The Iron Kingdom

The Iron Kingdom is one of the Five Kingdoms. It is a monarchy known for its industrial and military might.

History
The Iron Kingdom fought in the Great Civil War that originally caused the Five Kingdoms to split. Their military might and ability to forge more powerful weapons and armor contributed to the great stalemate that ended the war. After that, the Grand General of the Iron Army took control of the country, crowning himself King. Contrary to what many critics at the time originally predicted, this did not end in disaster. Every citizen was employed, little was wasted, and the nation prospered. The crown changed hands many times throughout the generations, but the basic tenets of the country have remained the same.

Economy
The Iron Kingdom's major exports involve metalworking and mining. Thanks to the revolutionary forging techniques, the blacksmiths of the Iron Kingdom are able to sell their wares all over the world. What's more, some of the most lucrative Mithral mines in the Five Kingdoms are firmly in Iron Kingdom territory, allowing them to supply weapons and armor to militaries and adventurers alike the world over.

Much of the job creators of the Iron Kingdom are owned by the crown, but thanks to the ever-present needs for metalworked products, the country never find themselves with unemployment problems.

Politics
While the first Iron King was Grand General of the Great Civil War, that family line has not been in power for a long time. Knowing that the Iron Kingdom must always be led by the strongest military mind, the first Iron King put a system into place in which one could challenge the current administration in a trial of combat for control of the crown. Therefore, despite several different family lines carrying the throne over the centuries, the changes in power have been largely bloodless.

The current leader of the Iron Kingdom, the Iron Queen, is the first woman to hold the title after defeating the previous Iron King at the age of 19. In the nearly thirty years since she claimed power, none have dared to challenge her rule.