EDA TAU Gi.0 ag ATONE OMA NTA EOS NBL Ae A el Beco eke UD yn) Pence UD e Ty Sea eas Ome a ee BO ae Ce NUE ied_ at rt Pr a NEU buildings and the all-new MORPHER monster type: www.monsterpocalypse.com four small figures that become one giant monster!(nthe Cover Rui ro THe Frowr Line wy Murtonneap Murronttean (atso KNOWN AS SEAN A. MURRAY) IS A PROFESSIONAL CONCEPT ARTIST AND FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR CURRENTLY RESIDING IN BALTIMORE, ACCORDING TO THE BUS-STOP BENC Marviann: “THE Greatest Crry IN AMERICA” 'S. MUTTONHEAD HAS APPEARED IN SPECTRU AND ALSO PLACED IN THE ‘Tor 20 1N LAST YEAR'S DoMINANcE War II 2D competition. YOu CAN CHECK OUT MORE OF HIS WORK ON CREDITS MURRAY.COM. Leary ed Person Ed “I'm not an alien” Bourelle lets his disguise drop for a moment reveal his true identity. The photographer was promptly disintegrated seer this picture wa pa ere eee ras re sxeral members of the design team for unknown reasons, possibly for President: Sherry Yeary # Creative Director: Matt Wileon # Project Director: Bryan Cater # Proje Lead Developer: Jason Soles # Art Director +t Manager: Ed Bourelle # Kris Aubin # Development: Rob Stoddard * Production Manager: Mark Christensen # Studio Director: Ron Kruzie No Quarter Magazine nt opgright 201 200 Privateer Pree In. All igh rere Alrdemark hrs of Fcton apy roemlanc octal peopl organization place ot events i those works Editor-in-Chief: Es Creative Director: Matt Wilson Hobby Content Manager: Rob Hawkins Editorial Manager: Darla Kennerud ng: Sheelin Arnaud , Debra D. Ott RPG Design: Doug Seacat Playtest Coordinator: David ‘DC’ Carl Continuity Ealitor: Jason Soles Graphic Ds Josh Manderville, Stuart Spengler Ed Bourelle, Michael Faciane, Studio Miniatures Painting: Matt DiPietro, Ron Kruzie Con ‘Todd Arrington, Simon Berman, David Boeren, Colin Chapman, Kevin Clark, Ambrose Coddington, Adam Creighton & Emergent ume Technologies, Marcos Cronander, David Dauterive, Matt DiPeitro, Lavar Fache, Rob Hawkins, Adam Huenecke, Luke Johnson, Andrew Linstrom, Pat Ohta, Adam Poitier Brian Putnam, Rick Rogerwall, Douglas Seacat, Florian Sttz, Rob Stoddard, Chris Suhre lustrations: Chippy, Eric Deschamps, Jesper Ejsing, Jeremy Jarvis, Muttonhead, Brian Snoddy, Florian Stitz, Andrea Uderzo, Chris Walton, Matt Wilson, Kieran Yanner oy Lbs Te Ga Pat No Carterpring has sprung! And not only springs, but also cogs, wheels, axles, are nodes, and rcane compensators. As the Year of the Gear grinds along, we've been touching on the various bits of mechanika and industries that makes the Iron Kingdoms so unique. This issue continues the trend with a veritable parts bin full of articles discussing mechanika in its various forms. First off, we'll be taking a look at one of the most iconic images of the Iron Kingdoms in this issue — railroads and trains. Unlike most fantasy settings, the Iron Kingdoms doesn’t shy away from industrial progress. And by progress, we mean massive steam- powered iron horses riding the rails throughout the war-ravaged landscape of the setting! You'll find out how locomotives are changing the Iron Kingdoms, especially the war efforts ofall the parties involved which should provide plenty of fodder campaign. What about gobli robbery? Or a murder mystery on the Korsk-Skirov bandits runaing a traia line with Greylords as your primary suspects? ‘Those trains have to cross rivers'sometimes, right? To help get it (or your miniatures) from point A to point B, our Terrain Building article features an amazing piece done by Ambrose Coddington —a fully functional mechanika drawbridge! Check out www. privateerpress.com/noquarter for a video of this bridge working in all its glory. , the WARMACHINE Mk I field test will be complete and our team will be With the release of this iss sifting through a virtual mound of notes, thoughts, suggestions, and critiques —needless to say, we're not letting David "DC" Carl out of his chair until it’ all done (donations of food and support for DC are ly appreciated). Hopefully all of you had a chance to download the rules and take them out for a spin to grea see how Mk II is going to work. Your feedback was, critical for making the final tweaks and polish to make WARMACHINE Mk I truly superior, That said, Ido want to stress that until the release of WARMACHINE: Prime Ak II next yean, WARMACHL land. All tournaments and events sponsored by Prime Remix is still the law of the Privateer Press, along with content in No Quarter, will continue to use the current rules until the new book hits the streets, Some of you may already be playing the Mk II rules exclusively at the moment~ that's fine! Just remember that what