CHARACTER. A man has no rights here, except for what he can take. Stake a claim and defend it, because it may make you rich. Jink and weapons make power, and power makes what's right. Trust is for fools. RULER. The people of Ironheart are ruled by an elected Major, who holds office for a one year term, and by a city council which may overrule the Major with a unanimous vote. The only requirement for sitting on the council is owning property in Ironheart, but a basher can only vote in meetings he attends. The current Major is Makl In'Tok (Pl/male human/F1/N), a gruff and stocky man in his late 40s. He's a successful farmer, and is trusted for his no-nonsense ways. He generally dislikes strangers, but anyone who works hard and stays out of trouble is all right with him. BEHIND THE THRONE. The real power in Ironheart is the Marquis Cambion Alestir de Santana, a cynical and malicious half-fiend with his fingers in everything that happens. Chant is that he represents either the Arch-Lector of Plague-Mort or one of the Abyssal Lords; more than that is dark, but nobody dares cross him. Fortunatly for Ironheart, he's easier to deal with than most fiends. As long as his whims are catered to and the town's quota of red steel keeps flowing to the Abyss, that is. DESCRIPTION. The terrain is harsh and rocky around Ironheart, with narrow streams and righ mesas. Scrabbly plants cling to the parched earth, and wind stirs up clouds of dust that cover a body and clog his throat. The air is hot and dry, and rain is infrequent. The population is comparativly small for the Outlands, only about 5000 souls. The original settlers were farmers and ranchers, who irrigated and worked the ground until it could support them and their stock. Increasingly however, it's become a mining town, attracting prospectors and laborers both. The fever for Abyssal steel runs hot. Ironheart itself is organized along a packed earth main street, which supports both the business and entertainment "district". Heading Spireward takes a body into what remains of the farms and pastures. Hinterwise brings travellers to the main mining shaft and the refineries. They're hard to miss; slag poisons the land, and run-off pollutes the water, while the stacks belch reddish smoke day and night. MILITIA. Ironheart's constable is Cockerel Singegear (Pl/Rogue Modron/F8/N), a slow talking entity who prefers to be left alone. His mere presence is usually enough to keep things peaceful, and his skill with sword-gun and dagger ensures it. When necessary, he is also authorized to press into service anyone who is both handy and armed. SERVICES. Abyssal red steel, plenty of it, and anything to do with it. The reasons are dark, but the town somehow sits on one of the richest veins of the ore outside the Abyss (chant is that this part of the Outlands was actually once a piece of the Abyss that slipped). Even after Ironheart ships out it's quota to Plague-Mort, there's still plenty left. Gunpowder (a non-magical smokepowder-like substance) is also manufactured here, making Ironheart a reliable source for flintlock firearms and combination weapons (especially sword-guns and axe-guns).

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