Generations of Early Expansion ~ Part 2
Previously on Uncovering Junon Vale:
- An unexplored ravine heading north (perhaps past that spooky haunted forest) was found while laying trail for Oxtrain Pass.
- Oxtrain Village was founded! ~ It smells a little funny, but it's ok
- Slyside Lake was founded! ~ "Can we go there, Can we go there?" cry all the settlers.
- Sharpbend was founded!
- Pebbleplum was founded! ~ Today's forecast is 60% chance of light stony rain
- Tidehook was founded!
- An unexplored great island called to many of the sailors of Tidehook.
- Oakfall was founded! ~ smells much better than Oxtrain Village
- Oxtrain Pass connects Oxtrain Village and Oakfall.
During the recent convening of the leaders, it was decided:
- The lands southeast of Slyside Lake would be scouted, to find suitable land for farming. "Yes, we've had breakfast, but what about 2nd breakfast?"
- Young and eager Tidehook sailors would set sail to explore the great island to the south, and look to create a port to call their own.
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The fastest most badass scouts from Oxtrain Village would be sent through the unexplored ravine, searching for answers, or other settlers, or perhaps both. There were many suitable volunteers ready to venture north, away from Oxtrain Village. "Why so many volunteers? Does is smell funny here or something?"
The current map:
And so, the young brash sailors of Tidehook rounded up their families, jumped aboard their boats and merrily cussed sang their way along the tide to the southeast. 
^(artwork ~ Witcher 3 concept art, uploaded by Lodbrok: https://wallhaven.cc/w/0wr2xp)
The westernmost tip of the great island was truly impressive to the sailors, however the land seemed mostly comprised of rolling hills which were not ideal for a new port (nor the farming that would be required for sustenance). Afterall, these sailors were truly craving a port that would challenge Port Novel and Tidehook as the grandest port around. At any rate, as they drifted along, an artist aboard noted in his journal how the western tip of the great island resembled "...a lance piercing the western waters." Little did he know, one day this area would be known as Westlance (perhaps due to his writing, perhaps not...).
Westlance (not yet settled):
As impressive as the western portion of the island was, the next notable land feature dropped their jaws even further! It seemed quite clear this would be an ideal spot for their rival port, as there was decent flatlands surrounding this location. Plus, it just looked pretty freakin' cool. After making landfall, and exploring the surrounding hills, it was easily and unanimously confirmed that the oddly shaped peninsula resembled nothing less than a raven's head. Thus, these lands would be known as the Ravenloch. Time to get started building a port!
Ravenloch (to be settled)
Meanwhile, the foodies of Slyside Lake begin pushing through the woodlands to the southeast, in search of lands to expand the farming for all of the settlers. Quite quickly the explorers realized there was much work to be done in these lands, as the rolling hills looked expansive and perfect for farming.
The land was gentle, so they curiously explored further (even after discovering the rolling hills), and they found a curious little sandy cove hidden behind a thin island.
With lands just as visually appealing as Slyside Lake, but with more tillable ground, these areas would most certainly be desirable to not only live, but to work as well (everyone loves to eat afterall). In a flash, new villages were seemingly erected overnight (but who knows how long it really took... time is actually kinda strange for the settlers, though it's not really been discussed amongst themselves yet 
).
Sundown Fields & Graincove founded:
Sundown Fields: The workday in this little busybee village was fast paced and endless, with farmhands working from sunup, until sundown. So these fields were known as the Sundown Fields. Some sly(side) farmhands would find secret sleeping spots under trees, or in between the silos, but those relentless farm owners were always on the prowl to catch said sleepers. "Those lazy Slysiders!" they'd say, while their sleepy farmhands would hustle back to work.
^Even the cattle eat good in Sundown Fields.