you saw in the field test may not be exactly what will end up in the final product. To help ease the transition between these two versions, we'll be including a few articles in future issues on some of the key changes and the new point costs for MK I Speaking of new and exciting, check out “Mangled ‘Metal” on page 64 for a look at how the world of WARMACHIN teamed up with Emergent Game Technolog going digital! Privateer Press has Inc to translate the look, feel, and metal-crushing action of the miniatures game onto the computer screen. For those of you lucky enough to have made it to the Game Developers Conference (GDC) this year, you had a chance to see the demo in action. Although this doesn't mean that there is a WARMACHINE video ‘game (yet), it dies mean that the door is open a Full. fledged title in the fu There's also plenty of love for Monsterpocalypse Alt Your Base. The second series of the line guarantees to players with the release of Monusenpocalypue Serie: make your games even more cataclysmic, with new rules and units. This isn't even the half of it I'l just y that we have some BIG plans for Afonsterpclyp sehich you'll be hearing about in the very wear future. Asalways, Play Like You've Got a Pair! Erie Cagle — Editor-In-ChiefTABLE % CONTENTS Issue Ilo. 24 Fire in the Hole 2 Letter from the Editor-in-Chief Bosun’s Call 4 Letters to the Editor and general’shenanigans. News From the Front 5 Events and important news from around the world New Releases 7 The latest Privateer Press products for May and June Full Metal Challenge: A Hex on Hexeris 9 Can you bring down the voodoo or a hex on Hexeris? 10 Locomotives and railroads are the lifeblood of the Iron Kingdoms Battle Report: Bridge to Nowhere 20 Cygnar and Skorne (with plenty of mercs) fight for a drawbridge Terrain Building: Working Mechanika Bridge 38 Create your own functional drawbridge terrain piece! Modeling and Painting: Female Faces, Hair, and Skin 46 Turn your female models into supermodels Painting Challenge: Bodged Together Challenge 50 Bash together a warjack or warbeast with whatever parts you have The Wave of the Future: Plastic Models 5 A look at our new plastic models, including prep and priming Secrets of the Front Line: Protectorate of Menoth 55 Faith forms just one of the cornerstones of the Protectorate army Mangled Metal 64 The WARMACHINE universe gets a digital treatment! Glitch in the System 68 Is your steamjack acting a bit...pecular? ‘Jack quirks and flaws The Pendrake Encounters: The Efaarit z The skorne aren‘t the only civilizations roaming the marches. Champions of the Untamed Wilds 76 Integrating Metamorphosis models into your HORDES forces Guts and Gears: Harrower 80 Reap what you sow (souls; that is) with the Harrower The Gavyn Kyle Files: Grissel Bloodsong 86 Her voice is one of blood, honor, and victory for the trollkin Parts Bin A look at individual parts available in the Privateer Press Store Drawn & Quartered / Player Gallery 3 IK inspired comic and some of the best fan-based paint jobs around“SS b ae ee had a question about the exotic Kingdoms? Now you can himself, Professor Viktor Pendrake, Look for Pendrake” Qe3As in upe: (Qi Hiss any research been had into the cephalyx cheir overlords, or their enmity with Cytiss A: Sadly our knowled in que the Q: What do trolkin whe Ian xy are or were human, bu As Like the troll that it came from? Really, I gett this theory is based on very little. As to their rumored questions rather more often than I think is proy ntagonism with the cult of Cyriss, l expect that either this is a serious field of scientific enquiry. Everything the Cyriss worshipers or the xc have an unhealth yb wild i Twould never encourage anyone to risk thei if confronting these c That said, were a fully intac Peper Pe : also not dine cephalyx porus to arrive on my doorstep at Corvis University, I would find some use for it eee pode rrr -essforums.comNEWS FRONT News From the Front brings you recaps and advance information about WARMACHINE and HORDES related events from around the world. Is there a cool event taking place in your area? Tell us about it at: editor.in.chief@privateerpress.com. TEMPLE CON 2009 j Pirates + Steampunk = Good 2009 — Over 150 players braved the Jand winter to descend upon Temple Con in Providence, RI for three full days of Privateer jaming madness! and HORDES fans came from all over the country (and even farther) to play in five different tournaments, including two Midnight Madness events and an official Hardcore tournament Kevin Clark. In ll, 48 players battled it out in Hardcore, many of them already exhausted from he Midnight Madness event that had ended just hours