Salsola Territory
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Reading our introductory information is mandatory before attempting to join! |
Territory | |
The Thistle Kingdom (Territory)
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» Amherst | |
The Portland Outpost
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The Fort Preble Outpost at Portland, Maine, is an important off-board trade destination for Salsola. » Longterm aNPCs may eventually be moved here.
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» Pack Account — For all general inquiries, please PM the SL Pack Account. | |
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Salsola has its own Discord Chat! To be added to the channel, please contact Salsolan Leadership. » Only players of active or aNPC'd Salsolans may join the Salsola Discord Chat.
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Only Salsolan Leadership or approved individuals may make edits to this page. |
Salsola's Territory Claim
Salsola is located on an isolated peninsula jutting from the westernmost edge of Drifter Bay. Surrounded by the grey waters of Loch Fundy, the pack enjoys both dramatic coastal terrain and sweeping grassland plains. A thick swath of predominantly-coniferous forest begins just north of Millstone Village and extends to the far eastern edge of the territory, split in two by the meandering Deception Creek. The kingdom utilizes the icy waters of the Pictou River as its easternmost border. All borders are kept well-marked and well-patrolled, as Salsola is infamously suspicious of (and unwelcoming toward) those they deem to be Outsiders. In Autumn 2015, Salsola had its first large territory expansion. Maintaining the fast-flowing and frigid waters of the Pictou as their strong Eastern border, the Mafiosi extended Salsola's land claim primarily North. It stretched up well beyond the boundary of the Deception River, reaching toward the very foot of the Halcyon Range itself. Barring passage through to Drifter Bay, and with now-abolished Inferni blocking it's Eastern end, Outsiders were pushed to trek through the formidable mountains themselves to reach the Southern realms of Nova Scotia. In Winter 2017, Salsola expanded its reach to what it is today; Claiming the southern sectors of the city of Amherst and spanning across and further into the Halcyon Mountains. The town-structures of Amherst, built by Those who came Before, have been re-purposed to fit increasingly varied Luperci needs. With a proper port and dock and a thriving market square, the newest northern acquisitions promise to add to Salsola's burgeoning wealth. Now the kingdom's reach is considerably immense, an unmissable political power separating the mainland and the peninsula right in the heart of 'Souls. |
Thistle Kingdom Map |
Art by Alaine |
Territory Directory (Hide) |
Settlements | |
Facilities | |
Landmarks | |
Major Water Sources | |
Areas of Interest by Region (Show) |
Upper Tantramar |
Upper Tantramar consists of all Salsolan claim north of the Deception Creek. The variety of ecosystems to be found within Upper Tantramar is mightily impressive. From the dense, haunted forests of the Blackwoods to the cracked concrete and repaired constructions of southern Amherst, this region exists between one extreme to another. At its northernmost reach are the foothills of the titanic Halcyon mountain range, whose glacial melts feed the frigid waters of the Great Falls and the Pictou river. At its heart are rolling hills and great plains of swaying golden grass, humped with various drumlins and eskers, rolling and rising awkwardly from the otherwise flat land. Prey is plentiful in Upper Tantramar. Herds of whitetail deer roam the lesser pine barrens and make habitual pilgrimage across the grasslands in search of the sweet berries that grow further north. Where stone paths and crumbling buildings mar the outskirts of the abandoned city, smaller prey - such as hares, pheasants, and rodents alike - may be found taking shelter among the cracks and crevasses.
