Devlog: Forging the Revolution - A Major Update to IRONHOLD: A World of Tooth and Iron!

Hey everyone,

We're thrilled to share a massive update for IRONHOLD: A World of Tooth and Iron, our grimdark industrial D&D 5th Edition campaign setting! We've been hard at work behind the scenes, taking your feedback and our evolving design philosophies to completely overhaul and expand the core book. Our goal was to make this setting even more immersive, mechanically integrated, and aligned with the high standards of official D&D campaign sourcebooks.

What's New & Improved?

We've gone back to the forge and hammered out nearly every chapter, bringing a sharper focus and greater depth to the world of Tooth and Iron. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:

• Refined Core Themes (Chapter 1): We've deepened the narrative around industrial horror, desperate revolution, moral ambiguity, and a world truly without gods. Every element now serves to reinforce these core ideas, creating a truly unique D&D experience.
• Expanded World Lore (Chapters 2 & 5):
  • The Domain and its Masters (Chapter 2): A more detailed look at the Mists, the vital Argent Express, and the intricate power dynamics of the Bloodpact, the clandestine Sanguine Covenant, and the terrifying Stitchers. We've emphasized the Finite Truth—the secret that werewolves and vampires cannot create new members of their kind—which profoundly shapes their strategies and vulnerabilities.
  • Beyond the Iron Walls (Chapter 5): We've fleshed out other key bastions like the gilded city of Silverwood and the dying farmlands of Veridia, alongside more detailed regions and threats within the blighted Wastes.
• Comprehensive Character Options (Chapter 3 & 4):
  • Ironhold, The City of Chains (Chapter 3): A deep dive into the oppressive fortress-city, detailing its districts, daily life under the Bloodpact, and the unique human Lineages (Stonewrights, Weavers, Scrappers) and Backgrounds (Forge Worker, Construction Rigger, Enforcer Deserter, etc.) available to your characters.
  • Forging Your Character (Chapter 4): This chapter is now solely dedicated to player character options, featuring a full suite of 9 brand-new, setting-specific subclasses designed to perfectly fit the themes of "Labor and Strife." Unleash your inner:
    • Artificer (Jury-Rigger): Master of improvised, volatile contraptions.
    • Barbarian (Path of the Chain Breaker): Channel your rage to shatter bonds.
    • Bard (College of the Agitator): Inspire rebellion with words and song.
    • Fighter (Laborer): Turn the tools of toil into weapons of liberation.
    • Monk (Way of the Foundry): Mimic industrial might with your body.
    • Ranger (Waste Scout): Survive and thrive in the blighted wilderness.
    • Rogue (Saboteur): Break the machine from within.
    • Sorcerer (Blight-Born): Wield wild magic born from the Mists' corruption.
    • Wizard (Method of the Scribe): Master forbidden knowledge and arcane forgery.
• Refined Mechanics & Gear (Chapter 6): We've clarified how magic and divine power function (or don't) in this low-magic world, introduced new setting-specific feats (like Pack Breaker and Tunnel Rat), and detailed a range of improvised and industrial gear (Shock-Mauls, Rivet Guns, Breaching Charges) that fit the desperate, resource-scarce environment.
• Streamlined DM Guidance (Chapter 7): This chapter now provides a clear three-arc campaign structure (The Seeds of Sedition, The War for the Domain, The Final Reckoning) and extensive advice for DMs on running grimdark narratives, managing player agency, and crafting thematic encounters.
• Dedicated Introductory Adventure (Chapter 8): "The Spark of Sedition" has been given its own dedicated chapter, providing a detailed, step-by-step adventure to kickstart your campaign and transform your players from oppressed laborers into desperate fugitives.
• Detailed Adversaries (Chapter 9): A comprehensive bestiary of the domain's threats, including detailed tactics and roles for Bloodpact werewolves, terrifying Stitcher constructs, mutated Waste Beasts, and desperate human factions.
• A New Conclusion (Chapter 10): A heartfelt wrap-up, thanking our incredible Mad Lab Team and Ki the Ghoul for their invaluable contributions, and hinting at future expansions already in the works!

Homebrewery Adaptation!

We're excited to announce that all of these changes are being meticulously formatted for Homebrewery! This means you'll soon be able to access the entire campaign setting in a beautifully rendered, easy-to-read, and print-friendly format that mimics the look and feel of official D&D books. This will make integrating A World of Tooth and Iron into your games smoother than ever.

We're incredibly proud of how A World of Tooth and Iron has evolved, and we believe these updates make it a truly unique and compelling setting for your D&D adventures. We can't wait for you to dive in and forge your own revolution!

Stay tuned for the Homebrewery link and more updates soon!

The revolution begins now.