earlier at dawn. Players entered in any of the tournaments also were entered ina raflleto play against Press Gang Quartermaster Dan Biggie” Brandt. In this "Beat the Quartermaster” event, players competed to see who could deliver the meanest full ge and hi wack & metal beatdown to B Mercenaries. The prize: a studio-painted Bran C ers looking for more casual games did not have to scrounge for ables. Over a dozen beautifully crafted tables ‘What an ron Kingdoms adventoring group shoud lok ike. ‘complete with scenery were available for ongoing Eternal War matches and friendly pickup games. Monsterocalype players weren't eft out either. Pickup games could be found throughout the weekend, culminating in an official Press Gang-ran Sunday! No Quarter Magazine had a few minutes to talk with Temple Con co-founder rant Garvin. “We're thrilled to have Privateer Press as the flagship of our ‘Temple Con is not just another miniatures ganting gaming convention. We aim to provide a high> ‘quality environment in which people can play the highest quality games, Just looking around at our minis hall is amazing. The visual impact ofall these tables and armies is just incredible, All of us on staff are huge Privateer fans, and the Northeast is home to one of the best WARMACHINE and HORD! ‘world. 2010 is going to be even bigger, better, and erazier! ‘communities in the Keep watching www-templecon.org for details throughout the yearbg @AVAU UO Od a ERPOCALYPSE SERIE: here has been a huge amount of dis ‘monsters have boen hiding, P BOIS) on EEA PANIC IOS sit our online store toy at httpdstore privateerpress.com or come soe your Monsterpalyoe Series 2:1 Chop XY NI Privateer Press, Inc. nd World Event Productions, Ltd. are prov to announce an agreement giving Privateer Press rights to license the widely hiserse for Privateers bit collectible miniatures lerpocalypue. The new set is expected to release in early 2010 and will feature iconie characters from the classe Vainon animated se Matt Wilson, Privateer Press’ Chief Creative Olficer and creator, said about the goal of being able tof est stars from our Favorite films and TV shows that have done so much to inspire the creation ofthe game. Along. ‘with millions of other fans since Voltron hit our airwaves in the 80s, we «at Privateer have all been in love with that indomitable Defender of the Universe, and we couldn't be more thrilled to see Voltron asthe very first media celebrity to be featured in Mon ents, added, “WEP nterocatype and Voliron together Tiffany Tari, Ma is excited to bring 3g Direetor of World exclusively o further immerse themselves in the mythology and magic of Valtron W's perfect fi tive Director for WEP. Jeremy Corray; C and head geek, concluded, => ee DEFENDER OFTHE UNIVERSE “Privateer Press’ passion for play and devotion to detail will deliver, lor the first time ever, a Valirn-themed tabletop game that will llow anyone bbchind the Lion to Form Blazing Sword! on wild new Robeast creations that fit perfectly in the Afonvtrpasalyue world. We can't wait! m celebrates its 25th anniversary as a global animated icon and the brand builds towards including a big-budget live-action movie om the scale of Thunsformer. Join the celebration at wwrvltran.com lore information regarding pricing and release dates, as well as news regarding the Jonsterwealype Voltron set, willbe fannounced as it becomes available on www.monsterpocalypse.com. More information on other WEP properties can be found at woww.wep.comkore Mouk Karn Caracter Cycrors Heavy WARBEAST Molik Karn has borne the psingivers’ lash and leared to obey, but his will has never been broken. His service to Makeda extends beyond mere slavery: he has some deeper loyalty to her and brings the full force of his deadly strength and barbaric nature to fight at her side. He truly isa eyclops lord —a giant of his species, cunning despite his brutishness Scutrror: Benorr Coss ¢ PIP 74037 * $27.99 LeGion oF Everpticn Tyron Craracter HEAvy Wakneast This truly monstrous creature bears litle resemblance to any beast arisen in nature. tis the organic consequence of a malevolent intelligence bent on creating weapons spawned ofits own blood, Flesh, and bone. Each ofits three heads moves of ts own ace secking victims to rip apart with powerful jaws or breathi concentrated streams of superheated ash. r Grace * PLP 73035 * $49.99 Scutpror: Ji Circte Ornoros SHapownorN Satyr Heavy WaRBEAST The shadowhorn breed of satyr has entered the fray with enthusiasm. They are of mone lender build than the stockier gnarihorn, but their energetic personalities are leven more aggressive, and they often display savage glee when closing with the