The Iron Alliance

The Iron Empire, formerly known as The Iron Alliance, is a decentralized monarchy located on the lands around the western opening of The Euphrates Strait and the newly integrated lands of the Iron Raiders. Nation covers seven square kilometers and has an estimated population of 55 million.

At the time the nation was known as The Iron Alliance, the nation was founded by the warlord Godwin who crowned himself when he successfully united the fractured nations. The peoples of the Iron Alliance live as scavengers of the great metal mazes of pre-war cities, farmers and traders of the few fertile oases, or live in great mobile cities, known as God Machines. These walking behemoths carry everything from factories to the seats of government. The God Machines are ruled by their warlords, all loyal to King Godwin.

Following victory over The Rusted Raiders, King Godwin reformed The Iron Alliance into The United Kingdoms of The First Iron Empire, or The Iron Empire for short.

Etymology
The Iron Alliance derives its name from the concord signed by all the city-states of the Ethium Wastes.

The United Kingdoms of The First Iron Empire derives its name from the united kingdoms held under the crown's rule.

History
Early history of The Iron Empire is strewn with conflict as the city-states of the God Machines warred against each other for centuries. Following the rise of an ambitious warlord, Warlord Godwin, the God Machines one by one kneeled under his rule, until eventually each and every last one owed fealty to him. Warlord Godwin then proclaimed himself King Godwin, monarch of The Iron Alliance. The nation was named after the concord signed by all the rulers of the God Machines to swear fealty to King Godwin.

The Iron Alliance forged a strong alliance with the nation of Tamazgha. They traded military factories for precious communications equipment created in Tamazghan factories. With their new ally's help, the Iron Empire created a nation-wide communication infrastructure.

Following an attendance at The Usurper's Summit, The Iron Alliance blamed an attack on the Summit on The Tattered Brotherhood. Following the diplomatic fallout, or rather ignoring it, The Iron Alliance declared war on the Rusted Raiders, a tribal cult-following raider-nation to the north.

The war against the Rusted Raiders had three major engagements: the first at the outskirts of the tribal civilization, the battle at the Holy Oil Fields, and the capitulation of The Citadel.

The first battle of the war was extremely one-sided as the long range weapons of the War Machines of High Fleet Solus obliterated the approaching convoy of Raiders at a distance. Any forces that closed the gap ere then cut down by a large mechanized force of tanks and tank-destroyers.

The second battle of the war, The Conquest Of The Holy Oil Fields, began as a communication mistake caused the Iron Alliance forces to deploy extremely under-strength and take casualties that would otherwise be negligible. Following the deployment of the rest of the forces and the capture of the fields, High Admiral Macharius himself joined the forces groundside to prepare against the inevitable counterattack from the nearby town. In glorious battle, High Admiral Macharius perished a hero.

Forces from the nearby Patriarch arrived to retake the town but through a diplomatic action by High Admiral Angelos and Lieutenant Commander Naemhere, the forces were convinced to stand down and even join forces with the Iron Alliance, citing a need for a cleansing crusade against the Prophet, the leader of the Cult of Flame and The Rusted Raiders. King Godwin was installed as the new Prophet of the Cult of Flame, taking on the moniker of Azor Mazda, The New Flame.

Lieutenant Commander Naemhere's efforts also convinced two of the remaining three patriarchs, and together, the forces of the three Patriarchs, High Fleet Solus, and High Fleet Outreach, the Citadel was surrounded. The Prophet was convinced to abdicate and turn over all power to King Godwin. The Patriarch self-immolated, as a true saint of The Cult of Flame. Thus ending the war against the Rusted Raiders.

Following the outstanding victory of the now-named Iron Raiders, King Godwin proclaimed that The Iron Alliance was to be reformed into The United Kingdoms of The First Iron Empire. A military parade, the largest in history, with tens of millions in attendance was held. This was to become known as The March of Eagles and it was during this parade that the reformation was announced.

Later, King Godwin was coronated as Emperor Godwin, first of his name, Emperor of the United Kingdoms of The First Iron Empire, ruler of the Ironers, Azor Mazda The New Flame, Conqueror of Gods.

Geography
The lands of the Iron Empire are strewn with vasts tracks of uninhabitable toxic wastelands. These lands are from the great war that ended the world.

The Euphrates Strait bisects The Iron Empire and the continent itself.

Several blasted ruins of the great cities of old dot the nation, with the largest being known as The Bone Yards, which lies at the Northern mouth of the Euphrates Strait. The city of Assur was constructed in The Boneyards.

Climate
Climate is fair and comfortable in the areas of The Iron Empire not ravaged by radioactive fallout.

Religion
Religion in The Iron Empire is a combination of different religions, from Christianity to the more popular Norse faith. Following the annexation of The Rusted Raiders, the Cult of the Flame became an official religion of the government.

Government
The Iron Empire is ruled by Emperor Godwin. Directly below him are his trusted generals, each ruling from a God Machine. Ambassadors serve as the eyes, ears, and mouthpiece of the monarchy.

Foreign Relations
The Iron Empire enjoys close diplomatic relations with Tamazgha, the nation on the other side of the Euphrates Strait. With both diplomatic and economic treaties, the two nations benefit from close relations.

The Iron Empire has an informal NAP with the Terran Federation.

The Iron Empire is a founding nation of KOI.

Military
The Iron Empire posses numerous Godmachines, most dedicated to long ranged ground based warfare and the rest dedicated to naval warfare. Ironer soldiers wear metal power-armor with red detailing.

Under the rule of Emperor Godwin, The Iron Empire established an official standing army and an official air-force.

Notable Individuals
Emperor Godwin: Founder and monarch of The Iron Empires.

Archduke Zelevas: brother of Emperor Godwin, current heir-apparent.

Ambassador Sev: The Emperor's mouthpiece, currently resides at Assur.

Captain Gantu: In charge of security as Assur.

High Admiral Macharius: Was in command of The Invictus and High Fleet Solus, was commander of the large portion of the Iron army. Fell in combat during The War Against The Rusted Raiders.

High Admiral Angelos: Is in command of The Invictus and High Fleet Solus.

Duke Aufsern von Ulm: Representative to KOI.

Admiral Sajuuk, commands Hiigara and High Fleet Outreach.

Lieutenant Commander Naemhere: Instrumental in persuading the Raiders, commands Havoc.

Infrastructure
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