The Helpless Heiress

The Steam Tank's origins could be traced to a Tilean named Leonardo da Miragliano, who was born in the Tilean city-state four hundred years ago.

He had started out as a painter. In Tilea, a land steeped in art and culture, Leonardo made a name for himself as a painter and sculptor, finding a respectable job. But he soon became obsessed with architecture, engineering, and physics. Above all, he was fascinated by the Dwarfs' Steam Ironclads. After years of painstakingly studying their steam technology, Leonardo set out to build a Steam Ironclad of his own.

Tilea at the time lacked the means to help Leonardo fulfill his dream, so the renowned engineer began working for the Empire. His talent for firearms, cannons, and war machines allowed the Empire to build its first organized firearm and artillery units and begin mass production. Thanks to his genius ideas and extraordinary talent, Leonardo soon became a favored guest of the Empire.

He then set out to build a ship that could cross the ocean: "a Dwarf Steam Ironclad of mankind's own."

After more than a decade and countless experiments, Leonardo cracked the Dwarfs' steam technology. He designed countless Ironclad blueprints and wrote numerous treatises on engineering and gunpowder. After years of effort, he finally managed to build something that resembled a "Steam Ironclad," then set out to accomplish his great feat of crossing the ocean.

The first test ended in failure. As soon as the vessel entered the water, its compressed-steam engine overloaded, and the whole ship exploded. Leonardo was blasted into the water, but somehow survived.

He didn't give up. Convinced that his creation had worked, he decided that if it wouldn't work in the water, he would turn it into a "land Ironclad." Having learned his lesson about the compressed-steam engine's