enemy Their nimble athleticism makes them capable of impressive feats, such momentum of an attacker agains ic Scutrror: Jason Hericxs * PIP 72036 * $37.99oraTE Exepiar Bastion Unit Box xcemplars learn to fight within the impossibly heavy bastion armor. The bond each Exemplar Bastion shares with his brothers in arms 1 as injuries wear them down, Their endu nts him their strengt take up thei Menoth to despai Scutrror: Topp Harris & Sra BULLOUGH * PIP 32058 * $44.99 laives, their eyes lit with inner flame, and march forward imperturbable ‘TRoLLaLoo HorrHoL LonG Raper CHAMPION Character Drat Scupror: Steve SauNpers * PIP 71038 * $39.99 oe Heavy WARREAST Megalith’s eyes glove with somethin the will ofits master, something akin to self-awaren ath sometimes wanders where it believes itself most needed, woldward shrugging off enemy attacks. ‘ScuLPTor: ARAGORN Marks * PIP 72035 * $35.99 " si ceebaeslice re Ea allowing them to advance together as crashing wall whileLer CMe Li Petes are tat yin Angelis er Brat ees oo co ro The Challenge: With Hexeris’ Gladiator destryed, he Reiser ck rioninge rar wvith Lylyh’s heavy warbeaste are growing Revie dete cally put the presrore ‘on Islyth herself by running a swarm of DDeathonached Praetorian tweard her. He a ae a Sefenes for birelP and Tis arheass against both ranged and melee ack ying to save this turn and then Peper cath te Practocins ‘nbn his own melee and magic arsenal ia Be” Figere ot how tout Hone plane shor apd lestvy hi this ten, 1 ~ The Setup: Heer’ deensive postion consists of himeelt Bete with 2 fury an Agonizce with {fry thaeused Cnswing Pain wo lower the d idipabilies of any Legion warbeass tha Pepe slaet (thc, and Kees with 2 fury hat weed Parlstic Aura last turn to protect Peat crel rom ange stacks. The RR eaet Dente arx positioned to prevent the "Gaoricean trom engaging Hexeris Meters fel ie and 2 fry, Hexeris ook are. poston himself outside of the 12 iting threat range ofthe Angelus. The Pettis bes datnaged: es miesing ited and fs pts marked in brah 5 PPE Aes suite damaged, with pts MD acitan boly The Beste and Agoniver are undamaged. The Kren use pate ek priual Paralysis onthe pe bast Ragy HE Anges A giyth 2 the Angelus has suffered ie dari the rgd, but they ha change range tothe Carnivean and Ai raced baste and cid no damage to cither ofthe 7 Paes trjing to erente a Uockade. The Argctiva posiion with what frees he ba pot Lylyth in a dangerous poston that wil iob Lylyth’s forces would need to fight their way ene essere eer eee through his ayers of definse ane ieerlereies dt himetfin must how easily the Le ule ‘emBy Simon Berman * Art by Muttonhead, Chippy, Chris Walton, and Matt Wilson Map by Ed Bourelle Neier inmotion bs ebanaed th fae of water mmaren ore than he team engine Steam power is best known for its direct applications in warfare: a mighty wanjack crashing through lines of ‘roops belching smoke from its chimneys, is usually th frat image people get when they think ofthe Iron Kingdoms, for good reason. However, the team engine’ role bas been pivotal in both warfare and industry. ‘The New Iron Road Literally changing the continent, rsilroad tracks extend thousands of miles across Caen, Cygnars modern ril connects much ofthe country: and Khador has rapidly extended its own lines to etter use the resources o its recent conquests. With no end in sight to the great wars, the need to expand the raibways grows ever greater and each year more citos are connected t their nations great il ines “The rail boom in the Iron Kingdoms is a relatively recent phenomenon. The earliest serious rail system was a Khardic experiment witha fixed track connecting a mining depot in Skirov to the refineries located in Korsle. This line was composed of small rail tracks laid down between mills and lumber operations in the north, Laborers used these wooden tracks to push carts of lumber short distances with teams of oxen walking a parallel path. The Korsk-Skirov line was simply an extrapolation of this concept, These rails were made of iron: the eross-ties remained wood. To help with drainage, the rails were built on elevated ballast. Ths early railway almost 27 years to build and was completed in 478 AR, rook A crowd of hundreds gathered in Korsk to witness the launch of the Korsks, the first steam-powered locomotive. This primitive ‘engine could pull 30 tons with « maxithum speed of 16 miles an hour: The Korsk-Skiroy line was approximately 218 miles long, and the Korsksa could make this trip in roughly 15 hours—a journey that had previously taken more than a week. Those kayazy who had previously sneered a the project were soon scrambling to take advantage of the