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Landscape/Inspiration Gallery |
Amherst (⤴) |
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The Docks (⤴) |
Abandoned long ago in the time of Those who came Before, the Docks - as the shipping port has come to be colloquially known - have fallen into disrepair. Beneath the carnage of weather and time, the old bones of the once seafaring structure are still good and true. Since expanding to encapsulate the Ruins, Salsola has steadily begun repairs on the area, with the intent for them to eventually be fit housing for nautical vessels. Once Salsola has appropriate access to boat storage at the Docks, this new mode of travel will enable us to efficiently trade with those who live across the other side of Loch Fundy's tempestuous grey waters. |
The Firehouse (⤴) |
Constructed during the time of humanity, the Amherst Fire Station is one of the remaining structures in the area. A two story building, this brick and concrete structure survived the worst of the natural disasters that affected Nova Scotia. It's original interior was damaged by exposure, not only from the large open doors of its mostly empty truck house, but from the fall of The Red Star, which shattered the building's windows. Though wear and tear is obvious, efforts have been made to keep the building standing. In some places, such as around the large and now vacant garage, timber has been erected to support door frames and other weak points. While its windows were obliterated when the Red Star fell, wooden shutters and leather coverings help keep the worst of the weather out. |
The Marketplace (⤴) |
Salvaged from the remains of a city square is the heaving quarter of the Marketplace. Heavily weathered buildings facing inward to an open plaza of cracked concrete and worn stone have been bedecked instead with fresh wood and cloth-bannered stalls. Riotous with color and sound, the Marketplace is the dominion of Salsola's Merchant tier. The Marketplace remains the only location within Salsolan territory where Outsiders - under escort and careful watch - may be tolerated, or even welcomed. Trade is the lifeblood of this landmark, and new or aspiring merchants will often display their wares here in an attempt to cut their teeth on the ruthless nature of barter. |
The Blackwoods |
As the name suggests, this dense patch of woodlands is so overgrown and tangled that it emanates an eerie, haunted quality. Although close by the western coastline, the tall and densely packed trees mask all scent of the nearby ocean, which can be quite disorienting to those traversing the forest's depths. In some groves, the trees grow so close together and the underbrush is so thick that it blots out a lot of the natural light, leaving deep areas of pervasive, chilling shadow. All this, in addition to often-changing or hidden prey trails, leads to many unprepared adventurers losing their way. A coastal mist will often rise from the nearby bluffs and roll into the forest, shrouding it in fog. Popular myth describes the souls of lost wanderers and treasured ancestors, watching from the boughs of the ancient, gnarled pines. Due to its reputation as a place of occult - or perhaps, causing it - the Blackwoods are a popular locale for practitioners in Salsola's coven. |
The Great Falls |
Flung far in the north-easternmost corner of Salsola's claim, the Great Falls thunder down with a vengeance from the foothills of the Halcyon mountains. A convergence of several smaller falls that become one massive drop of water, the bottom is deep and unreachable. The frothing, violent waters would mercilessly drown any who attempted to swim beneath them. Nearby pools have been carved over many thousands of years, however, and are perfect for swimming - but beware, the natural rock formations are as dangerous as they are a wonder to look upon. In early spring 2019, the trial of Delfina Heiwa was held here. Rumor has it Delfina's bones still to lie at the endless bottom of the Great Falls, her spirit forever trapped in the torment of the rushing waters. |
Grimrun (⤴) |
Acting as the heart of the Pauson Breeding Program, and based upon the design of an older building replaced in the process of original construction, this barn is much larger than its older companion. Only equines are housed in Grimrun, and here the authority of the Equinest and their Vaqueros is all but law. These stud-book horses are considerably extremely valuable to the pack, and have more restrictions when it comes to general member use. All horses stabled here are in use (in one way or another) for the breeding program, and, as such, most of the mares are either pregnant or have a foal at foot, and not suitable to ride. Select intact stallions are kept as studs should their bloodlines, physical endowments, and temperaments lead them to be suitable for the task. Behind dense foliage overgrowth and the thick wooden doors of Grimrun, Salsola is quietly developing its own breed of horse - one of the first of the new age in Nova Scotia since the fall of humankind. |
The Lesser Pine Barrens |
While a part of the whole eastern forest - known in its entirety as the Pine Barrens - the northern strand, separated from its lower half by the Deception creek, is referred to as the lesser Pine Barrens. The lesser Pine Barrens is so named due to being smaller in size, and thinner in density, than its southern portion. The conifer and broadleaf forest trickles out until its northermost reaches are claimed by marshland and fields. Due to the easily accessible grazing land, the lesser Pine Barrens are a favorite of deer and other herbivores. Rarely, one might find a moose doe and calf wandering the open trails between copses of pine. A main path leading east toward Drifter Bay ambles through the northern spread of the lesser Pine Barrens. |
Shrine (⤴) |
SUMMARY HERE |
Queensgate Garrison |
