Characters

General Carwell

General Carwell was the commanding general of the Grand Rislandian Army during the Wyranth incursion depicted in For Steam and Country, responsible for strategic planning, overseeing upgrades to the airship Liliana, and directing military operations near Plainsroad Village.

General Carwell

General Carwell

General Carwell was a senior officer of the Grand Rislandian Army and a key military adviser to King Malaky XVI during the Wyranth incursion chronicled in For Steam and Country. He was described as older and bald, with a wire mesh patch over his left eye.

Description

Carwell was an older man, bald, and distinguished by a wire mesh patch worn over his left eye. His bearing and role reflected decades of military experience at the highest levels of Rislandian command.

Role in For Steam and Country

Strategic Planning

In For Steam and Country, General Carwell was present with King Malaky XVI when Zaira von Monocle arrived at breakfast, the two already engaged in reviewing strategy. He moved pieces across a map representing the different divisions of the Grand Rislandian Army, coordinating the Rislandian response to the Wyranth incursion. King Malaky XVI noted his intention to work with Carwell to form a plan, stating, "I'm going to have to speak with General Carwell and form a plan."

Carwell planned the assault on Wyranth forces in the northern provinces and ordered a scouting party to the area near Plainsroad Village to verify estimates of Wyranth troop numbers. He expressed confidence that, with the use of the Liliana, Rislandian forces could drive the Wyranth off within a matter of days.

Upgrades to the Liliana

Carwell oversaw munitions and arms deployments to the Liliana and proposed several combat upgrades to the vessel, including gear-based rotating cannons and a steam-powered crank turret at the ship's fore. His men installed new, more robust cannons on the airship before its departure. As Zaira later recalled, "General Carwell made some modifications to the ship before we left, upgrading our combat capabilities."

Carwell also kept secret, together with Talyen von Cravat, the installation of an explosive device in the Liliana's cargo hold, intended as a self-destruct option.

Mission Assignment

Alongside King Malaky XVI, Carwell gave the Liliana a clear mission: to assist the Grand Rislandian Army near Plainsroad Village. He arranged for Matthias du Gearsmith to inform him of any change of plans from Captain von Cravat.

Attitude Toward Zaira

Carwell was openly skeptical of Zaira von Monocle's participation in the mission, dismissing her as only a child and questioning her fitness for the operation.

Relationships

  • King Malaky XVI: Carwell served as the king's primary military adviser, collaborating directly on strategy against the Wyranth incursion.
  • Zaira von Monocle: Carwell was skeptical of Zaira's involvement, viewing her as too young for the mission.
  • Talyen von Cravat: Carwell coordinated with Talyen on the secret installation of the explosive device aboard the Liliana.
  • Matthias du Gearsmith: Matthias was designated to relay changes in Captain von Cravat's plans to Carwell.