economic opportunities it unlocked. Both the Cygnaran military and the Steam & Iron Workers Union took note. Tracks connecting Caspa to Stechwater Flats were completed in just afew decades. From there Cygnar chioved a miracle of engineering unsurpassed since. The 78 miles between Steehwater Flats and Ironhead Station are some ofthe most mountainous in Cygna instead of taking a tortuous route berween the two cites, the Cygnaran mili corps and the Steam & Iron Workers Union instead opted to Grill tunnel diretly through the mountains. When the line was completed in 577 AR, 60 miles ofthe track ran underground. The ine Caspian was the ist to run the lin, bearing load of 0 rons in jst under four hours. With this fast andl powerful engine, ‘he rail boom in western Immoren tuly began.‘Tracks of the Swan-Cygnar's Railways Tupi ae tle ete Peter a Va Fossa ere te ee eee eee Ty eR eee eerie epee steam engine atts fore, Atop the engine are the chimney i eave cote Tee ee thats ea eel eee aes el (Ge pan ele tee et aT acict od i te ae ee ie nga eee er ere ire haat? locomotive Forward. A variety of instruments allows the ice an eee ces ar ea shateetbeslameneelabtdteioe ofan attack The railways pass through dangerous frontiers, so the engine is typically the most heavily armored car in the train. Dense armor plating covers every surface, and the train's nose huge (and often sharpened) cattle-catcher to push aside any obstructions. terminates in either massive iron bumpers o Usually, behind the engine « passenger car serves as the barracks and bunker forthe rail wardens (or the Winter Guard, who perform a similar role in Khador) accompanying, the train on its journey. On trains that transport military hardware and regularly travel near the war fronts this ear might be fitted with of single rotating cannon turret. It also halds a weapons locker, along with folding bunks for the men to sleep in shifts ‘Typically almost a quarter of this caris occupied by a single ‘warjack that is marshaled by one ofthe train's dedicated ‘or more mouinted swivel guns or 8 cengincors. Usually this is a heavy steamjack, capable of assisting with bor or armed with a cannon to assist in dofense. When notin use, the warjack sits on a reinforced platform with an adjacent ramp for rapid deployment. Alter the barracks ear begins the string of ears comprising the train’ freight. Depending on the nature ofthe line, anything from grain and ore to troops and private passengers ean be found aboard. Almost every train carries at least afew kinds of freight more than ane poor configuration has seen a passenger car tle car directly ahead oft. I the train is traveling close to an active front or otherwise expecting to meet ‘endure the odor of « hostile forces, barracks cars appear intermittently among the freight. This is also done when the train is carrying a particularly precious cargo like a consignment of warjack cortexes At the rear is a caboose, typically used as a final barracks and armory as well as sleeping quarters forthe train's civilian crew. (On heavily armed trains, sometimes a second steamjack and its attendant mechanics also occupy this ca Passenger Cars ‘Though hauling people from one place to another might scem natural use for trains, the concept has taken some time to catch on. Most trains in Cygnar and Khador were “originally intended exclusively for shipping freight and military supplies Ironically it was the escalation of war abroad that facilitated the wider adoption of passenger fares, made possible after entre cars were designed to rush soldiers to the fron lines or reallocated from one army to another Before this, passengers often had to make do with whatever limited space was availabe, which was usually less than ideal for long travel. Given the speed of the ral ines, customers were willing © pay For such space, but now passengers buy space on military personnel cars that would otherwise run empty. Travel plans can be preempted without warning, however ifthe Cygnaran or Khadoran armies require the ‘room. Combined with ever-rising fare prices, this uncertainty causes most thrifiy citizens 19 choose slower but more affordable road and river transportation.Steelwater Ral has considered placing a second engine at the need to turn on eal tables at rear of a train to precluded smaller depots. The considerable expense and additional weight, however, will likely delay this innovation for some time. Cygnar’s railroads are extensive and have become a part of everyday life for many ofthe kingdom's people. The nation bboasts the most advanced railroads and steam locomotives in ‘western Immoren despite the infighting between its competing