^No sleeping farmhands here (we think)
^Even though Sundown Fields was founded and built up quickly, there was still much flatland begging to be home to a brand new farm. As the time passed, new settlers would flock to work and strive to create their farming empire in Sundown Fields, some of them residing in either Slyside Lake (the lazy ones say the rumors ![:]](https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/default_16.gif ":]"){kind=small}
) or some even further south in...
Graincove: With all the style points of Slyside Lake, but with workable land surrounding it, Graincove is where all the hardworking farmers decided to plop their boots at night.
^A food shipment from Graincove getting loaded up and ready for the departure back north to Slyside Lake and Port Novel.
Like Sundown Fields, much of Graincove's land was awaiting the first would-be tycoons to simply stake their claim. As such, the southeast continued to be a migratory pull from the coastal villages with limited land and opportunity.
Long before, Sundown Fields and Graincove were founded, the scouts from Oxtrain Village were eager to depart to the unexplored north (with fresh air ), in search of answers unbeknownst to the settlers. Who were they and where did they come from? What lands were these? Were the answers out there, or others who could provide answers?
^(artwork - The Lewis and Clark Expedition, by Thomas Mickell Burnham)
Branching off north of Oxtrain Pass, the explorers made their way across the terrain. As agreed, they left markers along the way for a few reasons: 1. To let trackers following know of the direction they took, and 2. To provide recommendation on the ideal path through to the north. The idea was that - in due time - more trailblazers would create a trail to follow in their footsteps, looking for new lands to settle in the north, and to more quickly hear any news from the explorers upon their hopeful return.
"Simgodspeed to them!" the settlers would all say, in regards to the scouts seeking the northern fresh air answers to the north.
Meanwhile, during the settling of the other landlubber villages southeast of Slyside, the seadogs from Tidehook were seeing the fruit of their labors on the great island.
Port Ravenloch founded:
^The sailors were quite proud of their accomplishment, and felt quite confident their port was better than Port Novel and Tidehook combined. Of course, they still needed food and supplies from the other ports, so perhaps best to keep the boasting to a minimum, for now...
^Construction still underway to finish up the storage sheds, holding valuable and essential goods from the other ports.
As the strange time continued to pass, more and more of the unknown lands were explored and settled, but it was still but a small sliver. However, the maps were always updated:
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A closer look:
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While they all awaited word of the northbound explorers, some more pertinent "domestic" matters were discussed and considered:
- Travel along Southpath to Slyside Lake, Sundown Fields, and Graincove already is rather bustling, and is only going to get worse. We should investigate a road from Tidehook to the area. We should also construct a port just south of Graincove to serve as another primary source of travel to ease the burden on Southpath.
-
In Port Ravenloch, they discussed the importance of becoming self-sustainable, especially if they want to boast as being the grandest port in the parts! To do so, we'll need to find more flatlands on the great island for farms, as well as other spots to settle. Also, a path looping around the island would allow quick travel and aid in settling/constructing these new locations. Also, what should we name the island? Great island just isn't cutting it any longer and doesn't sound grand enough. The residents ponder.
- It's been several weeks since the scouts went north. Let's send a secondary expedition to follow their tracks, ensuring they are proceeding nicely. This secondary expedition can also report back on any potential locations for northern settlements, and commence new trail if such spots exist.
Updates of Uncovering Junon Vale:
- Opportunists and would-be farming tycoons ventured southeast of Slyside Lake and discovered swaths of farmable land.
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Sundown Fields is founded! ~ No sleepin' on the job farmhand!
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Graincove is founded! ~ Hardworkin' and stylish farmers choose to live here, unlike those lazy Slyside Lake folk.
- Eager sailors ventured southeast to the great island, jaws dropped at the unique landscape along the coast.
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Port Ravenloch is founded! ~ The grandest port in the land (just don't tell anyone else yet because we still need to eat and get supplies from them, ok thanks!)
- Brave scouts seeking answers (and perhaps fresh air away from Oxtrain Village) have crossed forth into the North. While we all await their return, a secondary expedition will likely be sent in their wake.
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