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

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46 Iron Kingdoms
garrisons were doubled in coastal towns and villages.
Cygnar sent massive numbers of troops to fortify and
establish lookouts monitoring all passage through
vital lanes of traffic.
Cryx only intensified the conflict that soon enough
peaked at the Battle of Sandbottom Point in 588 AR
when Ordic and Cygnaran navies faced off against a
massive fleet of raiders and pirates bound for the Gulf
of Cygnar. Over 30 vessels were sunk during this bloody
battle. The water was covered in a fog of smoke from
cannon fire and burning tinder, and the armadas of Ord
and Cygnar took the day. Fleeing Cryxian ships sought
shelter on the shores near Southshield and Highgate,
but they were doggedly pursued. For weeks thereafter,
the Cygnaran military hunted down and destroyed
Scharde raiders wherever they could find them.
The Khadoran High Kommand
At the urging of Lord Regent Simonyev Blaustavya,
Queen Ayn Vanar XI began a regime devoted to the
expansionistic goals of her grandfather. Additionally,
the ambitious queen called for a halt to Khadoran
trade with Mercarian merchants citing that such
matters of trade weakened the strength of the
Motherland. Many of the companies began working
for the new Khadoran military initiative producing
uniforms, weapons, and supplies.
Queen Ayn often alludes to the spirit of King
Khardovic; she had propaganda spread throughout the
streets of Khador’s cities and towns. Billets and posters
encouraging national pride, military service, and the
glories of the Motherland can be found everywhere.
The Greylords Covenant has been drafting uchenik
for their halls and training warcasters in the ways of
magic. Over the past few years, national imperialist
sentiment has grown to an all time high.
The Lions Coup: The Battle for the Throne
of Cygnar
Meanwhile Cygnar’s internal strife had risen to the
level of insanity. So driven was Raelthorne the Elder
that he eventually began imprisoning citizens simply
on the rumor of sorcery or political malfeasance. For
many underhanded individuals, this was a quick way
to vengeance or profit. Reporting a neighbor brought
a few crowns in reward regardless of whether or not
the accusations were true. Public executions became
commonplace, and many of the executed were clearly
innocent of the charges leveled against them. People
were outraged, yet even riots did not stop the Elder.
After the Massacre of Mercir which left 320 protesting
citizens dead, it was clear he would not let even a large
crowd speak against him without punishment. He had
to be stopped.
The man to stop him would be his own brother,
Prince Leto Raelthorne, a quiet and kind man with
misgivings about his own brother’s violent regard
for the people of Cygnar. A well-trained warrior and
diplomat, Leto had often spent his years diffusing
volatile political situations with Khador, Llael, and Ord,
yet even he could not deny his toughest opponent to
placate was his own brother.
The blessings of Primarch Arius, the leading
figure of the Church of Morrow, had always been a
soothing boon to Leto. When the Primarch bid Leto
to do the right thing and seek out justice not only
for those the Elder had slain, but also for Cygnar
and the future of the nation, he grimly accepted the
task of liberating his beloved country. Leto gathered
a group of loyal Cygnaran patriots including High
Magus Calster, Primarch Arius, and a number of loyal
military offices and set out to claim the crown from
his tyrant brother.
The palace revolution exploded on the eve of
Gorim 24th, Khadoven 594 AR. Leto, accompanied by
High Magus Calster, several warjacks, and a cadre of
Stormblades and Morrowan paladins, attacked Vinter’s
forces in the great receiving hall during an audience
with the leaders of the Elder’s Inquisition. The battle
was the stuff of epic legend and scorch marks and
blade scars are still visible on the walls of that great
hall. The Elder was as fierce in combat as he was a
king, and he showed no mercy to man or machine
that day. As his blades swept through the crowds of
soldiers, he laughed aloud. Little did he know that in
the chambers below, his guards were surrendering to
Leto’s forces.
Finally Leto faced his brother in combat and
swords clashed in a violent frenzy of blows. While Leto
had the cause of righteousness behind him, he was no
match for Vinter’s martial skills. As Leto fell to a blow
from Vinter’s blade, it is said he called to Morrow for
aid. Those who rushed to Leto’s side at the end of the