In the shadow of the Halcyon mountain range sits and old battalion-esque building, a once-relic dated to roughly the same age as the Ruins proper due to the usage of similar stones in its construction. The garrison has been kept in relatively good repair over the ages, first by Those who came Before, and later by nomadic travelers passing through the then-unclaimed lands. As such, and owing to the sturdy rigidity of its original foundation, the Queensgate Garrison required only minor amendments before being of great use to the Thistle Kingdom. Now this stoic building is the dominion of the Shield tier, and the semi-permanent home of a number of trainee guards, soldiers and scouts. It serves as a blockage between the difficult-to-monitor Amherst border and the deeper entryways to Upper Tantramar. Overlooking and monitoring all passage along the Highroad, the Queensgate Garrison is the frontline unit of defense in Salsola's north. |
Deception Creek |
Deception Creek is the landmark that divides Salsola’s territory into Upper and Lower Tantramar. The creek earned its name for its deceptively fast-flowing and deep current in some stretches of the waterway - while the surface may appear glassy and slow moving, its undercurrents can be surprisingly treacherous to the unwary swimmer. There are many safe shallows suitable for crossings known to those familiar with the territory, as well as a notable luperci-made bridge that allows for the passage of carts up and down Salsola's claim. The source of the creek is rumoured to be a spring somewhere south of Grimrun, which then flows over a small cascade before broadening out into a proper tributary. The creek coils, serpentine, between the Lesser and Greater Pine Barrens before joining with the larger mass of the Pictou River on the eastern border. |
Credit: Boke9a |
Lower Tantramar |
Lower Tantramar consists of all Salsolan claim south of the Deception Creek. The smaller of the two regions, Lower Tantramar is nonetheless teeming with potential. Capped by rising land and the sluggish, meandering waters of the Deception Creek, this region is surrounded on all sides by some form of water. At its heart is the tranquil reflection of Lake Ligeia, hemmed in by the lush and bountiful greater Pine Barrens. The large majority of Salsolan dwellings can be found in Lower Tantramar; from Millstone village, a quaint albeit neglected settlement of houses and cabins, all the way to the dramatic visage of the Ruins proper, an old relic from the ancient times of Those who came Before. A knowing hunter will always be able to find supper in Lower Tantramar. The greater Pine Barrens support a thriving populace of wildlife, as does the deciduous Oakgrove closer to home. Due to its easily accessible waterways, fish are an excellent resource for those able and willing to pursue them.
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Landscape/Inspiration Gallery |
The Garden (⤴) |
The garden is located in lush terrain a short walk from the rich silt-infused and fertile banks of the Pictou delta. Various uncultivated plant cover disguises the garden from view, and a short fence surrounds it. The fence is useless for keeping vermin and such out of the garden, and merely serves as a boundary marker to separate the intentionally cultivated flora from the wild ones. A small cabin - little more than a shed - allows for the storage of crude gardening equipment and simple tools. A number of different plants are cultivated here for Salsola's purposes; primarily, the pack is interested in healing items and items that can be used to conceal one's scent. However, any plants possessing useful properties may be added to the garden's stores. The garden's proximity to the Pictou River allows for watering trenches to bring quenching liquid to the growing plants of the pack. Plants are frequently dried or preserved and later transported to the Storage shed for safe-keeping. |
Isle Haute (⤴) |
A small island, known to Salsolans as Isle Haute, juts bravely into the loch just south of the mainland claim. Visible from the southern shore, it is a stony protrusion that is large enough to hold soil and trees well above the waterline of the loch. Isle Haute features towering bayside bluffs, which offer some protection from the ebbing tide. The mainland coast is slightly more forgiving. The island is accessible via a dock and chain-pulley boat, which was once operated by the Slave of Salt pre-abolition of the slave rank by Queen Elphaba Revlis in 2018. Isle Haute is off-limits to most Salsolans, presumably due to its nature as a sacred site to the kingdom's Sanctus tier. |
Lake Ligeia |
Bordered by the greater Pine Barrens and a short walk north of Millstone Village is a medium-sized, glacial lake. The shore surrounding it has dark, nearly black earth, perhaps the reasoning behind its name. Although in the early days of Salsolan history, the lake served as an excellent hunting ground - a watering hold attended by many of the local wildlife - recent ages have seen an increase of the Salsolan population, and therefore an increase in regular domestic use of Lake Ligeia. As such, it has become more of a place for bathing and recreation than for hunting or trapping. Young Salsolans will often have gatherings beside the lake in the height of summer. Many domiciles use the lake to wash their clothing and their selves. |
Marrgerd (⤴) |
Marrgerd is located just two miles north-east of the Ruins. It is the formal name for an area encompassing Salsola's main livestock grazing area and stables. The terrain is large mire fully encompassing over twenty-five hundred acres, comprised largely of open meadowland. In summer, the long field grasses are green and gold - in spring they are dotted with wildflowers. A small pond provides easy water access, left as the remains of a larger glacial kettle. Most of the barn is constructed within a small stand of pine trees, the center-most of which were felled for building materials. The trees obscure the barn from view to some extent; if someone were not specifically looking for the corral or already aware of its existence, they might easily overlook it. Added shrubbery and vines planted along the barn's sides add to the cover. The barn itself is a weathered and drab gray-green color on the outside, aiding its disguise. |
