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

346 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
intricate stonework that have taken dozens of lifetimes
to sculpt and polish. The Rhulic gift for crafting
metal and stone is second to none in the kingdoms.
Even minor landmarks, roads, and towers rival the
Sancteum in Caspia in beauty and perfection.
The mountains of Rhul contain vast amounts
of ores and minerals found nowhere else in all of
Immoren—some might say all of Caen. Their exclusive
fashioning and forging practices of ancient metals
have placed the dwarves and their ogrun clan mates
at the pinnacle of smithcraft. Some of the eldest and
most respected lords wear suits of armor so intricate
they are mesmerizing to the common mind, and a few
of these materials and crafts find their way down the
rivers from Armsdeep, one of the primary trade routes
to the southern lands.
The dwarves of Rhul have not been nearly as
reclusive or unfriendly toward their neighbors as the
elves of Ios, particularly in the last few centuries. They
claim to have the oldest and most stable civilization
in western Immoren with records dating back over
six millennia. The dwarves have always dwelled in the
great northern mountains and seem to have no thirst
for conquest outside of this region. They once boasted
friendly trade arrangements with Ios, but the elves
have sealed their borders to dwarves as well as humans
in recent decades.
Rhul keeps a close eye on the politics of the Iron
Kingdoms. Though they have officially maintained
neutrality in the affairs of humans for thousands of
years, Rhulfolk started to change this policy during
the Rebellion against the Orgoth. For the first time
dwarven industry was loaned to the rebels in the
construction of the Colossals, and it played a key role
in the victory. The dwarves have since learned to take
an interest in the south; they are impressed by the
innovations of humanity and see great opportunities.
Most dwarves are mercenary by nature and never let
an opportunity for profit pass them by; others watch
humanity knowing foreign politics could threaten
their own security .
Widespread dwarven interest in humanity was
sparked after the Corvis Treaties, and many younger
clans set forth to find their fortunes in the south.
Though they have no interest in capturing land,
they do seek profit and innovations among human
communities. The human kingdoms welcomed the
conclaves within their borders as part of the growing
accord between the two races, and Rhulfolk have
since become an everyday sight in the Iron Kingdoms.
These mixed communities have proven profitable
both to Rhul and humanity although recent tensions
between Khador and Cygnar have put their safety
at risk. Substantial numbers of dwarves live in both
kingdoms, and their neutrality causes increasing
strain. Relations are particularly tense for dwarves in
Khador; Rhul’s long relationship of commerce with
Cygnar is notorious and prompts suspicion. Dwarves
in Cygnar are not immune to similar scrutiny, and
human soldiers resent providing a safe haven to a race
refusing to assist them.
The internal politics of Rhul are beset by violent
competition, duels, and deadly clan feuding. However,
these conflicts are small in scale and are not considered
actual warfare. Even the largest feuds are regulated by
ancient traditions and codes of conduct laid down by
the Great Fathers and supervised by grim judges of the
Moot of the Hundred Houses. The sanctioned battles
ensure only the strongest and most creative clans earn
the right to immortalize themselves in the sacred art
of building. Like in most extended families, the clans
set aside their conflicts whenever they are threatened
by outside forces. As well, the Stone Lords and Moot
judges brutally enforce the peace whenever feuds
disrupt the general commerce and industry.
trade diFFiCuLties
iMMediateLy aFter invading LLaeL in Late 604 ar, khador
bLoCkaded the bLaCk river eFFeCtiveLy Cutting oFF Cygnar
FroM rhuL—one oF its Largest trade partners. hundreds
oF Cygnaran MerChants were stranded aCross the dwarven
kingdoM For Months beFore Cygnar Managed to break through
khadoran deFenses and sever the great throatCutter, a
Massive Chain that bLoCked river traveL, on goriM 3rd,
gLaCeus 605 ar. soMe MerChants Managed to return to
Cygnar, khadoran eMpLaCeMents sheLLed others and sunk
their ships, and a Few were Captured and their goods seized.
rhuL has sinCe sent dipLoMats to korsk who are Leveraging
heaviLy to get the tradeways reopened as soon as possibLe. rhuL
does not Care who ControLs LLaeL as Long as trade Continues.
the dwarves are priMariLy agitated that the bLaCk river has
been CLosed oFF to theM in vioLation oF the treaties signed
between the stone Lords and the iron aLLianCe during the
rebeLLion. due to the Constraints pLaCed by the war on trade
between Cygnar and rhuL, soMe tenaCious and enterprising
rhuLFoLk have been engaging in sMuggLing operations in order
to get goods past khadoran CheCkpoints.