Wyranth Military
Spoiler: The Crystal Conspiracy
This section reveals events from “The Crystal Conspiracy”.
Description
Uniforms
Wyranth soldiers wore a drab gray base garment accented by a golden belt whose clasp depicted two snake heads biting each other. Over the upper body they wore metal neck guards that clasped over the top buttons of their coats. Their helmets were hard-shelled, featuring a metal line clasped by snakes and topped with a golden point. As noted in For Steam and Country, "The soldiers' uniforms were far more ornate than their Rislandian counterparts."
In The Iron Wedding, Wyranth soldiers on honor guard duty were described as wearing "dark uniforms with their pointed, metal helmets." The base color of the uniform is recorded as drab gray in For Steam and Country and as dark in The Iron Wedding; see Conflicts below.
The uniforms were also characterized as oppressive-looking. In The Steam Knight, the quote "Their uniforms are almost as oppressive as they are" reflects this perception. The uniform included a jacket, as confirmed when the royal tailor fitted Wyranth uniforms for James Gentry and Ethan von Lantern for an undercover mission in The Steam Knight.
Weapons and Equipment
Wyranth soldiers carried guns and vials of aether as standard equipment. Weapons and uniforms could be stripped from prisoners, as occurred in the dungeon sequences of For Steam and Country. In The Iron Wedding, soldiers were observed pointing guns at Zaira von Monocle following an assassination attempt before Ivan, the Iron Emperor ordered them to stand down.
Branches and Specialized Units
Secret Police
The Wyranth Military maintained a secret police agency responsible for identifying and recruiting individuals with aptitude for espionage. The agency ran spy training programs and recruited operatives at a young age. Marina du Willet was taken from her parents by the secret police when they identified her aptitude as a spy; she later referred to the agency as her family. As she stated in The Iron Wedding: "The secret police pried me from my parents at a young age when they saw I had aptitude as a spy."
Sharpshooters
In The Iron Wedding, Ivan, the Iron Emperor referenced a unit of sharpshooters under his command, stating "My sharpshooters will be faster," implying they formed a specialized component of the Wyranth military force.
Generals
Role in For Steam and Country
Soldiers Encountered in Rislandia
In For Steam and Country, a group of Wyranth soldiers was encountered traveling on a road inside Rislandia, a development treated as alarming by those who witnessed it. Three individual soldiers were noted among the group: a bearded soldier, a Corporal, and a third who held a pistol.
Procurement of Uniforms and Weapons
Following the attack by the Wyranth Airship, approximately a dozen Wyranth uniforms were procured and subsequently distributed to a rescue team for use in an infiltration mission. The team also carried Wyranth weapons obtained in the same manner. Talyen von Cravat advised keeping the uniforms as a fallback option or for the purpose of accessing the prison.
Additionally, Wyranth soldiers in the dungeon stripped uniforms and equipment from prisoners, which later became available to the rescue team.
Zaira von Monocle noted the poor fit of her appropriated uniform: "The uniform hung loosely on my lithe frame." The pants and cuffs required folding and pinning to accommodate her smaller build, and the metal helmet repeatedly slipped over her eyes.
Role in The Iron Wedding
Garrison at Loveridge
In The Iron Wedding, Wyranth soldiers were stationed in Loveridge. They spotted Zaira von Monocle returning to the town and ushered her to the Loveridge Inn. Soldiers also gathered around Ivan in the inn's common area, bringing him reports.
Honor Guard at Wyranth Palace
Wyranth soldiers served as an honor guard at Wyranth Palace, standing five to each side of the palace entryway in their dark uniforms with pointed metal helmets.
Crew of the W.S.S. Adventurer
Wyranth soldiers served aboard the W.S.S. Adventurer during the events of The Iron Wedding.
Response to the Assassination Attempt
Following an assassination attempt in The Iron Wedding, Wyranth soldiers pointed their guns at Zaira von Monocle before Ivan, the Iron Emperor ordered them to stand down.
Spoiler: The Crystal Conspiracy
This section reveals events from “The Crystal Conspiracy”.
Role in The Steam Knight
Undercover Use of Wyranth Uniforms
In The Steam Knight, Wyranth uniforms were fitted for James Gentry and Ethan von Lantern by the royal tailor for use in an undercover mission. The uniforms were described as oppressive-looking, a quality remarked upon by those who wore or observed them.
Named Soldiers
The Bearded Soldier
One of three Wyranth soldiers encountered on a road inside Rislandia in For Steam and Country. Distinguished from his companions by his beard. Further details are not recorded.
The Corporal
A Wyranth soldier of Corporal rank, encountered alongside the bearded soldier and a third companion on a road inside Rislandia in For Steam and Country. Further details are not recorded.
The Third Soldier
A Wyranth soldier encountered on a road inside Rislandia in For Steam and Country, noted for holding a pistol during the encounter. Further details are not recorded.