Having fled from the decimated waterways and coastal routes of Freetown, traders from the area re-located to the nearby but relatively unscathed Portland to attempt to re-institute their merchant bases. The Salsolan Outpost members traveled with the original surge of survivors, and passed by Portland proper to South Portland, where they discovered the remnants of Fort Preble. Having been originally of military construction, the Fort remained largely unbroken by nature and time, and was a suitable domicile for the SL Outposters to renovate for living quarters and merchantile storage.

Most of the fort comprises 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 are serving Salsola by acting as trade contacts near to the Portland docks, and will be welcome accommodation for Salsolans (and allies!) who chose to make the tiring trip to the merchant center.

This location will house a fluctuating number of pNPC and other NPC characters. It provides the leadership with a method to realistically keep good IC contact between the pack and characters who have been dropped, but may be picked up again and wish to still belong to the pack. If you have a character that you might want stationed at Salsola's Outpost, please contact the leadership and we will sort something out!

Fort Preble is open for IC use by any Salsolan character. If you wish to have your character travel to Portland, they are more than welcome to stay in the barracks and have basic interactions with the NPCs living there! This can make longer trading trips much more realistic, whilst also provide you with an opportunity to reference an extra pack-based location in any LASKY threads you might enjoy during your character's trip.

Having a base of contact in Portland also means a much more constant flow of goods between the pack and the Portland merchants. Salsola will be able to access and procure rare or unusual items with much more ease and efficiency. Has your character been wanting a specific item for some time, but you cannot think of a realistic method in which he/she may get it? Why not discuss with leadership and plot for one of the Outpost Salsolans to procure that item for your character!

1.1  Territory

Fort Preble - Barracks

The largest surviving construction on the weather-torn grounds. The main barracks are a formidable building constructed of stone and concrete. Though covered with vine and vegetation in some areas, and rather rough-looking from the outside, it is largely in livable repair and is a longstanding structure with many separate chambers.

This is the primary living space for the permanent occupants of the Outpost, and can easily fit up to as many as 30 Luperci comfortably.

In a little rougher condition than the main barracks, this building has in some places lost sections of wall, or has trees and vegetation growing through the flat rooftop. There are, however, a number of rooms in reasonable repair that are currently being tended to by some of the Outpost members. This is where Salsolan Family or allies who are passing through are most likely to stay, as the independent building of the Guest Barracks allows them to come and go as they please. It has ample privacy from the busy comings and goings of the main barracks.

Fort Preble is current overcrowded -- visitors are expected to set up camp outside of the Fort during their time in Portland, as the Guest Barracks are in use!

Hidden beneath a solid door that leads underground, the storage bunker is a giant chamber under the earth. It is segmented by many pillars and walls, and although it has no windows and is extremely dark within, it can be traversed easily if one only has a candle or wooden torch. This well-guarded structure is where the Salsolan Outpost members store the majority of their un-living trade goods; Its cool temperature makes it suitable to preserve most items without harm.

A relatively small building adjoining the main barracks. This offshoot would originally have been a wing of the main structure, but the clever outpost members have managed to convert it into a reasonable stables with enough stalls to hold 8+ large beasts. The stable building opens out into a large paddock, segmented with some crude timber fencing. To one side of the paddocks is the corral, a round wooden structure for working, training or housing difficult animals.

A trio of primitive looking dwellings. The original was constructed by Kynda Helsi & Hugleikr Silfr upon their arrival at the Fort, while they were aided by Blair Eternity and Reykja Helsi in building the others. Two of these structures are the permanent dwelling of the Helsi family, while the third and largest serves as a "guest house" for women seeking privacy from their male companions, as well as an area for spiritual and religious practice.

1.2  Ranks

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.

Generally, the Outpost acts as a “testing ground” for new Associates passing through the area. Members who prove themselves will be encouraged to travel to Salsola-proper, while others may come to the Fort looking to improve their trading or other skills before returning. The leadership role of Fort Preble is most akin to that of a Capo member, though encourages an autonomy that is necessary in far-flung Portland.

Characters generally do not move too regularly from their positions while staying in Portland.

