Steel Accord

Founded upon beliefs of scientific advancement and the practical usage of magic, the **Steel Accord**, known in their tongue as **Das Stahl Abkommen**, invites industrious minds to join in their unending quest for knowledge, power and profit.

## City of Steam

Radially spreading across the south-east of the continent, Schwarzgarten extends its iron grip, an unstoppable shadow obfuscating the untouched wilderness with metal and steam and the pervasive stench of industry.

## Races

All are welcome to join the Accord, as long as they possess dedication and coin.

Some of the most influential or oldest bloodlines in the Accord are elven or human (who often trace their lineage to the Nornbloods).

Many goblins find themselves joining the Accord, driven by their natural avarice.

Important Individuals: The current Eisenkaiser, Ludwig, is quite young and recently crowned, leading to his nicknames ‘Eisenkinder’ and ‘Kinderkaiser’ and the 'Konsortium', the heads of the major companies in the city.

## Arcane Implementation

Stahlites are unafraid of magic and those who practice it. In fact, they often seek out powerful mages to employ, making use of their aptitude to better their society via experimental use of the arcane.

In addition to typical casting, Kompanies venture into alchemy (the chemical transmutation of matter, altered and enhanced by magical methods) and runic carving (the coalescence of arcane programming and mechanical apparatuses).

Recently, there have been studies conducted regarding certain elusive secrets of Traversus, such as psionics and the phenomenon referred to as ‘witchbreed’.

## Leaders of Industry

Outsiders are led to believe that the Steel Accord is led by the **Eisenkaiser,** an inherited title held by the current figurehead of the accord. The current Eisenkaiser, Ludwig von Schwarzgarten II, is quite young and recently enthroned, leading to his nicknames ‘Eisenkinder’ and ‘Kinderkaiser’.

In truth, the Steel Accord is governed by an oligarchically-elected committee known as the **Konsortium**. Members can 'buy' their seat, bidding upon one when a current 'Vorsitzende' retires, passes or decides to auction their place.

Though the Eisenkaiser is officially the head of state, their power has been eroded by the Konsortium's influence, and now serves mainly as a figurehead within the leadership structure. The Eisenkaiser does, however, reserve the right to make executive orders regarding war, as they are the head of the Accord's official military. However, even this relative power is being diminished as more funds are directed into maintaining a vast network of sellswords known as the Gilded Auctioneers.

## The Richest Blood

The wealthiest families in the Accord are referred to as **Luxusveins,** and often hold seats on the Konsortium, or else some measure of political sway within the nation. Some examples of Luxusvein families include:

**Von Falconstaad-** Alchemical developers and producers, the Von Falconstaad family are forerunners in the advancement of potion crafting and poison brewing.

## Currency

Due to the popular (and nowhere near untrue) assertion that ‘money holds the Accord together’, the people of the Steel Accord refer to their money as ‘rivets’. They are small coins made from black iron, a rare metal found in mountains near Schwarzgarten, and have imprinted upon them their year of production written in Old Norn as well as a magic rune that can be used to detect counterfeits.

## Cuisine

Stahlite cuisine often has been labeled as stodgy and fatty, which can be attributed to the lack of variety in the rural countryside of the Accord.

A long tradition of sausage-making exists in the Accord; more than 1,500 different types of sausage, referred to as 'wurst', are made.

## Fashion

The working class of the Accord typically dress pragmatically, with greys and blacks that are easy to wash and won't show the stains of oil and labour. Typically folks will wear large coats, scarves and gloves due to the cold weather in the region, with singlets and overalls underneath, breathable clothing for working long hours in forges. Additionally, most citizens own gas masks and wear them often to avoid the pollution of the city, as well as in case of peacekeeping efforts/military experiments by the Konsortium's military which typically involve airborne chemical weapons.

Luxusvein fashion reflects the tenets of the Accord: Forward thinking and advancement. Many outrageous and inventive designs can be seen, with popular trends lasting a few moons at the most. Exotic fabrics and unusual materials are imported to be incorporated into the dress of the wealthy.

## Art

Many artists choose to depict abstract depictions, contrasting the grim and industrial environment they live in. Many rare pigments are used in painting, as well as scavenged or imported materials used to make collages.

The most popular type of music in the Accord is jazz. The eccentric and unpredictable rhythms and morphing musicality appeals to the forward-thinking minds of the Stahlites, and many citizens create their own brass instruments and percussive devices to join in the songs that ring out from the factories.