Millstone Village (⤴) |
Millstone is a relatively isolated village, with only a small number of cottages, cabins, and houses that are in good enough standing to shelter denizens. It is accessible by a main pathway that leads out of the Ruins proper to the southwest, and also by many little forest paths that stretch and twist for miles through the greater Pine Barrens. Overgrown and surrounded by small plots of open land, the area is unusually fertile. Small cabins hunker against the elements, many still containing simple tools of the past; technological advances were not present in this village even before the apocalypse. From silos to barns to a one room schoolhouse and graveyard, one can draw the conclusion that Millstone was, originally, an Amish village tucked away from the eyes of the world. |
The Arena |
Constructed under the stern direction of Paladin Idrieus Eternity, the Arena was built in early 2017 due to a perceived need for specialized combat training space. It was used extensively in preparation for the Inferni-Salsola War. The Arena stands alongside a narrow coastal pathway, directly south of Millstone on the southern shore. Any Salsolan desiring to train or improve their combat skills are encouraged to make use of the Arena. A simple construction, it appears to be a round corral-like pen with wooden posts acting as a guard rail. On one side, a sturdy wooden stand has been built to allow a small number of observers to get a better view. The base of the Arena is packed with thick gravel and sand, carted in from the beachier stretches of the southern shore. |
The Notice Board |
» Be sure to check out Salsola’s accompanying Discord channel for current notices! Seeing the need for a better way to disseminate local information to the pack, Emissary Kamari Kaiser and Sanctus Apprentice Morgana Revlis spearheaded the construction of the notice board in June 2020. Members are encouraged to leave notices on this board, and asked to take off those that they intend to accept or claim. The Notice Board is made out of oakwood gleaned from the Oakgrove due to white oak's natural properties for withstanding the elements. Two thick support poles are dug into the ground, and sit amongst a bed of small river rocks spread around the board’s base to help keep the ground from eroding away beneath it. A roof with layered, wooden shingles helps keep off the majority of the rain and snow from disturbing the messages nailed to the board itself. A bucket of nails hangs off of a hook, and, if one needs a hammer, there are plenty of rocks nearby to use. The board is tall enough to allow even Salsola’s larger, wolf-blooded denizens to comfortably stand beneath its short roof, and, it is high enough from the ground that it clears most of the thickest snowdrifts common in the area. Some examples (not limited to!) of a note, message, scroll, or hide that may be tacked to the Notice Board are:
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The Ruins (⤴) |
» Interested in purchasing a residence? Check out our Residency Page. Like bones, the bleached remains of a grand Chateau and its outbuildings sprawl in eerie, crumbling splendor across the high plateau. Monoliths from an age gone by, the ancient castle comprises of one central and four compass towers, along with a large number of halls, keeps, machicolations, barbicans and gatehouses. It was claimed as the main dwelling locale for the denizens of the Thistle Kingdom during the original foundation of Salsola, and has presided as the center of domestic Salsolan life to this day. Many of the venerable old buildings are little more than stone skeletons, and require extensive repairs or additions to make them livable. However, not an unreasonable number have weathered the ages well, needing only a new wooden roof and mortar patches to provide comfort and shelter. A number of the buildings provide secretive pockets, and are often disguised with a protective growth of wild thistle. The stunning overgrowth of underbrush provides excellent cover, with vines overtaking the vast majority of externally exposed stone. There are many pathways meandering throughout the Ruins, the main ones cobblestoned and large enough for a horse and cart, the minor ones little more than an individual-wide trail of packed earth. The main pathways are often accompanied by hedgerow or low weathered stone walls. |
The Clinic (⤴) |
The Clinic is a free-standing structure, comprised of an old hunting lodge later expanded and reinforced by early members of the Thistle Kingdom. It is bypassed by one of the main pathways into and out of the Ruins proper - as such, it is well situated along a main thoroughfare. The path is wide enough for a horse and cart, and is regularly used by such to deliver important medical goods to and from the building. The building itself is roomy and has two floors, including an open upper level where emergency stores, such as blankets and food, are kept. The lower floor is made of stone, and is of original construction. The upper floor is made of pine, crafted by Luperci builders during repairs. It is on the upper floor where ill or resting patients are kept in narrow, simple bunks. There they are tended to by any of the kingdom's Curanderos or the Cleric. |
The Feasting Hall |
