The Iron Arrow

The Iron Arrow is powered by a modified sequence of Arcane Engines specifically designed to cater to her weight, size, and shape. However, while biofuel cells provide much of the energy needed to power the engine array, the Iron Arrow requires a crew, skilled with the arcane, to facilitate the transfer of energy into levitation and movement.

History

The Iron Arrow project was a theoretical “plaything” for decades until the invention of the Mach 1 Arcane Engine made it a potential reality. However, it wouldn’t be until the Mach 4 engine was developed that the Iron Arrow would see completion. By linking multiple Mach 4 engines together, it became possible to levitate the bulk of a train needed to carry all necessary components, mages, and passengers. The Iron Arrow 1.0 required a pre-laid path – a set of tracks – to assist in the hefty task of levitating this iron beast.

With the backing of the Nacheevi Technical Institute, the University of Eredet, and various donations from wealthy nobles, the High Dremoran Council pushed the project forward for the “greater public good”. The original tracks connected Eredet to the southern city of Varoona Proper per request of one of the largest donors: the previous High Lord Aedric Valdove. The Iron Arrow’s maiden voyage began peacefully but took a turn after it’s midway stop in Red River. Multiple bombs were detonated aboard the train in an attempt on the then High Lord’s life. Quick actions by The Deep End and others aboard permitted the Iron Arrow to arrive at her destination… though not without damage and loss.

Despite the tragedy that occurred, the expansion of the Iron Arrow project was approved 2 years after the Battle of the Barrier (2137 YAR). The Iron Arrow 2.0 saw the inclusion of improved security protocols that would force the iron behemoth to descend to the tracks in case of detected malfunction or a missing pilot. The first track expansion was directed to the Coliseum per the persuasive arguments of High Lord Leon. Tracks were completed in 2142 YAR and the Iron Arrow 2.0 provided service to Eredet, Varoona Proper, and the Coliseum for 21 years before she was decommissioned.

The next stage of the project featured additional track expansion and a fleet of 3rd edition Iron Arrows. Track expansion included the shifter town of Ezust’Hold and the edge of the Dune Sea of Lark’Hal. Further expansions were made to the Iron Arrow’s security protocols. In the event of track failure (or track damage), the Iron Arrow 3.0 could levitate over bare ground, provided there were no obstructions. Formal, intensive training was developed for mages that wished to serve aboard the Iron Arrow. The new technology was tested during one run of the Iron Arrow 3.0. Storms in the northern region of Varoona had damaged the old tracks. The pilots aboard diverted the Iron Arrow from the wreckage, traversing directly over grassland for nearly a mile before realigning with the tracks. While this event was a testament to the might of the new enhancements, it also emphasized the need to replace the original tracks.

The Iron Arrow 3.0 fleet replaced the previous version in 2163 YAR and would continue to run for 32 years. The Iron Arrow fleet revolutionized travel in the central region of Dremora. Now, with more than one arrow running, the passenger pool expanded from the nobility and wealthy to include nearly all members of society. In 2195 YAR, the 3.0 fleet was slowly phased out for the new Iron Arrow 4.0 model, which featured mostly “quality-of-life” upgrades and improvements to amenities aboard. At present, the fleet of 4th edition Iron Arrows continue to traverse the continent and track expansion has once again arrived on the table of the High Dremoran Council.

Inventor(s)

The original Arcane Engine and original Iron Arrow were invented by Kuan-Ti Ironborn, an artificer and strong supporter of seamlessly weaving together the arcane and the mechanical.

Access & Availability

On Dremora, the Iron Arrow system is now widely regarded as affordable public transport, with luxury options for the nobility and the wealthy. Her current network of tracks includes stops in Eredet, the Coliseum of Ragna, Varoona Proper, and Ezust'Hold.

Complexity

To function, the Iron Arrow requires an integrated Arcane Engine array, controlled and directed by a powerful spell-caster (a.k.a. the pilot).