Hall of Stone & Steam: The Ironspire Infrastructure Authority
“A city does not breathe without its bones and blood. We are both.”
Overview
The Hall of Stone & Steam is the division of the Ember Court charged with infrastructure, public works, and mechanical upkeep across Ironspire. From cobbled streets and skyrails to the humming arteries of steam conduits and sewer tunnels, this Hall ensures that the city remains not only functional, but formidable. Where others dream of glory, Stone & Steam builds it.
Its engineers, architects, masons, and machinists are masters of both stonecraft and steampower, combining artistry with efficiency. They are respected as the quiet laborers of progress and sometimes feared as those who can shut down entire districts with a misplaced valve.
Roles and Responsibilities
✦ Infrastructure & Maintenance
- Oversees construction and repair of roads, bridges, rail lines, aqueducts, and tunnels.
- Maintains public buildings, including government offices, libraries, civic baths, and garrisons.
- Operates and regulates the steam grid, which powers much of the city’s industry and lighting.
✦ Urban Engineering & Expansion
- Develops and approves urban expansion plans and renovations.
- Designs defensive structures, including gates, walls, and barricades.
- Regulates zoning, material standards, and building codes.
✦ Waste & Water Management
- Manages the sewer system, purification centers, and public water sources.
- Constructs stormwater runoff systems to protect against flooding.
- Collaborates with the Hall of Vitalis during health emergencies involving infrastructure.
✦ Technological Oversight
- Approves and inspects mechanical innovations installed in the city.
- Certifies inventors and engineers, ensuring their work is safe and compliant.
- Maintains transport hubs, lifts, gears, and public conveyances.
Ranks and Titles
- Grand Mason – Leader of the Hall, seated in the Circle of Flame.
- Chief Architect – Oversees city planning and expansion.
- Steamwright General – Commands the steam grid and mechanical divisions.
- Forge Inspector – Approves machinery and ensures code compliance.
- Gutterwarden – Oversees sewers, aqueducts, and waste systems.
Interhall Relations
- Hall of Coin – Shares oversight on state-funded construction and maintenance budgets.
- Hall of Arms – Collaborates on fortifications, defenses, and wartime repairs.
- Hall of Lore – Consults on city history during restoration of ancient buildings.
- Hall of the Bloom – Coordinates to protect green spaces and natural infrastructure.
Lore & Culture
- Members of this Hall are often colloquially referred to as “the Bones of the City.”
- It is considered a great honor to have one’s name engraved on a cornerstone or public edifice.
- Their headquarters, the Spireworks Bastion, is a sprawling facility of smog and scaffolding at the edge of Ironspire’s industrial quarter.
See also: Hall of Coin, Hall of Arms, Hall of Lore, Hall of Vitalis, Hall of the Bloom.