The Feasting Hall is where Salsola holds their Last Supper ritual, Saturnalia banquets, and wedding receptions. This is where the Family meets for meetings to celebrate events, discuss pack activities and progress – including the rites of intra-pack promotions – or to discuss any news relevant to the functioning of the pack. The Feasting Hall is located towards the southern end of the Ruins. Independent of the main structure of the old castle itself, the hall is a long rectangular structure that shows various amounts of exposure and age. Its condition allows for no roof, but sturdy stone walls with two main entrances. When an event is in preparation or progress, large pyres and lit torches will light up the hall with flamelight. |
The Library (⤴) |
SUMMARY HERE |
The War Room (⤴) |
Opening summary, to include significance, construction, project leader, building placement, and building layout In January 2022, in the aftermath of the battle to liberate the sieged Caledonians during the Tear in the Tapestry, a catapult was smuggled back to Salsola in secret by Kamari Kaiser with the help of Tattersall Valentine, Morrow Larue, and Mirko Morandi. This large siege weapon now sits outside the War Room. Though the War Room is often associated with the Shield and the Kingdom’s fighter-types, it currently houses many of the Kingdom’s spoils, from wars to skirmishes and smaller conflicts, to great or rare hunts, to other notable moments within the Kingdom’s history. Trophies must have a significant meaning to the Kingdom, not just a single individual. For example, the sword of the leader of a group that harassed Salsola as a whole would be acceptable; the sword of a single, random, trespassing Loner would not be. |
Southern Shoreline |
There is little need to patrol our southern border, as the Loch Fundy does the job well enough. With many little inlets, coves, and caves to explore, the southern shoreline offers a wealth of exploratory discoveries. Tending to be rockier and pebbly in nature than the western coast, the water along the southern shoreline is often startlingly clear. It still retains some of the saltiness of its pre-Red Star connection to the ocean. Although in mild weather the water seems perfectly lovely, the southern shoreline can be especially dangerous in a storm, with high tides and waves lashing at the Peninsulas and Isle Haute. |
Storage (⤴) |
On the southern coast a short walk from both Millstone Village and the Ruins, a small hump of land hunkers against the loch's stiff breeze. It at first seems to be the average esker or drumlin, just another patch of land showing sign of past glaciation. Upon closer inspection, one realizes there is a thick and heavy oak door in the hillside itself, half-disguised by overgrowth from the hillock it sits within. Disguised in this way from any non-Salsolan eyes, the Storage unit is better described as an underground bunker than it is a shed or a house. Due to the nature of being enclosed on all sides by earth, it is exceptionally good at maintaining an even, low temperature, perfect for the storing of treated or preserved foods. Sectioned by category, it is an orderly, monitored affair. |
Defunct Areas |
Areas of old and those that were destroyed by time, by nature, or by the work of Luperci reside here. For some, their ruined remains may still be seen across the land, for others, the only trace of their existence is through Salsola™’s history books or through the memories of its people.
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Three dilapidated buildings clustered near the park’s entrance; otherwise, the pristine wilderness park bear no evidence of humanity. The former picnic area provided an excellent small pasture ground. Over the years, the Lesser Forest grew from its homey position nestled up against Millstone Village, and became absorbed into and became an extension of what is now known as The Greater Pine Barrens. |
Formerly a tiny community nestled against the bay, the Shulie consisted of only ten houses -- six of which were summer homes, occupied only during the warmer months. The farmhouse itself was one of two that still stood. The farm's former boundary, a low stone fence, stood to mark the remainder of the border. A spring on the farm's property provided the source of Deception River—now known as Deception Creek. The farmland underwent revitalization in August 2013, eventually becoming what is now known as Grimrun. |
Once located in Upper Tantramar, the fishery marked the halfway point in the Pictou River. It had a beaten cabin and a small area that, during the human times, was likely used to breed and harvest the Atlantic Salmon that made their way up the river to breed. The whole area still smells like fish and smoke, but only faintly. Anyone there could also see a good ways into Drifter Bay. During the Inferni-Salsola War, the fishery was used as a triage point. The fishery and its weir further downstream were destroyed in February 2020 from rain and the melting snow accumulated from the blizzard of the month prior. |
The Borgata Xicohtli's Pictou River drains into the Bay of Fundy, and, as with many rivers along this bay, is subject to the tremendous tides within the bay. High tide brings about a tidal bore, which drives high tide waters upriver in a visible wave against the current. One small creek of the river has been walled off with stones of various sizes to make a fishing weir -- this creek, nicknamed Pesce (See: Deception) Creek, serves as a fishtrap for the Salsola pack. Fish are driven upriver with the tide, and when the low tide comes about, they cannot escape. This is the weir's primary use. The first part of the weir sits along the mouth of the creek, consisting of a stone wall. This wall sits above the water during the low tide, but is completely submerged during high tide, allowing fish to pass over. The second part of the weir can be used only with two Luperci -- a large, rolled-up net sits in a canvas bag tied in a tree near the stone wall. The net must be stretched across the river, and it can then be walked downstream, driving a large amount of fish directly to the weir and trapping them. The weir and its fishery further upstream were destroyed in February 2020 from rain and the melting snow accumulated from the blizzard of the month prior. |