private rail companies. ‘Most of the engines and lines are privately owned by Cygnar’s ‘wo largest rail companies, the Caspian Railway Society and Steclwater Rail, though a handel of smaller companies control bbranch lines. All these companies are serviced by the Steam & Iron Workers Union, who receive contracts far engine creation and maintenance ‘Steelwater Rail is Cygnar's oldest rail company, and its iconic red: ‘Cygnaran railroad power. The company dominates most immed and hunter-green engines have come to define Freight rails in the kingdom and sill controls the lines most used by Cygnar’s military, making it vital interest to the ‘employers of mercenaries for security: Although the crown attaches ry support to crit Army is generally willing o trust the rail wardens Steelwater Rail keeps asa private militia. The company also designed the standard-gauge tracks used by most ofthe smaller rail ‘companies in the kingdom. shipments, the Cygn: The Caspian Railway Society grew out of a disparate coalition ‘of steam workers and shipping interests, In its first years Caspian Rail was almost destroyed by Steelwater Rail, which ‘engaged in shameless sabotage and disruption against it. Open hostilities and bloodshed became alarmingly regular. The ‘crown stepped in and mediated a truce between the companies, seeking to use Caspian Rail as a wedge in its own negotiations ‘with Steelwater Rail, Caspian Rail has interests in all aspects of the railroad industry bbuthas found its niche transporting perishable freight. I played a clever game against Steehwater Rail to gain control of td c most lucrative grain and livestock contracts out of Bainsmarket and now virtually controls the "Market Line’ running to Caspia. In response, Steelwater Rail sptefully Cygnar’s railroads are extensive and have become a part of everyday life for many of the kingdom’s people. crown. Though company olficers might sometimes complain about military interference, Cyynar’s treasury pays quite wel, as obliged by long-standing contracts. Based out of the lakeside town of Steelwater Flats, Steelwater Rail arose out of mechanil shops and other steam workers who had won bids on the early line to connect the town with Caspia, The conglomerate eventually consolidated into a single company with aspirations to monopolize all of Cygnar’s railways. Steelwater Rail has centered its operations on industrial freight, and the bulk ofits ralears are designed to transport ore and other minerals The company has undisputed private control ‘overall freight ral traffic from Caspia to Orven and from Steelwater Flats to Ramarck. Although they do not technically monopolize the industry, the vast majority of Cygnae’s mineral swealth now moves on Steelwater Ral tains —a reality the CCygnaran crown occasionally has cause to lament. The ‘company's wealth has made it intractable in negotiations and spurred allegations of war profitering in recent years. Despite their obvious greed, Steelwater Rail does have a reputation for elfciency and innovation. They take great pains to keep their shipments on time and are one of the most regular refused to continue their planned line connecting to Point Bourne, an opportunity Caspian Rail gleefully snatched. Connection with Point Bourne provided trade profits from the Dragon's Tongue port, which Caspian Rail quickly used to Fund its new passenger rail trains. In control of the Point Bourne rail depots, Caspian Rail is poised to attempt to lay the long-desired Ceryl connection. In late 607 AR the Church of Morrow finally agreed to the crown's request ta help fund the creation ofthis the difficult terrain of the Cloutsdown Fen and the dense ine, but ‘woods of the Gnarls represent considerable obstacles ~to say nothing of the numerons hostile trllkin who make their home in the Gnarls, Even with all the coin in Cygnar, the Point Bourne-Ceryl line might prove to be a pipe dream. Given these problems, Steelwater Rail has made a counteroffer to the Church of Morrow for a connection from Ceryl to Orven, Although this route would be longer and in some wayss more challenging, it would avoid the hostile trollkin of the Gnarls and would also directly connect Caspia and Ceryl, Cygnar’s two largest cities. Stechvater's cause might find a champion in the church primarch, who hails from Orven and would like tosee his city prosper. The possiblity ofa rail connection toCeryl has prompted envious muttering in Corvis, which will likely continue to rely on river trade unless the military decides to take a more direct interest, ‘Thanks to Caspian Rail, Cygnar now has the only dedicated passenger train in western Immoren, the Rayal Diligence, though