The Rail Barons | Notes About the Setting

 For the disparate settlements of the Iron Empires, trade is their very lifeblood. The barren wastes between them nessecitate the sharing of resources, with each colony specialising in the collection and production of their own local resources and goods, which then flow out through the arteries of the trade roads into the wider continental region.

 The work of a rail baron is a simple concept: upon entering an agreement, or having spotted an opportunity, the baron (or whatever title they have deigned to grant themselves) will decide upon the creation of a tradeway between two points. Under their leader's direction, teams of menials - man, machine or hybrid - will set about constructing the railway line to estabish this path. At the heart of every baron's empire is a Forge Engine, a massive, wheeled titan of a machine that spews great columns of smoke and ash from the many factories and power stations carried upon its back. As the furnace-flames rise and the fuel burns, so too are the wheels driven forwards; as the wheels turn, so too do the forge hammers rise and fall and the bellows stoke the flames once more. In this way, each Engine perpetuates its motion and its craft, with such efficiency that but a fraction of the fuel is required compared to the individual demands of each machine. Only the resources to forge fresh tracks are needed in significant demand, to ensure that the workers can continue to lay out the grand carpet of rails ahead of its unstoppable momentum and avoid the risk of a catastrophic derailment.

 For a settlement, the sight of a Forge Engine on the horizon is an omen of future prosperity. Where one of these behemoths leads, trade is sure to follow and provide the nearby colonies with an infusion of new life. With access to unfamiliar resources and products in quantities never seen before, there is more than a small chance that what once was a quiet, forgettable town may rapidly grow into a booming city with a name for itself in the world.
 However, that is not to say the gift granted by the empires of the rail barons is without consequence. Their work is not done out of charity, and the need for the resources - living or otherwise - to carry out these projects is every bit as unending as the Engine's motion. To reap the rewards of their workers' toil, barons will station enforcers from their empire (or contracted in their service) to collect tolls from merchants and other travellers that choose to make use of their paths, on top of any payment that might be due from a contracted agreement. The additional duties of these enforces will include protecting the tradeway from bandits and raiders, who would try to eat into the profits-to-be of the rail barons by taking from the traders for themselves.
 As well as collecting funds from the various groups that use their rails, a baron may well demand a tithe from the destination of their route, as the boon that it provides is clearly apparent. Many rail barons are fickle and egotistical, and would rather tear up their gracious work than go without tribute, salting the earth as they leave in an effort to ensure that there is no benefit to be had. The worst of these tyrants may simply choose to raze a reluctant settlement and then continue extending the path through its remains, allowing the spread of rumours to coax payment from their next destination.

 The greatest rivals of each baron are their counterparts. If two or more of these privatised factions seek the same trade opportunity, then they are bound to clash when their routes or interests meet. Alternatively, one may spot a different opportunity that crosses the existing path of another, and smash the old tracks aside in order to construct the new line as they see fit, heedless of any travellers already on the path. Takeover is also a possibility, as rather than demolishing their rival's work, a baron may choose to integrate it into their own network and sweep away or bind the allegiances of any opposing enforcers left along the route.
 Of the stationary empires, only a small number are powerful enough to stand up to the barons without consequence: the Wall, the Bridge and the Tower - as they are known colloquially - to name the most infamous few.