Items Marked "Trade"

Items Marked "Collection"

Medical

• Sturdy doe-leather satchel, marked with healer's cross
• Contains fresh linen bandages, 3 small glass bottles of salve, and a mild herbal painkiller

• Made from expertly carved, extremely thin and sharp whale-bone
• Can be used for stitching wounds, tailoring, OR tattooing

Weaponry

• Picked out by Aedan de Valence's careful eyes
• Each sharp-edged Scimitar comes with a luperci-made leather sheath and belt
• These are the perfect weapons for individuals who do not like the heaviness or slowness of a full sword.

• A sturdy, carved staff as tall as a regular Luperci
• Make of pale Oak
• Useful for distanced combat, or individuals who are nervous around blades/blood.

• A quick, efficient weapon that requires dedicated training for use
• Comes with a green-dyed doe hide quiver and 5 flint-tipped arrows
• A well-balanced weapon, but shows signs of having been used before - worn grip.

PLANTS

• Traded for its high quality, this plant makes an excellent pain-killer or stress reliever
• In high quantities, it may also be used to enhance rituals

• Currently planted at the Outpost - Can be dug up and re-planted elsewhere
• Roots can be roasted as coffee substitute
• Unopened flower buds can be eaten raw or used in cooking
• A serving of dandelion greens contains the same amount of calcium as half a cup of milk - is also a good source of potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C (improves Luperci health!)

• Used to provoke a miscarriage or prevent pregnancy

• Leaves are used to make a fragrant, calming tea
• Berries and roots are flavorful and edible, can be boiled and used in cooking

Miscellaneous

• These 3 colorful scarves were hand picked by Wisteria D'Angelo for their soft, clever weave
• Made of cotton, which is rare and difficult to come by, they hold dyes spectacularly well, and make for excellent winter wear

• A rare acquisition, this beautiful carved oak harp is sure to set a musician's heart wandering!
• A spectacular instrument in very good repair, this item is sure to be a bargain for any clever trader.

• Made from assorted animal pelts - mostly deer but one bear and one moose.
• Generic in appearance, good for traveling outside of Salsola Proper
• Made from a combined effort of Till and Lillith

The Outpost houses their own livestock, though, to a smaller number than Salsola Proper. These animals are intended to remain at the Outpost and be used by its members. Some of these livestock may be used for for additional breeding stock, others may also be used for transferring goods or helping Salsolan characters move between the Outpost and Salsola Proper or vise-versa.

Seeking a new companion NPC? Salsolans intending an imminent return to Salsola Proper may trade for animals marked with [NT!] or [FT!] tags. Outsiders are welcome to make offers on any free-trade animal. Please send a PM to Salsola Leadership if interested in discussing a trade!

Please refer to each animal's tag(s) for their intended usage.

Caprice

Return
Rider Trained
Experienced Handlers

• Abilities: Riding
• Personality: This mare is trusting as well as a quick learner, though she is also fiery spirited. Very agile and sure-footed, she's an excellent horse intermediate to experienced riders. She can be known to be stubborn at times.
• Description: An appaloosa mare with very unique markings. She is agile in build and had a white coat with black and gray freckling along her legs, underside, and face, with a pink-toned mouth and nose.

• Stolen from a traveling loner, she was gifted to Salsola by Bayani Grimm upon his joining.
• Gave birth to Frida in 2018.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Celeris

Rider Trained
Free to Trade

• Abilities: Hardy, fast over short distances.
• Personality: Somewhat stubborn, prefers smaller riders.
• Description: Buckskin Tobiano bred in the Bay Horses herds. Branded.

• Taken from Drifter Bay during the 2014 foal round-up.
• Gave birth to [Tamerlane offspring] in 2017.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Filch

Rider Trained
Experienced Handlers
Free to Trade

• Abilities: Basic training. Rider trained, but inexperienced.
• Personality: Somewhat flighty, does better with familiar handlers.
• Description: --

• Captured from the Wildwood Horses, Coast Herd in 2016.
• Pregnant by Emmet — conceived April 2017.
• Gave birth to a foal of unspecified gender in April 2018.
• Was given to Krokar in July 2018 following Sapient's disbandment.
• Found and claimed by Salsola following Krokar's disbandment in October 2018.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Fortuna

IMAGE

No Use No Trade

• Abilities: Currently in training. Experienced handlers only.
  • She is halter trained.
  • She can "pony on" with trail rides, and be led from another horse.
• Personality: --
• Description: : Sooty black all over.

