--- THE CURRENT YEAR IS 1936 ---
The past six years have been incredibly difficult on the new settlers of Talaxca. The journey over the Sea of Organia to the west proved to be too difficult for many. Those that did make it to the lush jungle shores had to confront disease, wildlife, and thick jungle that proved to be difficult to push through. Despite the difficulties, the Organian Expansion Department (OED) did manage to establish all of intended colonies on time, albeit with less initial population than they may have hoped. The first census was completed at the start of 1936 which determined that the total population of Talaxca at this point was 3688.
Let's discuss the colonies and how they stand from west to east.
Despite being founded last, in 1935, Corben has experienced the fastest growth with a population of 1357 at the time of the census. This is partially due to the copper mine that was opened that has provided a plethora of jobs directly and in building the associated infrastructure. Many are also employed at the fishing dock where fishermen can ply their trade. However, the biggest reason for the boom is that the first government office was opened here that is staffed by the regional magistrate Travis Poole. All new colonists must debark at Corben and register with Poole at his office. Those without plans or means to distribute to the other colonies have ended up making camp here as there is no shortage of labor needed.
Below is a view of the Bay of Cor, where Corben resides. To the top left is the mine and wood burning powerplant. These wood burning powerplants are used all across Talaxca as a cheap way to generate power from the mass amounts of vegetation that must be cleared to establish colonies. Many of the trees and plants are not useful for eating or building, so burning them to make power is the next best thing. A rail line was established to ferry copper ore to the port on the bay and transport workers to and from the industry. Most of the fish gathered here is also exported through that dock.
And here is a close up view of the OED Officer Poole's office. New arrivals are housed in cheaply constructed housing nearby.
The colonists of Dremmen live a simple life of fishing and farming. 660 people have moved here so far. The townsfolk often complain about the strong, salty, winds that head eastward from the Sea of Organia and the relatively difficult soil in this region. What nobody complains about, however, is the beautiful beach and scenic mountain vistas. Perhaps one day tourism could be a thriving business here.
This is the village of Dremmen in its entirety. A wood burning plant provides power to small residential neighborhood and assortment of farms. Like Corben, the fishing dock is the main focus point of the settlement and is where most people work.
As surveyors predicted the town of Halesport shows great promise. While only 635 people have moved here so far the reports of valuable timber and fertile soils have rung true. Hardwood is processed into logs at the local sawmill and the farms are growing and producing a surplus bounty of food. Both are shipped back to Organia via the dock on the Howell river.
The mill and wood burning power plant take lumber shipments directly from the nearby rail line that goes deeper inland. The farms are further south in the area that was cleared of trees initially, revealing the fertile land underneath.
Further inland we see the lumber yard and the current status of the deforestation efforts. The lumber yard with attached rail yard serves as the local drop off point with a plethora of roads diverging into the forest where the lumber is collected. As these efforts continue the lumber camp will continue to move further inland and the exposed land left behind will be farmed.
The smallest colony out of the five is Pashan. Only 255 colonists have managed to make there home on the southern tip of Lake Dalton. Despite reports of fertile floodplains, the residents have found water levels to be quite inconsistent so far. This combined with the rocky and clay filled soil further away from the lake have made establishing new farms difficult. Fortunately the discovered coal vein has started to be tapped and is providing a stream of income to the settlement. Most of the people here work in the coal mine.
Shown here is the port on the southern arm of Lake Dalton. About half of the residents live here and work at the few farms and processing coal shipments at the dock. The coal arrives from the mine via the rail line.
The other half of the residents life in close proximity to the coal mine. It is a droll existence, but the promise of a job and pay keeps enough people here. The mine directly loads coal onto the rail line, but some is kept behind to use in the small coal burning power generators.
Last, but not least, is the town of Yasmer. 781 settlers have made this place their home and have found success establishing farms in the fertile river delta. The main challenge faced so far is how to ship the surplus goods. The arm of the Howell river here is very shallow so barges are being used to glide along the surface. These barges then transfer their cargo to full sized ships when the reach Halesport. The majority of food exports here so far are rice and tobacco which grows great in the wet soil. While many of the residents are spread out amongst the farms, there is a central town forming in between the port and wood burning power plant.
The OED has considered the project a success and is investing more resources into sending more colonists as the Organian economy recovers. How will the colonies grow and develop in the next years? Find out in the next chapter of Talaxca - Land of Promise!
