The Rail Station (c1)

Flat Region Ranger Headquarters and Railway Station

Prior to the founding of Powell Station, dominant trade routes extended to the west side of the Kkaxe River Canyon, through the Flat Quarter. Travel to the North was hampered by the collapsed canyon of The Sentinels and The Left: caravans had to detour west around to narrower, crossable areas, requiring extra provisions and stamina to make it through the cruel Dust Passage. Trade did extend northwards through the Canyon, assisted by Aniza Kkaxe Flock guides, but the process was difficult and hampered by the difficult terrain and dangerous portage, and Birdfolk presence at The City of The Fingers – the only major resupply – was tolerated at best. The Rail line at the time extended only along the relative safety of the Southern coast, where it could be somewhat defended by coast caravels, but Rail shipments were constantly under attack and sabotage by hostile Beanfolk, who – despite their defeat at The Oxbows and their withdrawal to the Green – still prevented trade or exploratory expansion Northeast of The Horn.

Despite these challenges, however, Birdfolk were intent to reconnect with the wisdom of Corvus, draw from the ancient empowerhouse facilities at the Caldera, and access the library of knowledge contained within. Without easier access to the North, these could never be sustainable goals. As construction on the Rail Line progressed, the added Birdfolk presence allowed the negotiation of a Grass border and the eventual Bean treaty. The decision to extend the Rail System northwards and establish Powell Station as a Rail stronghold allowed Birdfolk merchants to gain a foothold to the previously unreachable territory, and changed the face of the desert ever since.

1583

Terrain: Marigold Sands

Scrip: The Fingers

Powell Station Commemorative

Train Ticket / Ticket to Nowhere