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

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related industries keep up with their dues. Larger
branches provide training in smithing, engineering,
and other crafts for a nominal fee. Local Union
masters take their reputation very seriously and frown
upon anyone who does shoddy work while profiting
from the perks of membership.
Along with their regular contracts, Union
branches are sometimes called upon to track down
rogue steamjacks or other menaces, and they employ
a specially-trained mercenary group called the
Ironhands for such purposes. These mercenaries are
also regularly employed when important operations
require additional protection.
One notable aspect within the Union is its racial
diversity; numerous dwarves, gobbers, ogrun, and
trollkin comprise its membership, for skill and talent,
not race, is the measure of a true craftsman.
steam & iron membership
it is not unCommon for adventurers With an interest in
engineering or meChanika to join the steam & iron Workers
union to seek mentors to train them or get aCCess to
materials, Workshops, or tools. membership fees vary
depending on the amount of involvement With union tasks
and Willingness to take on ContraCts. most adventurers
join as “non-ContraCted journeymen” WhiCh frees them
from any union obligations other than basiC dues. this
entry membership is an initial fee of 100 Cygnaran CroWns,
and annual dues are set at 25 CroWns. additional fees are
Charged for training and materials, but use of Workshops and
tools are generally granted as needed if not already in use.
for a full disCussion of training and tutoring in the iron
kingdoms, see the “training and eduCation during doWntime”
sidebar in “eduCation and learning,” pg. 116. hoWever, there
are some differenCes to training gained through the union as
Compared to normal tutoring at a university; apprentiCeship
programs are speCifiCally geared toWard turning out trained
professionals and as suCh, individuals training With the
union Can reCeive training to boost their Craft skills as
high as 10 total ranks, but basiC Craft skills are trained as
detailed in the seCtion mentioned above. more advanCed or
speCialized training inCreases the time requirements. training
up to 5 ranks in Craft (steam engine) or other meChanikal
Craft skills requires tWo Weeks per rank, as does training a
basiC Craft skill from 6 to 10 ranks. training an advanCed
Craft skill from 6 to 10 ranks requires four Weeks per rank.
as alWays, double the Costs and times to gain ranks in Cross-
Class skills.
Steelwater Rail
There is no company in Cygnar more difficult to
deal with than Steelwater Rail. Based in the lakeside
town of Steelwater Flats, the rail company maintains
and runs freight trains shipping coal and other goods
out of Steelwater Flats. In addition, Steelwater Rail
runs the primary freight lines to and from the mines
at Ironhead Station and Orven. A progressive and
mechanically advanced company, Steelwater Rail’s
high standard of maintenance on its trains and other
steam-powered mechanika makes it the place to go if
you need repairs for big gearworks. Their mechaniks
are available for hire and can fix nearly anything.
While the company does not control all of the
Cygnaran rail lines, it does run the largest of the
Steelwater Flats-based rail yards. Some say that this
is the same thing since the company dominates the
lines running northwest to Orven and northeast to
Bainsmarket that constantly run trains filled with
coal and raw ore. Unfortunately for Steelwater Rail,
competition with the Caspian Railway Society has
dented their control of the rail lines.
After many years of conflict, the competition
between the two companies to control rail interests
finally drew the attention of the king. Now there is a
common rail switching station at the major junction
in Fharin, and it is run by the Cygnaran Crown to
prevent the two companies from bringing the railways
to a standstill. Since this ruling, Steelwater Rail has
become more and more protective of its interests.
Competing freight lines run by the CRS have suffered
mishaps and even fatal accidents. Though no one can
prove that the rail company is responsible for these
mishaps, it is fairly clear that agents of Steelwater Rail
had a hand in them.
Cryx
I’d rather bed a farrow sow than
deal with this lot. If you find yourself
somehow forced to deal with Cryxian
merchants, take along your best
swordsmen, canniest wizards, and
fastest pistoleers. Deals often turn sour
with such rascals, and the ability to hit
‘em hard might be the only chance to
keep yer arse in one piece.
—Gunner Wadock, Cygnaran tradesman
World Guide 75