Approximately sixteen miles from busy Portland and near the approximate location of the defunct Buxton exists a thriving, and ever-growing, settlement of predominantly coyote traders, built up upon the land to best suit their needs between homesteading and, more importantly, their foothold in trading markets. It serves largely as a pit stop, or a resting point for travelers and other such groups with a high focus on commerce and networking. As such, it has garnered something of a reputation pertaining to potential and opportunity - Palisade in turn fosters this symbiotic relationship with systems of work and reward, and fosters a community which values strong work ethic and at times dogmatic principles.
Whilst somewhat idyllic to the passerby, Palisade has had its fair share of conflict and a persistent undercurrent of tension which has ruled and rocked the settlement since its foundation. Built by the Braithwaite family of Appalachia (and their various chattel servants), their foothold in the region was hard-won with conflict and uncompromising self-governance; Allied closely with the Ardoix family, the Braithwaites perfected their generational recipe for moonshine and gin, and offered it for barter. With growing production came attention, and further skirmish. In due time, both families brought in a third: the Courtrights brought balance, law, and, most importantly, protection to Palisade.
In due time came the Del Mar - the likes of which rooted themselves with Palisade's burgeoning culture and hub with litigious manner, opportunism, and an insidious ruthlessness partnered with charm. As their influence proliferated unchecked, the delicate balance was upset. Irritable with the disruption and underhanded manner of control, conflict broke out between the families, spearheaded by the Braithwaites, though a schism split the loyalties of the mercenary Courtrights between the Del Mar and their prior benefactors. Violence culminated in a near total cull of the long-standing Braithwaites, which were subsequently brought to heel. Political marriages offered the benefit of unsteady peace whilst opening up the established families to infiltration on behalf of the Del Mar, and erosion of the prior, mutually beneficial control structure.
It wasn't until discovery of an off-shoot of the Del Mar family was discovered by pure happenstance - in 2019, Boone Winthrop sought Palisade out on rumor from Portland, and discovered the blood connection to then Del Mar House Proprietor, Augustine Del Mar - his grandfather. Affably, the two parted ways with the promise of a continued business relationship. When Augustine passed away, son Carlo instead made a seize for power in the vacuum his presence left; and, intent to follow his family's legacy, he sought to infiltrate Del Cenere much as the family had done to the long-standing Palisade with the resources he had since seized from the outpost. Braithwaites and Ardoix put into plans their own play to monitor the happenings of the Del Mar - once discovered, Arturo Ardoix, at the time House Proprietor to the Ardoix family, was executed, and sent the settlement into a state of upheaval once more, until the outside influence of Del Cenere returned order. In the wake of its upheaval, unification efforts began in earnest under the leadership of Sofia Ardoix.
Outsiders are treated mildly frigidly, but not unkindly, provided they do not disrupt the status quo of the duo of factions coexisting within the outpost. With Del Cenere's influence, Palisade (while not having a high opinion of wolves to begin with), has grown somewhat more prejudiced about allowing unfamiliar wolves to stay extended periods of time.
