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

108.1.141.197
Alvor Cathor, has taken an interest in Izabella’s
youngest daughter Eliana , and rumors abound that
he is contemplating marrying the girl. Obviously, the
nobility of the kingdom waits nervously with hopes to
avoid such a union and the power the Mateus would
gain if this were to take place.
Many wonder what will happen when Izabella dies,
but at over 70 years of age the tall, crisp old woman shows
no signs of slowing down. She has survived over a dozen
attempts on her life over the decades and even has a
clan of fiercely loyal highland trollkin under her thumb
(though details of this particular bond are unclear). One
thing is certain: in and around Ord, no major operation
goes off without a Mateu knowing of it, and crossing a
Mateu is never a good idea especially since they have the
ability to ruin or destroy an enemy using either legitimate
or much more questionable means.
rumor has it…
in some Corners it is believed that ord’s loss of the berCk
imports house to the merCarian league in 593 ar Was the
result of a finanCial poWer struggle betWeen the mateu
merChant house and the merCarian league. a variety of
Wild stories have arisen around this exChange, inCluding
one Where the league had taken one of izabella’s sons
hostage as a tool of extortion and forCed her to pressure
the Castellan founders of the imports house. Whatever
the truth might be, izabella nurses an implaCable hatred
for her southern rivals and aWaits any ChanCe to undermine
their interests.
Meredian Ventures
Based in Berck, Meredian Ventures is a transport
company that employs a small fleet of sloops and
schooners—most retrofitted with paddlewheels—to
deliver goods all along the western coast. Meredian
Ventures maintains a presence in Khador, Cygnar, and
of course Ord, but its ships travel as far south as the
Protectorate for the right price. An adventurous sailor
named Captain Carros Culareo (male Tordoran Ftr3/
Exp9) started the company in 558 AR but disappeared
at sea a decade ago.
Today Meredian Ventures is in the hands of
Carros’ fiery daughter, an arcane mechanik named
Drest (female Tordoran Rog6/Amk4), who has plans
to launch an extensive expedition to the southern
continent of Zu in search of riches (and also where
she believes her father was last seen). To raise funds
and royal support for her expedition, she has recently
offered a partnership to the well-connected Mateu
Merchant House. Rumor has it that the Mateus would
inherit a controlling share of Meredian Ventures as
long as Captain Drest Culareo is provided sanction and
resources to make her southern expedition a reality.
Midfast Munitions
Run by Creena Torcail (see pg. 307), Midfast
Munitions specializes in developing experimental,
customized cannons and small arms ammunition.
While she has several munitions experts on staff
to help with the development of new payloads and
testing of new cannon designs, her skilled team
of ogrun smiths is responsible for the design and
production of new cannons. Creena’s is one of
the few businesses to employ ogrun in a skilled
profession, and her decision to hire them was
questioned widely and loudly by many influential
castellans. However, they have long since proven
their usefulness, resourcefulness, and sheer brute
skill in turning out some of the finest cannons in all
of western Immoren. Many still refuse to buy cannons
built by “barbaric brutes,” but far more sensible folk
have learned to keep their opinions to themselves
(especially while in Creena’s shop) and have simply
accepted that Midfast Munitions is the source for
expertly crafted and innovatively designed cannons.
In the past few years, Creena’s prosperity has led to
her purchase of several older model warjacks, mostly
surplus Nomads. Her team of ogrun laborers and
gobber bodgers has taken to refitting older ‘jacks and
adding their own “special mechanikal touches.” Much
of their technology is outdated when compared to the
modern militaries of the kingdoms, but Creena is very
interested in getting her hands on as many schematics
as possible and she is willing to pay handsomely for
first-rate drafts and adequately enough for those she
deems less than exemplary.
Ios
Trade and commerce in Ios is a
mystery. Iosan arcanika, magic, works
of art, and exotic liquors and wines
sometimes make their way from this
World Guide 85