its daughters. Izabella has ensured her family
understands their responsibilities, and it is only in
the direst situations that the Mateu women use their
arcane gifts—never in public.
Eliana Mateu (female Tordoran Ari3/Sor5): Eliana
Mateu is Izabella’s youngest daughter, a dark-haired
and voluptuous beauty who is exceptionally shrewd
at manipulating her suitors for her own ends. Her
politicking has paid off; Alvor Cathor, King Baird
II’s grandson, has taken a fawning interest in Eliana
and rumors abound that he is deeply in love with the
woman and is contemplating marrying her. The Ordic
nobility views the couple tensely, and many of them
harbor hopes of avoiding a union that would bring
even more power to the Mateu family.
Locales of Berck
Dirgenmast Shipwrights: This successful
shipbuilding company has no real connection to
the ancient Dirgenmast captains. Although noted
for sometimes meager wages and difficult working
conditions, it is one of the largest employers in
Berck. Surviving the training to become a Dirgenmast
shipwright is said to be more difficult than becoming
an officer in the Ordic Royal Navy. However, the
company employs a large number of respected
professionals, and they create the largest ships of
Ord, primarily clippers and barks, such as the famed
five-masted Tordoran Star, the largest clipper ship in
the navy.
Many Dirgenmast ships are slated for the navy,
but they also work for trading companies such as
the Mercarian League and House Mateu. Along with
building new ships, the shipwrights repair and service
older vessels—although only those made by them.
Most of the oldest but best maintained ships in Ordic
ports are Dirgenmasts. Their director is Thane Rufio
Zaspar (male Tordoran Exp10), a master shipwright
whose grandfather received a noble title decades
ago as a reward for his service to the throne. Rufio
is an arrogant but personable man noted for a loud
booming voice, a love of fine wine, and his habit of
describing his ships as if they were seductive women.
Mateu Estate: The seat of Mateu power and
influence perches like a hawk on the cliffs above the
city. The vast compound is located within a series of
concentric walled courtyards around the towering,
multi-turreted manor house. The estate is alive with a
small army of servants who go about their daily chores
in silence, often in fear of the more unpredictable
family members. A large staff of armed guards patrols
the grounds. The estate has a dark reputation and is
avoided by the general population unless specifically
summoned by a member of the family.
Mor Cathedral: This Morrowan cathedral is lauded
as built upon the holy ground where Asc. Doleth made