even its periodically co-opted to transport soldiers, Steelweater Rail was quick to expand passenger service on its own lines in response, but its passenger cars are both less comortable and available on fewer routes than is competitor. Private ral travel i still somewhat expensive, but for a moderate price any citizen can travel from Caspia all the way to Bainsmarket ina single day and night. Previously this 428-mile trip could take more than two weeks. Caspian Rail and its blue-gray engines with gold trim have captured the imagination of the Cygnaran people, Although small owns and villages along the Market Line are eager to build stations, Caspian Rail has Final authority over where it will place facilities. Furthermore, the current wars make passenger rail uncertain. With the recent loss of the © Thornwood, Point Bourne and Corvis have become vital cities _ tothe Cygnaran Army, and the military traflic heading to these ‘estinations has placed a strain on rail travel. Even so, passenger zail is increasingly a larger part of Caspian Rails business, and the company is expanding service wherever possible. ‘The Iron Highway—Railroads of Khador ‘The Khadoran Empire olten suffer from a conservative approach to new technology, instead setling to expand on existing ideas, [Fa mortar works well it reasons, an even bigger mortar will work even better: When the rail boom in the Iron Kingdoms began, however, Khador was fortunate to have ‘Simonyev Blaustavya as its regent. ‘Simonyev was already familiar with the benefits of rail as head of the Blaustavya Shipping Company and used his position to expand and modernize his country’s infrastructure as quickly as possible. Though Khador pioncered the first rail line, progress stalled for several decades after the costly Coin War in Lael Having heard of the success of Cygnas Caspian andl the rapid track-laying occurring in both Cygnar and Rhul, Bluustavya strongly suggested that his fellow kayazy make ita priority to fund rail expansion. Despite several train accidents in the rush to catch up to the other kingdoms, the Khardov-to-Ohk line was completed in 601 AR, Dubbed the “Iron Highway," this line packed thousands of rural Khadorans uncomfortably ‘onto cargo cars and hauled them to the nation’s modern cities. ‘The majority ofthese former peasants found work as factory laborers and helped fuel the Khadoran war machine Granted the ttle of great vizier, Blaustavya remains a trusted advisor to Empress Vanar, who has seen for herself the huge impact the railroads have had on her nation and continues te have them improved ancl expanded. She and most of the kayazy consider passenger ral a trivial project and waste of 1 finances, Blaustavya, however, has quietly encouraged some passenger projects by independent rail companies. Asin (Cygnar, cars originally For passenger use, tended to move soldiers easily convert Blaustavya Shipping & Rail (BS&R) controls the bulk of rail operations in Khador, with Khorsk-Khardov Railworks Konsortium and BS&R‘s sister company Troykyev Tron & ‘Steam keeping their shares. The Khadoran government is ‘more interested in results than personal wealth, and these companies have been known to engage in some of the scurrilous dealings and sabotage tha plague Cygnars rail interests. Sil, cheir rivalries are subtle, and what violence does bbreak out between them is almost always masked as the work of Cygnaran spies and agent provocateur. ‘This control from the top has given Khador the ability to lay new track and create Functioning rail lines faster than any ‘other nation. With th fall of Llel, BS&R leaped to integrate the occupied territe fewer than four years, the new "Umbrean Line” connects Korsk with Laedry by way of Rorschik and work continues apace to connect Merywyn as well. This massive project has cost the tate a staggering weight in bullion and the lives of hundreds of workers, many of whom were prison laborers. ‘The largest steam trainin all of Immoren, the Khardic Colossal swith Khador’s rail ine, Completed in was the first engine o run the line and greatly impressed the inhabitants of Lacdey. The Umbrean Line has proved a boon to Khador's efforts in occupied Lael and was instrumental in supplying troops to the siege that broke Northguard and culminated in the annexation of the Thornwood. ‘The Umbrean Line is now regularly serviced by the Might of Korsk. Although not as massive as the Khardiec Colossal this new engine and its sister Empire's Pride are the frst of a new kind of Khadoran steam locomotive. BS&R has funded a great deal of research into more efficient steam boilers and fireboxes, and this new class represents the fruit oftheir