Generations of Early Expansion ~ Part 1
Various Issues brought to discussion during the leaders recent gathering (mentioned at the end of post):
12 members have voted
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1. Available flatlands and freshwater for farming are limited. Where should the leaders send settlers to look for more fertile land?
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2. Tidehook, Slyside Lake, and Port Novel all have ports now. Should we spare a fishing ship to send settlers to settle new land?
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3. Where did we come from? What is beyond these lands? Should we send an ambitious scouting party to the farthest edges of the region, searching for other civilization?
Previously on Uncovering Junon Vale:
- Settlers had awoken in this strange new land.
- Port Novel was founded! ~ Families farm and hunt and fish.
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From Port Novel: Explorers were sent by ship to map the waterways. Explorers were sent by foot south to settle coastal flatlands. Explorers were sent east to settle flatlands and explore a ravine. The haunted forest is clearly much too haunted for exploration
!
- Northbite was founded!
- Midfin was founded! ~ They are stubborn and think their peninsula is a shark fin not a shark tooth!
- Southpath connects Port Novel to Northbite.
- Sharktooth Trail runs through the southern sharktooth-like peninsulas
- The ship of explorers returned from their monthslong journey, bringing a mindblowing map of the region and all its waterways. Of course, there is no way to know what awaits inland... until we go explore and settle those lands! ~ A new hidden lake is discovered relatively close!
The area surrounding Port Novel:
For a generation, the settlers who awoke on the beaches built up their homes and their community, domesticating animals and, making the woods surrounding Port Novel theirs. It was an endless job of survival at first, but in time they grew comfortable with their surroundings and decided to explore the region. The next many generations of our settlers would continue this task, growing their families larger, expanding their villages, and seeking understanding and discovery of the land and their purpose.
(artwork by andanguyen.deviantart.com)
After learning of the nearby hidden lake, settlers were quickly sent south along the Southpath to a nearby valley that seemed to veer towards the lake. They would begin to lay a trail down:
After making some progress, the explorers were absolutely amazed at the lakeside valley they discovered:
It was immediately very clear this would be an excellent place for farming, fishing, and just a pretty darn sweet spot to live 
. Who doesn't want to wake up next to a hidden lake every morning? This generation of expansionists decided to start building up a community right away. Word spread very quickly of the idyllic conditions of the hidden lake valley.
Meanwhile, east of Port Novel, the explorers tasked with venturing into the irresistible ravine were making good work laying down their trail along the traversable terrain. While doing so, they discovered another valley/ravine heading north. It would remain unexplored for now, though it was certainly a promising spot to the north, and hey this forest doesn't look haunted at all! So it's got that going for it 
.
It's toilsome and rough land, but in time the path snakes its way through the hilly landscape:
Sadly, as the months passed, it became commonplace for many of the more clumsy trailblazers to fall from various precipices along the path, leading to injury or death (usually while hauling supplies). The supplies needed for laying a trail of this nature were mountainous in their own right. It became paramount for teams of oxen to haul the supplies and tools, as well as food & water needed to sustain our brave pathmakers as they ventured deeper into the land. As such, the path through the ravine became known as the Oxtrain Pass.
Over time, a pitstop for supplies, and a last respite before the ravine took root near the trailhead.
Oxtrain Village founded:
Oxtrain Village was a busybee place in its early days, with various stableboys washing and setting up tack for horses and oxen. Here was the main stable that took root at the trailhead to Oxtrain Pass:
Pastures were also abundant for the many beasts of burden stabled in these parts:
Many travelers agreed the village was a great spot to rest sore feet, although it did always smells a little funny for some reason...
Meanwhile, the idyllic community by the hidden lake has blossomed into quite a desirable spot.
Slyside Lake founded: Named for its sly-like hidden nature, Slyside Lake becomes a migratory location, pulling families from some of the other established villages.
With growing families in Northbite and Midfin, the need to continue expansion even further south along Sharktooth Trail is commenced. As time passes, many new coastal towns make a move.
Sharpbend Founded: a small village on the southernmost "sharktooth" (or shark fin according to Midfin )
Pebbleplum Founded: a narrow little cliffside village along the coast, further south of Sharpbend. Aptly named due to all the pebbles that frequently plummet from the looming cliffs. Sore heads are quite common in Pebbleplum, but hey if it doesn't kill ya' it makes your head stronger. ![:]](https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/default_16.gif ":]"){kind=small}
Tidehook Founded: Named such for the way the tide hooks around this large peninsula, as the water flows out from the large unnamed river (which itself comes from deeper inland).
Finally, after much blood, sweat, tears (and oxen poop), the Oxtrain Pass busts through the rough hills and descends into flatlands once again. Other than groundwater, there is no larger body of freshwater nearby however.
Oakfall Founded: Much like Oxtrain Village (on the other terminus of Oxtrain Pass), Oakfall is a town where all eager explorers rest their weary feet after making it through the rough mountain path in one piece. It's said once a traveler makes it hear from Oxtrain Village, the fall right on their face like a falling Oak in the forest. Also, most folks agree Oakfall smells way better than Oxtrain Village 
(but not by much).
^Wagon trains tacking up and loading up for the trip back to Oxtrain Village
This generation is off to an ambitious start exploring and expanding! The leaders, having been updating their maps often, convene to consider the next courses of action.
Some of the ongoing topics of discussion during this gathering are:
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Available flatlands and fresh water for farming are limited, while families continue to grow and grow and grow! What are these settlers, part rabbit?
- With Tidehook, Slyside Lake, and Port Novel, we now have 3 growing port communities. Most ships are being used for fishing, but perhaps we should send a ship of settlers to settle across the bay? To settle on the large island south of Slyside Lake? To settle elsewhere?
- What is beyond these lands? Where did we all come from? Perhaps we should send an ambitious group of scouts to the farthest edges of this region, searching for other traces of civilization?
Updated map:
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A closer look at the immediate area:
Updates of Uncovering Junon Vale:
- An unexplored ravine heading north (perhaps past that spooky haunted forest) was found while laying trail for Oxtrain Pass.
- Oxtrain Village is founded! ~ It smells a little funny, but it's ok
- Slyside Lake is founded! ~ "Can we go there, Can we go there?" cry all the settlers.
- Sharpbend is founded!
- Pebbleplum is founded! ~ Today's forecast is 60% chance of light stony rain
- Tidehook is founded!
- An unexplored island calls to many of the sailors of Tidehook, as do the lands across the bay (Wait, are those mermaid calls? This should be safe, right?) Or should they explore the giant island southeast?
- Oakfall is founded! ~ smells much better than Oxtrain Village
- Oxtrain Pass connects Oxtrain Village and Oakfall.
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