1.1  Territory

Fort Preble — Barracks

Fort Preble is an ancient military fort located in South Portland, Maine, United States, and looks out into the Casco Bay. It's roughly 4 miles from Portland Proper, and takes about 1 hour to reach the trade port's busy marketplaces and trading docks.

Most of the fort itself is comprised of a number of stone barracks and, beneath them, concrete bunkers. With some patchwork, repairs, and customization, these existing buildings have been better adapted to suit the Luperci traders' needs. The barracks, though simple in appearance, are well constructed and — when furnished — make for relatively comfortable and easily defensive dwellings. They are used as homes for the canines who serve Salsola by acting as trade contacts near to the Portland docks, and are welcome accommodations for Salsolans (and allies!) who chose to make the tiring trip to the merchant center. Beyond the fort's immediate occupation, however, are various other dwellings that Salsolans may decide to call home instead. The upkeep of these buildings, however, are entirely up to the homeowner.

In the warmer months, the Fort boasts verdant greenery, as its abandonment by humanity has allowed for trees and other wild vegetation to reclaim much of the area. The Salsolans that now call the area home have tamed it back some, giving it an equally wild but well-cared for and inhabited appeal to it. Fort Preble has relatively chilly but mild winters in comparison to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The location naturally allows for less snow to accumulate than there would be further inland, however, the trade off is ice and the cold, bitter wind that comes off of the water. As time has worn on, some of the buildings in greater disrepair have been torn down, allowing for various open spaces within the fort's immediate vicinity for temporary camps, outside activities, etc. Fort Preble has direct access to the ocean, and the nearby marina to the east allows for smaller water vessels to safely dock. An unmovable, stone wall stands guard over the fort's northeastern-most point, as does a lonely, sea-ravaged lighthouse. The nearby beaches are, for the most part, sandy, though, there are plenty of areas littered with large slabs of rock or boulders.

Aside from being relatively close to the busy trade port, Fort Preble's ideal location allows for easy access to freshly-caught fish and crustaceans, and hunters are able to collect a wealthy bounty by traveling only a short distance south or anywhere outside the Portland area.

1.2  Ranks & Residents

The position, expectations, and duties of members at the Salsolan Outpost mirror those of the main pack. Details of what these entail can be found on our Ranks page. The leadership role of Fort Preble — who is known as the Governor — is most akin to that of a Sotto Capo member, though encourages an autonomy that is necessary in far-flung Portland.

Generally, the Outpost acts as a “testing ground” for new Associates passing through the area. Salsola-hopeful individuals who prove themselves will be encouraged to travel to Salsola-proper. Meanwhile, Salsolans from the Kingdom Proper may come to the Fort looking to improve their trading or other skills before returning. Others may simply find the life in Portland more agreeable to them, and may make the move permeant before eventually moving on.

Notes:

• Please use our Maintenance thread or contact Salsola's Leadership if you want...
  • ...to move your Salsolan to the Outpost.
  • ...to remove your Salsolan from the Outpost. If the character is leaving Salsola altogether or has died, please notate as much.
    • Alternatively, if you feel comfortable with editing the wiki, feel free to do this yourself!
  • ...your character(s) to have offspring while at the Outpost.
    • As this a request-only and pack-owned area, you are required to inform us of additions to our pack. We're generally okay with off-board (and backdated off-board)-born puppies, just be courteous and communicate with us, please!
    • Alternatively, if you feel comfortable with editing the wiki, feel free to add these yourself!
• Generally, characters will not receive promotions while staying in Portland. Bambinos are automatically moved into the Family upon reaching 1 year of age.
• Associates and Servants are not allowed to be NPC'd at the Outpost. The Outpost is reserved for proven and contributing ranked members, of which, Associates and Servants can be neither.

The Outer Reach program helps Salsola Leadership clean out overly longstanding NPCs; in particular, those belonging to players who have long-since left 'Souls.

Portland remains an ever bustling, lively city — and its growth, like so many other places, is undeniable. Within Fort Preble and the surrounding land, some of the Outpost Salsolans can feel the open space shrinking in all around them. With fewer prospects available, Governor Blair devised new prospects for Salsolans looking for work.

Making use of Salsola's abundant resources and talented members, organized parties are devised to lead trade caravans to distant locations. Owing to the length of time needed to travel, and Portland's ever-fluctuating lack of space, these are long-term prospects — and some members may see this as an opportunity to live away from the ever-present eyes of Salsola's elite. These expeditions present a unique opportunity to keep strong connections to the Thistle Kingdom without the every-day demands of la Familia.

What happens after these Salsolans leave Fort Preble is a mystery. Some may one day return, others may use the distance to conveniently "disappear". The loyal, however, may even establish the beginnings of a new trading hub and resource for the Thistle Kingdom in far-distant lands.

The Original Outpost by Alaine

Historical Founding: Eyeing the veritable wealth that rushed in and out of the Freetown Ports, the Mafiosi sent out an expedition to profit from the trading port. The first Salsolan Outpost was settled by a group of four Salsolans led by Aedan De Valence in September, 2014. Their preliminary repairs to the cabin site allowed for the canines to make a comfortable home at the Outpost, and their task of trading began. The chosen area consisted of a small number of humble, wooden cabins neatly tucked into the forestry growth of the area, and was located on the mouth of Rockport Cove, a mere 8 miles from the central Freetown Docks (and an average of 4-days travel on horseback from Salsola).

In Autumn 2015, Boss Salvia Eternity ordered another, larger group of dedicated Salsolans to join their brethren at the Outpost. Their mission was to expand upon the excellent work that had already been achieved at the site, so as to be able to procure more trade goods for Salsola — including livestock.

Move to Portland: The original Trade Outpost endured in this manner for quite some time, managing profitable trade agreements and individuals deals at their leisure and reaping in the work of local merchants and goods from abroad. It might have continued to be so, if not for the terrible catalyst that befell all Nova Scotia and the lands just beyond. In April of the year 2016, a great Red Star fell from the heavens and smashed into the sea beyond the southernmost reaches of the land. The effects of the meteor were devastating, and included the utter destruction of Freetown. The Salsolan Outpost suffered greatly for their nearness to the coast, and a number of goods were lost to the floodwaters that came in the days following the fall.

After learning of the plight of their traders, Salsola sent an envoy to re-establish connection and assess the damages. The Mafiosi decided it would be most fruitful for the abroad Salsolan members to pack their remaining goods and follow the great exodus of traders from the ruins of Freetown to a new burgeoning trade location further south in Portland Maine.

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