labor The fireboxes are still oversized, but some of Blaustavya's innovations to increase pressure might be applied to warjack boilers in the near Futur. These new engines maintain the old design philosophy of heavy armor and weaponry: sabotage has plagued Khadr's tran ines since the most recent war in 604 AR began. Because of BSR’ close ties tothe Khadoran High Kommand, the Khadoran military protects the rails more than in Cygnar, even going 40 far as to create specialized rail wardens called the Khadoran Rail Korps. These units use barracks cars as mobile fortresses and have become adept at fighting on moving tain. Ther blunderbusses have sent more than one {group of Llaclese rebels running into the Forests, dragging their wounded and dead behind them. The battle mechanics assigned to attend to the trains are sometimes given an okd -warjack ifone can be spared from the font and they prefer the Destrayer chassis for such duty: Given the unpredictable nature of sabotaged tacks o other ambushes, the Ral Korps highly values the versatility of che Destroyer. THEEKhador has also experimented with using the trains themselves as weapons of war, When Kossite scouts observed a Llaclese ‘rebel camp in a small eapse of woods on the Umbrean plains, the Lady Ayn and its tremendous cannon were sent to shell the area. Many rebels were killed outright, and the rest were ‘lushed into the open where they svere quickly dealt with by the men and women of the Rail Korps. Rail in Rhul The clans of Rhul used a vast series of connected mine carts for centuries before taking notice of the human nations new railroads, The Rhulfolk immediately recognized the utility of modera ral and began building an expanded rail eystem with a speed that astonished their neighbors, ‘The three-pronged set of lines connecting Ghord with Griddenguard, Groddenguard, and Ulgar swore completed in less than a decade. A miracle of engineering and efficiency, the original Rhuli lines crossed over and under the huge mountains of their land. Rhulic Rail’ frst locomotive made the journey to and from Ghord in 575 AR, ‘Two more projects were begun after the completion of Rhul's firs three lines, but oly one hhas been completed. The Ghord-Drotuhn line lays ‘incomplete only 50 miles from Drotuhs. In the spring of 607 AR two separate track-laying crews vanished while working in valley in the Boroknn Mountains. A division of Hammerfall troops accompanied the third crew clispatched. They found a handful of survivors who spoke of atrocious monsters liring near the unfinished tracks. ‘The moot in Ghord correctly surmised these were the same blighted horrors that had begun to plague other parts of their nation. Work on the line is indefinitely on hold, but it is only a matter of time before the moot ass a large task force to clear the way forthe rail to be finished. sa warcaster and ‘The Ulgar-Brunder line, however, was completed ahead of schedule. Ths line is perhaps the most impressive in all of Rhul. The bridge over the Ayeres River is a marvel of Rhoulic engineering. When the rail moves to the south it rans parallel tothe shore of the Armadeep far most ofits length before & second massive bridge crosses the Flectsfill River and the line terminates in Brunder ‘The next major project under consideration is a southern line that would connect Ghord with Hammerfall, Connecting Rhul's vost important fortress with the rest of is major cites would bean obvious boon, but the terran itselfis extremely dificul. Between the capital andthe citadel le some of the deepest ravines and hardest stone inal of Rhul, to say nothing ofthe dangerous wildlife lurking i that region. If his line is ever completed, i will open the way for rail to be extended on to Horgenbold and Hellspsss. Plans are already being considered to connect Farhollow and Ulgar. Rhul could be the fist ofthe Iron Kingdoms to have all ts major cities connected by railway, though some clan lords insist Farhallow is too remote and insignificant to make this worth the effort.Its multiple chimneys, light-bluc paint, and the on its front make it one of massive gold the defining images of Cygnar. Rhulls trains share many similarities with Khadr's: they are heavily armored and loaded with dedicated troops. The strangely large doors and troop ramps oftheir railcars stand apart, though. These make sense given the large population of ‘gran that ma to the vehicles forthe dwarves’ larger brethren. ce up Rhul’s population: they provide eagy entry ‘The mountains of Rhul host a wide variety of hostile and predatory creatures. Trolls, deegg, and Farrow tribes are ‘common throughout the region, and stranger creatures like