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

308 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
attract suitors of dubious repute seeking connection
to the Torcails.
Lord Castellan Ostal Vascar, General of the
Shield Division and Commander of Midfast (male
Tordoran Ari3/Ftr13): Usually referred to simply as
“the General,” Vascar is a veteran campaigner and a
military man through and through. He has earned
enormous respect among the men and is a natural
born leader. His aptitude for drawing loyal men to
him has made him enemies among other jealous
castellans, particularly older men with more land but
less rank. The General is forty-three-years old and
is considered by some as too youthful for such an
important station—Commander of Midfast is the most
prestigious post in the army next to the king’s own
military advisor. Before his promotion Vascar spent
time with a special battalion assigned to protect coastal
villages from Cryxian raiders, and he saw his share of
bloodshed and horrors on those patrols. Not only does
Vascar have Prince Baird III as a friend and the king’s
older daughter Carlutia (see pg. 287) as a wife, but he
also has the king’s unwavering trust.
Locales of Midfast
Cathedral of the Valiant Martyrs: Located directly
adjacent to his tomb, this cathedral is dedicated to the
memory of Asc. Markus, patron of Midfast and hero
of Ord. The large church is built in the old style once
common in Ord with low ceilings, stained glass using
very dark colors, and subdued lighting. The cathedral
is decorated with frescos showing many battles in the
name of Morrow. The structure actually predates its
namesake’s ascension, and Markus himself spent time
here during the famous siege. A masterful mural
behind the altar depicts the last stand of Markus
against the barbarian chiefs. It is said that after
praying before the mural, no pious soldier will feel
the urge to flee from his next battle no matter how
bleak the outcome appears. The cathedral is watched
over by Vicar Pascal Acorsi (male Tordoran Clr12), an
embittered old priest who believes the young soldiers
of the town today lack both respect and common sense.
He delegates to his subordinates whenever possible
and hates to be disturbed by “foolish nonsense.”
Midfast Weapons Foundry: The capital paid
handsomely to grant an exclusive lease to the Order
of the Golden Crucible, and their headquarters is
the Midfast Weapons Foundry. No other wizard order
is allowed to set up a branch in Midfast although
individuals from other orders have made the city their
home. This shop is run independently but works closely
with the army to create weapons and ammunition. The
arrangement has been mutually beneficial to both Ord
and the Crucible, and were the city to be attacked they
would assist in its defense as mercenaries.
The foundry is run by two brothers: Ian (male
Thurian Wiz10) and Hagan Cronan (male Thurian
Wiz11). The local Order also recognizes Master Creena
Torcail who is of equivalent rank and standing but
rarely cares to exert her influence. The two brothers
have a fierce but friendly rivalry and are extremely
competitive with one another, each running different
projects and teams working on weapons and spell
research. Sometimes this competition has produced
fantastic results—at other times accidents, explosions,
and injuries. Currently an even score of lower ranking
Crucible members are in Midfast including wizards,
alchemists, arcane mechaniks, and apprentices. An
additional two score members among the support
staff are employed by the armory and include smiths,
metallurgists, lab assistants, mechaniks, and a small
squad of Crucible Guard.
winds OF war
news OF last year’s capture OF leryn and thunderhead
FOrtress hit MidFast hard, and lOcal cruciBle MeMBers are
still trying tO aBsOrB the raMiFicatiOns. liKe Other Branches
Outside llael, they cOnsider theMselves part OF the Free
Order nOw and dO nOt OBey directives FrOM the captured
headquarters. King Baird ii is eager tO capitalize On the
situatiOn and has prOpOsed a relOcatiOn OF the headquarters
tO MidFast, MaKing OFFers directly tO the crOnan BrOthers
and creena tOrcail. they have delayed answering FOr nOw,
But certainly the suggestiOn is teMpting and cOuld result in
an inFlux OF rOyal treasury Funds, the cOnstructiOn OF new
Buildings, and the hiring OF Many new sKilled wOrKers. the
grOup here has sOMe periOdic cOntact with MeMBers aBrOad,
MOstly cOOrdinated thrOugh ceryl, and KnOws that several
Other pOtential leaders OF the Free Order are MaKing plans.
iF they hOpe tO put FOrward their Own claiM they will need
tO act sOOn and wOrK tO gather suppOrt. any such MOve has
just as Much pOtential tO Fracture and divide the Outlying
Order OF the cruciBle. creena tOrcail has nO interest in
such things althOugh she dOes care aBOut the health OF her
Order and wOuld wOrK tO preserve it. the crOnan BrOthers
are seriOusly cOnsidering the nOtiOn.