From their tumultuous beginnings in the early 19th century, Eisenkern has been in a state of war. After flinging themselves into space to escape The Blight, they discovered a resource rich system with the dubious honor of bordering Shadokesh space. Once they received their first Iron-Core reactors and plans for faster than light drives from the Brotherhood in 1957, they set about refining these designs and developing colonization ships to explore, terraform and settle local systems.

It was not long before the first clash between humans and aliens would plunge Eisenkern into a perpetual state of war. To survive the constant struggles they had to possess a determination to survive well beyond the extraordinary. It was in this setting that the Empire forged a new identity. The translation of Eisenkern is Iron Core, a term now synonymous with the brigades of Leviathan they employ to keep the Shadokesh at bay.

The technology to create Leviathans came from a damaged Shadokesh vehicle after the first major confrontation on a satellite colony. The price for this war prize, two hundred thousand lives. The soldiers under the command of Generlfeldmaschall Von Mackensen III bravely fought to the last man to bring down the alien beast. His last address to his troops is legendary and now engrained in Eisenkern military protocol. Before each battle, the commander dressed for burial in full military regalia, parades in front of his troops. He shouts these words, the troops answering each call to arms with a shouted response.

Oblivions Anvil: A commander’s call to arms and -his soldier’s response-

War’s hammer beats its tireless refrain upon oblivions anvil.

-We heed its call-

Hate fuels the mighty forge of destruction.

-It lights our way-

Vengeance is the steel that tempers the sword of righteousness.

-It shall protect us-

It is here that we balance upon the razors edge.

-We shall not fail!-

It is here we stand or fall!

-Death to those who oppose us! -

This constant state of struggle has made a resilient people even stronger. Eisenkern has long since thrown off the morays and ideals that set in motion it’s exodus from earth but remains a very nationalistic people, still clinging to many of the styles and architecture of their past. Tradition is a cornerstone of life within Eisenkern; some view the Eisenkern ways as antiquated relics of the past, but none can deny their creativity, force of will, or military prowess.

Eisenkern controlled space is for the most part resource poor with a few select systems that contain vast wealth. In order to fuel the great war machine, it has become necessary for the Empire to seek out new systems. This sometimes puts them at odds with neighboring factions and households. Realizing they cannot afford a major conflict on multiple fronts they will travel great distances to lay claim to systems, resulting on dispersed and isolated pockets of Imperial space and stretched supply lines that are vulnerable to attack by many of the minor households.

Although other factions now make Leviathans, the Eisenkern Crusader, is widely regarded as the finest piece of military equipment ever produced. Found in every faction’s arsenal, at over 200 years old, the design is still innovative. Independent households often barter away vast planetary resources to acquire a Crusader as these Leviathans lend credibility and prestige to the households standing within its parent faction. Rightfully so, as a faction ruler knows that when the household is called upon to fight they will answer with a very capable force. Eisenkern uses this Leviathan as a powerful bartering chit with the Brotherhood. Tithing ten per year to the order, they have managed to make themselves indispensable. This often gains Eisenkern an unfair advantage in dispute resolution with other factions.