Steel Lord

The title of Steel Lord is a self-proclaimed or colloquially granted title, earned rather than inherited. It’s a modern title, often looked down upon by the old nobility, who see it as uncouth and without proper lineage. However, their disdain is often laced with fear. A Steel Lord likely rose from humble beginnings, perhaps a clever blacksmith who patented a new steel-making process or a ruthless merchant who cornered the market on a key ore.   Their power doesn't come from a divine right or an ancient bloodline, but from a very tangible and modern source: the factory floor. They own the mines, the foundries, and the railroads that transport the raw materials. They employ the thousands of workers who forge the steel for the new world's skyscrapers, steam engines, and weapons of war.

A Steel Lord’s influence is extensive and multi-faceted:

• Economic Power: A Steel Lord dictates the price of steel, which in turn affects the price of everything from a factory wrench to a knight's new armor. They can crush competitors, sponsor new ventures, and build entire cities from their profits.


• Political Power: The old feudal system is based on land, but the new system is based on industry. A Steel Lord often commands more loyalty from their thousands of workers than an aging duke does from his tenant farmers. They can bankroll political campaigns, bribe officials, and exert pressure on governments to pass laws that favor their interests.


• Military Power: The industrial revolution means new warfare. A Steel Lord supplies the steel for the new cannons, armored vehicles, and repeating rifles. They might even have a personal army, funded by their immense wealth and equipped with the latest technology, making them a formidable force in their own right.


• Social Power: A Steel Lord's influence shapes society itself. They might commission grand projects like monumental bridges or sprawling industrial cities, forever changing the landscape. They can also be patrons of the arts, funding new academies or sponsoring engineers and inventors, cementing their legacy for generations to come.

 

Kinds of Steel Lord

• The Visionary: A driven innovator who believes their steel will build a better world. They might invest in public works and technological marvels, genuinely believing they are a force for progress.


• The Ruthless Magnate: A cold and calculating figure who sees people as cogs in a machine. They prioritize profit above all else, exploiting their workers and crushing anyone who stands in their way.


• The New Nobility: A former commoner who has adopted the trappings of the old nobility, building opulent mansions and marrying into ancient families. They are desperate for legitimacy and will use their wealth to buy their way into high society.