• Born to Pearl, sired by Olaf.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Galila

IMAGE

Rider Trained
Free to Trade

• Abilities: Rider trained.
• Personality: Highly food motivated. Friendly, somewhat lazy.
• Description: A bay appaloosa with socks.

• Gifted to Salsola by Ossidael when he joined.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Ozzy

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Rider Trained
No Trade

• Abilities: Riding
• Personality: Energetic, rambunctious. Ozzy likes to go fast and is quick to run.
• Description: A dappled Night Rider in coloration, with a mane and tail of Soft Amber. He has Swirl socks on all but his back left leg.

• Born in April 2013 to Misty, sired by Black.
• Ozzy was originally part of the Pauson breeding project, but rejected due to development issues. After a necessary gelding, he began adapting to the role of a working horse instead.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Reiner

IMAGE

Experienced Handlers
Rider Trained
Free to Trade

• Abilities: Great endurance, versatile.
• Personality: Quick learner, though untrustworthy of unfamiliar handlers.
• Description: A flaxen chestnut born in the Drifter Bay Herd. He has Oriental characteristics, and a long mane and tail.
• Notes:
  • Reiner is not suitable for large riders.

• Born in the Drifter Bay Herd, in the Ghost band.
• Captured by Salsola in the spring of 2018.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Soot

IMAGE

Free to Trade

• Abilities: Very fast, decent stamina. Trained in ground manners, but still green to riding.
• Personality: --
• Description: : Medium-sized smoky black tobiano. Strongly reflects Wildwood characteristics.

• Born to Filch in Krokar
• Found and claimed by Salsola following Krokar's disbandment in October 2018.
• Brought to Portland in the summer of 2020.

Wenzel

IMAGE

Return
Rider Trained
Pull Trained

• Abilities: Able to carry a larger rider and pull a cart, though his anxiety can make him more unpredictable.
• Personality: Eager to work but something of a "spooky" horse, he can get anxious in strange settings -- he is especially afraid of loud wind.
• Description: : A stocky, muscular horse with a particularly wavy mane and tail.
  • (Colt ref)

• Born in March of 2016 to Strawberry, sired by Svantevit stallion Tibor.

Nick

IMAGE

No Use

• Abilities: Unknown
• Personality: --
• Description: Black with a white nose and half black/white tail; of Gypsy Vanner ancestry

• Born to Aloline, twin to Sally.
• Gifted to Salsola by Aani Aston-D'Noires upon her joining in April 2020

No Trade

• Description: Large
• Notes:
  • Four chicks born to Muerte
    • Hand-reared from chick-hood
    • Easy to train, as they are used to Luperci

• Four chicks born to Muerte were donated by Till in Spring 2016.

No Trade

• Uses: Meat, leather, trading
• Notes:
  • The pigs don't seem to really care what's going on around them unless it involves food.
  • Any piglets would be [FT!].

• Three sows were transferred from Salsola Proper in the summer of 2020.

IMAGE

No Use

• Name: ---
• Abilities: ---
  • Uses: ---
• Personality: ---
• Description: ---
• Notes:
  • ---

• ---

Portland remains an ever bustling, lively city — and its growth, like so many other places, is undeniable. Within Fort Preble and the surrounding land, those members of Salsola who live in Maine can feel the open space shrinking all around them. With fewer prospects available, Governor Blair devises 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 increasing lack of space, these are long-term prospects – members who see this as an opportunity to live away from the ever-present eyes of Salsola's elite. It presents a unique opportunity to keep strong connections to the Thistle Kingdom without the every-day demands of its Family.

As long as dues are paid, of course, everyone is happy.

Art by Alaine

Historical Founding: 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.

In Autumn 2015, The Boss ordered another, larger group of dedicated Salsolans to join their brethren at the original 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.

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, but 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 leadership decided it would be most fruitful for the abroad SL members to pack their remaining goods and follow the great exodus of traders from the ruins of Freetown to a new burgeoning trade location, Portland Maine.

5.1  Threads

Please add any threads that you have involving the Salsolan Outpost to this list:

• On the wings of snow

• You may not respect me

• Like a Game Of Russian Roulette

• timid twitch in your wide eye

• [m] give me an answer

• [m] pools

• don't get caught on my edges

• [m] sonic ray gun, gonna be a super-star

• fell to the bottom of a wishing well

• ages of delirium